Cakewalk Sonar X2 Producer

I have been using the Sonar family of DAWs for years now starting out with Sonar 7 Studio. I have Sonar X2 Producer now installed on a new AMD 8 core system with 32 gigs of RAM on a SSD. There were no issues whatsoever with the installation or the operation of the program on the Windows 8 operating system. I have been part of the upgrade program for years and received this version through digital download so there were no instructions included with the purchase, everything is accessible online however. I had received the X1 and the 8.5 upgrades with a manual but those were only about 100 pages and pale in comparison to the virtual 1000 page documents available online. Basically if you have a question there is an answer available online and I am actually glad those thinned versions have stopped being supplied as they always left more questions then answers. As for the configuration and accessibility, you really just need to dive in with a practice run to get familiar with everything. There are so many features and plugins out of the box that it can seem overwhelming but the system is actually very intuitive to use and a modest amount of effort will pay off in a good working understanding of the programs features. This is a professional grade system so the more time you spend using it the deeper your understanding will become and the more polished your results will be.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

I have been using this since I built my new computer in March of 2013. I can say that once you get the buffers set up properly the system is very stable and the latency is minimal to the point of being a non issue. I have a current project in the works that is in excess of 48 tracks now with many plugins and virtual instruments going and it performs like a champ. Obviously anyone that does not save often is simply foolish on any program but I rarely run into a problem with a full crash and any problem usually is solved with a reset of the audio engine inside the program. I am using a Komplete audio 6 for an interface and function as a solo artist. I cannot state this enough if you set the DAW up properly it will perform properly and high levels of performance are dependent on your hardware as much as the software. I would say this is my favorite incarnation of the Sonar family as of yet.

OVERALL OPINION

I love the price personally. Once you get into the producer family there are always email offers that offer upgrades at substantially reduced prices. They also give away free plugins on a regular basis. The sound to me is pristine and natural and the new audio engine has a ton of headroom. The new visual interface is the best yet a very configurable to the point where a one visual monitor system is actually possible. The monitoring is highly functional and fully configurable. There is literally everything you need to make a polished piece of music. Obviously it is upgradable with aftermarket plugins but you are provided a version of everything you need in the box. I am glad I am in this family of DAW and will never leave.

Cakewalk Sonar X2 is the producer edition of CakeWalk. They have made many changes to this version of CakeWalk vs. The first version that came out. Right out of the box, X2 gives you over 20 VST plug ins that are instrument rich and ready to use immediately. For them all to be as good as they are, I was surprise they were free and not just some sort of a demo version. It also comes with over 50 MIDI effects and audio effects.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Setting up X2 is easy, it will take a few minutes to install everything because all the VST’s and plug ins take a little time because they are larger. After installation is complete you can immediately start producing music, if you have used CakeWalk before then you know how easy the main screen is to work with. They have kept the main interface pretty much the same as all other versions of CakeWalk.

OVERALL OPINION

This is one of the best production and sequencing software programs that you can use. If you are a beginner I recommend CakeWalk because it is an easy platform to understand sequencing and producing music. The interface is by far the best quality that the program has to offer, it is easy to navigate through and any function that you want to achieve can pretty much be done in a click or two from the main interface or main menu options. It does seem like the price has went up on Cakewalk but that is because this is the producer edition and it comes with the extra VST’s. The regular standard versions of cakewalk does not cost as much but it also does not come with the extra VST’s and effects. So if you don’t need those extra VST’s because you are using an external sound source, or you already have VST’s of your own then you should not buy this version unless you want the extra VST’s. This is the ultimate production software for someone who wants to get into producing music of all genres. I have been using CakeWalk for years and this is the first piece of software that I recommend people use.

Easy installation, next / next / next ....... Music

Configuration from x1 to me poile become a "gadget" at the aesthetic but very quickly assimilated.

Incompatibilities yes and no ..... at my sound card, my pc, or other not. But that fills me is not being able to (or should I say how) do "sidechain" with all other plugins than SONAR! Ex: You want to use "vocalrider" of "waves" .... not possible guys ... all at least not completely! And I think I'm not the only ca swells!

Manuel??? know in. ....

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Config "banal" nothing spectacular, and ca roule is stable, on the other hand before I had a pc "Jurassic" and even the good x1 inch! But sonar 8.5 niquel.

OVERALL OPINION

I use Sonar x2 since 3 months. I'm on sonar for 10 rods I have taken in hand in English and I am a ball, but then a real ball in English, and even as I board succeed, it is that it's still simple.

+ If I like the most is that "this is my daw" and yes once you are accustomed to a soft AC is often your "pet"
+ Work easy to perform and complete ways, catch, arrangement, mix and master, all is well for me to think in daw, to avoid taking the head has an option find a truck or another! This is like that, we see it, we as a reminder!
+ Very good daw

- If I like the least ........... But I repeat that fills me is not being able to (or should I say how) do "sidechain" with all other plugins than SONAR!

- There have also generally display that takes up much space, all I find is very big ........... So small screen guard takes your resolution!

Value for money for the version X2 is starting to be very good thanks to the integrated plugins .... without it I find that its software in any way too expensive in general!

If I would be choice .... Yes it is very safe SONAR guys .....

A studio you