Logic / SX / Sonar - Best Sound?

[THProductions]

I’ve been using Sonar in my home studio since it came out. I have managed several large projects to their completion with few headaches, although it has a bad habit of crashing just when the client is standing behind you. Previous work has been full of metal guitar, loud drums etc. and sounded good.
Recently however, in prep for an upcoming project, I imported some acoustic piano tracks. Wavelab playback sounds superb, but Sonar is adding a small amount of distortion. It’s only audible under critical listening but it is defiantly there. I have tried everything, and though I have not given up completely I am starting to think that it’s just the software! It has me ready to move to the new Cubase SX or Logic Platinum 5.x. I wish there were demos available for these so I could see and HEAR for myself but in that absence I am posting here for professional opinions.


P.S. I downloaded the demos for Cool Edit Pro and Samplitude - Both sound great, no distortion at all. So I know this is not a driver issue with Sonar.


[This message has been edited by THProductions (edited 07-29-2002).]

[+Erik+]

Move to SX and you will realise that Sonar is still way behind.

I can't say about sound quality, both sound awesome to my ears, but the editing features and logic and look of SX **** over Sonar now. The mixer too is awesome.

[Robert D]

Samplitude

[C9]

samp is nice but its not sx...
Sx is a great app...
it sounds better than any app i've ever used its a little cleaner than nuendo...logic 5 is very close so is samplitude... i've used just about every major software out...Sx is at the top.it'll stary at the top if they put omf in it....

[usul]

I am using sonar and I never had problems, I am still using it because is a very easy software to use both for audio and MIDI, I don't think the distortion is because of the software. With this I am not saying that SX, logic and samplitude are worst, to my knowledge logic and samplitude are better than sonar but not so easy to use.

[diminished]

If you are looking for audio quality among other things,just stop there.try samplitude v6 and we'll meet later for discussion.
the audio quality and ease of use of sx is not even close to what samplitude v6 will offer.

Oh btw,forget about the sx mixer,the samplitudes mixer is the only mixer that reminds you of the real pro studio among other things.yes i have used the sx so i am commenting thru experience.

you know the name samplitude might not sound serious but i can tell you its some serious and great multitrack man.

[moegraphix]

I recommend either samplitude or Logic Audio. Box kick SX out the box, because of their ability to do more and great quality. Although I may think twice about Logic Audio if your use to a pc. They are only availably for MAC. I currently use Logic Audio Platinum 5.5 for PC and Samplitude for my mastering pleasures. Both do me just fine.

[intune]

I've been using SX for one year now but recently decided to switch to Logic (and buy a G5). Cubase SX is very good - no doubt but once I've heard Logic I fell in love with it.

In Logic you can do almost everything and when it comes to plug ins the Cubase's sound ways behind Logic.

[wogg]

...I imported some acoustic piano tracks. Wavelab playback sounds superb, but Sonar is adding a small amount of distortion...[/B]

Sonar does not seem to deal with importing of audio very well. The files I've attempted to import are always a bit distorted, as if Sonar re-sampled them. I've verified the sampling rates, bitdepth, tempo adjustments and nothing has resolved the problem. Luckily I do not use imported files so it hasn't hurt my productivity.

Also, with my latest install to a clean configuration under XP does not crash (unless I get too crazy with it that is, you know, adding 15 plugs while playing auto looped etc...)

[jdechant]

Everybody has a different answer and a different opinion...

Download the demos to test them and listen for yourself. that's my advise.

[thedreampolice]

After using SX, Logic, sonar and Samp I bought Samplitude classic for 2 track editing but i ended up using tracktion as my main multitrack recorder, editor and sequencer. http://www.rawmaterialsoftware.com/ WOW

[Michael Quayle]

I don't think anyone needs to keep answering this question - it was posted over a year ago! God only knows who dragged it back up!!