Any software can do what you need it to...it's up to you to make it work correctly and suit your needs...one of the major differences is how the audio is handled...also VST instrument support as well..Sonar uses the DXi's which are direct X modules...also some synchronization differences as well...
if you are happy with the interface, happy with the sound you are getting, don't listen to the sales people...just be happy with what you got.
Logic and Nuendo are more for the Radio, Post Production and higher up musicians since it has some serious editing features and automatiion ability..plus surround sound, ability to import video into the track..
if these are things you do not need...then dont' worry and keep having fun recording...
Sales people will try and suck you dry....
Opus

no you shouldn't have to defend yourself for any reason because its all a matter of choice. some like nuendo, some like sonar. yes sonar doesn't incorporate vst but there is a vst bridge which you can get that will enable you to use vst instruments. it also supports rewire 2 so you can use reason with it as well. the things that make nuendo more professional to my opinion would be the gui and surround functions. it looks great like all steinberg products and you can do 5.1 mixing. but thats about it to me. it can import video and do automation very well, just can't do 5.1

I agree. I came from a Calkwalk background, although I will admit, that was before I decided to get "serious" about this recording thing and give my my life as a musician to become a musician/recording technician! (about 2 years ago) I made the decision to go with Cubase because I liked the interface, and all the bells and whistles. Since Sonar has a completely different interface, I might have made a different decision if it was available back then, but I have *never* regretted my choice of Cubase, even now that I have seen Sonar. (I also really love my Cubase SX, although I am finding not enough free time to get to know it better, but that is a different story!)

Go with what you feel comfortable with, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. There are lots more top artists (Slipknot and Ray Charles for example) that are advertising for Sonar than I see for Nuendo or Logic, so obviously it *does* work. Unless you have to sleep with your salesman...screw him! Do what you want and what feels good to you!

(BTW...Philly Flex...I am from the Sacramento area myself, and still have a lot of family there. I am actually from Fair Oaks, and my wife is from Granite Bay. I used to hang out on the Strip there by Sunrise Mall...lots of babes...in fact, that is where I met my wife! She was a waitress at The Peppermill. My bands used to play at let's see...The Shire Road Pub...The Entertainment Factory...uh...Sheesh...I don't remember any more club names now...that was early-mid 80's...and I'm an old fart now! )

I am sending Sonar back.
I don't know if it s as professional or not, I have to take your word for it, but I am switching camps.
I was back at that store again, and I asked that salesman why he thought Logic was more profesional. He started talking about thirty two bit this and that and a bunch of other stuff, which I didn't even care for. Then he took me into the back and showed me his setup using logic. Even with his expensive converters and stuff, I don't think it sounded much better than what I was doing at home, I am not saying my crappy audio interface was on par with his, I am just saying I am satisfied with the sound I get. Anyway, he kept talking about audio this and effects that, and I kept saying I could do all those things too. But then I started to ask him about his outboard midi gear, and all he had was a midi controller, a little flourescent 3 octave job. His drums, organs,Piano, you should have heard his friggin piano. No doubt dude can play the keys better than I can at this point, but he had some serious NewOrleans Swamp music coming out of his computer. He said most of it was with the EXS24. And i have got to have it.
Did I mention to you guys, that I was poor, with this EXS24, I can have a whole slew of keyboards, organs,clavs, Horns,etc....
I have always felt a little out of place being a rock player, and using Sonar. I would never have used those synths and stuff, maybe cyclone, but none of the other stuff. I know you can do other stuff with it, but even the looping thing they brag about, makes me believe it was mainly meant for club music and that sort of thing.
Thanks for your support and all, but i think Logic will be a better fit for me.

Be careful man...he didn't tell you how long it takes to truly learn the program..Logic has a STEEP learning curve man...trust me..I tried, I got fed up..
I like Steinberg's interface..more intuitive and you can do the same things in Cubase or Nuendo...
If I were you I would march back in and say...SHOW ME CUBASE SX or NUENDO!!!!
To do Midi proficiently in Logic you need to learn the environment...that in itself is very intimidating!
Just trying to make you see all sides of the DAW world here!
Opus

Thanks for the reply. I will definitely consider that being that I really don't want to be a keyboard player. Knowing how to move the notes around, and edit the midi data is sometihing I will definitely need to know. I am putting in time and effort to at least be competent on the keyboard, but the guitar is my first love, and I would rather spend time getting to know her better.

Are you sure we didn't shop at the same store? I've had to defend some of my choices too; software as well as recording gear. Everyone has an opinion and when it boils down to it, the most important thing is the end result. I chose Sonar primarily because I was familiar with the interface and the upgrade pricing is very reasonable. I'm considering venturing into a second application; either Logic or Cubase. I hear tons of praise about Logic, but I'd have to see it for myself because the interface looked more like a lightshow than a serious workhorse to me. Sales people can't really be trusted to give an unbiased opinion. They want to sell you something and they probably get a killer discount too.

One word to remember when talking to a sales rep. "commission". Of course, they're gonna pitch a product that will put their kids through school....LOL

I had a friend who had recieved a copy of CW Express 8 with his sound card purchase. He doesn't play so he hooked me up with it. That's what led to me being a Sonar user. I'm also a guitarist at heart. Sonar does everything I need, but I am considering Nuendo for it's surround sound capabilities.

Don't limit yourself to a sales rep's opinion. Also, like Opus said about the learning curve, if it's too much to take in it can be counter-productive and counter-creative. Test drive a bunch of DAWs, but IMHO you made a good choice with Sonar. Oh yeah, yes you did mention that you were poor. And, I believe this is Sonar's second plug for it's reasonable pricing. ;)

Latrz,
O

Hmmmm...commission...I wonder what the difference is between Sonar & Pro Tools?

just a thought. :D

Latrz,
O

I hear what you are saying, and the pricing on Sonar was pretty good. I was able to upgrade from my copy of ClubTracks(basically eight tracks of audio, no midi) which I picked up for $49, to Sonar over the internet for $149. I don't thnk Logic would have offered me anything like that.
I have decided not to give up on Sonar, I didn't send it back. I'll keep it and play with it for a while, at the same time using logic(which really isn't that hard to figure out, It might be if I decide to hook up outboard midi gear, which at this time I don't). Sooner or later, I'll weed aout which one I really prefer.