Just yesterday, in spite of my self impose protest against Cakewalk for untimely ditching X2a and for all those things the bakers seem to over look, I found myself jumping on the bandwagon. I purchased the sonar X3 bundled with melodyne editor 2.0 last night instead of my previous plan of going to Cubase 7 as I intend to pair it with my pro tools 11. Honestly I don't know the logic behind my actions but what can I do, first lust "ops" love never dies they say  
 
Anyway I am just hoping I did the right decision and crossing my fingers that bakers care to look at my simple Christmas wish, and that is I hope they could also integrate that chord track and intelligent composing assistance ala Cubase 7. As you know, especially to people like me who has the passion for writing songs yet does not have the "proper" music education, these features would greatly help us.

Previous thread (dupe sort of):
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Christmas-Wish-List-m2940958.aspx
 

nyogisanz
Just yesterday, in spite of my self impose protest against Cakewalk for untimely ditching X2a and for all those things the bakers seem to over look, I found myself jumping on the bandwagon. I purchased the sonar X3 bundled with melodyne editor 2.0 last night instead of my previous plan of going to Cubase 7 as I intend to pair it with my pro tools 11. Honestly I don't know the logic behind my actions but what can I do, first lust "ops" love never dies they say  
 
Anyway I am just hoping I did the right decision and crossing my fingers that bakers care to look at my simple Christmas wish, and that is I hope they could also integrate that chord track and intelligent composing assistance ala Cubase 7. As you know, especially to people like me who has the passion for writing songs yet does not have the "proper" music education, these features would greatly help us.

Nyogisanz,
That sounds like the classic symptoms of Sonarmentaliosis.  A highly addictive ailment that causes acute cravings and impulses to stay with the Cakewalk product line.  No effective cure is known at this time.
 
I also use Sonar with P11 mostly via ADAT. Works well for those clients that request PT or studios that only use PT, I use Sonar for my workflow and send over to PT via ADAT when requir3e.  I think also that you will be pleased with X3. The ARA integration with Melodyne is deep and the product is pretty darn stable (for me with some minor workarounds in place).  Enjoy

Haha... you got it right lunatech that is why I some sort of contemplating filing a legal case against cakewalk for duping me (Gosh I was about to order Cubase 7 but for some reasons I went to cakewalk store).
Anyway, before I forgot, thanks also for the very informative advice (and those who have contributed as well) as far as the specs for my next build. Ive already decided, although still waiting for C2 stepping Mobo's to arrive in our country before hitting the stores, to get the parts I think in relation to your advice. I just changed the mobo to asus deluxe and Kingston to corsair and Kingston hyperX ssd to Samsung 840 pro. As far as pre's and converters, since what I am doing is more of like a hobby ( as what you've said just go to things that I need), as I am not really a musician by profession but a porn star moonlighting as gigolo hehe, I think I just have to settle with what I already have already. After all, according to my sort of research, with the soon to be built that I am going to have, its just like an old man cranking up so much Viagra in his system kind of effect to my current external hardwares. Needless to say, the only reason why Id like also to update my system is I do also heavy gaming stuffs that is why hehe ;)
 
Anyway, pardon if this is redundant, but I am still hoping bakers would also grant my wish to consider that features I have stated as I think, it would not only help those who are pro's like most of people here but also to people like me who may have the passion for music but not having the necessary "education". As a matter of fact, in the avid pro forum community, they are also mentioning these stuffs.

Here you go:
http://www.cakewalk.com/support/contact/featurerequest.aspx
 

Ei Thanks CakeAlex. Sure would not let this great opportunity to inform the bakers about this pass ;)

your answer is "band in the box"

nyogisanz
I hope they could also integrate that chord track and intelligent composing assistance ala Cubase 7. As you know, especially to people like me who has the passion for writing songs yet does not have the "proper" music education, these features would greatly help us.

Nyo..., have you looked at plugins like this: http://www.7aliens.com/w2-harmonizer-vst ? Or this: http://www.synleor.com/improvisator.html ? Or this: http://www.cognitone.com/products/nav/intro/page.stml There are others, they all have demos, many are VSTs that plug into Sonar. Some like the Cognitone are standalone (import the results in Sonar, easy as a, well, cakewalk), but WAY more powerful (and fun) than Cubase (or Sonar) are ever likely to be. Check their sound file examples http://www.cognitone.com/products/mps/examples.stml  There _are_ other options for the capabilities you (I think) want, and better ones, than what Cubase has or Sonar "may have" someday.That's what third-parties are all about. And they're available NOW! 
 
Related story, I was looking for live looping capabilities, tried all sorts of jerry-rigging with Sonar (kids, don't try this at home) and finally resigned myself to bellying up and purchasing Ableton Live. Fortunately, I first found Mobius which, for me, is tons the better looping solution (one of those it's-doing-what-I-want-and-I-haven't-even-scratched-the-surface types of products and it's free (though I would have paid anyway, because solutions are worth it). Point being, Cubase ain't the only way to skin a cat, there are things to at least try, inside, or side-by-side, Sonar.
 
Best of luck on your song writing adventures.

thank you czky for the info. I would surely look into these. Oh by the way, id like to ask if finale songwriter ok with sonar x3?