Sonar X2 with no MIDI keys/Drum controller

I once thought the same thing, but changed my mind once I learned the product better. My son uses FL studio a lot and I could see where coming from Reason or FL studio would be an awkward transition. The key to making the transition is understanding semantically how each software does things. Instead of a track view, FL presents each channel in step sequencer mode by default that is integrated into the integrated sampler module. Although it is fairly seamless, it is no different than inserting a single instance of Dropzone or another sampler and utilizing Sonar's step sequencer. To do a full drumkit it would probably not be very efficient to go that route. Instead one could use Session drummer or another sampler or drum program using the step sequencer. You can make a template that will route all of your plugins into the step sequencer and have similar functionality without hardware control

I imagine it could be fairly painless with something like this, which I intend to buy :



From this place

I agree with Dubdisciple. Sonar is a linear sequencer. FL Studio is a more like a tracker. The Step Sequencer is a sort of tracker superimposed on a linear sequencer. FL s has gone through a lot of changes since first got version 4. I am now on version 10. Underneath it all is its tracker soul.

FL is ideal for certain kinds of music. it can be used to make any kind but it excels at creating dance and trance type music. Where Sonar is a general purpose DAW that can do any sort of music but excels at none. It sort of does all sorts with more or less the same ease.

For me its logical and works the way I think. FL is not as easy for me but I can use it.

I don't have any real experience with Reason and can't comment on it. 

I do know that Sonar, Cubase and Logic share the same underlying philosophy. They all came from first being sequencers for MIDI. 

As to the ease of use, these program cut there teeth on MIDI controllers. FL did not. Thus on the surface it seems that FL is better for mouse users and that to a degree is true. But there is nothing like hooking up a good controller and jamming away on Sonar.

 

 

 

@lourdo not sure where you concluded that I thought any such thing. You may want to go-re-read my responses. Some of the top producers in hip-hiop and dance music make no controller whatsoever. I would actually argue the opposite that lacking a controller can sometimes inspire creativity. I really hate when people come up with bizarre strawman arguments to things I did not say or imply.

Lourdo


John, I'm fluent in Sonar & Logic. Logic and a mouse/trackpad flows much much better than Sonar and mouse/trackpad. It's the minds behind the software that make it do well this or do well that, not the software.

I think we are looking at different things.  In the pass pen and paper was all that was needed for creativity. What kids do is fantastic and I applaud them.

I used Logic and Cubase and of them all for me Sonar was and is still a very easy DAW for me to use. Is it the best for mouse only use I don't know anymore. I long since moved to controllers. I was hooking up keyboards in the 80s.  

i have an old alesis SR-16 i use as my main controler for pounding out beats.
its run from midi into sonar and i have it set up so when i hit play it activates the drum machine so im able to write in real time.
its a breeze and real fast to get those parts down before you lose the idea.

the sr-16 has lasted the change of time,there almost 20 years old and still sought after for this reason.
there dyno easy to use.
the only thing i wish it had was an undo button on it.

keep in mind i use the machine as a memory bank untill ive got a chunk of change down to set out in sonar,then i micro manage the midi notes to taylor my needs once the song is in its working state.

when i used to analog record i was limited to changes.
if i wanted to change a drum part i would either have to re-record the whole song cause lets face it..ever try and re record a drum track? its the back bone of the whole song.or i would splice it up.i got very good at splicing tape at one point.
i had two reels and splicing them up and sending them into a board for a final mix,mostly like a dj would do it now.

by using the sr16 i am so free to change parts at the last minute. i love it.
controlers are nice.
but memory is better.
remember like i said.i write my drum parts to the sr-16's memory.
then in song mode on the sr,i arrange the parts.
click/play record in sonar and it automates play/rec to start rolling.

i can only sit there tediously writing in notes in the prv for so long.
though i admit ive become a super good prv editor.

Kev999

Conar

If the op is talking about doing it all with a mouse, entering events note by notes, from leads to chords, wich is how kids do it this days, then yeah the process is not very smooth in Sonar

Really?  I do at least 95% of my work by entering and editing midi notes using a mouse (and only do a minimal amount of recording).  In what way is other software better than Sonar for this?

i agree kev. 
conar is a little confused thats all.
lourdo is also confused,matter of fact he is confusing me.
im sorry lourdo,no offence please.its just your statements dont add up man.

The model Bub is referring to is the HR-16. I still have one. It was the first drum machine to use 16-bit, 44khz samples. It sounded far more realistic than Roland models at the time, but lacked the fatness since the samples were mostly dry. They later released and HR16B in black that had more processed samples more suitable for electronic music. Both were amazing values for their time. In recent years, radically modding them has become popular among underground circuits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byhsLVMVYDg

although i still have my hr16, i use a simple AKAI LPD8 to tap out beats

chuckebaby

i agree kev. 
conar is a little confused thats all.
lourdo is also confused,matter of fact he is confusing me.
im sorry lourdo,no offence please.its just your statements dont add up man.

Nice to know that it's not just me who's confused.