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This is my first real plunge into computer digital recording. Sonar X2 has more than enough features and capabilities to make me feel over my head but that's a good thing! I did have an older Cakewalk program on an older desktop running Windows XP, so transferring my old files was a snap. Sonar X2 obviously has many new and improved features since my 2004 program, and so far my older files don't seem able to access some of those functions (only some). I still have full capabilities with most functions. My pre-computer recording days involved good ol' analogue multi-track recorders and lots of outboard processors, modules, patches ... you know the set-up (unless you're around 20 years old). I also have used digital multi-track recorders. In my experience, analogue is still the best way to go. Everything is easily connected directly in a very sensible way, there are just dials, sliders, and busses to worry about - nothing to really get in the way of actually MAKING music. These days, computer-based recording forces you to spend extra time with a issues related to routing, drivers, compatibility and, most aggravating of all(!) - LATENCY -that frankly interfere with the creative process. But no serious musician these days can afford to not keep up with the times, so here I am plugging away and cursing the frustration of it. Admittedly, my old 8 and 9-year old digital recordings (from the older Cakewalk program) have retained their crystal clarity. None of the degradation that comes from tapes. I'm so far mostly pleased with Sonar X2. As stated, it has a tremendous wealth of plug-ins, effects, processing, and routing capabilities. I bought the 9-hour video tutorial, which I highly recommend (available on the Cakewalk site - I haven't found it here at zZounds). There's also a separate 5-hour video tutorial which I will probably also buy. My mind is still trying to visual the process through the analogue mindset, and that can get in the way of understanding the digital realm. The tutorials help me work through that. I've been very impressed with results I've been able to attain thus far. The editing functions are light-years ahead of what I could accomplish before. My main bête noir with Sonar X2 is with it's complete refusal to recognize my Motif XS rack module. The Motif came with a basic Cubase program (that I don't use - one DAW is more than enough!!) from which I can access editing and audio-recording functions in the Motif Rack via Firewire. Obviously, this is a collaborative matter between Yamaha and Steinberg as Sonar X2 is blind and deaf to the Motif Rack. One more painful lesson for this semi-newbie. On the good side, Sonar X2 comes preloaded with a number of presets for popular Midi controllers - just none that I happen to have. The ProChannel and 64-bit plug-ins and effects really shine in the Producer version. I've only scratched the surface of all that these tools can accomplish, and already I'm impressed. There's an effect called RMixTool that is incredible. It basically creates a "scattergram" representation of the audio, relative to specific frequencies of each audio message, and allows you to visually draw any shape and size of box around any part of the scattergram so you can contort and stretch the sound in unimaginable ways. Overall I'm very impressed, although that compatibility (driver?) issue with my Motif Rack will be a thorn in my side. Unlimited tracks, unlimited processing power (whatever your computer can handle, Sonar X2 can deliver) and a wealth of sounds and effects make it a perfect solution for home-based studio recording with a professional-quality sound.

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