Hi all,

I kinda left DAWing ( :) ) for the last 6-12 months and I'm getting back at it.

I used cubase a few years back, than switched to Sonar X1, and than had a break.

I like some things about Sonar X1-the new interface and pro-channel are cool features,
but it was also clumsy, not always user friendly and ofen buggy.
I remember trying out StudioOne v1 and I liked it but thought it was a lil' premature and lacked some important features,
Never the less I liked the fact that it's a modern product and not a 20-years long update & upgrade,
I think you can really tell by how if functions and how "friendly" the software is.

Now I'm thinking whether to go Sonar X2, StudioOne 2.5, or maybe something else.

I mostly record jazz, funk and rock using live guitars and a midi controller for piano, strings, sometimes bass etc.
I also have an electronic drum set I use with Superior Drummer 2.0.

I would love some thoughts on the touchy DAW X Vs. DAW Y subject, thanks.

It is pretty well a stupid question to ask on a Sonar forum. You won't get a reasonable answer here, only one point of view. (and that might be from both sides too) 

I suggest you go away and do the research properly. See if you can watch an owner of both programs and maybe watch them using them. Get into the shops and work with both of them for a while and try and determine that for yourself.

Put the work in and find out yourself. There is no easy or lazy way to find out. Visit both websites and read all the info on both programs thoroughly. Read some reviews. 

I think you can download both demos and use them yourself. That is one very good way to find out as well. Test them both on the one machine and see how well they go. Read some other threads here.

I record and mix live jazz sessions, with X2 Prod (i began with Sonar4), a HP DV7 Laptop, and 2 UA-101 together (16 in max), without any problem.

Jeff Evans


It is pretty well a stupid question to ask on a Sonar forum. You won't get a reasonable answer here, only one point of view. (and that might be from both sides too) 

I suggest you go away and do the research properly. See if you can watch an owner of both programs and maybe watch them using them. Get into the shops and work with both of them for a while and try and determine that for yourself.

Put the work in and find out yourself. There is no easy or lazy way to find out. Visit both websites and read all the info on both programs thoroughly. Read some reviews.

+1.
I wondered about Studio One so I downloaded the demo and didn't like it. Job done.


Grum.

What you say is obviously true Jeff, But one sided is not always bad.
 I posted the question on more forums but I think i should get the good points about either software as well as the bad points.

And this is the place for good points.

Moreover, I know this community a little bit, and I think ppl can around here be honest enough to point the cons, and not just the pros if they have some in mind :-P

Hope this helps...............

1. Download and try demos.
2. Found one you like? Yes? Go to #3. No? Repeat #1 or Google Harder.
3. Learn the program inside and out. Ok? Got to #4. Too hard to learn? Go to #1.
4. Does it do everything you want it to. Yes? Go to #5. No? Go to #1
5. Can you live with its bugs and shortcomings? Yes? Go to #6. No? Go to #1.
6. Carry on making music and return to #4 on a regular basis.

Simples........the trick is to know a DAWs full capabilities. TYhe number of posts I see here that are along the lines of......

I wish Sonar had/did/gets this or this or that is broken when all it takes is knowing the software really well and that's true of any DAW not just Sonar.

this isnt a great way to start.

"but it was also clumsy, not always user friendly and ofen buggy."
 
if you thought this,why would you second opinion it?
because you know every daw isnt perfect?

if you would fill in your Sig we might be able to offer some asst.
fill in everything,sys,OS,interface,exc.

Jeff Evans


It is pretty well a stupid question to ask on a Sonar forum. You won't get a reasonable answer here, only one point of view. (and that might be from both sides too) 

I suggest you go away and do the research properly. See if you can watch an owner of both programs and maybe watch them using them. Get into the shops and work with both of them for a while and try and determine that for yourself.

Put the work in and find out yourself. There is no easy or lazy way to find out. Visit both websites and read all the info on both programs thoroughly. Read some reviews. 

I think you can download both demos and use them yourself. That is one very good way to find out as well. Test them both on the one machine and see how well they go. Read some other threads here.

Jeff nails it!
 
What was the best response you were expecting on a vendors forum asking whether the home one compares favourable to another?
 
You'd have been better served just throwing a brick into a lake if your aim was to create ripples, and I can't for the life of me see another purpose behind that title.

zoobooboozoo wrote:Hi all,

... and a midi controller for piano, strings, sometimes bass etc....

Do you have external MIDI-compatible sound modules for the above? If so, be aware that with Sonar you are able to use the facility called Instrument Definitions for these sounds, which means you will be able to browse, audition and select patches by name in a track, even on the fly. You can't do that in Studio One, and even to change a patch you need to know its MSB/LSB code. I use Sonar if I'm working on a song that involves MIDI.

I sometimes use Studio One for audio because of the slick integration of Melodyne and the Project page where songs can be mastered, sequenced and put straight to CD, and Sonar has no equivalent to this (yet...).

You should try the demos of both and see how you get on.

I believe that every DAW has its own problems. You buy a DAW in order to make/master music. The problem is everything is greener on the other side. Apart from the fact that it looks greener you also get cow dung (problems) in the green pastures.
 In the beginning the learning curve is the hardest part. Every DAW I have seen with problems are broken down in 95% computer problems and operation mistakes and 5% bugs. Music isnt a perfect world but with the DAW choices we have It is a lot easier.

Danny