Anderton

LpMike75
Using both X3 and PT 11 HD, my opinion is, if you are writing or creating music, X3 wins.  With all the included plug ins, effects and synths, I would rather mix in X3.  However, if doing any kind of post production or audio editing, Pro Tools is on a different level than X3 and is almost a 'no brainer'.  So it all depends on what you are doing.

I agree with your post for one big reason - format compatibility. But if I was spotting for TV and audio-for-video was my bread and butter, these days I'd choose DP over PT.
 
But you're right...I'd still create music in Sonar

Craig -
    Ignoring format compatibility for a moment, the big problem I have with Sonar is the lack of navigation, snapping, cutting keybinds.  You just cant navigate and edit as fast in Sonar as you can in Pro Tools, due to lack options.  There is the "snap to landmark" function in Sonar which is a little helpful and on the right track, but still not in the ballpark of where you need to be for fast post or editing work.
 
    In addition, the file management in ProTools is superior. Pro Tools you have the option of pulling files and saving files in several locations in one project, which is really helpful when getting files from other people on a harddrive and only wanting to return the "new" files in your collaboration.
 
    I have put in feature requests to the bakers for some of these options, which could make Sonar a viable option in Indie post productions.  Which would be awesome, given that you don't need Sonar "HD" to get surround busses :)
 

My Eleven rack came with PT10, I remember having to download their expansion pack to be able to edit the effects properly on the Eleven. Every time I started PT, I looked at it and realized that I was going to have to deal with learning a new interface without all the tools I had gathered over the years with Sonar. I decided that I would rather spend my time working on music than learning another DAW, technically they both do the same thing but I know where most things are in Sonar.

TomHelvey
My Eleven rack came with PT10, I remember having to download their expansion pack to be able to edit the effects properly on the Eleven. Every time I started PT, I looked at it and realized that I was going to have to deal with learning a new interface without all the tools I had gathered over the years with Sonar. I decided that I would rather spend my time working on music than learning another DAW, technically they both do the same thing but I know where most things are in Sonar.

You can use Eleven as an ASIO interface with Sonar - here's a step-by-step article about how to do this. You won't be able to edit Eleven in anything other than Pro Tools (or use the front panel), but you can always just boot into Pro Tools, do your editing, then return to Sonar.

LpMike75
 
I have put in feature requests to the bakers for some of these options, which could make Sonar a viable option in Indie post productions.  Which would be awesome, given that you don't need Sonar "HD" to get surround busses :)

 
AFAIK Sonar isn't planning an emphasis on post-production, although the increased video support seems to indicate some movement in that direction. Digital Performer (which is excellent for post) has had little luck dislodging Pro Tools in the Windows world, and I don't think Sonar would find the task any easier. But agree 100% with your HD comment

Sanderxpanda: You say hits have been made on every DAW out there? It would be interesting to see a few examples..
 
I realize that a "hit" is subjective but I would consider anything that has went gold to be a hit or even winning an Grammy. I think audio for video games wouldn't count unless it had an actual music hit our sound track.
 
I know that Ricky Martin's living la Vito loco was said to be the first track mixed completely ITB in Pro Tools and become a "hit"
 
Ableton has skrillex who has won a Grammy.. (edit- auto spell doesn't like ableton)
 
I googled hits recorded with pro tools and also hits recorded in sonar but didn't find much.
 
Can anyone verify any "hits" made Sonar or any other DAW?
 )

vladasyn
Thank you for all your replies. Sounds like I do not really need the PT. It just that we have to install it somewhere for him to learn it and get to use it. This computer has audio interface connected along with all other keyboards and tools. If we install it on 2 other computers in the room, they are not connected to anything. I do have former M-Audio (now AVID- they kept this interface when sold M-Audio) Ultra 8R USB interface, but they only have Windows 7 drivers, no Windows 8, not sure it would work with Win 8.1...
 
I started using recording software at my keyboard- Yamaha Motif. I did not have typing keyboard next to me. Now I spend more time at my desk because I use small controller and soft synths a lot. I have no problem with interface- so far everything is on the monitor to click. I never need shortcuts. And then if I was using shortcuts- what would I do when I record/edit at my Motif?
 
I can not tell which plugins are 32 bits. Some of them say so, some of them not saying anything. I also noted that some soft synths repeat themselves in Audio FX menu. I am not sure if it is because plugin has effects built in and it offers me to use those plugins (such as Maschine or Kontact) or if it just repeats itself. I do not see 224 plugins- this is what Sonar's plugin manager says after it scans. Many plugins came from Komplete 9 Ultimate- I would not uninstall those. I have extensive collection of software synths- not the free versions but paid once. It makes no sense that PT would not read VST- it defeats the purpose of having my collection if I can not use it with PT.I

The plugins from Komplete 9 Ultimate come in RTAS and AAX format for older and current versions of PT. Most vst plugins also have their RTAS and AAX equivalent.

The multiple versions like Kontakt in the VST lists are for stereo, 8 outputs and 16 outputs.

VigilantSound
Sanderxpanda: You say hits have been made on every DAW out there? It would be interesting to see a few examples..
 
I realize that a "hit" is subjective but I would consider anything that has went gold to be a hit or even winning an Grammy. I think audio for video games wouldn't count unless it had an actual music hit our sound track.

I am not sure throwing around "hit" even carries that much weight, since much of that is marketing, hype, etc. as well. I think the bigger point is can a DAW make an decently accurate rendering of audio information as desired by the user, and for most DAWs this is true.
 
Conversely, one can record "crap" in any DAW just as easily.

I have no opinion on the quality of any hit songs for the sake of this discussion. I'm merely saying you can deliver "pro" quality sound quality needed for mass distribution working from any DAW.
Call Me Maybe was done using Reason. Afrojack (worked with Neyo and a host of others) uses Fruityloops most of the time. JR Totem who has produced tons of hits for major artists prefers Sonar over ProTools. Caro Emerald's album "The Shocking Miss Emerald" was done entirely in Reaper. Dunno how big she is in the US, she's big in Holland and the UK and they claim it was a "world-wide best seller". You already mentioned Skrillex.
I don't think I really need to "prove" Logic or Cubase, do I?

I didn't research this, it's just what I remember off the top of my head. I'm sure there's a lot more out there. Point being, your production and mixing qualities are affected a lot more by your personal limitations than by the sound processing of the DAW you're using.

Call me maybe was done in reason! That's awesome!
 
Anybody else know any major releases that where recorded in sonar?
 
I'd love to know if any rock bands were tracked in Sonar?
 
For the record I've always believed in engineer/producer over gear, not just DAWs but everything in my opinion...
 
Maybe I should start a new thread for this...

I don't know of any pro level engineers pumping out major label stuff with Sonar, but in the film industry, everything Hans Zimmer does comes straight out of Cubase. And as baffling as it sounds, James Horner used Pro Tools to score Avatar (which as probably the worst MIDI features!!).