Well, I've been hanging around here for a while now, but when I first got X1 Studio I was overwhelmed, and I had some trouble with ASIO drivers and an audio interface. I had/have a good working knowledge of computer hardware and software, but learning my way around Sonar was daunting at first. And though I was not new to basic audio equipment, the recording jargon was new and the Sonar interface is not intuitive for a newb. At first I avoided Sonar in favor of Audacity, which I had figured out shortly before deciding to buy Sonar.
But, I got help here, and from S. Garrigus' Power Books, and the video tutorials. Now I am to the point where, for my investment in Sonar of both time and money, I am rewarded with quality recordings I only dreamed of a couple of years ago. I've spent dough on other products and plugins to get the 'music' I needed, the samples and loops, but I import everything into Sonar X3 Producer. I record my vocals and my guitar with Sonar. I bought M. Senior's Mixing Secrets and B. Katz's Mastering Audio based on suggestions in this community and I guess I will learn as much as I care to.
The only thing Sonar lacks, imho, is a plugin like Ozone which I now use on every project. Have I mastered any plugins? I'm comfortable with some of them. I use the PC Modules, the PX and VX 64, I reach for the Nomad Factory EQ's and Stereo Imager. Before splurging on Ozone, I bought T-RackS Classic. It got me closer to the goal and I still use some of those plugins. I usually stick with pre-sets and make small adjustments.
I'm a hobbyist. I love the application now, but like anything you've got to put in the time and effort.