Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL user reviews ( 9/10) - 10 user reviews

• 10/31/08

  FP User Reviews's review

  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)
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• 10/31/08

  FP User Reviews's review

  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)
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• 10/31/08

  FP User Reviews's review

  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)
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• 10/31/08

  FP User Reviews's review

  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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• 11/05/04

  Sir Kouni's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  Ben er ... well.
  
  "I want to install ... ah? Dj good, well thank you"
  
  Copy.

  Suitability/Performance

  It adapts well. My config is Pitit (PIII500 192MoRAM Audigy2PlatEx XP) but it holds 15 audio tracks with no problem!
  
  Test on a PIV 2.4 GB XP 256ram, well too.
  
  Big plus: an interface that makes me not dpressif (thank you Steinberg, really ....), j'apprcie. Runs better than Cubase or Logic on my PC. So I only use him.

  Overall Opinion

  Ouaiiiiiiiiiiss !!!!!!!!!!
  
  it is
  
  it's beautiful
  
  It's easy to use
  
  price honnte
  
  I swear by sonar dsormais

  N / A
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• 09/02/04

  the waves's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  Other Ref

  Suitability/Performance

  /
  
  P4 3Ghz
  
  1GB Corsair ddr
  
  EMU 1212M
  
  2DD 60 and 80GB western digital
  
  For a config as my previous ca say 64sdram 500MHzceleron has as much to say that sonar is nickel, it crashes too much of anything with too decrochahe track, ca not row! Mat + The config log is stable!
  
  C even better now with my new config .. ca is really Largent! And the difference is huge, more stall ... shame quon can edit in playback mode (well not find g)

  Overall Opinion

  Ah I change my mind! It's been 3 months I The use and I discovered more and more impressive, including bo very graphically (or I lose the ds cubase SX, I found my here)
  
  Speaking of cubase I narrive vrement madapter not a competitor to this, I think there is too lhabitude present now, although very good too notament made some function better than Sonar, Section Indeed, eQ g well liked .. !
  
  True that C-level grip, it really is nickel, which some months ago I venai to acquire and which begins in Music, ca t denfant a game to go around the different functions (not much ken three months I lai use only 1 or 2 days every two weeks while c) Jadore .. this criterion of ownership really deserves a 11!! cubase not so bad that not so simple, it'll have been able to be equivalent or even mieu ds my heart ..

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• 04/29/03

  fdevil's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  We can say that the installs itself! aps you select the options on the installation CD, the software formats and scans all hardware Submitted by audio and midi

  Suitability/Performance

  MY config:
  
  PIVM 1.6 / 512 / Layla24 PCMCIA / MIDI Express XT
  
  This notebook supports trs well SONAR
  
  Performance standards are both MIDI and AUDIO squence or recording sessions audionumrique.
  
  Outstanding stability as (almost, thinking Cakewalk Pro Audio 7) always with Cakewalk ...

  Overall Opinion

  User for THE FIRST version and registered user since version 6 ProAudio
  
  The flexibility is always by appointment ... ASIO is Intgr version 2 ... It remains that the Intgr plugs and VST instruments by delivering an adapter ...
  
  The report quality price is made honnte saw the possibilities, I achte every year.
  
  I tried all the little prs squenceurs of the market (!) And l-Exceeds all others when making a report SON / SIMPLICITY / PERFORMANCE / STABILITY
  
  I will remake that choice every year ...

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• 04/25/03

  bluemice's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  Very easy install dpent personally but I think the hardware used (XP and sound card intgre for me)

  Suitability/Performance

  Runs on a P4 2.4 Ghz with 256 MB of RAM

  Overall Opinion

  Purchased in the year dernire, trs good squenceur a bit heavy at dpart if you have episodes of wolf cakewalk!
  
  Once good trs hand made!

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• 03/28/03

  Agon's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  No special installation problem, clear menus and prcis. Simple interface that I like.
  
  The printed manual is very comprehensive as the online help.
  
  Everything is in French (a can appeal to some).

  Suitability/Performance

  Then:
  
  Pentium 4 2.4B
  
  Asus P4PE (Intel)
  
  512 MB RAM noname
  
  Disc 2 40 Go 7200 trs / min udma 100
  
  Sound card Staudio DSP2000
  
  
  
  The software runs well trs, ten tracks + Stereo + DXI plug ins and Vsti = 5ms of latency without crack nor pop.

  Overall Opinion

  APRs have cubase test (well, fight with cubase) I DCID to buy sonar, stable product, document support Although Fran and English quickly and efficiently. I use it for 6 months and I am fully satisfied.
  
  However two important points:
  
  * No native support VSTI, require passser of a wrapper. (But that could change quickly as Cakewalk has purchased the license of an adapter rcemment VSTI)
  
  
  
  * US patches are not compatible with the French version, it is required to wait that the Arbiter translate and adapt, but do not worry it's done fairly quickly.
  
  
  
  If I had to choose a new squenceur without hsitation I would resume sonar.

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• 09/27/02

  Pierre-h's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  Like his father (sonar) Pb has no install, no incompatibility finally install it goes by points. A novelty RAPORT Sonar has a manual (paper) fairly complete is included in the package.

  Suitability/Performance

  Then in terms of performance is completely a monster. Same with my BI P3 my P4 (although I still print the performance of the P4 2.4B), I can run quietly without effect 64 audio track DX no pb. With effect (DX or VST with a wrapper), although using them as they should pass the 32 tracks without a big problem. In terms of stability: no crash !!!!!!!!

  Overall Opinion

  I have it since its release in French version. The interface is a typical Cakewalket really does not disturb pas.Son use is really easy (despite the multitude of options and treatments). Personally I tried Cubase, Nuendo and Logic Audio Sonar 2XL yet remains for me "THE" CAM software for PC (I use Cakewalk since version 4 pro).
  
  
  
  Although some people say that Cubase or Logic or other software are more efficient than Sonar 2 for my part I think when you're used to a fawn to work with software for years, it is found always greater than the other .........

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