Thanks for the links.
I've seen the SONAR-> Reaper one. It's from 2010 so it's a little dated now - but I guess it's still good for some basic concepts ;-)

Well, there you go - you learn something new every day!

Stillwell makes good plugins ;-)

If you work in staff or notation view, and Event list, it's great. I'm demoing Cubase, and their event list is very small print and rather mystifying. Reaper's is exactly like Sonar's. Also, although Cubase staff view is very sophisticated as notation goes, it doesn't allow you to select a passage of notes across several measures, only what's on the page. When I started with Reaper, it couldn't do it either. I submitted a feature request, and now it can. I'm probably going to stay with Reaper. I don't miss ARA as I don't even know what it is. Reaper does everything I need it to do, with a fast workflow. I'm trying to like Cubase, but just can't see how I'd ever get a good workflow going.

Reaper was mentioned on that forum many times, I mean before CW crash.
I guess negativity and ignorance about Reaper inducted by:
 
1) "it is AWESOME! I *LOVE* it etc.". Because of ads we all see everywhere, every day, on TV and Internet, most people reaction on that is opposite from the intention: "I don't f... care what you love!!!", "yet another ad/funboy". I mean people tend to run away quick from everything with such promotions.
 
I do not like it, and the fact you had to create the second account is a prove I am not alone.
 
2) 2-3 people developed DAW can not be serious.
 
Normally, it is not know how many people create a product. And the information what else is used is rarely public. That way that product can be sold as "solid".
Small projects (f.e. a VST) in many cases can be and are developed just by one programmer.
If you let me guess how many programmers was working on Sonar core engine last years, i will say  - less (!) then one (!). One full time programmer could produce quite significant changes. What else except ARA, some cosmetic interface improvements and bug fixes was done? Apart from any plug-ins, CCC and other not engine components?
 
3) "they do no play fair concurrence" ... that argument was continuously mentioned by some respectable people.
 
I think that is completely irrelevant. "Moral" in choosing the DAW? We know that the world is not fair. We can not change that. That is not a reason to use bad software. There are many fonds where money can be sent to make us think "we help poor people...".
 
4) $60 DAW is always a toy. No "pro" are using it.
 
If someone is a "pro", he/she knows what he/she wants to use and why. If someone is not a "pro",  "pro" DAW/guitar/mic/hammer unlikely is going to change that status.
Reaper is $225. And that is only(!) to the DAW. No loops, no 3d party plug-ins. Remove the price of all plug-ins and content from any "big player" bundle, how much from the bundle price is really the DAW price?
$60 is permanent discount. "Cubase and Studio One have super price for us now!". Waves have "sales" every days (down to 90% off!). That gives people impression they get something "big" for "little". Well, then think the same way about $60 for Reaper.
 

My biggest concern is that Justin gers bored( or something worse happens) with Repear..... Am i in the same boat as i am in now with Sonar in a few months/years?

scottfa
My biggest concern is that Justin gers bored( or something worse happens) with Repear..... Am i in the same boat as i am in now with Sonar in a few months/years?

Then you might in the absolute very worst case scenario be out (OMG) sixty bucks! Except that ALL versions of REAPER, dating back to the very first v0.41 public beta here: https://www.reaper.fm/download-old.php?ver=0x can be downloaded, saved to the media of your choice, and will continue to work, even if the entire internet were to go totally tits up! On the other hand, it is far more likely that you would buy a current version for the same sixty bucks, and get to go for as many as two versions before having to cough up more of your hard earned money!
 
I bought my last upgrade copy of REAPER so long ago, I feel guilty not sending more money to them, but at v6.0 I will FINALLY have to send in some more cash to keep my copy current, and I will do it the second it comes out!!!

the_user_formally_known_as_glennbo

scottfa
My biggest concern is that Justin gers bored( or something worse happens) with Repear..... Am i in the same boat as i am in now with Sonar in a few months/years?

Then you might in the absolute very worst case scenario be out (OMG) sixty bucks! Except that ALL versions of REAPER, dating back to the very first v0.41 public beta here: https://www.reaper.fm/download-old.php?ver=0x can be downloaded, saved to the media of your choice, and will continue to work, even if the entire internet were to go totally tits up! On the other hand, it is far more likely that you would buy a current version for the same sixty bucks, and get to go for as many as two versions before having to cough up more of your hard earned money!
 
I bought my last upgrade copy of REAPER so long ago, I feel guilty not sending more money to them, but at v6.0 I will FINALLY have to send in some more cash to keep my copy current, and I will do it the second it comes out!!!

Exactly, and the latest file coming around a  huge 11mb, downloading isn't a chore. Always amazed that they can get all that power into an 11mb download.
 
I'll have to buy a new license when 6 comes out, I checked the other day and my current license was purchased on 26 December 2013, just about to roll into its 5th year of free updates (how long did SONARs Lifetime updates last? ) sorry, couldn't resist , that's not bad value for $60.
 
You could worry the same about any company possibly going belly up, I don't think I would be to worried about Cockos and REAPER going belly up, it's not about the money to them and it's all pretty much self contained and a pretty lean machine.

PS: I am about to buy shares in Reaper...what the heck ?
 

Once again, I'm very happy to be proven wrong.
Regarding ARA support in Reaper, check this:
 
https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=200297
 
John

JohnKenn
Once again, I'm very happy to be proven wrong.
Regarding ARA support in Reaper, check this:
 
https://forum.cockos.com/showthread.php?t=200297
 
John

That's great news!

Billy Buck
Yes, ARA integration is finally coming to REAPER! 

I guess I'll be coming to Reaper to 😉

Bottom line for me only, others may disagree... and you may well be on the higher moral and technological ground. Just my opinion from having bounced Reaper and Sonar off each other for more years than I want to remember. Major strengths and weaknesses are in each.
 
Reaper is an absolute killer machine. Incredible. Rock solid, stable, brilliant, constantly evolving. Getting thru the paradigm shift is problematic when things are expected to work like something familiar, and Reaper doesn't do it the same way we are calcified to demand that it has to be done..
 
For those new looking at Reaper as one of their possible DAW's, a couple hours trial ain't going to cut it, will only end in anger and frustration, loss of a beautiful system above our radar. Takes days to understand what these geeks put together and created as a next generation workflow, that in all honesty fell short in Cubase, Sonar, Protools and others.
 
When too not drink to drunk no more, would be honored to do a couple YouTube videos on some of the hi points that IMHO excel way beyond Sonar's ability to handle the tasks. You judge. If you see how effectively it is done and how simple it is to do tasks impossible in Sonar, the jump is not so bad and has many benefits. Only a different way of doing things. Want to start with glorious multi synth and effects chaining Youtube for keyboard folks. Should add that TTS-1, Dimension, Rapture, Zta, the SI suite of strings and pianos, etc, work solid in Reaper. And thanks to Glenbo for his hard on, continued input for the welfare of all.
 
Still keeping Sonar on my disc. May revert to 8.5 back when the program was civilized. I need Reaper and maybe others of do you as well.
 
John

Does Reaper have anything similar to project folders?

Samson,
 
You are right. Getting a song published from beginning to CD is the proof that the thing will work and no quick start guide will do that for you.
 
At the same time, Reaper’s workflow is quite different and can cause a lot of headache trying to adjust to even the basics at first.
 
I think I can create a brief YouTube on the general setup of a track, midi vs audio assignment, VST/VSTI setup and chaining synths, from the perspective of what a Sonar user has to deal with. Also in the YouTube, a couple neat tricks that are not in any manual. If I can facilitate the voyage for anyone and help cut thru some of the grief, I’ve done my job.
 
John