Sonar 3 versus Reason 2.5

[cp2_4eva]

I am in a serious choice dilema. I have a few hundred to spend and I want either Sonar 3 or Reason 2.5. Any inputs on what I should get and why?

[krushing]

I really don't think they're comparable.

What have you got so far? What are you used to? What are you trying to do? What do you need?

//what I'm trying to say is you should maybe clear up some of these questions for us (and maybe yourself ) before we can give you any practical advice on what to choose.

[tha_man]

If you need audio recording or VST/DX support get Sonar, otherwise Reason. It's best to have both though

[cp2_4eva]

OK, well all I have is a damn triton studio. I like my triton, but I hear that a software based studio is really good to have especially when it comes to editing and stuff. Like synthesizing, time stretching, and sampling. I am really new. I mean, I am not new to the Triton, but I am literally new to anything else. I am trying to make Hip Hop, RnB, and some reggae/dancehall music. Help!

[Monkey Mouse]

Sonar is a sequencer and audio manipulator - it only has a few music making features built in.

Reason is a all-in-one music production studio - which includes a basic sequencer, samplers, synths, percussion machines.... it is like having a rack full of samplers, synths, and drum machines.

Each on its own is just a portion of what is needed - although Reason is probably 75% - Sonar is about 50%.

[cp2_4eva]

OH, ok I see. I was thought that I would be more acustomed to the interface od Sonar since it looks more like the acid series I started on. LOL!!! Thanks for the help!

[tha_man]

If you're going to use Triton with it, then definitely Sonar. Reason is very self-contained and closed system, you can't use hardware with it (except controlling it's synth with it - but for that is midi controller all you need).

[cp2_4eva]

Hmmmm, I glad you said that cuz I will never ever give up my Triton. That's like the first High school love right there that you always will at least shag and tag some! LOL!!!!! Sonar it is then. Anything else I should know? Because I was all into the MPD 16 and stuff. I mean, at this point in time, my head is spinnig because I don't know what to get. I am building a home studio and my budget is too damn low. I am in the military. I am a creative mutha f**ka, but money is low so I can do with minimal and turn it into a dream come true. Any inputs? With a DAW, I might have to update every so often to do today's speedy technological advances. Would I be better off building a hardware based studio? Like have an MPC 1000,2000, 3000, or 4,000 (whoa) as my central device?

[tha_man]

If you buy "pro" software (meaning expensive sequencer, plugins, editors, sample CDs and other stuff), then you'll pay for it just as much as you would for hardware. And you still need good computer and some other hardware, like microphones & stuff. Of course you can start also with cheaper software (e.g. Tracktion for sequencer, freeware or shareware plugins...) which can still be very good. Not so with cheap hardware.

Software is IMHO more flexible than hardware, but is also takes more work to get good sound. Hardware is more "prepared", e.g. Triton has great sounds from the box, while with Reason the sound is more "raw" and needs lots of polishing.

Sequencing is for me easier on computer because you have big screen and a mouse, but this visual factor can sometimes also be a bad thing - you must not look at the notes, you must hear them! I get much better results if I listen to track without looking at the sequencer. This is not such problem with hardware, since there's not much to see on that tiny display anyway

[cp2_4eva]

Ohhhhh, ok. I'm feelin' you now. My boy was downing me because he is going to set up a hardware based production studio. He is stuck on the MPC series, and I have to admit so was I. But after doing some reading in this book, "The Power of Home Recording" then I changed my mind and wanted a DAW. Now it's up to me to use the Sonar, Reason, and FL demos I have. But I have the slightest know how on those. I tried just "messing" around on Sonar and Reason, but I have yet to even hear a sound come out. But I see equalizers lights on and offing. Damn.....this sight make me feel like a numb nut! LOL!!!! It's all apart of the learning process though huh! The readme file didn't help much and my computer freezes up with Sonar. I guess I will upgrade from a AMD ATHLON 1.26 to the P4 2.6 Gig with hyperthreading next week fa sho!