Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL

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General Sequencers

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List of user reviews Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL

Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Getting Started

It's got practically everything you need for audio & MIDI recording, includes some useful plugin effects.

Price paid: $400.00 USD

It's very useful, and fast to get ideas down, especially if you create some templates for your most common types of projects.

Suitability/Performance

I've only used Cakewalk for audio recording, so I have nothing to compare it to. I think the soundcard has quite a bit more bearing on the quality of audio, though. The included plugin effects seem very transparent, however.

I've only used this in my computer room, but it seems very solid. I think all of the trouble I've had has been due to other parts of my rig.

Overall Opinion

It seems intuitive to use. I don't get a sentimental feeling about it, though.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 3-, 2004)

Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Getting Started

This version is as good as this line of product could be right now. Effects auditioning function could be improved. You can't change settings during live audition.

Price paid

$400+/-

Easy to use for anyone with basic audio knowledge. Good help section. Good shortcut keys. No one actually reads the manual because most questions can be answered through help.

Suitability/Performance

The overall sound quality is cleaner than every PC audio applictaion I've used. It's also a hotter sound. The MIDI sounds are not so good. It's typical General MIDI stuff, but you can get great sound fonts. Midi effects are better than before and better than average. Effects made by Cakewalk aren't too good.

Quality is ok. If you want to run a lot of tracks or multiple applications you need a lot of CPU power, memory etc. Audio can be saved automatically so that it won't be lost in a blackout or power failure, projects can be easily reassembled.

Overall Opinion

I think this is great for any project, home, or hip-hop studio. Get Reason and Rewire and you won't need ProTools for anything.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 1-, 2003)

Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Getting Started

Not bad for the price. My computer is about 6 years old, and i've run as many as 20 tracks simultaneously with no problems. Fair amount of effects and editing features, and some decent MIDI capabilities. The Timeworks CompressorX is a nice plus, and it's got great presets if you don't know what you're doing, or if you're just lazy (like me). If you do anything with vocals, i would highly reccomend picking up the Antares Autotune plugin. It's pricey, but worth it.

Price paid

$300

Very easy to get used to. The Help menu is actually relatively useful too.

Suitability/Performance

24 bit is 24 bit. Get yourself a good soundcard and nice speakers and you'll be good to go.

Never had any problems, other than a few dropouts caused by using up too much DSP. If you have a fast enough computer, that should generally not cause any problems though.

Overall Opinion

Nothing can take the place of ProTools for me, but for a cheap DAW with some nice little features, it's a pretty good deal. I definitely like it better than anything else in its price range, and it beats a lot of gear 2 or 3 times its price. One piece of advide though, don't even waste your time with the Amp Sim unless you want a really cheesy guitar sound, or just want it to distort vocals, drums etc. You will NEVER get a good distorted guitar sound out of it.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 3-, 2003)

Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL By FP User Reviews on 10/31/2008

Getting Started

Has all the features of any modern sequencer save - 5.1 Mixing - Midi Track Layering Both features either I have in other products, or don't need.

Price paid

~$150 for upgrade

By FAR the easiest Modern sequencer to use IMO. Nice 500+ page manual, details pretty much all the features.

Suitability/Performance

N/A. No native sounds, you use this to sequence those sounds ;) The Effects are OK. Nothing great.

Never played it live. No major stability issues. Only when keeping latency around 2ms, and trying to max out the application.

Overall Opinion

Now that Logic is Mac only, I'll probably use Sonar for the forseeable future.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 5-, 2003)

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