Cubase SX 2.0.1
digital audio sequencer
$799
upgrade from SX 1.0 $149
FEATURES 4.0
EASE OF USE 3.5
DOCUMENTATION 3.5
VALUE 4.0
RATING PRODUCTS FROM 1 TO 5
PROS: New audio engine with multichannel routing throughout. Easy tempo matching with new Time Warp Tool. Improved effects handling. Enhanced custom layout options. Individual freezing of plug-in instrument tracks. Cycle recording on multiple lanes per track.
CONS: Requires a lot of screen real estate. Redraw problems in OS X Panther. No Audio Units support. No copy and paste for tempo changes. Help system is inoperable on the Macintosh.
PRODUCT SUMMARY
Cakewalk
Sonar 3.1 Producer Edition
digital audio sequencer
$719
FEATURES 4.5
EASE OF USE 5.0
DOCUMENTATION 5.0
VALUE 4.0
RATING PRODUCTS FROM 1 TO 5
PROS: Intuitive user interface simplifies complex tasks. Easy access to plug-in-effects parameters. Track-based input monitoring. Useful effects and DirectX instruments included.
CONS: Color preferences don't affect the Console view.
