Mully
Thanks mate. Just looking at reviews now and Harrison does look good...might try the demo and also Reaper too.
My needs are rarely near 64tracks so your comments make sense.
Might have a 700C & 700R up for sale soon
Thanks for taking the time to comment.

Personally, I love the Mixbus sound.  There seems to be "more there" IMO.
Not that it can't be achieved with others...but it's just "there" with Mixbus.

Many do Tracking in Sonar, and then mixing in Mixbus, by exporting the stems,
for the sound.

Assuming $499 is too steep:
 
If I were starting out on a budget I'd get Reaper.
 
If I were to do 95% audio and some simple MIDI tracks (i.e. use the stereo out of say a drum VSTi) I'd consider Mixbus 32C.
 
The Mixbus method to do multiple audio outs on a VSTi exists but it is so darned convoluted compared to SONAR's ez-breezy dialog box it will make your head spin.
 
That said, I love Mixbus 32C as a mix environment and so I export audio stems from SONAR and Mix in Mixbus 32C.
 
 

Mully
Greets folks,
curious for wise input here. Having come back to recording life after a decent absence (new small farm life meant new studio took time ) and upgrading finally this week to a beasty PC I had a shock to discover upgrading from X2 to Platinum has no 'long term user' pricing.
Ok, fine Gibson I get it but at $499USD I obviously need to weigh up the other growing options before reinstalling X2 on the shiny new pooter.
What have you fine people discovered as a viable alternative to Sonar? Would Harrison Mixbus be a disappointing change for example?
Thanks for any wise words.
Cheers.

Harrison is a different animal...it depends on what you're looking to do.
Vsti's ,Midi, Vst effects and included choice of fx selections ect, that would be included or viable in a "recording" situation is questionable in my opinion when talking about Harrison "MixBus" (Mixing).
Sonar is a great product, but looking at your specific question and answering that one directly (What have you fine people discovered as a viable alternative to Sonar?), my suggestion would be to take a look at the Studio One 3 Crossgrade deals, if it's a matter of not dropping the $499 on Sonar.
With that being said, we are in a time now when most DAW software can be demoed for a limited time and or with limited function, but enough to give you an idea of what might or might not work for you. It really boils down to workflow and personal choice. Imho

cclarry
 
There are LOTS of viable DAWS.  The REAL question is "how much do I need"?

DAW's are highly subjective.  You need to do TRIALS, and find out what's right for YOU!

+1 to both counts. If you are getting back into recording after a hiatus, X2 would be a decent start to see how much you intend to use it, then go from there. Much of the content of X2 will translate, but one big missing piece is VST3 support (which began with X3). After you get up and running, you can expand out easily (either with an upgrade or new DAW) and better target what you intend to do, since different DAWs often target different things.
 
The TRIAL/DEMO advice is golden. Do not jump into any purchase without this, since some GUIs just won't click for you, and it is better to know that before buying. Reaper is good to try (the trial is indefinite and fully functional, and to own it is the least expensive). Studio One Prime is free, but very limited, and there is a standing crossgrade from a qualifying DAW to Studio One Professional (X2 is the oldest version which qualifies); that is $299 but went on sale last Christmas for $199 without any qualification required.
 
SONAR has gone through a lot of upgrades since X2 (night versus day); but as you noted already, the upgrade/maintenance costs are pretty steep, although sales do/should occur.

Yea, I would take ask SONAR if you just missed the upgrade price, while Christmas is only 80 shopping days away, more or less, and Cake always has sales.  You'll save on whatever you buy then.
 

bitflipper
 
Another cheap option is Tracktion. It's cheap, or you can get older versions for free. But its workflow is unlike any other DAW's and takes some getting used to. Still, it's quite capable and well-suited to laptops.

And Traction T6 full version is now free.  >>  https://www.tracktion.com/products/t6-daw
 

bitflipper
If your #1 prerequisite is saving the 500 bucks, Reaper would be the way to go. It's cheap, it's constantly being improved upon and there is a very active user community supporting it. More than a few SONAR users have been lost to Reaper, and many more use both to better facilitate collaborations with Reaper users.
 
In my own experience, though, Reaper looks much better on paper than in practice. Its routing options in particular are very flexible, if sometimes clumsy. But for me, SONAR's workflow is much more intuitive and faster. Plus it comes with more - and in some cases better - plugins.
 
Another cheap option is Tracktion. It's cheap, or you can get older versions for free. But its workflow is unlike any other DAW's and takes some getting used to. Still, it's quite capable and well-suited to laptops.

Good point re: Tracktion.  Version 6 is a freebie these days.  Free is hard to beat.

Ask your friends you jam with what they use. There's value to using the same tool.

Hi Mick!
 
Good to see you around, been a while since we were struggling with getting X1 to work with our hardware ...
 
Just want to throw in that if you still want to have some sort of a control surface and not go all mouse, then hold on the to VS700C (ditch the vs700R, I reckon you will have a hard time selling that for real money) especially if check out all options and then decide to stick to Sonar.
 
Personally, I'm happy with what Sonar provides these days in terms of functionality and stability (later depends 99% on your audio interface, though, IMHO). I still run the vs700C but use several MOTU interfaces in a rather large setup. After such a long time mixing with faders and knobs under my fingers I would not want to got all mouse (and definitely not touch) but that's just me ...
 
Mixbus I got as well here. It's an interesting concept and currently much faster developing than Sonar (but it has also been lacking so much more), but overall it's not strong enough to convince me to use it more often.
 
I reckon if you come into recording from an old school tape machine / mixdesk mindset Sonar still provides everything and appears very usable.  Plenty of music is created differently these days and so there are obviously better tools for other workflows.
 
My 50ct would be to think first which way you are going to work most with the software and check out which DAW suits you best.  Of course, each one claims to provide everything these days. So it may be worthwhile to demo before you splash out. Not all that glitters is gold.
 
 

Unless X2 does not have something, specifically, you are wanting or needing then stick with what you have. From what I have seen, the only differences in X2 and SPlat is the interface upgrades, prochannel stuff and the bundled instruments and the like.
 
The point being, IMHO if it isn't broke then no need to fix it...

I dunno, if you figure in all of the additions that you may or may not use Sonar is still a real Bargain. For instance, if you wants a good drummer AD2 is in there. If you want plenty of presets to get you started on everything from guitars to efx chains, it's in there. If you want a higher grade of EQ or limiter...it's in there.
 
This is all about making what you have now sound good be it 10 or 100 tracks. Add in all of the helpful advice and the online manual in addition to the help notes functions and you have a tutor leaning over your shoulder every step of the way. 
 
A detailed comparison to any of the others omits much of that. Now subtract from the 499.00 during a sale and it becomes more of a no brainer. 
 
I don't believe it should always be about initial money payed. It should also be about value and comparison. You can get SPLAT sometimes for 399.00 or less. Weigh it all, weight it all.

JonD
Where are you getting the $499 price?  Don't you already have X2?  Log in to your account and there should be an upgrade deal available.  (Or have upgrades been discontinued? I honestly don't know.  Best to check for yourself).

Cakewalk had been advertising a special last chance price to upgrade from the Sonar X-series for several months.  I believe that this deal just expired on Oct 1. 
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/legacy-upgrade
 
It apparently was even extended for an additional month from the original deadline.  Even so, it would probably be a good suggestion to send a message to sales to see if anything can be done.

Mully
Hey Rob so good to hear from you mate after all this time!
Yes I hear your words...been thinking long and hard on this and concluding really that the demise of loyalty upgrade paths is what started me on the ponderings of another platform. However I understand the economics and the regular specials may be something to hold out for perhaps. I also hear you regarding the surface...hard to beat the tactile feel of mixing personally coz there is something 'connecting' about it to get that part of the brain working..for me anyway
I have a Motu 9Pre and am curious why you have left the 700R. It is bloated for sure and the repower for sample rate change is the one thing I cringe over however the Motu I remember being great with excellent monitoring etc. Would love your thoughts further on this.
Might try the Harrison demo as the reviews so far have looked interesting.
Cheers.

Clearly Cakewalk still haven’t worked out how to keep the riff raff out o’ here.
How are you Mick? Can’t remember the last time I saw you round these parts.
Stick with Sonar. I reckon there’ll be specials on during the holidays. From X2 to now is about 4 years or so but really light years in Sonar development change. Gibson has been the biggest shot in the arm that Cakewalks ever seen. Whatever else maybe Gibson’s problems Cakewalk isn’t among them and as you mentioned, the forum is still pretty good. Se ya round like a dissolve mate.