i have been think for a while now about sonar and the many other recording programs out thier.. pro tools and logic seem to be the biggest and most used programs out thier. should i continue using sonar or convert to a pro tools/ logic man? i love sonar but if it will better my recordings to convert i will do it. what do u guys think? should i do it or is it not worth it. if better quality will be had then i will do it in a heart beat. of course i would want to get a mac if i convert. no use in staying with windows.

I'm still enjoying my Cubase SX3 Windows XP combo.
I've used the Macs with Pro Tools LE also, wasn't a big deal learning to use either.
As far as the final product, I cannot tell whether a recording was done a a PC with Cubase or a Mac with Pro Tools.

Spend the time learning to record and mix. When you run into a limitation from your gear, then worry about changing.

Until then work, work, work.

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no use in staying with windows.

???

Won't change your recording quality AT ALL.
Pick one and get good at it.

jmp

What do you think you'll gain?

I disagree that it won't change the quality "at all". It will. But...better/worse...? Just is what it is...different.

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Originally posted by Popmann:
I disagree that it won't change the quality "at all". It will. But...better/worse...? Just is what it is...different.

well see guys this is why i consider switching sometimes. i love sonar and im damm good with it but some people say that quality can vary from program to program just like popmann said. now whats that all about? i dont understand how it can change?

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well see guys this is why i consider switching sometimes. i love sonar and im damm good with it but some people say that quality can vary from program to program just like popmann said. now whats that all about? i dont understand how it can change?

Keeping the broader picture in context, moving a microphone an inch or so from the source will produce a much more noticeable and dramatic "change" in what you're hearing than the differences you might perceive in any of the major DAWs. If you're already proficient with Sonar, then I'd suggest that you stay with it and focus on producing better and better music.

thats what i will do.. however i am planing on going to school here in manhattan for engineering so i guess i will learn more programs thier.. just need to find a way to fund it lol. cant wait!

I agree that you should pretty much pick one and stick with it. Of course if your not happy with what you are using then do some research, try some demos, and pick one according to your style and how you will use it. Are you using it mostly just for tracking and mixdown? Will you be using it for alot of editing or final mastering? Do you use midi alot? Some programs are better than others at certain things. I went with Samplitude since I don't use midi much and primarily track, edit and master my own mixes, at least for now. Most of the top names are very good, you just have to learn how to use them well.

There's several reasons for changing or picking DAW platforms, but I think the sound would be at the bottom of the list.

Functionality of the program is one thing that comes to mind. How well you relate to the particular interface is another. And, a big one if you're running a commercial studio might be compatability with other studios you work with.

Assuming all DAW software you'd be considering are the latest releases, the converters you use are going to have much more impact to the sound than the internal mix bus.

How far away would you estimate from having the sound you're shooting for? If you're looking for another 5% or so improvement, then worrying about converters (you're using apogee, right), DAW platforms, etc., is probably valid. If you're more like 50% there (which is the way I interpret your posts in general), you're spending money/effort/focus on the wrong things, imo.

I've used Samplitude, Nuendo, Logic, Sonar, Sound Forge, Audition, Wavelab and Reaper. The differences in workflow and function far outweighs everything else in my world.

If you dislike Sonar and want to change, by all means go for it. I just want to caution you that if you think changing platforms will take your recordings significantly up a notch or two, you will be disappointed.

Most of the major programs have functional demos so you can try before you buy. If you are going to replace what you have, I'd recommend getting your hands on everything you can first and make a selection on personal experience.

Steve

If you like Sonar, I would stick with it. The most important thing is having a platform that you can be comfortable with and get work done.

Velozr,

I use Sonar Home Studio II. I got frustrated a while back with computer stability and went on a quest for a used Akai DPS 24. I ended up with a machine that needed some repair, which was a long drawn out process. In the meantime, I bought a cheap laptop for my personal and business use and reformatted my old computer for recording only...no internet, no nothing. Just my DAW and plug ins. I looked at some other programs, but stuck it out with HS II. Because I am not multitasking my computer, all seems pretty stable. By the time my DPS finally got out of the repair shop, I had gotten pretty comfortable with Sonar Home Studio. The AKAI is a great machine from the test tracks I have made on it. However, I currently have more of a groove with the computer. I keep thinking that I will use the two in tandem somehow, but I don't know. I have confidence the DPS will give me a cleaner mix, but it's hard for me to break away from my comfort zone. I'm starting to do what I got into this for. Record some music...not research/buy gear and learn my way around different DAW's.

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some people say that quality can vary from program to program just like popmann said. now whats that all about? i dont understand how it can change?

Speaking of this, and I hope it is relevant, kosher, and John Havlicek doesn't mind me quoting him, but here is something I said on another forum and the response.

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I have always assumed the software really has nothing to do with the sound (with the exception of effects plugins). I just figured once the sound was converted to digital files, the rest was just user's choice.

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The software will absolutely have an impact onb the final sound because of how it handles the summing of the audio. Also, the audio will be impacted by the various channel DSP...like EQ and compression. Finally, the quality of the onboard effects will obviously have a noticeable affect on the final sound. Simple individual track recordings are more dependant on the interface, and of course there will be a cumulative affect with all that.

We were discussing the phasing out of the DPS24 by AKAI and a suitable software replacement.

i use sonar for tracking, mixing,editing, and mastering.. pretty much everything. i like the program works well for me. i dont use midi much.. i have no midi interface but when i do use midi i use a mac laptop with garage band and a m-audio midi keyboard. from thier i import midi clips into sonar. the reason i do this is becuase on the mac my m-audio keyboard has no latency and i can record properly.

tbrugh- well yea i guess i want more quality who wouldnt. im probebly like 50% thier like u said. i have the rossetta 200 and the ad2022... if i would want to upgrade what do u think would be the next step up? sonar if fine i like it. i think ill stay with it for now.. i will focuse on equipment and room and instruments for now.

wretchasketch-- i always thought that program has nothing to do with quality and i still dont. but many people think otherwise. for now ill just take my chances with sonar.

I can't find the original thread, but this 3dB forum did a HUGE comparison of lots of different DAWs and then everyone picked their favorites.

DAW Sum Comparison Site

The bottom line was there was no clear cut winner. I think at one point I tallied up people's comments and votes and maybe Paris did a little better than the rest, but not much. Sonically, even the pros could not agree on a clear cut winner with this test. And there is no way I could pretend to hear things that pros hear.

I agree with the others here. Go for the GUI that works best for YOUR workflow, whether it is Sonar or whatever. The only clear reason I can see to have to learn Pro Tools is if you are going to be either working in a studio where the customers expect it or if you are going to be consistently swapping files back and forth with other musicians who are all using PT (even then, you can just export the wave files individually.) I like Pro Tools LE, but I could have stayed with Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 because I liked and was comfortable with it's interface. I was not initially comfortable when they made the GUI switch to what Sonar looks like and I was too lazy to get used to it. I don't like the interface for Garage Band at all, even though it is reputed to be intuitive, not for me...... One of MY favorites for it's uncluttered simplicity is actually Audacity. Again, it's whatever you are comfortable with. I just don't think we can hear the sonic differences between these DAWs. I know I can't.

bilco

bilco