All user reviews of 4/5 for the Cakewalk Sonar 2 XL

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.

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)

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)

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)