I see a lot of negative things about Sonar here myself included but unlike other user forums for products which I tend to see a ton of praise on I generally only see negativity on this one so I hope this thread highlights some of the great stuff about Sonar. Here are some of my favorite things about Sonar 

#1 The new gui in X1. I forget its name sky something but its really great and a breeze for my workflow. It is a bit clunky at times but that is why switching from panel to panel via keyboard short cuts is there. It eliminates a lot of menu diving. 

#2 Editing. I have used several DAWs but when it comes to audio editing Sonar is by far my favorite while I do not love Sonar for midi stuff compared to my other programs for audio in my work Sonar is king. 

#3 Tons of sales. This may not be a Sonar thing but its always on sale. Cakewalk is always offering you a great deal for Sonar updates. 

#4 Great plug ins. I love the plug ins with Sonar and I enjoy that i can also take many of them into my other programs and use them during other phases of my creation process. 

#5 Instrument definitions This is one of the major things with Sonar that made me fall in love with Home Studio years ago. I used to use a ton of hardware synths and calling patches back directly from the software is a huge plus for me. I love that feature and wish every DAW had it. 

Cos I'm a FanBoi and it's my job to love it....

Simple - it works for what I do - it helps me pay my bills.

I'll be Devil's Advocate here:

I like it because I didn't want to spend $3000 on a MacPro and $700 on ProTools.

In all seriousness, I used Sonar back around 2003-04, don't even remember the version. But it worked great. Then I made the switch to Mac/PT. That was great, too. Then I got out of the biz. Now I'm getting back in and I couldn't stomach the hardware/software costs for PT.  

I love X1. ProChannel is awesome. I am a simple guy. I love that all the basic plugs are loaded when I'm ready to add some EQ and/or comp. Smart Tool is nice, layers are great, everything is snappy.

Unfortunately, I'm still working out some kinks with my new PC setup. If I can eliminate the occasional pops and dropouts I will be thrilled. As for now, I'm having some regret not dropping the $$$ for Mac/PT.

Flame suit on.

FastBikerBoy


Cos I'm a FanBoi and it's my job to love it....

I Am in agreement

I love it - I can use it without doing much thinking about other stuff than what I need to concentrate on, making the music or whatever, it's really comfortable and logic to use. To me it is anyway.

And X2 looks like another winner!

1.  I like the Sonitus suite, I'm still waiting to the Sonitus PC modules :) .

2.  I like the softsynths that come with producer especially Session Drummer.

3.  I like the fact that when I export to disk/file, the job is completed rather quickly and silently.

4.  In a side by side comparison with ProTools MP9 and X1Expanded, I can create a quality sounding product.  I have yet to create a PT finished product that sounds as good as or as polished as X1.

5.  Having started out with Magix 2000, and going to Cakewalk Music Creator 2, the stability and flow of cakewalk house outpaced anything else that I have used.

6.  The users on this forum are awesome.  Friendly... they desire to share information.  They have helped my workflow.  Why would I need to contact a customer support person when some of the best answers come from here.  Shout outs to Konradh and FastBikerBoy, Bristol Jonesy and so, so many more.

Was this what you was looking for?

I better clarify Number 4.... The product that exports out of X1 sounds almost exactly like what I hear.  The songs that I worked on using ProTools MP sounded great in ProTools BUT once I bounced to disc, you would think I had recorded that music in a room with an old mono CASSETTE player sitting in the middle of the room. 

FastBikerBoy


Cos I'm a FanBoi and it's my job to love it....

Couldn't you love it a bit more if the Prochannel plugins would show up (completely)on the MCU?

I was found in a dumpster with a Sonar box over my head to keep me dry in the rain. I guess I've been bonded to it ever since.

It also happens to do what I need it to do... except stretch audio properly, but I can get that treat from the kids next door.