#511934 - 04/09/04 01:52 AM
sonar vs. protools
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koolkid
Platinum Member
Registered: 06/04/02
Posts: 1083
Loc: NY METRO
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some opinions please,
does anyone think that there is a significant difference between the software itself or does it all depend on the a/d convertor hardware
and if you do only have sonar,what peripherals would you use to make it as good as a protools rig or better
thanks
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#511936 - 04/09/04 04:02 AM
Re: sonar vs. protools
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Philip O'Keefe
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Registered: 12/17/00
Posts: 17674
Loc: Riverside,CA,UNITED STATES
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I own both. Overall, I prefer PT, but I do wish that there was notation for MIDI data in PT, which is something Sonar has. Overall I'd say Sonar is better for MIDI - at least more powerful. I definitely prefer PT's interface and the way I interact with it, but that's strictly a personal preference thing. Actually ALL of this is going to come down to personal preferences. Analyze your needs and what you want / need to do and then try each of them out (preferably with someone available who is good on the program to show you things) and decide from there.
As far as making them "equal", it depends on which version of PT you're talking about. Digidesign requires you to use their hardware either way, but there's the "native" (LE) version of PT (which runs on the Digi 001 / 002 / 002R) and then the TDM version (runs on Mix / HD / HD Accel). One relies entirely on the host computer's CPU horsepower (LE), while the other version of the software uses DSP cards (Mix / HD). While there are third party DSP cards you can use with Sonar, the program is still basically a "native" program, and you can't use the Digidesign DSP cards with it - although you can use the LE hardware via ASIO drivers with Sonar.
You have a lot more options insofar as I/O with the Sonar program. Anything with ASIO drivers will pretty much work. With Digidesign's stuff, you MUST use their hardware interfaces, although you can use third party converters to bring things into PT if you run digital / digital connections from the converters to the PT hardware.
Sonar is strictly PC, while PT is available on both the Mac and PC. Not really a major issue (although there are still fewer plug ins on the PC than on the Mac - FWIW, I'm a rebel and use a PC) but if you're a devotee of one platform over the other, you might want to consider that. For a Macophile who hated PC's, Sonar would probably be a big mistake.
And then there's client appeal and file transfers to consider. If you want to / need to share files and sessions with a lot of other people and studios, PT is by far the more "common" program, which makes transferring and sharing sessions a lot easier. And clients "know" about (and frequently ask for) Pro Tools. That doesn't mean it's "better" or that good work can't be done on Sonar, but some people will hesitate or balk over anything other than PT. If you're working on your own or don't share a lot of sessions, then none of this will be an issue for you.
Anyway, there you go - those are the main considerations to think about from my POV. Of course, others are going to feel differently, but ultimately it comes down to what "works" for you.
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#511937 - 04/09/04 05:29 AM
Re: sonar vs. protools
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jlampson
Gold Member
Registered: 09/02/03
Posts: 880
Loc: Minneapolis, Minnesota
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On the issue of plug-ins, Sonar is the winner when it comes to sheer quantity of free and easily affordable plug-ins. However, Pro Tools has an add-in to convert VST plug-ins to RTAS. This greatly closes the gap and provides some additional tools. Any addition to the sonic palette is a good thing in my book.
I think Phil hit everything else.
John
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#511938 - 04/09/04 06:35 PM
Re: sonar vs. protools
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koolkid
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Registered: 06/04/02
Posts: 1083
Loc: NY METRO
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so how about a/d convertors,what would be the best ones to use with sonatr
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#511939 - 04/09/04 09:57 PM
Re: sonar vs. protools
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natpub
Senior Member
Registered: 11/25/03
Posts: 96
Loc: Austin, TX
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I also use both. I use Sonar for MIDI control from a laptop these days.
I assume that you may be referring to PT LE systems for comparrison? PTHD is an entirely different thing for a totally different reason. Use of extensive plugs, recall, stability, and professional transferrability, plus commercial reasons is why PTHD is such a requirement.
If you are recording at home, and do some MIDI, Sonar is a decent option. Sonar 3.x is vastly superior to all prior configurations, and that includes sonic quality. The math was a bit fuzzy on prior versions.
Once you address all that, sure, converters can become a primary consideration regarding overall quality.
I will say that I sometimes edit certain maps in Sonar due to their superior elegance and simplicity of design.
Best,
KT
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