Hi Everyone,
 
I've recently built my first computer and was running Studio Ubuntu on it for awhile and did some recording with Ardour.  I got a little tired of the Ubuntu platform and there were some real limitations/stability issues with Ardour.  Plus, I bought an M-Audio M-Track Quad and it was not recognized by Linux...  Oops.
 
I've loaded up Windows 8.1 onto my computer and tried to install Pro Tools Express (came with the M-track) and I couldn't get it working.  After numerous attempts at gaining support, I tried downloading Pro Tools 11 trial - same problem, and they wouldn't support me.  That lead me to Sonar X2 trial.  Sonar seems to be working ok....  
 
So I'm looking for any input or experience you might be able to offer me.  I'd hate to buy something and have it not run on my system.  Do any of you run Sonar X3 on Windows 8.1?  Could there be something wrong with the hardware computer build?  M-Audio interfaces on Sonar?  Anything that you can see wrong with my set-up would be appreciated!  Or just your thoughts...
 
Intel i5
Asus Motherboard
8gb Ram
 
Thanks in advance.
 

Some folks work fine in 8.1, and some have horrific tales of woe.
 
Do your homework on your drivers, software, and make sure it all works PRIOR to jumping to 8.1 - my opinion.  I am currently running on Windows 8 and plan to LIKELY make the jump to 8.1 in a couple of weeks, after finishing a couple of projects and completing the research into MY environment and the impact of Windows 8.1 on it.
 
Bob Bone
 

Thanks Bob...  I'm already running windows 8.1 because that was all I could find at the local stores (and I didn't think much of it until I bought it and found that people were experiencing horror stories).  
 
I guess what I'm asking is, what should I be looking for while researching?  This is also a part of the prior research - trying to get others experiences with 8.1.  
 
The M-Audio Quad seems to work fine using Audacity...  Does that mean I'm ok there?  Beyond that - it's Sonar.  That's really the only two things that I need to work.  Right?  I'm a newbie on the digital home studio scene...  I'm going to be running mostly microphones on acoustic instruments.  Maybe down the road I might experiment with a midi controller of some sort - but that's not my primary purpose for this setup.
 
Let me know what you think.

For me (as a novice user (n00b)) of any type of DAW I found X3 (and X2) a real learning curve - first couple of weeks was really frustrating, I expected my devices to work on plugging them in. 
 
There is a fair bit of messing around before I felt comfortable with the preferences setup.  Once that was established, all the routing was so confusing, though much to lots of help from others here in the forum and also lots of reading and watching vids, I think I've progressed and making some use of Sonar. 
 
I think I would have had the same experiences with any other DAW though (I did mess around with Cubase in the past, (some years back I come across some hacked version using some kind of virtual driver key, O2 or something) and found similar frustrations at the beginning too.
 
So I would recommend keeping it simple to start with and build on it as you gain more confidence with Sonar...
 
Your probably best to go with Sonar Producer too and later you may want to get full version of some of the Light Editions that are bundled...
 
Edit: BTW don't be afraid of Windows 8.1, it's awesome, just make sure to keep it up-to-date using windows update - its been very stable, better than windows 7 infact..
 
Jim

Thanks Jim,
 
I understand learning the software will come with a bit of a headache.  I think my Linux debachal was a good intro to DAWs though... We'll see.  
 
You mentioned that I should go with the Producer Bundle...  Is it that much better than the Studio version?  It's quite a bit more expensive.  Seemed to me that it had most of the same features but also Addictive Drums and Lounge Lizard - which I probably won't use...  At least not for now.
 
There are more ProChannels - what are those?  Do you think I will need more than two?

TH2 in Studio has no pedal effects where Producer has them with some additional amps. The full version of TH2 would cost you more or just around the same price of Producer would cost. There are some "Pro" bundles included in Producer where in Studio there are "LE" bundled in...
 
The ProChannels I haven't even begun to look at that yet - just seems terribly complicated, but will get there one day though ;)

Hmmm....  That's a good point.  I'm not sure I'd even use those though...  Or at least not initially.  I think I'd rather save the $300 up front and regret it later rather than the other way around.  Right now, I'm really just doing acoustic tracking and mastering.  Maybe trying to tackle micing a drummer for my band.
 
I was actually thinking about the bare bones x3, but I really wanted to try the Nomad plugins and the jump to Studio wasn't as big. 
 
Jim, what operating system are you using?
 
 

I had 8 when I purchased my notebook and upgraded to 8.1. As someone mentioned already make sure your device drivers are up-to-date for the M-Audio stuff you have.
 
It's all I can share from a novice perspective, maybe others can share from their own perspectives too..
 
Like I said it is frustrating to begin with and then you get the idea you need to do lots of reading and learning before you get anything down.  Once you get there you begin to look at effects and stuff and find you shop around for more of the plug-ins...
 
All in all its all good, I find the forum here very responsive and friendly and sometimes I feel I over step my mark but try to participate too best I can.  I just do it for the fun - although sometimes I could be banging my head against a brick wall..

mikebeam
Hmmm....  That's a good point.  I'm not sure I'd even use those though...  Or at least not initially.  I think I'd rather save the $300 up front and regret it later rather than the other way around.  Right now, I'm really just doing acoustic tracking and mastering.  Maybe trying to tackle micing a drummer for my band.

The audio engine is the same between versions and you can always upgrade your version later on as well. Studio will probably fit your needs perfectly fine. Does the M-Audio have drivers specifically for 8.1? That is the only possible concern that comes to mind for hardware.

I would advise getting X3 Producer. Yes its initial cost is a consideration but you get a lot for the money. Most important is the full compliment of Pro Channel modules that will show off the beauty of it. How it really brings Sonar into a new and better sounding realm. Studio is Sonar but its not that much different from most of the other good DAWs out there. Producer is really the one to get.