Terry Kelley

First off, none of the “cpu load” indicators are very accurate. I’ve got projects that the processor can’t handle when using too many of a certain VST and neither the Cakewalk/ Sonar performance meter nor the Task Manager show it. Sure, they show an increase but nothin* goes red or bangs the ceiling. So don’t depend or focus on them. They are often an interesting indicator but nothing more. Focus on the cause of the problem which is almost always too small of a buffer or a VST that inhales the processor and cores (like Arturia’s Augmented anything.)

Turn off all effects and see if the noise cleans up. If so, turn off each effect separately and when it cleans up, there’s your problem. Do the same for instruments by freezing them (just muting won’t work.) I suspect you are overloading the processor. You might need to start freezing tracks. There are VSTs that are brutal to the processor. My i7-4790 had its limits.

To the OP, the new Sonar is a facelift AND many new features and bug fixes. If you want a sense of the difference compared to the old Sonar, try the Cakewalk by Bandlab software. It’s over 5 years of improvements and fixes over the old Sonar. It’s currently free (the new Sonar is rental only.) Bandlab took CbB and started with the facelift and is now adding features. It’s as good as anything out there from a feature and performance stand point..

Yes. And works quite well.

Yeah, that’s not normal. As long as CbB can get out it should always be activated unless something is clearing the activation. Contact support. They will respond quickly and help you figure it out since they can see your activation status from their side.

Bandlab has been clear about the pricing and ownership isn’t going to happen unless they change their mind, not make up their mind.

On

I would say CbB by a slight margin or the new Sonar if you don't mind only being able to rent it. We're not allowed to discuss the competition on this forum but your other option isn't bad but CbB has come a long way. Try it again with the newest version.

If it doesn't sound good without it, it probably won't sound better with it. Mastering can add some "edge" or "wall" but it won't fix a bad mix in most cases. The Raspberries "Go All the Way" is an exception.

What mic and preamp are you using? It's probably something as simple as you have the gain cranked up too high but the mic could be failing too. And define “harsh.”

Or the defenders of art. Fake a song. It’s fine.

I did it the old fashion way in the 60’s.

Someone is running to their computer right about now. Waving their hands in the air and yelling “Stop it! STOP IT!”

I too cancelled during the initial 3 day grace period and have yet to get a discount offer. Of course there could be other reasons. :)

I used TTS a lot but as I noticed its flakiness I started looking for a replacement.

Nope but it’s close enough and doesn’t crash.

The Munt MT32 is very close.

My slide started with all seats going to general admission/festival seating . The price hikes just sealed my resolve to not attend concerts. I think Amiee Mann was the last one many years ago at a small venue.

I think they have, don’t you? Music generation today is AI and loop/sample. This breed of music makers don’t mind rental. Different world for them.

There is only the Raspberries.

Naw, just put your music on Landr, Jango or SoundCloud. Fame will be guaranteed! Maybe.

Interesting points. I ran an i7-4790 up until recently (switched to an i7-12700k) and I've been totally impressed with what CbB could handle. I'm sure Sonar would be better but CbB most impressive. I have a couple of VSTs (inst and effects) beyond Arturia that drag the system down. In several DAWs I've used, none of the performance meters show any obvious high loading. As I built up a project, when it finally does goes south and tweaking the block size doesn't help, I know exactly where to go to fix it. Freeze time or temporarily disable something. Very, very rare though.

My point isn't about how good Sonar is (it is), it's that if a few instruments bring CbB to its knees, something else is happening that I doubt Sonar itself will correct irrespective of the block sizes. Sonar has some awesome improvements but CbB isn't a slouch by any stretch. I play with Sonar and has some advantages but I have yet to find one of my overloaded projects that works in Sonar but not in CbB. When I have to freeze Arturia Augments Everstuff to get CbB to play without glitching, I have to freeze in Sonar too. I'm sure there is some thinly sliced addition or subtraction in VSTs that would make Sonar hang on a bit longer. Or am I giving the developers that worked on CbB and it's predecessors too much credit.

I haven't run into any issues with the latest CbB and New Year's Wishes. Maybe someone else can join in.

I have to load CbB beyond rational thought with VSts before it even flinches. If someone notices a difference between CbB and Sonar with a few instruments, something else is amiss. CbB can handle A LOT. Excluding Arturia Augmented "Anything" ... And no, it doesn't get any better in Sonar.