Audacity vs. Sonar LE

[launched]

Aside from what 64 said about midi integration (And also "extra" capabilites like movie soundtracking,etc), the biggest difference between Audacity and "premium" DAW's are automation and a hardware control interface (For faders, usb/firewire recording, etc).

I think automation is the most important feature in a DAW aside from the standard functionality found in almost all DAW's. It allows you to monitor the effects of a VST plugin in real time while an audio track is playing. With Audacity you have to open your VST, make your changes, wait a loooong time and then check to see how it sounds.

So if you have patience and don't use MIDI, Audacity will run with the best of them. It will run almost any Steinberg plugin - It's just a small pain in the ass to do so, but provides the same results.

But if you have money, the best and easiest to use DAW's are Cubase and Sonar. That's my opinion, but Reaper is NOT easy to use. I haven't tried Pro Tools, but the word PRO is usually synonymous with difficult - Us indies are not about difficult are we?

[SteveB]

Just as a bit of a comparison, the Audacity manual is roughly 150 pages long, and the top-of-the-line Sonar X1 manual is over 1800 pages in length. 

[KKerrick]

My two bits... I'm a Sonar X1 Producer user. In general, if you do not need to interface with 8+ in/out audio hardware and, automated control consoles and extensive midi implementation, going down the Sonar, Pro Tools, or Cubase route is excessive. For most basic project studios Reaper is where its at. It's simple and easy to use. I think it is still less than $100 for the non commercial version. Its very easy to jump in and use. If you automate the crap out of your studio later on like I have, then step up to the complex end. Understand that with the complexity, comes the temptation to fiddle about with all of the options and, that takes time away from creating.

[guitarron]

My two bits... I'm a Sonar X1 Producer user. In general, if you do not need to interface with 8+ in/out audio hardware and, automated control consoles and extensive midi implementation, going down the Sonar, Pro Tools, or Cubase route is excessive. For most basic project studios Reaper is where its at. It's simple and easy to use. I think it is still less than $100 for the non commercial version. Its very easy to jump in and use. If you automate the crap out of your studio later on like I have, then step up to the complex end. Understand that with the complexity, comes the temptation to fiddle about with all of the options and, that takes time away from creating.

i use X1 Producer as well for mixing and comping tracks-it's simpler-i also enjoy using it for vst's-
i like using the br's for tracking
audacity is a nice simple to use progarm which i still use for trimming mp3's and other minor quick editing and file conversions
i've used audacity for capturing samples to use as toneloads in my br600
both programs work well and have there respective places in my home studio-but personally couldn't see using one exclusively over the other

[Blooby]

Once again, I'd just like to take this opportunity to mention I'm not wearing any underwear.

Blooby

[Glenn Mitchell]

This was great and just what I needed.
I'm still tracking with the MBR and the Korg 1200.
I do find Audacity very useful for trimming, fading, EQ'ing, cleaning, normalizing, timing and gain adjustments, and a few FX etc. It can make great improvements to the trax and the mix.
The Mastering algorithms in the MBR are still pretty impressive tho and I'll often bring the cleaned up mix from Audacity back to the MBR for mastering.
It seems a bother to bounce back and forth tho and I dream of an integrated setup.

[Flash Harry]

Once again, I'd just like to take this opportunity to mention I'm not wearing any underwear.

Blooby

Me neither. But I don't have to hide the food from the dogs.

[SteveB]

I started with Audacity, but then got Sonar LE bundled with some equipment. I eventually tried Sonar X1 demo for a month and took the plunge and got X1 producer...the learning-curve is like something from a Formula 1 racetrack!!!
I guess it all depends what the individual's needs are?
But without doubt, the control over editing etc in these DAWs once you've got your .wav files in there is astonishing.


Cheeky I know...but here's what I've done recently in DAW:

https://songcrafters.org/community/index.php?topic=3683.0

[Glenn Mitchell]

Hey Steve.
I did the same thing. I now have Sonar X1 expanded and it's been a steep learning curve but very rewarding and I've learned a ton of things I never would have even considered.
The Forum there is incredible.
I've decided not to go for X2 until I get another computer with Windows 7 or 8 and until the bugs (that are always with a new release) get ironed out.

You did a great song with Waterpark. I like the production. You might try ducking (sidechaining to a compressor) the synth work under the vocals to bring them out a bit.

[SteveB]

Glenn, thanks for the listen & input. 
To be honest with the song, all that I used was the ProChannel Compressor & EQ + reverb on vox. The amount of goodies still left to (learn about & ) try, as you know, is astonishing. I've heard of this 'Sidechaining' etc, it's something else to investigate. 
I'm making a 'save as' folder where I can put the basic mixes of finished songs - so I can go back as I learn more, and re-fiddle etc. Someone on the X1 Forum said, something like, '...once you've mixed a hundred songs...to start to grasp what tools you have and what to do with them...'. Well, only another 80 to go then!!