Regarding software: A CHALLENGER APPEARS!

Beer Can · 08-22-2006, 12:18 PM

http://www.cakewalk.com/products/Hom...o/features.asp

Working at Best Buy, I couldn't help but notice that we started carrying this. Now, I know the other cakewalk products suck compared to FL, but how about this one?

Big downside I see is the mp3 encoding is only a 30 day trial. But otherwise, it looks like they hit it dead-on with this one.

Anyone have any experience with this product? I'm just curious as to how well it actually performs.

jihnsius · 08-22-2006, 02:57 PM

I've heard of a few people using Sonar quite efficiently. I recall using it once a great while back, but I don't remember a thing about it, so I guess I didn't really like it.

**helix eternal** · 08-23-2006, 02:01 PM

I've tried out an older version of Sonar and I kinda didn't like it. This version looks marginally better. From what I can tell by the picture, the automation on it is probably tedious and nervewracking at best. That's one of the key factors that makes me stick with FL studio, is the ease of automation.

Starcore · 08-28-2006, 02:52 AM

I've heard decent stuff about it, but most people I know moved on to either FL Studio, Reason, or (Those with the cheddar) Pro Tools.

**helix eternal** · 08-28-2006, 12:46 PM

cheddar is better, but liquor is quicker

Sonar is, I think, the second version of Cakewalk software that I have ever used. The only other I have used was Cakewalk Express that came with some MIDI cables I bought probably 7 or 8 years ago at least. Back then I didn't know jack about making electronic music so I didn't even really try.

It's cool to see Best Buy is starting to carry better music software than Magix Music Maker and ACID home studio or whatever. Plus the plethora of $30-$60 junk programs.

I do wish Best Buy would start carrying sample CD's or loop CD's. Ordering on the internet requires a credit card usually

Beer Can · 08-28-2006, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by helix eternal

cheddar is better, but liquor is quicker

Sonar is, I think, the second version of Cakewalk software that I have ever used. The only other I have used was Cakewalk Express that came with some MIDI cables I bought probably 7 or 8 years ago at least. Back then I didn't know jack about making electronic music so I didn't even really try.

It's cool to see Best Buy is starting to carry better music software than Magix Music Maker and ACID home studio or whatever. Plus the plethora of $30-$60 junk programs.

I do wish Best Buy would start carrying sample CD's or loop CD's. Ordering on the internet requires a credit card usually

Check the budget software section. You know, all those hundreds of crap little programs that don't even come in a proper box. Of the ones with the purple tops, I recall seeing some sound effect collections. Don't know about quality, I should probably give them a shot sometime.

HAY WATE! I'm working today. I can pick one up today!

But yeah. Back on topic. Even if Sonar isn't up to par with FL Studio, at least it's a serious program. Until now, it's just been crappy Magix stuff, random Cakewalk crap, ACID, and eJay. I fucking hate eJay. So at least this is a step in the right direction. It's kind of sad when ACID is the best there is to offer.

**helix eternal** · 08-28-2006, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribos

I recall seeing some sound effect collections. Don't know about quality, I should probably give them a shot sometime.

HAY WATE! I'm working today. I can pick one up today!

If the one you pick up happens to have any good vocal samples (not necessarily singing) could you send them to me?

Yeah that is kind of sad when ACID is the best music software available somewhere, even though ACID is pretty awesome if you want to learn all of its intricacies. If I remember right though, the Best Buy around here only had the slimmed down version(s) and not the Pro edition. I almost bought the $60 version just to get the loop/sample disc from it but I decided it wasn't worth it

jihnsius · 08-29-2006, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ribos

Until now, it's just been crappy Magix stuff, random Cakewalk crap, ACID, and eJay. I fucking hate eJay. So at least this is a step in the right direction. It's kind of sad when ACID is the best there is to offer.

Are you kidding? You're missing a lot of the bigger names.

Beer Can · 08-29-2006, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jihnsius

Are you kidding? You're missing a lot of the bigger names.

I've sent my complaints on the issue up to corporate. Fortunately, I know I'm not the only employee who's commented on the issue. One of our warehouse guys owned a recording studio in London for a number of years, so he knows what he's doing, and doesn't like what he sees.

Off topic: I got the sample CD mentioned above... meh. I paid $2.50 for it. Not too many vocal samples, and those that are there have some nasty background noise. If used in a piece with plenty of other distortion, it can come out fine, but as is... not too happy. They'll require some work.

jihnsius · 10-12-2006, 03:09 AM

Falkon (the guy that does the notecharts for O2Jam) uses Sonar. He's actually really good with it. Just thought I'd like to point that out.