SONAR 4 and Cubase SX 3?

[RevMen]

I've got some money burning a whole in my PayPal account, so I thought I'd check on prices for the latest sequencers. I was greeted with SONAR 4, which I was sure was a typo. When I saw Cubase SX 3 I realized that new versions of both softwares have come out (or will be out very soon).

Didn't SONAR 3 and Cubase SX 2 just come out a few months ago?

Does anyone know if there are significant changes to these brand new versions?

What's going on here?

It reminds me of that Netscape/Internet Explorer race where both companies kept adding new versions with higher version numbers, even though the new versions had very few new features. Did Cakewalk and Steinburg just pop out a few improvements to try and get ahead in the game?

[owel]

I think the latest Sonar 4 update now puts it on par with the other high end sequencers... they added surround sound mixing, freeze, and other workflow improvements.

Again, if you're a previous Cakewalk/Sonar customer, the upgrade price is cheap.

http://cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/default.asp

[tecnolover]

SX 3 actually has some new features that aren't too useless. I think having volume envelopes for audio events is a real handy feature, they brought back mixermaps, plus they have improved the track Freeze function a lot.

As for all updates of any software, I hope they fixed previous bugs and improved stability before adding new ones! LOL

[Tweak]

I made a comparision chart of new features to help us discuss the upgrades.
http://www.tweakheadz.com/sx3_vs_sonar4.htm

[write_alan]

Logic 7's out too

[Tweak]

Indeed it is, look for a review shortly.

[gv]

Here's a glowing review of Sonar 4
http://www.prorec.com/prorec/articles.n ... 190051D8DC

And the September 2004 issue of Computer Music magazine has a glowing review of Ableton Live 4, upping the ante.

What would anyone say about the relative virtues of these 2 programs?

Geert, in Toronto.

[jlgrimes11]

Sonar 4 runs circles around its predecessors. My favorite new feature is the audio metronome. The midi metronome had midi drift issues. The audio one never skips a beat.

Freeze function is my second favorite. Because of this feature I use softsynths more than ever and this truly bring out the other convieniences they offer.

Multilane layers and clip muting is another good feature. I'm able to edit a lot faster with these.


Most of those features are features that have been in Cubase for a while, but these missing features makes Sonar a viable option.



My only gripes about Sonar:

Tap tempo feature is not that accurate.

No auto quantize.

No piano roll style step editor.

Have to press stop to start recording on a new midi track.

Once Sonar does these, I'd really couldn't think of nothing else (speaking in midi terms)

[paulbrodt]

I just got Sonar4 and so far I love it. Yea, the audio metronome is nice. Especially since I run everything out of my MOTU 896hd witch doesn't have midi capabilities.

[bassman]

SONAR 5 From the KVR website......

Cakewalk has unveiled SONAR 5 which introduces several new instruments, effects, and tools. The key new features are outlined below:
PSYN II subtractive synth, Pentagon I vintage analog synth, Roland GrooveSynth, SFZ SoundFont sampler, RXP REX Player groove box.
Pure Space Convolution Reverb.
Updated MIDI FX plug-ins.
SONAR 5 ships as both a 32-bit and 64-bit application with the 64-bit double precision floating point engine being accessible in both versions.
BitBridge enables 32-bit VST effects and instruments in SONAR's 64-bit environment.
Roland V-Vocal Variphrase vocal editing technology.
Track Templates and Track Icons.
Native VST support now built into SONAR 5.
Enhanced Track Layers for even more comping and editing power.
Integrated inline audio and MIDI editing, arranging, and mixing all in one view.
MIDI sequencing enhancements including advanced step recording.
Plug-ins and Edit views may be docked and tabbed right in the Track View for easy access when arranging, editing or mixing your project.
Envelope automation drawing enhanced with tempo-sync patterns, freehand, more.
Object-oriented clip-based effects and editing including per-clip effects bin, clip-based effect automation, and more.
Enhanced Group Editing and Group Manager.
Remove DC offset during recording.
Bus and synth waveform preview to give you the visual feedback you need to fix it in the mix through markers that display overs and peaks.
Video output to 1394 FireWire devices for high quality viewing with lower CPU and disk usage.
SONAR 5 will be shipping in late September and will be available at select music retailers in early October. Registered Cakewalk customers in the US and Canada can pre-order their upgrade today. Registered Cakewalk customers outside the US and Canada will be able to pre-order their upgrade directly through Cakewalk later this month.

[BigBoi]

Sonar 5 is out.





they are putting out releases very often now!!!!

[SythRiff2]

Could someone please tell me if the versions really make that big of a difference? does the newer versions sound much better or when you get down to it.............its your SOUND CARD?

are there any SAMPLE CDS made as MIDI or is that not possible? in other words I just want to figure out a way to get some real sounds and not some cheap sounding junk.

[SythRiff2]

Is that just another name for CAKEWALK? anyone know? I am still fresh and new to all this stuff.

[Tweak]

Cakewalk became Sonar a long time ago. You can read my reviews.

http://www.tweakheadz.com/Sequencer2.html

[tamosfan]

how come this is still stickied? For historical record?