Morning everyone (depending on which side of the pond you live)
 
Just wanted to share my experience with the community.
 
I've been a Pro Tools guy since forever. Got tired of it and also got fed up with AVID's policy. Pro Tools is a fantastic machine - there are good reasons why it is the industry standard, but I was just bored with the workflow and needed a bit of a change. I am also a bit of a contrarian myself and conforming to the Apple / PT bandwagon was not exciting enough for me! I embarked on a quest to discover my next DAW (new tools make me more creative) and tried everything under the sun. NOTE: Sonar wasn't even on the radar at that point (haha) I thought it wasn't "pro" enough. So, anyway. After dabbling with a few programs (Mixbus, Samplitude, Digital Performer, Cubase) I decided to try X3 because why not. Conducted some blind tests and subjected my poor friends to them too. Results: my ears and almost everybody else said that what I did on X3 was the most pleasant and balanced mix.
Couldn't believe it. But fact is: I don't know if it's the workflow, the audio engine or the inherent sound of the platform, but my mixes now seem to come together easier and faster and they sound more exciting and closer to the money than my limited mixing skills would allow me to.
Would I like it to be more stable and less buggy? Yes.
Is it different? Yes
Am I enjoying X3 immensely? YES!
 
Just my two cents
 
(P.S. As  new user I will be bombarding the forum with questions because I still feel a bit incapacitated, new DAW and all, so please be patient, ok?)

Have a nice day!

Welcome!!! 

Thanks Markyzno, it looks like this forum is full of great and helpful peeps. I'm sure I'll have a great time around here!

Welcome to the forum Jordan Brown. We are here to answer just about any questions you may have. Its what we do.

Aye welcome, Ive been mixing in pro tools lately, keep going back and forth between mixes ive done in sonar and pt, and i honestly cant hear the difference lol when the engines are open i think i can hear differences, i can say that about most engines, but on mixed down files, i just cant lol my 2 cents worth

Welcome, Jordan! I could not have survived as a Sonar user for the last 6 or 7 years without the people of this forum. The best on the web!

Welcome Jordan!
 
Although I have not asked a lot of questions I have learned a lot just by reading the forums. There are pros here who know this DAW inside and out and are freely willing to share their knowledge. As a hobbyist I really appreciate that!

Although I have not asked a lot of questions I have learned a lot just by reading the forums. There are pros here who know this DAW inside and out and are freely willing to share their knowledge. As a hobbyist I really appreciate that!
 
Indeed

Cheers Trtzbass...
(Glass half empty)...Looks Like more mead is necessary...lol

Hello Jordan and "welcome".
I was a long time PT user also (similar experience with Avid) and I thought it was "THE" Professional choice for DAW, years ago I thought it would be straight forward and user friendly, like the DSP Cards etc. But as with you going to the Mac direction wasn't for me? It's a great system (PT11), which is interesting that Protools finally went 64bit, whereas 32bit architecture was there main platform. Starting out with Producer 8.5 (currently X3d) it has been great using the Sonar software, and I have had some issues as with others but in the long run I've stayed with Cakewalk.
 
The Forum members have been extremely helpful to me, I like the fact that most of the members that have helped me, would chime-in again and again to see if the issues that I'm having worked out! Plus the On-line Cakewalk University has a lot of instructions, even YouTube. Once your up and running, it gets easier. A friend Of mine who also switched from PT (native) to Sonar X3 Producer needed help with the new software, found it easy & straight forward and now producing music with all the tools.
 
There are many great DAW's out on the market, but when it comes to a Wave.File you can transport to anything and anyone back and forth. Sonar is a great software, with so many options & Tools, "Time to have fun"..............