Cakewalk Sonar 8 Producer Edition user reviews ( 7/10) - 8 user reviews

• 09/22/08

  applesforapples's review

  Getting Started

  This recording software requires very little schooling to use. Similar to garageband's ease of use.

  Suitability/Performance

  I used this on an older toshiba laptop and was able to record without much latency at all! Sometimes i do need to restart though (which is the case with every recording software).

  Overall Opinion

  I've utilized Sonar and Cakewalk recording programs for years. However, with the recent garageband market takeover, one may ask why they would choose this over it or why not just get protools? As a user of all of the above, I can state with confidence that it's ease of use is in between garageband and protools. It offers lot of the perks that garageband does such as built in loops (that are actually pretty usable). It comes with guitarrig 3 which is a fantastic guitar amp plugin. I've personally become a lazy engineer at times because of it. For instance, instead of throwing mics on my marshall, i'll just program the mic I would have wished I had plus choose from a multitude of different amps and cabs.
  
  
  
  My suggestion is to purchase this if you don't have a mac with garageband yet don't want to purchase protools and all the additional components you would need to work at the level Sonar offers. Plus it's going to run a lot cheaper than protools!
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• 08/10/11

  Esprit-Libre's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  easy installation
  
  Configuration, it is easy to say easy, a board read the manual
  
  Not compatible with 64 bit Windows 7 there have been little problem, bug, but with the correct update

  Suitability/Performance

  computer cpu E7400 4 GB DDR2 Asus P5B Se CM DD 1x 250GB + 1x 500GB .. ... Soundcard Cakewalk UA101
  
  Performance: Stable on my configuration, it's not row ... Audio quality has anything wrong ..

  Overall Opinion

  since its release I use ....
  
  Test other software so, and frankly I stay on sonar coupled with a good acid pro ....
  
  Taking the direct sound to me as a sonar, the instrument as a Taylor 110Ce, my Yamaha keyboard S90XS is all simple and good quality ...
  
  In addition, the pdf doc is really full with a lot of trick ...
  
  the least number such as yamaha vst's hard to pass, but not a problem ...
  
  Value, is bein a complete tool to produce, master, burn clean and pro ...
  
  I probably chilled experience to redeem, so no problem ...
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• 10/26/09

  jumax71's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  super simple install version 8.5 producer full paper manual ultra

  Suitability/Performance

  9550 quad asus motherboard 8gb ram ddr2 P5Qpro 64-bit Windows 3x 500 GB HDD MSI R4650 video card MD1G HDMI monitor 32 "1080p
  
  software without crashing
  
  audio interface Motu 826 Mk2 + motu 128 usb Express
  
  Recognition of all the hardware once the first analysis of the latency and audio vst 1 dmarage
  
  j'tais in version 8 and version 6 before, it does not uninstalled with the new installation of 8.5

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for one month every day at 8 to 9 hours a day. I am satisfied with the product and rev it since version 3.1 has cakwalk dja lease.
  
  in version 8.5 better management of intel quad in less latency asio with the best use of the motu proc / memory with the virtual. I use the personal effects WAVES so no worries in real time. up to 24 audio tracks in 24bit 96K + unlimited evening.
  
  Arpgiateur gnial midi (last) partition editor always as friendly to use (very brief but enough to SACEM)
  
  Appearance amliore possibility to customize the color of the interface.
  
  
  
  In short you can buy with your eyes closed but beware it is a gas plant. Hypercomplet trs simple hand hold but it takes time for everything mmoriser.
  
  and a <strong>good computer with Intel impractical <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink" /></strong> <strong>
  
  </strong>
  
  I await the V700 Personal pourtourner with, the motu is complment de02Rv2
  
  
  
  last point of direct recognition Korg M3 trs difficult thing about version 8.3
  
  
  
  I try to complter notice as and when meeting problem
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• 06/02/09

  Le_Messie's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  I initially used the basic version of Sonar 8 and SHIFT to 8.3. no problem particular, no incompatibility particulire. Interface configuration poses no problem etc. on my PC configuration (XP, Core2Duo E4300, 2GB ram, 500GB HDD, Alesis Multimix USB 2.0). A good point from Cubase.
  
  
  
  I do not use the manual but btement using software that is complte and trs trs explicit. Truly one of the big highlights of Sonar, for once you do not need to spend entires of journalists on the forums to find rponses simple questions. Everything is explained and everything is index rare problem that I have had t rsolus well.

  Suitability/Performance

  I dpart in version 8.0 but I am having problem of "dcrochage" software for some reason. In this case I did not understand why I lchait the Sonar or Acid Pro modest (see another test) provided complete without ever crashing. So I install version 8.3 of AF APRS seeing that it allowed a priori better stability.
  
  
  
  However, no change from my observation ct. Only Ralite: Sonar, like other software that want "pros", swallows up of system resources. In this case from the time when you use a VST-efficient, it will lcher. Or must still invest in a high-powered computer (or worse, a mac) and now as the go into the studio. The hardware for home studio dj is expensive, and more if you have to change every new version of PC squenceurs is not doing.
  
  In this case, an example: if I try to Amplitube 3 track at the same time, Sonar lche me. One solution: we must apply the effect as a VST audio processing (not to attribute the track). Only in this way. The problem is that once applied to the audio processing you earn much CPU resources, but registration is no longer related rversible. Furthermore, this manipulation is not practical, much less in any case that the application time of VST rels.
  
  
  
  You may say, the desire to come more from the optimization of the VST in Sonar question. Partly yes, but only in part, because once again, with ACID Pro I can combine the Amplitube VST galore including without EVER crash once. Conclusion: we must work with several squenceurs take to get the best from each. Total cost: exorbitant.
  
  
  
  This is what is just one example. Otherwise the software seems relatively stable.

  Overall Opinion

  The highlights of Sonar:
  
  - Interface enjoyable, well thought, even if a few too many buttons in the toolbar (and certainly not the most useful forcment)
  
  - Instruction manual and very complete, well tudi even for beginners
  
  - Handling relatively easy to record and application of VST
  
  - Quality of VST Intgr
  
  - Abundance of Settings, everything is configurable
  
  
  
  Weaknesses:
  
  - Guitar rig supplied as BMD (useless!)
  
  - Last export audio projects. Impressive to get me out a wav, Sonar is two times longer acids, but then for an mp3 I do not even speak. You have time to drink a caf until he lays. Shameful.
  
  - Dcrochages rptitions in some projects. Sonar plant also when you want to read a project while the tracks are still in record mode (and vice versa). This makes sense, but it might be necessary to think dsenclencher recording automatically when reading. It would have to lose lives 5 minutes each time.
  
  - I almost forgot the partition editor absolutely catastrophic. Unbelievable. I wonder how one can write anything with this stuff: no prcis ill tudi not practical at all, just a hcatombe. If you really want to use it will memorize lots of keyboard shortcuts and so on., And even does not guarantee a Russianness I highly recommend to use another program to write your scores and then export them to MIDI. Same good old Guitar Pro is 100 times more practical. Or a version of Encore: small, practical, efficient. Personally I still have floppy disks (!!!) Encore 4.0.
  
  - The problem of latency, which are quite heavy. Again, is a RULES by configuring the software. Acid Pro but I had not been set for a walk. I shot one conclusion: always make multitrack recordings (including battery) before the rest. Good luck those who have the problem of dcalage, because when the precision is played a few ms, the corrections are complex. Especially that the system of dcoupage tracks and measures is both practical and Nerva. Samples glued on the wrong track, parts of deleted records after an accidental overlap with other ...
  
  
  
  In a nutshell my exprience, I try to update the view over time. Sonar is a good software, less tumultuous than Cubase (or ProTools, I believe the worst of the ct in terms of configuration and compatibility enjoyable to watch and work, where everything exudes quality . But there are little things that just kill the rest, these concerns dcrochage, the partition editor shabby ... In the end I highly recommend it, provided you have also another simple squenceur Acid type and external software to overcome the default of Sonar. To see so depending on your budget.

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• 03/01/09

  Terch's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  NOTICE SONAR 8.3 PE
  
  
  
  The installation does not pose any problem, but the samples ... It's long ... Must be patient, but it is common to any installation sample bank.
  
  No incompabilit since version 8.3 (Indpendance FX 8.2 and Sonar bugger made me my occupation in my DAW RAM).
  
  The configuration could not be clearer for the advanced user. Well you just refer to the manual problem when there a. The i is clear and well explained document.
  
  Product registration is via the serial number and activation code, an example of flexibility that many others should follow ...

  Suitability/Performance

  NOTICE SONAR 8.3 PE
  
  
  
  I'm on an Intel Quad 9550, 4GB of ram and WinXP SP3 with a Gigabyte motherboard EP35-DS4 and SATA hard drives with a miroring to give. UAD-1 card.
  
  The software shows a stability such evidence, since version 8.3, is as good as REAPER, MODEL gender.
  
  I'm trying to chain projects with Sonar, and I've never had any limits put plugs (for the moment I do small sessions, but I have a good big project in a few weeks, I 'diterais to quantify all a. ..). My sessions are now a rsument vingatine audio tracks with big plug of internal effects to the software a little everywhere (The series is 64bit trs trs good quality and a dozen vsti's.
  
  Took me a while to stabilize my setup PC / Sonar, but now I do not regret. I must say that since version 8.3 of Sonar is a quite radical change in terms of stability and fluidity for many this upgrade has done much good. Today I am fully confident in my System.

  Overall Opinion

  NOTICE SONAR 8.3 PE
  
  
  
  I t an intensive, unwanted Sonar 4 for 3 years.
  
  I use Sonar 8PE since its release, bought with Logic 5.5 crossgrade for 280.
  
  It is true that I t's by versions 8.01 and 8.02 for despite the ambition of squenceur plthorique and its offer (the best of the march on Windows), and has bugs empchaient complte the use of soft.
  
  And V8.3 was released two days ago ... I re-test all my projects, worked extensively on a Journe prod hairy. No crashes, no "glitch" or other artifact.
  
  Today I Droulez the list of new features, including a fabulous: the disabling of a PDC / track (s) DSIR). Basically it is perfectly possible to play and record live a VSTi or a guitar amp simulator as an insert, all in a mixing session with big carriers plugins latency (PDC requires), fabulous.
  
  Otherwise what I like most is the sum of small functions plthorique trs practices, which include: the ACT (dynamic recognition of my area CONTRL), the AudioSnap (manager tempo / clips) and the V-Vocal (mlodyne kind), the manager plug-ins, etc..
  
  I t user Logic 5.5 on PC, I am owner of energyXT, I use very often ProTools (7.4) in the studio and Reaper for dpanner.
  
  Today companies plutt DAWs provide a "bundle" of soft drinks in addition squenceur simple. In this spirit of "bundle", Sonar 8PE is undoubtedly the result of the market provided most Windows, there's no photo. But then at the del "bundle" must be the same squenceur him either quality. Taient my doubts when large versions 8.01 and 8.02, since version 8.3, there is talk of a trs trs squenceur good, stable and ingnieux, professional hands down.
  
  Note the trs Ractive good people of Cakewalk who knew our answer to the expectations of users, by correcting a multitude of bugs and adding features trs many think (including compensation PDC disables the track monitor).
  
  
  
  In view of the "bundle" and features, the report qualitprix is ​​unbeatable. Sonar is the "Logic" version of Windows.
  
  
  
  Repeat this choice? The question does not even.
  
  
  
  One Reserved: the stabilsateur Version 8 will drive five months, but now the lot of all apps. I attack an intense professional years, with many projects. And since this weekend, I am reassured trs.
  
  
  
  EDIT to 17 Aot 2009: Sonar 8 I use it all the time for projects the image compositions + musical illustration. My fears about managing video disappeared APRS RALIS my first short with this version (previously I used another machine dedicates video playback). Rv is the tool to synchronize the tempo the image (with a time / track and Audionsap). The management track is gnialissime MODELS: we call two plays in such a virtual instrument drum with multiple audio outputs drafts, its bus lines and the dparts rverbes with good plugins. Suffice to say that I do more to ESG winks in terms of musical prods various parts of movies! I also Discoveries small small Rapture LE, in his standard, and I think upgrade to the large version.

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• 02/27/09

  totolafrance's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  Production software audio / video and full trs trs pro. The best of the United States with Digital Performer trs but not yet known in Europe as powerful if not more than a ProTools (the diffrence that sonar uses PC resources and no external cards). It needs a powerful PC anyway (quad core, SATA or SCSI hard drive and 4GB of ram mini) to make the most of this possibility.
  
  Please note this is not a video editing software. He is content to ensure syncho audio / video. To see video editing adobe Premire or Final Cut ...
  
  The manual makes some 1000 pages. If you dare to print it (I did) and you have the courage to read it (I did too) to learn more quickly master this log and you can appreciate his formidable efficiency. Manual in French

  Suitability/Performance

  I use my intel quad 9300 with 4GB of corsair ram on motherboard ASUS P5E WAS Pro and an RME Fireface 800 for sound card
  
  Vir everything I was not used in windows audio. minimum on the windows to avoid any program that poluent rear plan the system. No internet either for viruses once o no anti virus slows down the machine and functions. It is a PC only for audio.
  
  Note not need internet to install and activate the log (thank you sonar) by dongue not no pirate in sonar. the updates are patches tlchargeables the site via another PC.
  
  
  
  Although set up as no problem with the log stable trs, trs little bugg autsave and function effectively.
  
  on the other hand if you plug in and charge synth you can put the machine knees, but be careful when it's tough even with my config I open more than twenty and as many synth plug s virtual. It's heavy.

  Overall Opinion

  I use cakewalk audio 9 cakewalk for sonar and then passing 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. .. 7 .. 5 and now version 8
  
  what I like is the user-friendly software, is clear, customizable colors everything from icons instrument on each track, the windows work ....
  
  Compare cubase brief ....
  
  The comparable price protools, ok it's not the same thing has protools card external grate and plug the PC into a resource unload. But when you see what's inside, plug and high quality synths Trip Builder and see on their site ...
  
  
  
  the least ... I do not see too much good you can always find fault but hey ....
  
  
  
  Yes I remade this choice without pb.

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• 01/08/09

  pastamiam's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  - The installation is done it without problems?
  
  
  
  Yes, the installation went smoothly, although a bit long (normal given the amount of samples provided).
  
  I am a purist and the fact that unlike Cubase, Sonar can be installed as many times as you want, and no need to connect a Dungl (1 USB port busy) every time I find it very friendly from Cakewalk. They do not consider their customers as potential pirates. I can freely install Sonar Home Studio on my PC but on my laptop when I travel, no binding activation. Cakewalk thank you.
  
  
  
  - Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
  
  
  
  With my PC no computer music (3 sound cards). on the other hand on my laptop (Inspiron 6400), the integrated sound chipset (Realtek) is inconsistent (indicated by the message at the start of Sonar). But it still works using the synths (but higher latency).
  
  
  
  - The general configuration is easy?
  
  
  
  Sonar 8 self-configuring audio interfaces. But I had trouble with two sound cards connected simultaneously using the ASIO drivers: they select on each interface "Line 6 UX1 ASIO" when I select "M-Audio Delta Audiophile 192."
  
  
  
  - The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
  
  
  
  Very clear, yes, fairly thick and French. The beginner will not be confused.

  Suitability/Performance

  - What is the configuration of your computer? (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Disk / sound card ..)
  
  
  
  Quad Core / 4 GB OCZ RAM / HDD Sata Seagate 500GB 32MB cache /
  
  Sound cards: integrated chipset (to flee) / M-Audio Delta Audiophile 192 / Line 6 UX 1 (used as preamp)
  
  XP Pro 32 bit
  
  
  
  - The software works he correctly on this configuration?
  
  
  
  Yes but some unexplained crashes. It is important to make backups regularly. Otherwise, the software is stable and open 20 projects do not slow your system (memory management, well-designed).
  
  A few audio dropouts, especially if the processor is requested by another application. There are also audio dropouts with my MIDI Keyboard Controller M-Audio Oxygen 61.
  
  
  
  - What performance? (If quantifiable)
  
  
  
  Sound Card M-Audio Delta 192 and ASIO drivers, the performance is there. With my other 2 sound cards, the latency is unbearable.

  Overall Opinion

  - How long have you use it?
  
  
  
  About 3 weeks.
  
  But 10 years ago I had to use Cakewalk.
  
  
  
  - What is so special that you like most and least?
  
  
  
  I like: the interface, many opportunities, well-designed ergonomics, the VST that are quality, price (I went through a Sonar HS 7-99 € and 279 € maj, which I Sonar 8 Producer is to only € 378), exchange mail with staff from Cakewalk on my purchase. I also like the ability to install / use Sonar Dungl without a USB connected, that is the demo version (you know what you buy as opposed to competition).
  
  
  
  I do not like is the fact that for 10 years, Cakewalk's interface has not changed dramatically, including the partition editor: very light (especially for a guitarist - the support of the bend, pull-off or tapping example would be perfect). I do not like unexplained crashes, and the mismanagement of the drag / drop between tracks (this show 4 out of 5 times !!!). The audio editing is minimal, I would have liked a real wav editor like Cool Edit Pro / Adobe Audition.
  
  
  
  - Have you tried many other models before buying it?
  
  
  
  Sonar Home Studio 7, really well for a home studio enthusiast or for limited use.
  
  An old version of Cubase and I hated the interface.
  
  
  
  - How would you rate the quality / price?
  
  
  
  Very good. Less expensive than Cubase and especially less restrictive. The tools provided with version Sonar 8 Producer well worth the cost compared to the Studio version.
  
  I love the promos and the "upgrade" not that expensive.
  
  
  
  - With experience, you do again this choice? ...
  
  
  
  Yes in a heartbeat. But I await a better partition editor (especially for scratch) and audio to version 9.

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• 01/03/09

  protonos's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Getting Started

  - The installation is done it without problems?
  
  Yes easy installation, no questions it rolls.
  
  - Have you experienced any incompatibilities?
  
  Not because I was not able to run the product.
  
  I am a regular Cubase, and have a sound card config with external enclosure E-MU 1616, also used in its configuration.
  
  After 1 hour of trial and error, trying to understand the tutorial, I give up!
  
  - The general configuration is easy?
  
  N / A, failed to make it work
  
  - The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
  
  Hooo not. I rolled out the first tutorial is written in French bizarre, full of ambiguities, and difficult to understand. probably a translation problem.
  
  In the tutorial is asked to load a file that is not where indicated, I had to go back in Windows Explorer to find it. Amalgam between version, this synth is "Cyclone" after the tutorial speaks of "TTS-1", etc.. etc., lack of integration evident quality!

  Suitability/Performance

  - What is the configuration of your computer? (Motherboard / CPU / Ram / Disk / sound card ..)
  
  AMD 6400 dual core. 4 GB of DDR2 Ram, 250 GB hard disk, sound system E-MU 1616 PCI.
  
  - The software works he correctly on this configuration?
  
  It works quite well, a nice interface, but ... no MIDI sound.
  
  - What performance? (If quantifiable)
  
  it looks to turn properly, loading fast enough.
  
  - This software + hardware is stable?
  
  Yes
  
  
  
  I put 2 because of the problem setting sound output and clarity of the non-tutorial about it.

  Overall Opinion

  - How long have you use it?
  
  1 hour
  
  - What is so special that you like most and least?
  
  least, impossible to find a way out a MIDI sound.
  
  - Have you tried many other models before buying it?
  
  Yes, I essyé Cubase
  
  - How would you rate the quality / price?
  
  Version of the devil, not paid, fortunately ...
  
  - With experience, you do again this choice? ...
  
  NO!

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