As you probably know, I’m a die hard Pro Tools guy, I’ve tried to switch to SONAR in the past, but in the end, I just ended up liking Pro Tools even more! SONAR did not like my previous computer and interface, I’ve upgraded both PC and interface since then but never bothered installing my SONAR 7 pro, this time things worked WAY better and I’m happy to have it.
This is kind of a half-assed review, I started writing it the day I brought Sonar 8 home after a training workshop at the Roland Canada HQ, and began writing as I was installing. Then I got distracted by other things and didn’t have the drive to finish the review until now.
What is SONAR 8 Producer Edition?
According to Cakewalk the creators of SONAR:
SONAR 8 Producer gives you what you need for recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering. Get innovations that matter, from exclusive features to ignite creativity and perfect your tracks, to groundbreaking technologies that always keep you in control, all backed by the industry’s leading 64-bit audio quality. And SONAR 8 Producer delivers the go-to production tools you want with the best collection of virtual instruments, mixing, and mastering effects found in any DAW.
With unlimited tracks, amazing creative tools, inspiring virtual instruments, the freedom to work with any audio interface or control surface, and the most complete delivery capability for collaboration with users of other DAWS, award-winning SONAR Producer is your best choice in a digital audio workstation.
That’s pretty much it. The only thing not mentioned was that it’s only for Windows computers. There is a 30-day trial version of SONAR 8 here: http://www.cakewalk.com/support/kb/kb20081217.asp
Installation
Installation of the core package (the SONAR 8 DVD, disc 1 of 4) took around 15 minutes or so. After that installed I got the 8.3 patch and additional content patch. I also had a update for GuitarRig LE to download and install. Another 10 minutes or so for all that. There are 3 more DVDs of content, Dimension Pro and Beatscape to install. In total the installation took about an hour.
Authorization
Authorizing SONAR is two step process taking about 3 minutes, and there is no dongle required.
When you run the installer you have to enter your serial # before you start.
When you start SONAR for the first time, it will ask for your Registration Code. Get this by filling out a form online.
It’s pretty simple, much less effort than some other software companies like Waves or IK Multimedia.
Driver Setup
By default SONAR will open up using the WDM driver for your interface. I prefer to use ASIO drivers whenever possible, and this is where I came across my first snag. It does not want to let me use the M-Audio ASIO driver, only the ASIO4ALL driver. I eventually figured out in the Drivers tab I had to uncheck everything then I was able to enable the Profire FW ASIO, which was hidden at the bottom of the list. The way things are labeled here is a bit strange, Everything is odd numbers. Rather than output 1-2, it’s blah blah out 1 Left and Right, the next would be output 3. Kinda annoying, you may want to take the time to set up the ‘friendly names’, which will help but nowhere near as complete as the Pro Tools I/O setup options.
Preferences Setup
There are a few features and default settings that would be a good idea to change. These preferences can be found in Options>Global
- Folders – change the default Projects folder to your audio drive instead of your system drive
- Auto-Saving & Versioning – I set this up the same way I have Pro Tools set up, auto-save every 5 minutes, and keep last 10 versions
Hidden Stuff
SONAR is VERY customizable, however many things that I use a lot took forever to find. Like the pre-fader button for sends, it’s normally hidden. I just had to right-click on every button on the mixer console to find the things I wanted, if they existed at all.
Using SONAR
I’m just going to skip over the part of actually using the software because that’s just too complicated, would take far too long and I’d rather just complain about what I don’t like.
Very briefly:
SONAR can record, edit and export audio.
SONAR can record, edit and export MIDI.
SONAR has some video production features.
SONAR has a long way to go in the workflow and ease-of-use department.
Annoyances
I have a fairly substantial list of annoyances with SONAR, mostly little things that slow me down. A lot of it is just my unfamiliarity with the program or with the way features are named. I got the program for free so I really shouldn’t complain, but some things are just SO WRONG I can’t help but scream about them.
Just a few of the things that push me away from liking SONAR
- Clicking a region and starting playback does not play from the start of the selection, link the playhead to selection please.
- There’s too many of the damn tiny icons, make them just a few pixels bigger please!
- Finding the mixer took forever, why? Oh yeah, because you guys called it a console.
- Pre/post fade send option was incredibly hard to find.
- A pre fader send is not pre mute and solo, unlike any other DAW or real console
- The wave profiler, get rid of it! Make the ASIO drivers the default, either the interface ASIO drivers or ASIO4All.
- Wasted console space. Why are the important parts of the console so cramped when there’s all the empty space at the top!
- A quick and easy way to remove a marker would be nice, such as alt clicking it.
- Recorded clip names don’t follow track names
- Horizontal scrolling with ctrl+scroll wheel is way too slow, about 1/3 ideal speed. I would prefer Shift+scroll as well.
- The Loop Explorer…um…what exactly is it supposed to do?
- Loop Explorer needs a Favorites list
- Loop Explorer needs a basic search function (currently no search at all, you expect us to remember where all our samples are?)
- Loop Explorer needs an Advanced search function (limit to certain folder/file type)
- Loop Explorer needs a volume control for the audio preview
- Loop Explorer needs a “sync to project tempo” button
- A button to activate a floating window, such as the piano roll, should also take it away.
- No track colors?
- Can’t select multiple tracks from the console (for quick moving, coloring, assigning outputs or grouping in one shot)
- Grouping tracks is WAY TOO convoluted/complicated/unintuitive. Select the tracks, ctrl+G, volume, mute and solos linked. It shouldn’t be so difficult.
- Zoom presets would be nice
- MIDI editing is not intuitive enough, why? Because you shouldn’t have to switch tools to delete a note! I’d like to see either doubleclick, or right click to remove a note
- The Step sequencer is cool, but I’d would be nice to have 3 preset velocities available quickly. Click once for velocity of 100, again for 75, again for 50
- Step sequencer could switch between instruments/tracks from a dropdown menu
- Track solo and mute in the step sequencer would be great
- Track height lock does not work with alt+scroll wheel zooming. Is this a bug?
- Turning the metronome on and off during playback or record, why is that disabled?
- Tap tempo for the metronome would be great is essential.
There’s more but I’ll stop. I could write a list for any program nearly.
The Good Things
I nearly published the review without saying what I DO like about SONAR. Yes there are some things I DO like about SONAR.
- Very quick loading, compared to Pro Tools that is.
- Custom keyboard shortcuts, a double edged sword at times, I made my own shortcuts to speed things up in SONAR, but standardized shortcuts is something I like about PT.
- VST support with good Plugin organization options. This requires some time and effort to set up but much better than a long alphabetical list (like FL Studio).
- Tabbed views are a good feature, but I don’t think the way they are activated or managed is intuitive enough at this point. Sorry, that sounds like a complaint.
- Customizable Metering is very nice, seeing RMS and Peak levels at once is great.
- Delay Compensation, although I haven’t fully tested it, I haven’t encountered any problems.
- EQ on every track
- Polarity invert on every track
- Quick Linking of tracks
- X-Ray, no complaints about this, it’s ingenious! Shift+x hides whatever plugin you point the mouse at and ctrl+shift+x hides them all. NICE!
- ACT is great when it works with my crappy keyboard
- I could in theory have unlimited inputs and outputs with enough hardware.
- Seems to run solid even with large amounts of tracks and effects.
Why Buy SONAR 8?
None of the above complaints are deal breakers. SONAR 8 is a powerful DAW, a fairly easy one to get up and running, and is very flexible when it comes to computer and interface hardware. It works great in Windows XP or any version of Vista, even 64 bit. Use any hardware you want/like, unlimited inputs, outputs and tracks. It comes with some great instruments and effects too.
It’s a great alternative to Cubase, Pro Tools or Logic for PCs.
Also Interesting:
Wow, you have your own opnion and seens to use Pro Tools a lot. Just a little things to have in mind:
1) As you are a “die hard Pro Tools guy”, you have been “forged” by the way Pro Tools work;
2) Every program (not only DAWs) has it’s own way to work, and when you’re forged by one, the others always have downsides in the things you use in your own;
3) I use SONAR (have used Cubase and Pro Tools for little time) and had liked it more than the other two, some of your complains are just lack of usage (you wanted to find everything in the same place as Pro Tools, and you didn’t find it);
4) Examples: You COULD have a region playback, but you need to mention that you want it after selecting (right button menu); Recorded clips follow the “current name” of the track, but will not be auto-renamed (yes, it’s a complain of mine too); Tap Tempo exist and are “simple” to access, at last I think so.
After all, is good to read some opnion from a user of others DAWs…
Just for knowing, I’m a programmer and know when I talk about the “forged user”.
Best Regards.
Hi there, usually if you’re familiar with one app and the way of working, coming to a new one we unconsciously still have the old habits… For instance, easy marker removal, left click on the marker and while still clicking on it, press the delete key…
There’s also track colors, but in track view… double click on the track, the track properties box comes up and you can change it to the color you want… Not in console view, which is probably what you wanted…
Anyway, I’m glad you liked Sonar, in spite of some grievances, some which I think will go away with familiarity… I know what you’re thinking, familiarity usually breeds contempt, but without a little familiarity, you can’t breed anything…
It’s a pity you didn’t look into the PRV Configuration Tool. For me, SONAR’s midi editing has now superceded FL Studio and XT with regards to PRV Editing. You can select/draw/slice/copy/stretch/transpose with just the one tool.
I am a Sonar user, and I’m always interested in hearing how people who use other programs feel about it. Your complaints are pretty typical of what I hear in these situations; these programs are all so deep anymore, that it is a major project to learn a new DAW. To me, Craig Anderton is a god just for knowing his way around so many different programs and being able to write articles on all of them.
I have been using Cakewalk products for 8 years, starting with Guitar Tracks 1 and now am using Sonar 8. I am pretty locked in to the Cakewalk way of doing things; when I have tried Pro Tools, Cubase and Reaper, I find myself complaining about the same things that you were complaining about. Most of the features I need are in those programs, but they are implemented differently or need to be changed from the default. I take advantage of the fact that Sonar is user configurable to an amazing degree, so I would probably even have a hard time using Sonar on someone else’s machine. I have my own toolbars, custom menus, track templates, plug in presets, workspaces, etc.
Anyway, I admire you for trying out another DAW and taking the time to write the review; I don’t have the patience.
I’ve been a Cakewalk user since the early 90′s. I’ve followed the evolution of Cakewalk to SONAR 8.5.
It gets along with almost any piece of hardware and software. With a powerful computer and some apogee clocks and A/D’s, I can handle over 250 tracks with tons of plugins with a pristine sound quality. Simply a great good sounding software.
Even though I use ProTools in other studios, I still choose to use SONAR in mine because it’s an amazing sounding DAW. I love the audio engine, and what I love the most is that its power is only limited by the capability of the computer you have.
I love the fact that you can configure your shortcuts anyway you want.. It makes it faster to edit and it feels that you have control over the software; like driving a performance car
I agree there are a few things here and there that need to be improved, like the loop explorer… it would be good to be able to save your favorites, sync to session tempo (that would help), volume control on a separate preview fader, etc… Maybe implement the Loop grove in to the loop explorer so we can listen on the spot how it is going to sound after stretched, etc…
But these details don’t slow down my editing process..
Cheers
Thanks for your comment Luigie.
I find the workflow of sonar is real troublesome also. I’ve used alot of software in my day, from music software to web design and all that.
generally they tend to follow similar petterns in how shift works, how right click works and all that. granted different programs have different functions and therefore need to be different, but still, with cakewalk sometimes i feel like the developpers have never used any other DAWs and never used any other software and just went and made something.
there are many things that seem like they should be simple but are complex in it.
things switch keys and disappear from say piano roll and then into trakcs view, whereas all these imo should be the same. same for qantize and grid size, these should be the same imo, and changing your grid size or quantize shouldn’t need to open a new window.
yes, there is key binding, but not multiple functions to a single key, and honestly there could be very many more functions, except the way they organized it, by view, makes it really hard to find anything.
why would you want to change a button in a different view? ok, fine that function no longer exists in a given view, well then just let me bind 2 buttons to the same function, and so i can still reuse that button in a different view.
i can’t remember all the little things. but truly, i find that in my experience the best professional programs out there, are the type that from a tool perspective, you just think, oh wow wouldn’t it be great if i could just right click this thing in order to do this, and oh, there you go, you can.
with sonar, i find myself always needing to surf the net to find out how to do something. which is why i happen to have come across this page in the first place. trying to find out how to delete markers. and 10 minutes ago i was searching on how to bind 12345 to markers 12345. but you can’t do that, because imo the binding flexibility although a great thing is incomplete and unwieldy.
there should be very little forging for software, because there is a quickest and most intuitive and easiest way of doing things, and all companies should be finding it. especially since they could just blatantly copy stuff off their competitor.
one thing i’ve got to say though, is that yes, sonar is quick and personally i like the look of sonar. small menu buttons that’s ok, i’d prefer to bind things, and after you get to know where they are, you’re good. they are not so small i can’t aim at them with my mouse. and yes it has multi instrument support in piano roll view.
imo if sonar improved their seamless transition from one “view” to another (there should be the least amount of things different as possible ex: i could use my tracks in track view by clicking a button to add them to my piano roll view.)
and the most versatility as possible, ex: options to say, tick a box in configuration to automatically show all midi instruments in piano roll view or not. and multi function binding support as well as a more complete list of possible bindings. the prv tool editor is quite good that allowed me to set it up a little the way i like, but i still couldn’t use alt click, for click and drag note copying, which i prefer over drawing. if i can copy and resize a note, i don’t see why i’d ever want to draw one… well maybe just one. but my keyboard draws those anyways.
basically i’d rather have more options in the options menu, and more ability to change things the way i want. then if i don’t like something, i can just change it.
wanting to do something and finding it’s a limitation of the software sucks. software of this nature i find should have everything you want and then a whole bunch of stuff you don’t know about and then might one day discover.
if sonar improved on workflow, i find it would be so much better.
but it will have to be in customizability pretty much, because they’ve forged their users already and can’t piss them off.
i don’t think 8.5 took steps in this direction either.
workflow imo is their only flaw. but it’s quite the blemish. even zooming in and out is difficult, luckily i had two extra buttons on my mouse that i could use the mouse software to use keystroke commands so i could bind zoom in and out zoom out, which brings me to the limitation of being able to customize how your mouse works. except for in piano roll view they let you do some of that, and honestly to a greater extent than i would have expected which is… well… what i’d expect i guess.
oh, and the alt click and ctrl click for setting left and right markers. this is a common method of implementing such tasks in many user interfaces, but not in sonar. annoying.
although i must admit the ease of selecting between markers and being able to bind loop selection, helps to make up for it, but still it’s not as versatile.
i need to click and drag a loop marker, and therefore see it, or see where i want to put both of them if i’m going to do it with a highlight option. i can’t just make a loop marker from scratch.
i have more quams too. a long list. i wish i could sit in a room with sonar developers and use their software and tell them every little thing so they could improve it ina a way suitable for everyone’s different needs in how a daw performs.because if they did that, this program would blow all the other ones out of the water imo.
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