I have been a Pro Tools user for 5 years now and longer if you count my time in other studios. I've never used SONAR but it seems like it is much more user friendly than what I'm used to with Pro Tools. I record acoustic music all the way up to some hard rock and I'm just an amateur when it comes to recording. I use a Focusrite 18i20 if that matters to anyone.
 
My question is this:
Is SONAR a good choice for someone that just dabbles in a home studio and wants to make solid demos?
Will I lose everything that I've already recorded in Pro Tools or can that somehow convert over to Sonar?
Is the SONAR software as easy to use as it looks?
 
I appreciate any feedback from anyone who has experience with either SONAR, Pro Tools or both.
 
Thanks everyone!

I wouldn't answer with a very firm get it, you'll like it. Because you are use to PT and use it for recording I'm not sure. I think it would work just fine but its also a very deep and capable DAW that can do a lot more than just recording. First off its a full fledged MIDI sequencer plus it can handle audio looping too. There is very little it can't do well. 
 
Its audio recording is simple and very easy to use and understand. Much of Sonar is easy but I believe I am so use to it and know it well I'm not sure I'm the best person to comment on it. Clearly here on this forum you wont be on your own. Or have to face a problem by yourself. We will be with you all the way. I would think getting the demo and running it for awhile will speak more than anything I could say. 
 
If you have questions please ask. 

I forgot to discuss project compatibility. Sonar can import OMF if you can export that  format. If not one can bounce the tracks in PT and import them into Sonar. Also stems can be imported. 
 
Welcome to the forum. 

johndavidross
 
Is SONAR a good choice for someone that just dabbles in a home studio and wants to make solid demos?
 

I have a few issues with Cakewalk, the company, but I have no reservations recommending Sonar to a Pro Tools refugee who "just dabbles in a home studio."
 

johndavidross
Will I lose everything that I've already recorded in Pro Tools or can that somehow convert over to Sonar?

 
No, you shouldn't lose anything except what is unique to Pro Tools. There is no conversion or migration tool for your PT projects, but it shouldn't be too much of a hassle to export your tracks/stems, then bring them into Sonar.
 

johndavidross
Is the SONAR software as easy to use as it looks?

 
You are wise to do your homework, but nothing beats getting your hands dirty. Try the demo.
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Try-SONAR#start

I think it is much more user friendly than ProTools, but if you are familiar with ProTools you will have a learning curve to make the switch.  
 
Grab the demo, and check out these videos (virtually all of it applies to the current version of Sonar)
 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKRYWdEpbc5PgUgvrNuSvVyfv5qkll0qj
 
You might get even more specific direction if you post some areas you find cumbersome with ProTools since you have used it for a while.  

telecharge
You are wise to do your homework, but nothing beats getting your hands dirty. Try the demo.
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Try-SONAR#start

Agreed. "Ease of use" is subjective, and you need to find out if you "click" with the program.
 
Having used Pro Tools and SONAR extensively, they have different workflows. Back when people were looking for an alternative to 2" 24-track, I always recommended Pro Tools because it was based on that paradigm. But for me the true value of a computer is non-linear recording and editing, so I prefer SONAR's approach.

Anderton

telecharge
You are wise to do your homework, but nothing beats getting your hands dirty. Try the demo.
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Try-SONAR#start

Agreed. "Ease of use" is subjective, and you need to find out if you "click" with the program.
 
Having used Pro Tools and SONAR extensively, they have different workflows. Back when people were looking for an alternative to 2" 24-track, I always recommended Pro Tools because it was based on that paradigm. But for me the true value of a computer is non-linear recording and editing, so I prefer SONAR's approach.

For what it is worth, I love using the modern sonar as a 2" 24 track type of recorder.  
 
Setting up a dual monitor setup with one side as a track view, and using the other monitor for console view with the pro-channel.  It just makes sense to me as a "tape + analog" style system.  

Brian Walton
 
For what it is worth, I love using the modern sonar as a 2" 24 track type of recorder.  
 
Setting up a dual monitor setup with one side as a track view, and using the other monitor for console view with the pro-channel.  It just makes sense to me as a "tape + analog" style system.  

Cool, sometimes I think there are as many ways to use SONAR as there are people who use it. 

Do yourself a favor and watch a Sonar comping tutorial right away. Coming from the ProTools "playlist" paradigm you'll go nuts trying to understand how Sonar does it.

Sanderxpander
Do yourself a favor and watch a Sonar comping tutorial right away. Coming from the ProTools "playlist" paradigm you'll go nuts trying to understand how Sonar does it.

Good point. When it was introduced I couldn't make sense of it...until I read the documentation