Is it just me or is Sonar really bad when there's no hardware controller?
Like I find that [obviously] on FL it's way easier, with stepseq and piano, and even on Reason it's easier....and much easier for Reason/FL/other to deal with small loops with not a lot of notes? Or maybe it's cuz im on demo and soundcenter is the problem, since all the notes are more piano related?

I once thought the same thing, but changed my mind once I learned the product better. My son uses FL studio a lot and I could see where coming from Reason or FL studio would be an awkward transition. The key to making the transition is understanding semantically how each software does things. Instead of a track view, FL presents each channel in step sequencer mode by default that is integrated into the integrated sampler module. Although it is fairly seamless, it is no different than inserting a single instance of Dropzone or another sampler and utilizing Sonar's step sequencer. To do a full drumkit it would probably not be very efficient to go that route. Instead one could use Session drummer or another sampler or drum program using the step sequencer. You can make a template that will route all of your plugins into the step sequencer and have similar functionality without hardware control

Inputting anything beyond the most basic of rhythms and melodies is tedious with a mouse in any program. Granted, creating drum beats in FL studio and reason is much more intuitive initially, but once one establishes a template for such things the gap narrows. Complex beats with a mouse usually ends up being a trip to PRV regardless of program. I think the expanded capabilities of a full fledged DAW offsets the slight advantage these programs have in this area initially but acknowledge that certain musical genres are created easier with their deafults

I imagine it could be fairly painless with something like this, which I intend to buy :



From this place

@dubdisciple, kids come up with pretty amazing suff, all on their laptop and trackpads these days, don't assume the lack of controllers or keyboard is a problem for creativity on anyone's end. It's a matter of layout, design and responsiveness of the program that makes it workable or not "only" with a mouse.

I agree with Dubdisciple. Sonar is a linear sequencer. FL Studio is a more like a tracker. The Step Sequencer is a sort of tracker superimposed on a linear sequencer. FL s has gone through a lot of changes since first got version 4. I am now on version 10. Underneath it all is its tracker soul.

FL is ideal for certain kinds of music. it can be used to make any kind but it excels at creating dance and trance type music. Where Sonar is a general purpose DAW that can do any sort of music but excels at none. It sort of does all sorts with more or less the same ease.

For me its logical and works the way I think. FL is not as easy for me but I can use it.

I don't have any real experience with Reason and can't comment on it. 

I do know that Sonar, Cubase and Logic share the same underlying philosophy. They all came from first being sequencers for MIDI. 

As to the ease of use, these program cut there teeth on MIDI controllers. FL did not. Thus on the surface it seems that FL is better for mouse users and that to a degree is true. But there is nothing like hooking up a good controller and jamming away on Sonar.

 

 

 

John, I'm fluent in Sonar & Logic. Logic and a mouse/trackpad flows much much better than Sonar and mouse/trackpad. It's the minds behind the software that make it do well this or do well that, not the software.

@lourdo not sure where you concluded that I thought any such thing. You may want to go-re-read my responses. Some of the top producers in hip-hiop and dance music make no controller whatsoever. I would actually argue the opposite that lacking a controller can sometimes inspire creativity. I really hate when people come up with bizarre strawman arguments to things I did not say or imply.

 Now you are contradicting yourself. First you claim logic is better than quickly follow it by saying the software does not matter. Make up your mind.

Lourdo


John, I'm fluent in Sonar & Logic. Logic and a mouse/trackpad flows much much better than Sonar and mouse/trackpad. It's the minds behind the software that make it do well this or do well that, not the software.

I think we are looking at different things.  In the pass pen and paper was all that was needed for creativity. What kids do is fantastic and I applaud them.

I used Logic and Cubase and of them all for me Sonar was and is still a very easy DAW for me to use. Is it the best for mouse only use I don't know anymore. I long since moved to controllers. I was hooking up keyboards in the 80s.