Product Reviews

Cubase and Sonar lead the way among PC audio sequencers when it comes to versatility and the quality of results. The new versions of both programs are well equipped for recording live instruments, editing MIDI performances and hosting software synths in VSTi format; Sonar also supports DXi synths and DirectX effect plug-ins. Both also offer extremely comprehensive mixing facilities. Sonar's flexible mix architecture means you can route audio from any source to any destination within or outside the software. Cubase's routing isn't quite as open-ended but it's still comprehensive and flexible, and its mixer settings are better laid out. SX3 adds new features that help integrate

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external gear into its mixing environment.

Both packages include high-quality EQ and compression plug-ins, but Cubase's bundled delay and reverb effects are disappointing compared to those of Sonar. Then again, Cubase's valve and tape saturation simulations are better.

These latest versions bring the two programs closer together than ever before. Sonar 4 adds flexible surround-sound support, a feature already offered by Cubase. Its new Track Layers make it easy to record multiple takes, but are clearly inspired by Stacked Recording in Cubase SX2. However, along with its ability to cross-fade audio objects, this makes Sonar better equipped to compile multiple takes together. The big news in SX3 is Audio Warp, which allows pitch and tempo to be altered independently of one another and loops to be automatically locked to the tempo. Sonar already offered a similar feature, but improves on it with pitch, volume and pan envelopes for audio loops.

Both packages have their merits, and plenty more new features. However, Sonar's excellent reverb and cross-fade editing are bigger advantages than Cubase's sleeker interface and more comprehensive plug-in bundle. At a much lower price, Sonar 4 Producer Edition is our favourite.

Ben Pitt