Cakewalk Sonar X3 Released 9/28

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (Dave Modisette)

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 10:43:14 GMT

Bajan Blue
Hi Dave
My main interest in X3 would only be core improvements - I have X2 but do not / cannot use it because of the graphical weirdness and the non repeatable bugs. So I went back to X1.
I would have to go the $149 upgrade path, but I have to say this does seem a bit steep to me just to get X2 to work properly. I do not need any of the included plugins etc as I either have them or alternatives I prefer.
I have been following the various comments made by the Cakewalk Staff, and I think it's petty clear X2 is finished as regards to any idea of a patch to fix the problems.
So my decision is further investment in X3 or put that money towards an alternative - I used to be a Cubase user and would never willingly want to have anything to do with that company ever again, so I have been considering Studio One - I know you are a user - do you really refer Studio One over X3? Has X3 made you change anything about how you consider Studio One?
Cheers
Nigel

Do I prefer S1 over X3? Yes, but I don't want to. It's just so much more streamlined. I mean, you can drag a plugin from the S1 browser and drop it in an empty spot in a send area and it creates a send and a bus for the plugin with one move. If you have an insert bin with a series of plugins, you can drag them into the browser and a plugin chain is created with one move. There are more things like that where the process only takes a mouse click and a key stroke or less. And you can do it with the play engine running and you won't hear a glitch.

At first I was jazzed about X3 but after a while I noticed that the same things that irritated me about X2, X1 8.5 (and so on) are still there. But if you are a "set in stone" SONAR user without a lot of 3rd party plugins, you'll be thrilled with X3. ( I do like X3 better than X2.)

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (Starise)

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 09:55:39 GMT

I'm thinking I'll go ahead and jump in on this one within the next day or so. I like anything that will enhance my workflow and make working faster and better.

The take lanes and color customisations go a long way towards making this a better experience. I've never owned a Nomad factory plug-in so I am interested to add these to my arsenal. I already have melodyne and now working with it in Sonar will be a cinch. I was never sold on V-vocal. IMO Melodyne is miles ahead. I have BFD 2 along with additional kits but addictive drums might fill a slot the others can't. I'm glad I never bought it. This tells me it might be a good idea to wait until after a major release when considering a purchase. I'm not at the point yet where I have too many drums. I can't wait to give addictive a spin. The tape simm looks interesting. I have a one that is older 32 bit. So adding an updated simm will work good for me.

I have kept every version since X-1 on the same computer. I will do the same with X3. If there are problems I can always revert back to X2a. I don't expect there to be any major problems though.

Cakewalk has treated loyal customers well by offering great upgrade prices. I'm not opposed to paying the upgrade price. I think that jumping into the game and then paying periodic upgrades is the way to go. If you're considering buying X3 as a newbe the price is steeper but then you're also in the game from now on. Most DAWS have a steeper cost of admission to new users. For 150.00 dollars I think we get a lot of bang for the buck. Many of the things that generated discontent and long post counts have been addressed. It's getting to the point where all anyone will be able to say is, " I like so and so better because it is just different and I like that kind of different better". No longer will a person be able to make a legitimate complaint based on lack of feature sets as compared to anyone else.

I had a lot of 32 bit plug-ins I liked to use in my 64 bit machine but it's now getting to the point where I don't even look at them, I mean, the offerings are pretty good with the PC and the other plugs that even a guy who has a lot of plugs might not need them if everything is already in the tool box and within easy reach. I'm not a plug-in snob so YMMV.

Hats of to the Cakewalk team on what looks to be a very large step forward in making Sonar an even stronger contender in the DAW market than it already was.! Thanks guys, the hard work is showing!

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (cclarry)

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 09:41:27 GMT

Nigel,

You can get all the CORE functionality in the Studio Upgrade...

You lose the Tap Sim
You lose AD
You lose the "Flyout" Quad Curve (which I want)
and a few minor things...

for $99...

Personally, I'm waiting for the bugs to clear and a sale...

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (Bajan Blue)

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 09:18:17 GMT

Hi Dave
My main interest in X3 would only be core improvements - I have X2 but do not / cannot use it because of the graphical weirdness and the non repeatable bugs. So I went back to X1.
I would have to go the $149 upgrade path, but I have to say this does seem a bit steep to me just to get X2 to work properly. I do not need any of the included plugins etc as I either have them or alternatives I prefer.
I have been following the various comments made by the Cakewalk Staff, and I think it's petty clear X2 is finished as regards to any idea of a patch to fix the problems.
So my decision is further investment in X3 or put that money towards an alternative - I used to be a Cubase user and would never willingly want to have anything to do with that company ever again, so I have been considering Studio One - I know you are a user - do you really refer Studio One over X3? Has X3 made you change anything about how you consider Studio One?
Cheers
Nigel

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (Dave Modisette)

Sun, 29 Sep 2013 19:43:29 GMT

First impressions from someone who has other DAW software to compare it to is "meh." If you are a "SONAR only" kind of guy that doesn't have very many 3rd party plugins, you are likely to be thrilled. But comparing core features to core features, I think that after this wild weekend with the hot new product of week, I'll end up going home to old faithful.

I missed reading that the Nomad plugins are locked to X3. I don't know about Addictive Drums because I didn't bother to install it. I've got more drums than I know what to do with. I suppose that at some point I'll get to use the Nomad plugins when I work with a client that has SONAR X3 and wants to do some of his own work on his project. Otherwise, I'll be using Studio One.

I'm a pretty generous guy by nature so the money spent helping to keep an American software company going is well spent. I had a good time trying out things and seeing where the improvements are (and there are definite improvements.) But if you are a user of another product and you have a lot of 3rd party plugins and you want to see if the grass is greener or you've been away thinking maybe it's time to come back home to Sonar - you might save your money.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (cclarry)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 17:42:54 GMT

I'm on the WAIT FOR A SALE AND DEBUGGING LIST..." />

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (cclarry)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 17:41:54 GMT

Bajan Blue
Anyone been brave enough to buy, download and install this yet? Any first impressions - hopefully good but to be more realistic, any problems??

Go upstairs to the X-Series Forum (renamed)...there are a few reports coming in..

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (Bajan Blue)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 16:56:24 GMT

Anyone been brave enough to buy, download and install this yet? Any first impressions - hopefully good but to be more realistic, any problems??

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (cclarry)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:46:37 GMT

What the heck happened there?

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (cclarry)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:45:30 GMT

carl
cclarry
Well, in knowing that this is Cakes FIRST attempt
at VST 3, ARA, and many other things, I'm prone
to believe that the bugs will abound...that's why
I'm not jumping RIGHT on the bandwagon, as I always
have before...

I'm waiting it out, and waiting for sale...$150 is too much (as far as I'm concerned)

I hope all the eager beavers are swift enough to remember to backup first before installing a major release.

ditt

carl
cclarry
Well, in knowing that this is Cakes FIRST attempt
at VST 3, ARA, and many other things, I'm prone
to believe that the bugs will abound...that's why
I'm not jumping RIGHT on the bandwagon, as I always
have before...

I'm waiting it out, and waiting for sale...$150 is too much (as far as I'm concerned)

I hope all the eager beavers are swift enough to remember to backup first before installing a major release.

[/quote)

Ditto that....

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (ltb)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:26:36 GMT

cclarry
Well, in knowing that this is Cakes FIRST attempt
at VST 3, ARA, and many other things, I'm prone
to believe that the bugs will abound...that's why
I'm not jumping RIGHT on the bandwagon, as I always
have before...

I'm waiting it out, and waiting for sale...$150 is too much (as far as I'm concerned)

I hope all the eager beavers are swift enough to remember to backup first before installing a major release.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (cclarry)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:23:09 GMT

Well, in knowing that this is Cakes FIRST attempt
at VST 3, ARA, and many other things, I'm prone
to believe that the bugs will abound...that's why
I'm not jumping RIGHT on the bandwagon, as I always
have before...

I'm waiting it out, and waiting for sale...$150 is too much (as far as I'm concerned)

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (ltb)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:16:39 GMT

Nah, last minute revision that didn't make it to disk for release, not too surprising.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (cclarry)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 11:13:18 GMT

Day of launch and there's ALREADY an X3a....

That's scary...

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (ltb)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 10:11:28 GMT

X3 Released:
http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/default.aspx

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (scook)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 00:39:00 GMT

Not for X2 users http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/2895652

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (ltb)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 00:34:16 GMT

Sweetwater has Producer upgrade X3 from Producer any version: SALE PRICE $199.00
Is that the correct price or full retail, typo?
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SonarX3PupSP/

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (Andrew Rossa)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 00:25:28 GMT

bitflipper

Noel has already explained that V-Vocal will still work in X3. Marketing will never mention V-Vocal ever again. Noel has told us that comping will be a vastly improved experience. That's not mentioned in the feature list. He's said that plugin scanning is now transparent and automatic, that the Waves UI flickering has been resolved, that CW now owns the Bitbridge source - all factoids you'll never see in any print ads.

I would get fired for marketing a feature that is no longer in the program :)

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (ltb)

Sat, 28 Sep 2013 00:21:51 GMT

Links are back now up at Sweetwater-
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=SonarX3&Go=Search

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (MachineClaw)

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 18:38:36 GMT

Peter J
MachineClaw

I'm leaning toward Reaper / FL Studio.

I really just want to make noise, not have a bunch of stuff I have to learn workarounds because it's included.

So far reading the specs I'm not that impressed with X3. guess it's a wait and see.

Hey Claw, I left the farm for awhile and did deep searching. I was *almost* settled on Reaper until I ran into some deal breakers. Don't like the FL Studio paradigm. Mixcraft was too Garage Band-y. Samplitude was too convoluted, Digital Performer was too obtuse. In the end, I came home to S2. Now I'm building a new DAW, *perfect* time for S3!

Yeah I'm not really positive about Reaper and FL Studio yet.

maybe *gulp* Cubase 7.

I'm very glad that Sonar X1d works solidly for me and I really don't HAVE to choose anything. Just feature envy I guess. Maybe Bitwig will answer all prayers (joking people, really joking).

The more I read the officially unofficial feature information Bakers post I'm more and more inclined to think X3 might be pretty damn cool - IF it works good.

This week I 've been running into hardware PC issues and thinking that it's actually time to invest in a production UBER PC.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (Peter J)

Fri, 27 Sep 2013 17:52:02 GMT

MachineClaw

I'm leaning toward Reaper / FL Studio.

I really just want to make noise, not have a bunch of stuff I have to learn workarounds because it's included.

So far reading the specs I'm not that impressed with X3. guess it's a wait and see.

Hey Claw, I left the farm for awhile and did deep searching. I was *almost* settled on Reaper until I ran into some deal breakers. Don't like the FL Studio paradigm. Mixcraft was too Garage Band-y. Samplitude was too convoluted, Digital Performer was too obtuse. In the end, I came home to S2. Now I'm building a new DAW, *perfect* time for S3!

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (Old55)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 17:07:53 GMT

I still have to upgrade my hardware in order to fully use X2! I'll probably do that before I can even think about X3. I've had a few distractions this year that delayed the hardware upgrade.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (ampfixer)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 16:37:10 GMT

I'm waiting to hear about take lanes and the audio engine. They are both huge issues that I think need some work. Color customization isn't a selling feature. We had it, they took it and now they're giving it back. Duckbar does that for me today.

I'm still learning all the plugs I already own, so meh, to the bundled plugs. I'd happily pay $149 if they've managed to address some of the meat & potato issues and reduced the random lock ups.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (paulo)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:27:32 GMT

drewfx1
I think I'll wait until CW at least, you know, actually announces it and puts up the web page before passing judgment.

They're always going to throw bundled stuff in to entice more people to upgrade, given that they're only being able to produce so much new code every year. I, like many here, certainly don't lack for plugins, but I also don't have to upgrade if the total package isn't attractive. And the trick for them is to try to make the total package attractive to the largest number of users.

Hey, we don't need any of that reasoned, sensible commenting here - take it somewhere else buddy !! ;)

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (yorolpal)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 15:08:23 GMT

I shore do miss ol Stephen St. Croix. He called em like they was.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (bapu)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 14:52:34 GMT

Jonbouy
I see Craig as the most likely person to steer a DAW manufacturer into creating what could be one of the most useable DAWs ever given his background of 'How To's' but I'm darned if I'm going to earnestly set about getting the matching face of a two year old minutes after he's been set free with a fine chocolate pudding any time soon..." />

About the only other person to best him would be Stephen St. Croix.

Is that brown-nosed enough for you?

Remember I have a pic of me an Craig at NAMM 2013 and it ain't photoshop'd.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (cclarry)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 14:30:17 GMT

Addictive Drums is my favorite Drum program...
And I have them all...

That being said, the fact that they would allow Cake to
package the full program as an included VSTi says that
AD2 is very near...as that will generate upgrade money
for XLN Audio...and compete with the BFD 3 release.
Where is Superior Drummer 3? Isn't it time?

There are FREE versions of both Addictive Drums and Addictive
Keys....visit the XLN Website and get 'em....even the free
versions are well worth having..

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (bitflipper)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 10:42:06 GMT

Your buddy is correct: Addictive Drums is pretty good. It may well be the best drum sampler any DAW comes bundled with. Expansion packs are reasonably priced and often on sale.

It's not a selling point for me, and I expect it's not going to sway many others here, either. New users, though, are getting a good deal, as are old-timers who've been getting by with Session Drummer.

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (auto_da_fe)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 07:14:51 GMT

I spent a 120 for me and my wife for a crappy meal the other weekend (could have done better myself at home for half the price). Every time me and my family leave the house to do anything it seems to cost a 100. (Parking, gas, yaddah, yaddah...)

150 is really not that much in my world, so the price is not holding me back.

My experience with X2 has been pretty good so I am not worried on that front either. (If as an example X2 was unusable on my rig I would definitely be hesitant...)

Even though I have sleezey drummer and BFD2, addictive drums intrigues me. A buddy of mine tells me that addictive drums are pretty good (of course it will only include one or 2 stock kits and buttons to buy expanded kits etc.)

Melodyne sounds interesting too. (f course i myself do not need pitch correction, but I have this friend who sometimes gets pitchy... " />)

All in all I am on board and will very likely jump (not too fast) on this upgrade too. If nothing else I love playing with new plugs and VI.

I have never owned a real gibson before, so this will be a first. Hopefully X3 is not made from exotic rain forest wood and we cannot take it out of the US. If Cakewalk relocated to Nashville, they will be closer to me too !

JR

Re: Sonar X3 Producer Upgrade (backwoods)

Thu, 26 Sep 2013 03:16:41 GMT

Agree that Noel is a treasure trove of interesting Sonar information. The great thing about it is sometimes when the other Cakewalk guys have put up the cone of silence, Noel stumbles in blissfully unaware and answers stuff straight up. I wonder if the other guys get mad sometimes " />