If you wish to use loops its great for that. Its good for all forms of music. For Hip Hop I would consider getting an MPC though. You can do fine without one but it will more fun with one. 

By loops do you mean like actually MAKING the loop from say a selection of a Ride, Kick, snare, and hat or downloading a loop and adding it to the song? I think you mean the first one since u suggested an MPC but i wanna make sure

You can do it any way you want. You can use audio loops MIDI loops loops from an MPC.  Sonar is not limited. Oh and of course you can by using Sonar make your own.

Although trying the demo is a good idea it wont let you get too deeply into what Sonar can do. Because you only get to use it for 30 days.

If I were you I would watch the videos on Sonar before down loading the demo. 

I think some dude made a tutorial a while ago to transition from FL to X1 and it may address your concerns. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhkpYRQjqzE

and the second part : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdJVZ1I5CKE

Hi Evnabby! 

To answer a few of your questiions:

- Sonar actually the easiest to use among all 3 you try overall.
the difficulties you're having are probably due to the fact that you're new to the entire DAW universe.

- for making beats, FL is the winner here, hands down,  but for recording and editing audio, it's really not up to Sonar's standards....


That is not to say Sonar can't do beats, but FL does it with so much class (pattern based sequences, sampler integrated, QWERTY keybord triggs and record sounds etc... 

I don't know why you'd say you won't use FL studio in a year, it's no less a pro product like Sonar. if you really enjoy making music, 
no matter which DAW you choose, you will face a good learning curve... it's all a matter of devotion. 


Oh, and by the way, if you purchase FLstudio (producer or signature), you will be able to open it INSIDE Sonar (and have both at the same time, locked together using VSTi or Rewire technology)... that's the way I use them both. 


I hope that helps ! 

Cheers! 

V

Bear in mind that while other DAW's like FL may have tailored beat making capabilities, that's not to say that you cannot purchase such functionality in VST form to use in Sonar. Things like FXpansion Geist to name one (although it's pricey). 

You can also buy packages of MIDI drum patterns that you can drag and drop into your DAW. Groovemonkey being an excellent example. I use these a lot - you can either use them "as is" or you can use them as starting points for your own beats. I like to quantize them in different ways to get different feels. I also sometimes chop them up and put them back together to make my own offbeat patterns. 

Lourdo


I think some dude made a tutorial a while ago to transition from FL to X1 and it may address your concerns. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhkpYRQjqzE

May i ask a question? why would you link this video? 
its basically a video complaining about how bad the user thinks sonar is
and he's trying to sell you FL studio.
 
judging from your posts this evening you seem to be a new user
with little experience(youve said so yourself)
 
id be willing to help you out all i can as long as:
you show interest.
 
i wish you the best.
 
 

Evnabby


Ok guys can you answer me this question: Will SONAR X2 Essentials be a good choice for Hip-hop/Rap production with few real instruments recorded (so no need for high end recording stuff), but lot's of....IDK what to call it...Synth drums? Software drums? Bascially drums that are NOT recorded by mic :P

In short, yes.
Definitely watch the video on using the Step Sequencer. It should help a lot.
But also get familiar with the PRV. I don't really like the inline PRV, but I do like working with the full PRV, selected from the view menu.
Like Beepster, I am very comfortable working with it, and tend to prefer PRV over the SS. Totally personal preference.
I don't have X2, because I am working on an XP platform, but X1 Essential is quite powerful, and more than adequate for what you want to do. I would expect X2 Essential to do the same.
As noted earlier, and you already know, the learning curve is fierce at first, especially if the whole DAW thing is new to you.
I knew nothing about this stuff when I started out. Now, it's mostly second nature.
Take your time. Learn it in small bits.
Don't try to do your grande opus right away. Read the help files. Trash some projects. It will take some time, but you'll get it.
I believe it's worth the effort.