Hello, help appreciated.
I want to create my own backing tracks, using software for drums and keys and audio recording guitars and vocal.
Over a few months I have tried Reason Essentials and an old Sonar 8.
Reason requires online authorization every time I use it which is doing my head in. I have found writing drum patterns very tedious and the range of effects and instruments poor. But at least I seem to know where things are when I need them.
Sonar 8 I found I was lost a lot, losing the transport bar, menus not appearing or often cut off. 
X3 studio seems to have many more effects and instruments than Reason, is the layout and composing/recording more user friendly ( I am an old newb) than Sonar8?
Once I purchase x3 and activate can I just use it without constant authorizing?
As I only want to make Pink Floyd tracks the release of Nick Mason Drums on BFD is a god send. Would X3 work with BFD?
If there are any suggestions on alternative DAW and Drum software I'd be grateful. 
 
 
 

Reason shouldn't require a constant Internet connection. You might want to contact the company's tech support.
 
Yes, X3 has a smoother workflow than the old version 8.
 
Yes, you can install X3 and use it without additional authorizing or Internet connections.
 
Yes, it should work with BFD, although I haven't tried it.
 
Scott

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The answer is YES to all your questions, and there is a now a demo in case you wish to confirm this.
Shine on...

Yup - you should be fine.
 
Please note that the X3 demo will not include a bunch of the add-ons, but the audio engine and UI is the same.  
 
X3 has been well received by all kinds of folks, and I believe you will find that it has a very nice work flow.
 
Bob Bone
 

garrigus
Reason shouldn't require a constant Internet connection. You might want to contact the company's tech support.

Actually there are two ways that Reason authorizes. If the dongle is connected, there's no need to connect to the internet. Internet authorization is a convenience in case you're on the road or whatever and don't have the dongle.
 
As to BFD, I've used it in Sonar and it works but it may not have been the most recent version. However, FXpansion is quite diligent about making sure their products work with Sonar.

BFD has worked in every version of Sonar since 6PE onwards

So I downloaded x3 demo, and bought BFD Eco.  Only a 32 bit version of Eco appears in the X3 vst menu but it all seems fine. I'm finding the piano roll harder to construct patterns on and then craft these into songs than it was in Reason, but I haven't a a good session on it yet as I'm still trying to get the audio settings right across hardware and software.
Any comments on the following  concern appreciated. The mixing desk on reason let me have about 14 tracks clearly in view, side by side, just like an all audio analogue desk. The console strips in x3 looks way bigger (fatter) and I can't imagine being able to see more than 8 tracks, further, there extra strips that I have yet to understand why they are there. For example I get 2 strips for Eco drums on the console and there's a metronome strip.
 
 
 
 
 
 

rt-click on the strip and select narrow. if you don't need a bus, delete it.

You can also right-click and Hide Bus.
 
Bob Bone
 

Also, I run 2 display monitors, and split my panes across them.
 
On one monitor, I have the Track Pane, and the Console is displayed on the other monitor.  It is a 46" HDTV, so I can bump up the resolution and get more channels displayed.  I will still often have more tracks, so I just group them when I create them, and then for instance all of my drum audio tracks will still fit in what is displayable.  Scrolling brings the next or previous group into view.
 
Bob Bone