Question

I've been using Cakewalk Sonar for about 10 years now (since version 7 all the way up to Platinum), I know it inside and out.

I recently purchased a PreSonus StudioLive AR16 USB Mixer. The quality of the mixer impressed me. That also got me into using both Capture and the free version of S1. What really struck me is how solid and stable the program is compared to Sonar.

I am now using the 30 day eval version of the full S1 and while it's taking me some time to learn where everything is I'm loving it so far. I am also surprised by how quickly it loads large patches in VSTs like Spectrasonics Trilian that take much longer to load in Sonar.

I was not in the market for a new DAW but I'm so impressed with S1 that I am strongly considering the switch. My question is: does anyone have suggestions or comments on switching to S1 or reasons I shouldn't switch?

Answer 1

Whether you should switch workstations is a very highly subjective and personal question.  If you ask on the Sonar userforum we're sure most people will give many good reasons not to and vice versa, if you ask on the Studio One forum you will hear many good reasons why some others may have.

At the end of the day you'll have to dig into the Studio One demo - doing real work for 30 days - and make your own Pro / Con list as to why you might or might not choose to use it instead of Sonar.

As for general guidance, ask on the Studio One user forum what people who may have previously been Sonar users may miss now that they are using Studio One, and also ask them if what they gained, if anything, more than balanced that out.

Good luck.