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MountAnDewMe « Comprehensive one box solution »
Published on 08/20/13 at 04:01 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.
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.