Ryan Munnis [Cakewalk]
brian brock
all of the core functionality is the same in Studio as Producer, right? The only difference is in effects and synths, whether pro-channel or VST, right?
This is a good bullet list of the differences: http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/versions.aspx
Hi Ryan. I've already carefully looked over the bullet list, from which I have gathered that the extras provided in Sonar X3 Producer are several software effects on the order of compressors, eqs, and reverb, and several software instruments.
In the past, I believe there were differences between studio and producer that could be considered "core functionality". The studio edition did not include the full version of Audiosnap, or any basic drum samples such as Session Drummer, V-vocal, Convolution reverb, surround sound, etc. These are types of tools which are widely appreciated in every DAW and the lack of which made the Studio edition of Sonar 6, for example, significantly less valuable than the Producer edition.
I believe that, especially at a 300 dollar price difference for new users, the current editions of Sonar are not adequately differentiated. In fact it amounts to something of an un-advertised price drop, given that the current Studio edition at 200$ is essentially feature-equivalent to Producer version 8 or so at 500$ new. Cakewalk might be better served following the example of Magix/Samplitude and Ableton by labeling the high price tier the "Suite" version. This presents to the consumer a clear differentiation of in what way Cakewalk sees the Suite edition as offering more value.
Furthermore, I believe that, by allowing prior users of Producer-only features to continue using those features when upgrading merely to the Studio edition (partially a consequence of the lack of core feature differentiation), Cakewalk is not providing adequate imperative to current users to stay in the Producer upgrade path.
Thanks for your attention.