All user reviews for the Cakewalk Sonar 8 Producer Edition

Installation without problem, it is long because it takes enchaner DVDs, but at the same time it is a product of the asset: the wealth dlirante everything that comes with (Samples, plugins etc).
- The Gnrale config is simple to operate by Sonar with Tascam DM4800 o l I galr a little. But once it's done ... happiness.
- The help file is a model of its kind. Simple, clear and prcis. There is everything. In passing mention for Cdric, the type of paper France, which responds quickly and well. Is precious.
- Crashes everywhere with 8.0x versions, much better since the SHIFT 8.3.

ADQUATION / PERFORMANCE

I attacked directly with a big project: soundtrack of a drawing anim 10 minutes, 5.1 ct very rich atmospheres and sound effects. I t obliged to buy a powerful machine (Dell Precision quad-core) to hold the shock. And made it! Despite the video, the hundreds of clips and effects, and surround, the occupation of proc not Exceeds 60%. Hat.
No sound card in the computer, this is the thing that makes the DM4800. 32 output tracks, both in between, it's perfect.

NOTICE GLOBAL

I use it full time for two months, after having test version of valley bottom for a month. This is my first "real" kind of software (before I climbed under Acid) and each day I pat of what we can do. The possibilities of elastic edition are amazing, and you can configure everything exactly as we like.
Marigolds:
- I have known difficulties with certain video formats that do not want to import
- The most powerful gnre dithering about the noise. Strange. So I stay in "triangle" and the fact very well
- Make an export with video + sound is very long. It's weird. It is better to export the only sound, and paste it on video with an ad hoc app is much faster
- Go, regret ct dition: when clips overlap and you have activated the 'fade' fade curves crent automatically. has it's good. But if one card later clips, wrap them do not change. has unfortunately.

For less than 500 TTC, I find this absolutely and totally gnial pro. My work is diffused in a room of cinema with 150 seats with a big sound system and the result is terrible.

- 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!

- 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.

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.

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.

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

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 ...

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!