I have been & continue to enjoy sonar,  I have been a steady user since sonar 8.   Now running X2 producer.   I like it and planned to stay with Sonar. but my little studio is starting to take off and I am working with more and more bands, and getting the typical  "Hey man, do you run pro tools!?" question a pretty fair amount.  Between that and the fact that I really really love & enjoy audio and would like to pursue this into a career I have been contemplating biting the bullet and getting/learning the Pro tools platform.  So I have been torn over X3 and PT. 
 
   Then, I bought a Presonus Studio/live 24.4.2 and for live gigs the Capture software (a stupid simple streamlined version just for quick tracking) makes it pretty fast & easy to track the gig, break up the bands set into separate songs and work with them or send them back to the board to mix down on the SL desk.  These capture projects can also be easily transferred to Presonus' DAW Studio one... So I load up Studio one artist and found some feature are really cool.  The gapless audio engine is super nice and there are some things I really like,  the mastering suite (should I choose to jump to their Pro version ) is excellent and the ability to embed ISRC codes, DDP capabilities & red book standard Cd's are great.  I can go to S1 pro for $200 (due to a deal I bout on a special a year ago).... but, then I don't know that software very well, some things in it are driving me crazy....  Crappy meters IMO with no real peak hold value, I still haven't figured out their track layers thing, the transport kinda pisses me off too.    So....  I am a freaking basket case and can't choose.  Give me your thoughts especially if you have dealt with 2 or more of these platforms!  Thanks in advance for any insights. 

ChuckC
Then, I bought a Presonus Studio/live 24.4.2...Give me your thoughts especially if you have dealt with 2 or more of these platforms!  Thanks in advance for any insights...

 
Hey Chuck.
Sonar was my first DAW from Studio 6 up to X2a Producer and Studio One was my 2nd, primarily because the Artist version came with the Presonus StudioLive 16.4.2 Mixer that I bought about 2 years ago & now I'm up to Professional 2.0.6.
 
I haven't looked into Protools and I'm not really tempted to, although some here have already and seem quite happy with the deal they got.
 
It may be too early to tell, but I've heard good & not so good about it, although one could say that about any & every DAW with so many opinions out there.
 
I will say that I've paid full price, [albeit a fairly good deal] on Cubase 6 this summer which gave me a grace period upgrade to Cubase 7. They just released Cubase 7.5 on Dec. 4th.
 
I haven't opened Sonar or Studio One since.
 
May not be helpful or what you're after, but just some extra food for thought. 
 
 

I have been reading articles, threads, forums, reviews and watching videos for a month now.  You would be the 1st I have heard of to drop Either Sonar, or S1 in favor of Cubase.  Non the less, sir...  Thank you for your input!

ChuckC - I'm not a pro, and I'm not working with multiple bands. So I can't answer to the requests from those players.

But what I would say is that I've gotten really good with use Sonar Producer. I personally would not want to water down my in depth knowledge of the tool, and spread my time thin by trying to experiment and to become an expert in multiple DAWs. For one, I'm not a pro. For another, I don't have the time or budget to spend doing that. And thirdly, Sonar Producer easily does everything I need to do easily.

So my suggestion is to pick one and stick to it. Get the best version of it.

And I think you'd do just fine putting your energy into Sonar Producer X3.

ChuckC
...You would be the 1st I have heard of to drop Either Sonar, or S1 in favor of Cubase.  Non the less, sir...  Thank you for your input!

Your very welcome!
Personally, I just feel that Cubase is a few steps ahead with all that they offer in their current full version. [Some others have even said 'way ahead'].
 
I don't feel that they're talking about any included 3rd party plugs or goodies either, but the main core features. 
 
I haven't really dug down deep as of yet, but so far Cubase just works for me, as did Sonar - but Cubase has more of what I need & want. Studio One - not nearly so much, regardless of it's continual high praise.
 
In any event, I wish you well in your decision making!
 
Best wishes.

Bands and such that ask about ProTools either have heard that is the standard and know jack about recording otherwise, or they are thinking of taking part of the project to another studio and they figure that is the standard.
 
If you like and know SONAR and don't plan on hiring on to a studio house just use SONAR.  Answers to inquiring bands can be as simple as "No, I like SONAR's 64-bit engine's fidelity" or any number of reasons to stick w/ SONAR (other than you already own it).
 
Protools can import wav files from SONAR, or visa versa. 
 
@

I run PT9HD and Studio One along with Sonar.
I have them mainly for compatibility sake but use Sonar most.

AT
Bands and such that ask about ProTools either have heard that is the standard and know jack about recording otherwise, or they are thinking of taking part of the project to another studio and they figure that is the standard.
 
@

That was true a few years back, but not so much in 2013. Most musicians I know - even old timers - are familiar with home recording and own "a little Pro Tools rig".
 
The geekiest of them may have opted for Logic. Or maybe Cubase, or Sonar or Live or whatever. But a lot of them run Pro Tools and/or expect to find Pro Tools HD when they book studio time. 
 
Walking into a studio and seeing a PT HD rig is kind of like seeing a SSL console, a Marhsall stack, a bunch of classic compressors and a U67... Those things sell themselves.

I have both Sonar and Pro tools, I stared with Cake's homestudio way back when and then moved to Sonar and kept moving forward with it, I love the skylight interface and the Pro Channel as they have both greatly improved my workflow.
 
Protools I purchased with an Mbox in version 7 and have upgraded as the deals came up since. It is also a good platform but having developed a good workflow in sonar I would not rush to make it my goto DAW.
 
I think my choice was in part reflected by what was said above that many larger studios would use pro tools and so questions of compatibility and familiarity come into question.
 
The basics are the same in all DAWS and I think workflow  and learning curve are big facets when choosing.
That being said if money permits it can be interesting to look at other options and not have all your eggs in one basket.

I say just do what you think is best. From what I can tell, any DAW will get you the results you want. The trouble is deciding. Just get a bunch of stuff with flashing lights and buttons and knobs and they can gawk at that stuff while you use what you have.