Supa
"Of course the get around is just to record analog straight to Sonar P"
Yep, that's what I did, most of it I've never revisited, but I have it archived.
Bat
I loved the 688, it felt like I had a "real" studio.
I made some terrible recordings when I first went "digital" with the audio.
Due mainly, I think, to the notion that you should "record as hot as possible without going over".
What do you do? You squeeze the ****e out of the signal with a cheap compressor/limiter (Alesis 3630 here).
Boy they sound nasty when "pushed".
I still see "internet pros" that regurgitate that tired line still...
 
I'm off topic
 
T

 
Yep you are 'off topic'But for the record I started with Cubase (very early version) back in the day and over time a DX7 Mk1 and an Atari computer, outboard ART FX/ORBIT V2/Roland U220/Spl Vitalizer/ two Tascam 688 Plus a few other bit and bobs. Then a PSR 500 'workstation' which became the goto, for Sonar 5 producer anon then Sonar 7 / 8 and now Platinum. I never really push a mix, never did but if it was required I had a trusty Yamaha 2020b II, I remember buying it and the guy in the shop saying " You know this doesn't make any sounds don't you" then "do you know what this does?" Heady days. I think Platinum has a good amount of goodies, well, enough for me so most of the time these days when I have a mix I go digital, and in truth most people are happy with the result, plus it's a dam' site quicker than analogue. To be utterly truthful a lot of stuff you buy for a studio is unnecessary ... A good song, guitar/keyboard, good mike, and something decent to record it on will really do about 600$ 'ish. But it's still nice to have a sh** load to play with!  
http://spak1.bandcamp.com