Does anyone here use Cakewalk ?

[Gretschman]

Does anyone here use Cakewalk ?

I am trying to select a DAW . I would like any info I can get on the
Sonar 6 Producer Edition software .
If you don't like it , Why ?

I'm trying to buy the right software and I've gotten confused by all the BS and Hype .

Thanks ,

[loudboy]

Love it. Done hundreds of projects on every version back to Cakewalk 3.0...

Sonar 4 was a magnitude jump, and 6 is even better. I've never once felt hindered by, or wished it could do something that it doesn't do, and I use maybe 10% of its' capabilities.

Loudboy

[AndrewSimon]

Try Tracktion2 (T3 coming out any day now)
There is a free demo available at:
http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion2/index.html

I just LOVE this thing I will never use anything else.
Very strong community to help with any questions (you will not need it)
http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22

:BEER

[GuitslingerTim]

I started with Sonar3, upgraded to Sonar4, skipped 5, but Sonar6 PE should be arriving any day. I have had no problems from Sonar at all, and the results are top-notch.

[wilder]

Just recorded an album for another band using Sonar 6 and really liked it. I don't have much experience with anything else besides protools, but I much prefer Sonar to that.

[GuitarG]

I use Sonar 6 Pro. I've been using Cakewalk products for over 10 years and have owned all of the incarnations of Sonar. Sonar 6 really has a lot going for it and has been very stable. The user interface is easy to navigate and it comes with some great plugins.
I did all of the vocals, most of the guitar and keyboard overdubs and mixed my band's recent album on Sonar 5.

[UnderTheGroove]

Another thumbs up for Sonar 6. I've been using Cakewalk stuff ever since Pro Audio 6. They keep finding ways to make it better and better.

[Gretschman]

Thanks for all the input guys .

So , Whats the big deal about Protools ? I understand it's an industry standard , But the guys I talked to that use it never said it was better than any other software , They just use it .

The Sonar 6 looks like it has more features or just as many as protools hd and will run on vista .

[Mixotonic]

Been using Sonar 4 Producer for several years now. It still amazes me!
Midi is so damn easy with this program. That was the area that Sonar 4 and above really shined.

But recording anything is a breeze with Sonar. Try the demo!

[sethmeister]

I use Sonar 6 PE. I'm quite happy with it.

[loudboy]

Originally Posted by Gretschman

Thanks for all the input guys .

So , Whats the big deal about Protools ? I understand it's an industry standard , But the guys I talked to that use it never said it was better than any other software , They just use it .

The Sonar 6 looks like it has more features or just as many as protools hd and will run on vista .

There's 2 versions of PT.

One is hardware-based, and very expensive. That's the one the professionals use. It's stable, can run a zillion tracks w/no latency, etc. It still doesn't SOUND any better than other programs, especially w/their hardware, but it's kind of like PhotoShop or MSWord - it's got the lion's share of the market and if you wanna work, you better have it.

The other version is PT LE, which is software-based. Other than the interface, it has none of the advantages of a full-blown PT system. IMHO, it's much clunkier and has several REALLY annoying things about it. Real-time bounce, track limits, insane implementing of crossfades, the f-ed up cursor thing and the whole regions list stuff being the major ones.

You also are tied to buying specific hardware to run it.

I'll take Sonar 6, or any of the other major ones, over PTLE any day of the week. Cheaper, more features, easier to use, sounds the same... No brainer, for me.

Loudboy

[agreatheight]

Yup, been using Sonar for a few years now. I highly recommend it. Easy to use, excellent sounding audio engine, great compatibility with plugins and outboard devices, awesome midi control. I prefer it to other DAWs (and yes, I have used ProTools, Logic, Cubase, etc). I think all DAWs at this point are solid programs, all very useable, but I like Sonar's interface and stability, it's flexibility, and the awesome price point / PC platform throws it over the top.

Good luck!

[Jo]

I've been using Cakewalk since Pro Audio 9 and am currently using Sonar Producer 5. I'll be upgrading to Sonar 6 soon.

I've tried all sorts of other programs, even bought a Mac, but I went back to XP and running Sonar. So much easier and everything seems to work.

[Blue Strat]

Started with Sonar 5 and just updated to Sonar 6 Producer. Great features and somewhat intuitive, though there's a learning curve involved with any of these programs. I have nothing to compare it to but I can't imagine anything significantly better.

[frankencat]

I started with Cake back in the day (3.0 I think) and used it exclusively up until about 4 years ago when I went to Pro Tools LE. I own a Digi 001 and an Mbox but I think I'm done and will be going back to Sonar in the next revision of my studio. Too many software problems and the company could care less about supporting it's small users. The only real support you have it the "duc" forum which is ok but not enough for the number of users and issues they have. I was a beta tester for a while and when I reported a major issue with multi-processor support they basically tried to sweep it under the rug and asked me to leave. FWIW, I am a professional software engineer and I build enterprise software and websites for a living so I think I know a software issue when I see one. Anyway, after we release our new CD I am probably going back to the Cake. I have done many CD projects with Cakewalk and never once did the software hold me back or get in the way