I realize this is an arranger specific forum, but I know that a number of arranger players here (including myself) also utilize Cakewalk 'Sonar' sequencing software for recording & editing (post production) their arranger keyboard and vocal performances.

I currently own Sonar XL (version 1.31) and primarily use it to record my Yamaha PSR2000 keyboard performances (midi tracks) with vocals (digital audio tracks). What are the benefits of upgrading to 'Sonar 2.0' ($79) or 'Sonar 2.0 XL' ($169). Anyone here upgraded from Sonar 1.31 to 2.0? Does the 'XL version' have any useful features worth paying the extra money? Recommendations & advice appreciated. Thanks. - Scott

I went straight to Sonar 2.0 myself and never used the earlier versions so I don't know much about the differences. But I do know that some DirectX plug-ins won't work with Sonar versions prior to 2.0. I am currently using the Antares Pitch-Correction and the BBS Maximizer plug-ins, which work nicely. Sonar 2.0 reportedly has better Rewire implementation for Reason users like myself. Also the new Yamaha OPT panels only work with Sonar 2.0. I'm sure there's more differences between the versions, but overall Sonar seems to be the one audio/midi program that is really worth the effort to own and use so I would do the upgrade. I purposely did not go with the XL version because I have Sound Forge, which has great mastering features that appear better than what the XL version of Sonar offers.

pro do you have an email?

So far I did not upgrade yet as I don't use much plug ins. (mostly hardware these days)
I use 1.x Sonar XL as well and only some minor problems really.
Not worth the usd 169,-- .
I guess I wait till another new version comes out.
(I usually wait one version.. )
(went from cake 8.x to sonarxl.)

Pro: Thanks for your advice & recommendation of not going with the XL version of Sonar. I tend to agree with Freddynl that it's probably not worth the extra $99 (over Sonar 2.0). I decided to just upgrade from 1.31 to 2.0 for your other mentioned reasons. I've also read that Sonar 2.0 is much stabler than version 1.31.



Please explain what 'Yamaha OPT Panels' are, and how it might be used in Sonar in conjunction with the new Yamaha Tyros or PSR keyboards. Thanks. - Scott

Scott,
You can also download it for FREE at http://www.kazaa.com/
Download their software then type “Sonar” in the search box, you’ll get multiple results, select the version you like, download it and uninstall the Kazaa software.
The reason I am advising to uninstall: It’s a 2-way communications tool where you can see other people’s computer contents while they see yours. If you uninstall it immediately after downloading Sonar you’ll be safe.

N.B. If you have an old 486 with 500 MB HD you can dedicate it for all Kazaa downloads.

Maged

Maged: Thanks for the suggestion, but because I'm already a legally registered owner of Cakewalk Sonar, I'll just pay the upgrade fee to continue to receive free Cakewalk technical support & free maintenance upgrades. - Scott

Scott,
I upgraded to 2.0 from 1.31 plain version not xl on both counts and I think the 2.0 does run somewhat smoother, with less hangups.

And FWIW....I too pay for these things..... And the people who make their living with these products are entitled to be paid for their work.
Terry

[This message has been edited by trtjazz (edited 09-30-2002).]

IMO, I think SONAR 2.0 XL is worth it for the DR-008 alone. Makes it real easy to use your samples in a drum kit, especially if you have the voices in an instrument list.

Chuck

Scott: Yamaha's Open Plug-in Technology or OPT panels are control panels and/or voice editors that work within other programs like Sonar 2.0. To my knowledge, the only OPT panels Yamaha has released so far are for the Motif and the Tyros (the stand-alone voice and file management programs that ship with the Tyros are also OPT panels). This allows you to open a voice editor from within Sonar 2.0 instead of having to use a completely seperate voice-editing program. As Yamaha says: "so you don’t have to open up a second application, “ALT+TAB” between programs, or tie yourself in knots with multiclient MIDI links". Yamaha tried this idea with their own XGWorks program and the plug-in voice editors that came with their PLG-family of expansion cards, but with the demise of XGWorks Yamaha has wisely chosen to create a technology that allows their exclusive voice editors to run within other popular programs. I am very hopeful that Yamaha will convert the expansion board plug-in programs to OPT and produce an XG OPT panel sometime soon. Yamaha has more info on OPT here:
http://www.yamahasynth.com/pro/opt/index.html

Whoops... as soon as I said that only the Motif and Tyros had OPT panels, I found the site where Yamaha has released OPT's for the S80/S30, S08, S03, and CS6x/CS6R synths in the past month:
http://www.yamahasynth.com/down/opt/voice_editor.htm

Just placed my order with Cakewalk for 2.0.

Terry: Great to hear that Sonar 2.0 is running smoother than 1.31 was. I personally haven't experienced any noticeable hangups with 1.31 so I'm curious just what specific improvements I might notice with 2.0 which make it run smoother: faster command response times, quicker screen redraws, etc?

The Pro: Yes, this new OPT technology sounds exciting. I assume the Yamaha OPT 'Panel' support on the Tyros will allow you to perform Tyros 'voice editing' (via Sonar) from a DAW control surface device such as Tascam's US-428, right?

I read that Yamaha's OPT 'Views' provides support for providing sophisticated MIDI edit views which include auto accompaniment data. Sonar 2.0 does not recognize Yamaha specific XF Meta Event data (which includes auto accomp 'chord' data) so I'm hoping this plug-in will provide a way to integrate (save) this Yamaha specific chord data along with the standard midi data in Sonar 2.0.

I'm also interested in finding out what the OPT 'Processor' feature might provide to Tyros and Sonar 2.0 owners?

This new OPT technology sounds cool and I'm excited to hear that it's supported on the Tyros. Pro: Many Thanks for enlightening us on this subject.

Scott


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http://scottyee.com

Scotty,
I use a Yamaha AW4416 for 99% of my recording and only go to Sonar when necessary for midi or deep editing. The two main problems I was having with 1.31 was command response time and dropout. 2.0 seems to have improved both of those by about 80%. Ican run my latency much tighter now without the dropout.
Terry

[This message has been edited by trtjazz (edited 10-01-2002).]