Is Cubase/sonar Worth Learning?

[AnthonyRichardWalker]

I've been looking at Cubase for a while now, but I haven't been sure of whether I should learn it or not. I've also been looking at Sonar, but I'm not sure which one is the easier one? Which one should I choose, and are they really worth learning?

[speedmetalmessiah]

What versions of the programs were you looking at?

If you record audio and don't solely use midi, then yeah, they are both great programs. Though if you plan on just making electronica, you'd be better off using either Reason or FL Studio. I've never used Sonar, but I have some experience with Cubase, and I really enjoy using it. It's a really powerful program. It'll take a bit of getting used to before you really get the hang of it, but pretty much anything has a learning curve. You can find quite a few videos on Youtube for both programs that will run through features and show you the interfaces to give you an idea of how they operate.

Sonar videos

Cubase videos

[AnthonyRichardWalker]

I'm looking to record but also use vst/dxi. Thanks for the vids

I'm just trying to figure out which one has a friendlier interface.

[AnthonyRichardWalker]

I'm using FL Studio 7, Audition 3, & Acid 6.

If I learned Cubase 4 or Sonar 7, would I be gaining anything more than an all-in-one kind of thing or should I stick to my 3 apps? PLEASE HELP!

[xXDathDalerXx]

learn one you learn them all

[AnthonyRichardWalker]

At 1/4/08 01:48 AM, xXDathDalerXx wrote: learn one you learn them all

Going from FL Studio to Sonar is overwhelming lol

[xXDathDalerXx]

At 1/4/08 02:50 AM, AnthonyRichardWalker wrote:

At 1/4/08 01:48 AM, xXDathDalerXx wrote: learn one you learn them all

Going from FL Studio to Sonar is overwhelming lol

not really. i've tried all the popular DAWs, very little changes between them...the only real difference is that some come with loops packed & some don't, learning your away around the usage of the programs takes all but half an hour

[AnthonyRichardWalker]

At 1/4/08 03:10 AM, xXDathDalerXx wrote:

At 1/4/08 02:50 AM, AnthonyRichardWalker wrote:

At 1/4/08 01:48 AM, xXDathDalerXx wrote: learn one you learn them all

Going from FL Studio to Sonar is overwhelming lol

not really. i've tried all the popular DAWs, very little changes between them...the only real difference is that some come with loops packed & some don't, learning your away around the usage of the programs takes all but half an hour

no way, there is so much more in Sonar, the layout is so confusing, too much stuff. I like things simple.

[speedmetalmessiah]

Hmm, and I had always heard that Sonar was really user-friendly. If you'd like, you can take screen shots of the various menu's and the interface in general and I can try and explain some things to you to help you out.

[xXDathDalerXx]

At 1/4/08 05:10 AM, AnthonyRichardWalker wrote: no way, there is so much more in Sonar, the layout is so confusing, too much stuff. I like things simple.

grab a tutorial. i learned how to use Reason from the help files alone...all the DAWs have a sequencing feature similar to working in Reason.
the only things i need to figure out is how to set up a track, arm it & drag in samples, which is usually a matter of just right clicking on your mouse & choosing from drop menus, how difficult can that be??
you yourself can't possibly need more than that...from there all you have to do is add effects. drawing MIDI notes, slicing, looping...all that stuff is the same.
grab some good tutorials, from the company that releases the product or oworkhouses that specialize in tutorials, like ASKvideo
you should try them all out & see which you like. i currently use Ableton cause i deal more with recording guitar, it's label layout works great for me

[CyriltheWolf]

I find Sonar really easy to use. Within a half-hour I was composing music, and it took about a week for me to discover all the cool things I could do with it.

I <3 Sonar a lot. :-) Its also got great support for various VSTs as long as it comes with the VST Wrapper.

[JonH2O]

Neuendo is pretty simple. Several people I know use it in exchange for Pro Tools.

[DJSubstanc3]

Meh, I use FL...but since its user friendly, the results don't come out too professional unless you know how to do compression and mastering correctly

[ShinDenjin]

Sonar looks complex, but I agree, it takes about 20-30 minutes to get grips on the basics. if you're talking about a full on professional experience, then it takes as long as you have the time to afford. Many of us use multiple programs anyway so the basics of each is the best way to go.

[WizardSleeve]

At 1/4/08 01:09 AM, AnthonyRichardWalker wrote: I'm using FL Studio 7, Audition 3, & Acid 6.

If I learned Cubase 4 or Sonar 7, would I be gaining anything more than an all-in-one kind of thing or should I stick to my 3 apps? PLEASE HELP!

Cubase has the best sound engine out of any production program on the PC.. make sure you either get SX or the latest version which is Cubase 4.. Cubase vst just doesn't cut the mustard.

FL i crap, it really is, but fun to use... Never used audition but have heard its not that bad.. Acid.. is okay for a bit of variation

I could go on about how cubase is but i have gone over it so many times in so many threads i cant be btohered to repeat myself again

[xXDathDalerXx]

At 1/5/08 02:16 AM, JonH2O wrote: Neuendo is pretty simple. Several people I know use it in exchange for Pro Tools.

it's more of a film editing program though. it's missing quite a lot of features that other DAWs have for recording artists

[DomesticTerrorist]

At 1/4/08 02:50 AM, AnthonyRichardWalker wrote:

At 1/4/08 01:48 AM, xXDathDalerXx wrote: learn one you learn them all

Going from FL Studio to Sonar is overwhelming lol

If you're going to use it for recording, then Sonar will be your best friend. Amazing program.

[GronmonSE]

Cubase is far from being user-friendly but it's great for mixing stuff you made on FL.

Personally, I use Cool Edit Pro 2 when FL doesn't cut it, sue me =)