Here is the thing, it starts out as a hobby, but then it becomes an addiction.
Like any good habit forming thing.. it is always best to have the best there is to offer.
So what you really want to consider is, will this continue to be a I use it once a week" thing or will it be,
It started out as once a week but now im using it on a constant basis.
 
My theory has always been, if im using something on a constant basis, for work purposes, buy the best there is to offer. Especially when the difference is only a couple hundred and not a couple thousand.
The extra tools in Platinum are well worth the price. but if your not going to be recording stems and your only going to re working older material, Professional will do fine.
 
What ever your choices, you have joined the best working forum on the internet.
This forum alone is worth every penny you pay for the software.
 
Good luck
Chuck J

I would make the same argument but reach the opposite conclusion - if you're going to be using it constantly, buy Pro and get better plugins than those offered with Platinum. Platinum is decent value but if you are really going to go to town you'll end up replacing almost every plugin eventually.

Sanderxpander
I would make the same argument but reach the opposite conclusion - if you're going to be using it constantly, buy Pro and get better plugins than those offered with Platinum. Platinum is decent value but if you are really going to go to town you'll end up replacing almost every plugin eventually.

I use a lot of 3rd party plug ins myself and the majority of what I use for plug ins are not the ones shipped with Sonar but I would argue that if given a task of creating a professional project from start / finish only using Sonar and its default Platinum plug ins.
I could easily accomplish this. Do you agree ?
 
-The Blue Tubes Bundle.
-Sonitus bundle
-Transient Shaper
-VX-64
-TS-64
-PX-64
-Melodyne
-Drum replacer
-Vocal synch
 
These are good plug ins / Region FX. That I still use at time now. I will even say the Sonitus bundle is a great set of plug ins.
I still use Sonitus the Gate and Delay on 7/10 projects.
Sure the Sonitus plug ins are old, but one could argue; is it because of our familiarity with them, or because of their character that makes them a valuable set of tools. I think both. im sure there is better out there
(I also use Waves Manny Delay + H Delay) But Sonitus does what it should and does it well. Nothing wrong with Sonars plug ins at all.

i'm with sander on this one - if you're new, then the platinum bundle is great bang for buck, like you say one can produce something using just the bundled plugs... but if you've already been at this game for 20 years, and have invested in other 3rd party plugins, maybe not so much... and almost all of the plugins you list are somewhat "long in the tooth"
/fwiw

pwalpwal
i'm with sander on this one - if you're new, then the platinum bundle is great bang for buck, like you say one can produce something using just the bundled plugs... but if you've already been at this game for 20 years, and have invested in other 3rd party plugins, maybe not so much... and almost all of the plugins you list are somewhat "long in the tooth"
/fwiw

 
I use a lot of 3rd party plug ins too. (that cost 1000's of dollars )
Come on man, be realistic. what are you going to do if your a newbie like the OP...
 

Arizona
so I'm a total newb with Sonar.

 
buy Sonar Pro then spend a grand on plug ins ?
I'd rather stay "Long in the tooth"..lol
here's an idea... im going to cut corners by purchasing Sonar professional instead of Sonar Platinum...then im going to spend 500.00 on the fab filter bundle. sounds like a great plan.
 
Like I said previous, if given the task of completing a pro project using only Sonar. I could do it no problem.
would it sound as good as it would with Waves and Fabfilter ? No.

read my post

pwalpwal
read my post

good point

It would also be interesting to hear any opinions about the instrument plugins. Which instruments do you use the most? If you don't use any, why not?
 
Here are the instrument plugins that are available in platinum only:

• AAS Lounge Lizard Session SONAR Edition
• AAS Strum Acoustic Session SONAR Edition
• AAS Ultra Analog Session 2
• Dimension Pro
• Rapture
• True Pianos (x86, x64)

from: www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR&language=3&help=Plug-ins.1.html
 
Thanks!

I have and do use all of those. Dim Pro is especially useful.  

chuckebaby

Sanderxpander
I would make the same argument but reach the opposite conclusion - if you're going to be using it constantly, buy Pro and get better plugins than those offered with Platinum. Platinum is decent value but if you are really going to go to town you'll end up replacing almost every plugin eventually.

I use a lot of 3rd party plug ins myself and the majority of what I use for plug ins are not the ones shipped with Sonar but I would argue that if given a task of creating a professional project from start / finish only using Sonar and its default Platinum plug ins.
I could easily accomplish this. Do you agree ?
 
-The Blue Tubes Bundle.
-Sonitus bundle
-Transient Shaper
-VX-64
-TS-64
-PX-64
-Melodyne
-Drum replacer
-Vocal synch
 
These are good plug ins / Region FX. That I still use at time now. I will even say the Sonitus bundle is a great set of plug ins.
I still use Sonitus the Gate and Delay on 7/10 projects.
Sure the Sonitus plug ins are old, but one could argue; is it because of our familiarity with them, or because of their character that makes them a valuable set of tools. I think both. im sure there is better out there
(I also use Waves Manny Delay + H Delay) But Sonitus does what it should and does it well. Nothing wrong with Sonars plug ins at all.

I agree that you could get something "professional sounding" using just Sonar stuff (at least on the FX side). But you said "if you're going to be using it every day get the best you can". I believe the best would then, most of the time, NOT be a Sonar Platinum plugin. I'm not denying the collection is useful, especially if you want a one stop solution.