Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

I went to Sweetwater the other day to check on the price of Sonar X+2. It wasn't released as of this time. When I got to their site I saw that they had Sonar X1 Producer for a $299 upgrade. But that wasn't all, they said that if you bought Sonar X1 that they would send the Sonar X2 upgrade to you at no charge. (good through Oct 30th) I didn't have the previous version so I had to play $399 for it. But I am still getting Sonar X2, a $499 program, free.
I also bought Guitar Tracks Pro 4 for $99. It looks quite like Sonar 4 Producer when you set the screen like you want it. Now I wonder why I bought Sonar I know I'll like it when I get it loaded. It has a ton of bells and whistles.

To make a short story long, I can't wait to learn to use my new toys. I have 3 new machines that I am loading with Win7. I think that maybe I'll get inspired when all is done. I sure hope so. If not, at least I will have fun loading and experimenting with the new toys.

I need to set up my own studio as well.
But I'm lucky I can turn a computer on some days.

The learning curve would be a complete freaking circle . . . as I frantically chased my tail for the next 30 years.

I can't wait to hear some more of your guitar playing Slacker. Let us know when you get some music posted!

sanshouheil wrote:I need to set up my own studio as well.
But I'm lucky I can turn a computer on some days.

The learning curve would be a complete freaking circle . . . as I frantically chased my tail for the next 30 years.

I find that Guitar tracks Pro (Uses sonar sound engine and file types) is very easy to use. It has editing stuff that I formerly had to use in Cool Edit Pro built into it. It also has a virtual amplifier, instrument tracks, drum tracks and a bunch of other goodies. The instrument tracks are used to add

a violin or piano or other instruments to your recordings when you can't find musicians to play those instruments or if you do not have them in your studio. I have never tried using them, but some guys do pretty good work with the virtual instruments.

Sonar 4 was easy. Sonar X1 looks like it will take a great deal of time to use even most of the functions. But it is a professional program good enough for any studio.

Bottom line is that you can get the same quality engine in Guitar Tracks 4 for only $99. I think it can record up to 32 tracks. Sonar is unlimited.

I can send a couple of GP4 screen shots to you if you want to see them.

I can't wait to hear some more of your guitar playing Slacker. Let us know when you get some music posted!

I have a couple of videos that I want to process. The ground work is done(learning the songs) but I have yet to find a titler that will do fades and the likes so I have been reluctant to video until those problems are solved. I hope that is before this winter takes hold.

I really don't need to add anything except perhaps some effects to my own tracks.
I need something simple but effective.

Got to be better than Audacity.

But I imagine that goes without sayin.

sanshouheil wrote:I really don't need to add anything except perhaps some effects to my own tracks.
I need something simple but effective.

Got to be better than Audacity.

But I imagine that goes without sayin.

I don't think you can get any free ware that is worth a crap. As far as I am concerned, this Guitar Tracks Pro 4 is the best looking easiest to run multi track program for me. This version has pop up multi band parametric EQ's for every channel. It has virtual instruments and a virtual guitar amp. Crazy. It looks as good or better than Sonar 4 or even 8 did. Highly effective edit screen track screens and Console screens. It has guitar FX and tools to bring your songs up to commercial CD levels. The guys who put this one out out did themselves. No kiddin. I'm in love again.

I need to get those 64 bit machines in gear so I can mess with my new Sonar. Never the less CWGP 4 is cuter. And it is easier to navigate when you are just learning. Lots of stuff in all those bigger programs that I won't ever figure out how to use. But this one has those funky icons of guitars drums, bass, and vocals that you can put at the bottom of the console tracks. You know what you are looking for during a mix down because instead of reading the caption you see the pic. I thought they were extremely cheesy in the beginning but now I like them. Go figure

Sounds kinda cool.

Yeah, I don't need free I need simple and effective .

But first I need to:

1) Complete my studio construction / renovation
2) Obtain a dedicated computer system for said studio.


As for now I'm broke . . . so I'll have to work within my means. ( what I already have )

Les was using X1 and instead he's using an older version that results in better performance/results. (just ask him)

I am staunch on sonar 6 because it runs on my shitty laptop.
Anything that will take 6 tracks and play them is "ok" by me.

Beware of new versions of programs that already do the job WELL.

Chief Engineer Scott wrote:Les was using X1 and instead he's using an older version that results in better performance/results. (just ask him)

I am staunch on sonar 6 because it runs on my shitty laptop.
Anything that will take 6 tracks and play them is "ok" by me.

Beware of new versions of programs that already do the job WELL.

I was using Sonar P-4 for a long time and like it. If Sonar X1 or X2 do not do the job I still have that.

It's the learning curve that I hate the most when you get new versions. Not only that, but Sonar X1 and X2 use a different file format, I believe it is somewhat like Sonar 8.

Do you know at which edition of Sonar they changed from the Sonar 4 file format? Newer versions like Sonar 8 change your file format so that you can not open them with your older programs. I had a bootleg version of Sonar 6P but never installed it.

I always have kept backups on my old file formats since Guitar tracks and Sonar 1. Guitar Tracks Pro 4 is light years beyond Guitar Tracks 2. (The last version I had)... it works on XP but GTP 2 doesn't fill the screen on the console view. The edit view does fill the whole screen. GTP 2 used Bun and Wrk format files. Guitar tracks P 4 uses the Cwb and Cwp file format from Sonar.

When I get one of my 64 bit systems up I'll know how much I like / hate the new format. I'll post when I get it installed and figured out to some degree. At the least I get two versions of the newest Sonar Producer for the price of one. I hope it doesn't turn out that I'll have two CRAPPY versions for the price of one. I'm sure they addressed any glitches in 11 with 12. And I'm sure they created new glitches in Sonar 12. Isn't that they way it is supposed to be?

As you pointed out, neither do I trust any new software much. It's like Windows all the way from DOS to Win 7. ALWAYS hidden glitches that drive you crazy with some of your favorite programs. Always full of fixes and patches that don't necessarily work but stall you off until the next crappy OS comes out to attack your wallet..

I'll push anyone to Reaper for a DAW. You can download the full thing to try out for free, and just pay (a mere $60) after you decide to keep it.
It comes with a full selection of plugins, and all the features you get in much more costly software.

GuitarMikeB wrote:I'll push anyone to Reaper for a DAW. You can download the full thing to try out for free, and just pay (a mere $60) after you decide to keep it.
It comes with a full selection of plugins, and all the features you get in much more costly software.

Thanks for the info . . .

I downloaded Reaper to check it out. There is a lot of talk on the reaper forum that is quite interesting. The bottom line for me isn't the $60.00 price. CWGP 4 is only $40.00 more and it has way more tools.

It even comes with a virtual amplifier so that you only need to plug your guitar into the sound card to have a handful of "virtual amp modelers" from Fender amps to Marshals and everything in between. The program is Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3LE.

You also get drum kits included along with 2 gigs of virtual instruments, 32 tracks along with 64 virtual instrument tracks, Music publisher and burner, Chorus, flanger, Phaser, exciters and compressors, Parameric EQ and a whole bunch more stuff. I believe the sound engine is the same as the one in Sonar. Very low latency and high performance.

I noticed that Reaper came from Sonar to some degree... at least that is what they said on their forum. That's a good thing. You should read the stuff on their forum.

I'm going to set up Reaper on another DAW just to see the graphics. Their Console and mixing and editing screens. I'm curious to compare the two. But you can also get Sonar X+1 for $99. I wish I had a copy of that to check out everything that is in it.

I believe that Cakewalk also has free trial downloads for many of their programs.

Many 'free trials' are limited versions - either you can only record a certain number of tracks (or for a certain time) or there are otehr limitations in use.

I have the full Line 6 PodFarm (got it free for my advice giving on their forums), so have all the guitar amp software I need, and I use EZ Drummer, which I got for $29.00 when it was on sale last year. Sounds like a good deal for the Sonar set up.

Mike,

As you say, I have noticed that some DAW trial programs have a limit of one minute as far as saving your work. But you can still get an idea of what they can do.

If I had the money to throw away I would like to see what the trimmed down $99 version of Sonar X+1 will do. The nice thing about Cakewalk is that their programs such as Sonar and Guitar tracks are easy to register, you sent them your serial number, and they email the key to unlock it. The key does not change when you re install either program. Not only that but you can use it on more than one machine, although they object to putting it on more than two machines without getting consent from them. I like to have one DAW upstairs and one DAW downstairs. That way I don't loose
my inspiration while moving to another room to record an inspiring lick or song to improve upon later.

I think those bargain basement versions such as the $99 Sonar have all that is needed to make really good recordings, but they lack most of the neat toys that can give you the professional mastering results.

That Guitar Tracks Pro has the same sound engine and console + Track views as Sonar Pro 4. The design team for Guitar Tracks Pro 4 boasts that 3 out of 4 of their software writers play guitar. That's kinda cool.

Here is a link for a special deal. Even if you purchase the $99 version of Sonar X+1 you will get a free copy of Sonar X+2 when it is released. How can you beat that?

http://www.cakewalk.com/Retail-Specials/default.aspx

Here is a review.

http://www.itproportal.com/2012/04/18/c ... al-review/

(Sonar Essential X + 1 is available for free trial download.

Presonus Studio One, bitches

(And I mean bitches with all due respect)

I wouldn't even take the time to spit on a cakewalk product...