How often in DAW do we even bother what's included? We assume the 3rd party ones are always better. How much work can be done in Sonar just using channel strips.  
 I have come across Reason users who have spent a great deal of money on REs. People somehow made music with Reason's built in effects before Reason 6. 
 I watched a tutorial on MacProVideo where there were no 3rd party effects in a final mixdown of Studio 1.
 
 Anyone use the Sonitus plugins anymore?  There was a big "hooray" when they were a part of Sonar.
 
 I know Live users like the included effects.
 
 What is sad to admit I didn't realize there is much included in Sonar.
 
 
 
 
 
 

I never really used much of the stuff in Sonar when I used it, maybe the Quad Curve Eq now and then, but I much preferred the other stuff I have. Now I have moved on to Studio One, and I use quite a lot of the included stuff, channel strips, eq, comps etc, Virtual instruments like Mai Tai and Presence XT etc and the note fx stuff is pretty awesome with arpegiator, chorder, etc, there are heaps, and good quality stuff. So no, never really used the included stuff with Sonar, but with Studio One I do.

I have found that I am using the Sonar pro-channel compressors, limiters and eq much more than my previous gotos T-Racks.

The Pro Channel FX are very good. I hardly use any 3rd part FX these days, I find myself just reverting back to what's included in Sonar Pro. The only 2 that I still use are Xenon and Vahalla Reverb. You may find 3rd party FX that you will like better, but it comes down to personal preference.

If you can't mix with what is included in Sonar, then you can't mix.

The effects suite included in Sonar was major factor in me buying it. When I was researching all my DAW options it became very clear that if I were to get anything else I would have to spend a fortune buying extra plugins (and synths/instruments). I didn't even know what most of the stuff was but did not want to get stuck as I progressed.
 
Sure enough almost everything I've ever had a need for as far as effects has been there in the Sonar package (and sometimes there will be three or more different plugs I can try out to do the same thing).
 
There are exceptions. Like we don't seem to have a straight up frequency generator (not really an effect but still an odd omission). There isn't a basic stereo field analyser (again not an effect). An in track tuner would be nice (instead of having to open an amp sim everytime or plugging into a hardware tuner). I'd really like some kind of dynamic EQ (there are workaround options but they're a little complex that hinge on the Cakewalk Analyst plug... which I don't think is included anymore). Some more mastering tools would be good too but understandably absent (because that stuff is expensive).
 
I'm almost positive that many of the included plugs aren't as good as others on the market but for the price and the fact they are simply right there (and tested to work with Sonar) I'm not left wanting... too much.
 
I seriously thought I would have had to spend WAY more on plugs over the years but I made a policy of first figuring out whether the tool already existed in Sonar before getting all GAS-ey. Almost never been disappointed and the things I can't find are either REALLY expensive or completely free from third party developers.
 
The only extras I've bought are upgrades to the Sonar versions of Guitar Rig and TH2, BFD Eco (this was before AD2 was included... still don't regret buying it though), CA2A, the Concrete Limiter... and I honestly can't think of much else aside from some sample/patch banks.
 
Things I think I need to buy would be some Izotope stuff (RX and Ozone), Melda Productions Spectral Dynamics plug and Overloud MarkII Bass.
 
I think I might like to get NI Komplete (or maybe just Kontact) so I have much more instrument/synth options for soundtrack type work but I get by pretty well with the included synths. Their sample/sound banks do leave a bit to be desired in regards to sound effects though.
 
Cheers.

In track tuner
 

 

michaelhanson
If you can't mix with what is included in Sonar, then you can't mix.

True dat.
 
I recently did a mix in Harrison MB3 where I decided that I would only use MB3 included plugs. I broke my rule and did use Relab's LX480 (my first real try of it) and then later found out that the Harrison Reverb was perfectly adequate.
 

BobF
In track tuner
 

 

Thanks for that Bob.
 
Now, where is the in track talent?

Damn, Bob. You got me all excited that maybe I'd missed it. Just checked though and I don't have it. Also my Cakewalk FX list is about half of what yours is.
 
I'm assuming that you have those extra goodies from pre X1 installations. They've been widdling away at those old FX over the years due to stability issues.
 
Personally I'd rather they left those plugins accessible and just put big bad "WARNING" notices if they've been found to cause stability problems.
 
I have seen it mentioned that maybe some of these old plugs are actually available/hidden in the Custom Install option but do not get loaded in the default installer. Not sure if that's true or not.
 
I'm not referring to the method of custom installing older versions just to install the plugs. This would be more of a hidden "easter egg" type thing that I'm assuming is a bit of an urban legend or I totally misunderstood.
 
There are probably free third party options but I just use my amp sims.
 
An actual embedded tuner (like maybe a Control Bar module or within the ProChannel) would be ideal though as opposed to a VST that needs to be inserted and managed (like having to make sure the tuner isn't Post distortion, delay, pitch shift or other effects that would screwup the tuner).
 
Anyway... if you have any thoughts as whether maybe I DO have access to that tuner I'd be happy to hear them.
 
In the meantime I'm going to compare my Cake FX list to yours and figure otu what's missing.
 
Thanks.

When I tune through a distorted and phased signal I only have to get "close enough".