All user reviews of 4/5 for the Cakewalk Sonar X1 Producer

Bought online, so it must be a beautiful and good connection to download 15GB.

So hard to download, easy to install, difficult to configure because the tool is very rich. But I'm not complaining, if I had to choose the studio version.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

cf. my profile for the PC config.
This works fine, except sometimes a few crashes which I do not know if I should attribute to the soft or the audio card.
Most importantly, BitBridge (plug allowing in theory use 32-bit VST) software crashes when exporting. Hence, a requirement to bounce audio tracks VST concerned then delete the VST before export, and then, if you want to rework must import the VST, the reassign, recall the settings ...

OVERALL OPINION

I use Sonar since 2004, this version since 2011.
Previously I used only MIDI sequencer (bigboss, Cubase 2.5). Since then I have not mishandled Digital Performer (Mac only while Sonar is PC only).

Value / pretty unbeatable prices. I chose this because at the time it was 200 euros cheaper than its competitors.
Note the upgrade policy Cakewalk: possessor of version 3 (X1 corresponding to the 10), I paid 200 euros instead of 450.
I would do this choice for the same reasons (price), and because we have better things to do in life that compare full of this kind of software to choose his favorite.

I use sonar from the beginning but really serves me regularly since the last version X1 (X1c now) ... so on this last, I have so far found only minor problems of compatibility with some plug-ins .. but nothing too serious or that prevents me to use the plug-ins in question.
I do not use intrusion provided so installation was fast enough ... it installs like any other app, the menu is clear enough in my opinion .. no particular problem. If this is the first DAW that is installed in his life is not to be different!

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I7 laptop / 8GB RAM / win7x64 / edirol (cakewalk / roland) by USB
No problems at all, very stable, with a latency of 6 ms correct, bridge x32/x64 also works well and has never been a problem (even if I try to minimize the use of plug- ins 32bit)
From this side, jai not complain!
Using Omnisphere, trillian in multipatch, I got to 56 MIDI tracks at the same time without the audio engine does not suffer (or 7 instances omniphere / Trilian who read each 8 MIDI tracks at the same time, it depends of course also capabilities of the PC). Beyond it starts to jerk a little, but still usable for a few extra tracks. The only one who has made a point of view was better Reaper.
Speaking of Reaper, I would like sonar scans the plug-ins a little faster, as the latter (Reaper scans just the new plug-ins add ... is it really necessary to re-scan EVERYTHING all the time Sonar just does detect some new plug-ins? I do not think!) .. but it's still accessory in my opinion, I do not install new plug-ins every day! and also if he could save the information in the file rather than the DAW in the register of windows ca would not hurt.
The PRO Channel available to Sonar and available for each track is really well created (a compressor (2 types), EQ 1 (3 type) and saturation "analog" (type 2)). Very light on resources and very good quality, it simplifies life and you get used to very quickly!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it since it came out (and I'm going to x64)
I used Cubase before but Sonar's audio engine is much better in my opinion for the 64-bit (because developing on this platform, not as a 32bit Cubase is the origin).
It took me re-learn some shortcuts and ways of working (not always very logical in my opinion but good overall it was very quick and easy to move from one to another).
The GUI of the previous version was ugly on the one hand and also very disorganized and confused. This new version is a big plus of this view. Many of the GUI windows are configurable and modular aspect is a very good (you can save configs 9 provisions that can be recalled with the keys 1-9). I still prefer the management / editing MIDI in Cubase (can be used to it too)
If you are new to the world of DAW, I think this version is quite easy to take in hand (and the package with all the virtual instruments is nice if you have nothing else, it allows already make a lot of stuff, some being very good). For advanced users, there are only a few adjustments to make! (There are some oddities here and there, but everything works out quickly throwing a look at the panel config / options)
So there is clearly a before and after X1 in sonar ... and it makes all the difference! It's been almost 20 years I am of computer music and over the years and followed jai tries (and still am) a number of DAW (Cubase, Sonar, Samplitude, Acid, Fruity Loops, Live, Reaper, Studio 1, Protools) and in the end I would say that X1 is a DAW with whom he was friendly enough and fast to work. He knows to be forgotten when everything is set correctly -> So the first thing to do, a little tour in the preferences!