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Summary |
Sonar 7 |
Cubase 4 |
Pro Tools 7 |
Live 7 |
Acid Pro 6 |
FL Studio 8 |
Logic Pro 8 |
Category |
User Interface |
Navigation |
Overview |
Project Navigator; horizontal & vertical positioning |
Project Overview; horizontal positioning |
No Project Navigator equivalent |
Clip Overview |
No Project Navigator equivalent |
No Project Navigator equivalent |
No Project Navigator equivalent |
Markers |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Track Zoom & Event Scale |
Vertical & horizontal; no zoom presets; event scaling |
Vertical & horizontal plus zoom presets; event scaling |
Vertical & horizontal plus zoom presets; event scaling |
Vertical & horizontal scaling; no zoom presets; no event scaling |
Vertical & horizontal scaling; no zoom presets; no event scaling |
Vertical & horizontal scaling; zoom presets; no event scaling |
Vertical & horizontal scaling; no zoom presets; no event scaling |
Event Info |
Right click |
Event Info Line |
Event Edit Area |
No |
Right click |
No |
No |
Track Structure |
Track Manager |
Project Browser |
Tracks List |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Internal File Explorer |
Loop Explorer |
MediaBay |
Project & Workspace Browsers |
File Browser |
Explorer |
Browser |
Browser |
Transport
& Timeline |
Variable Tempo |
Tempo View |
Variable Tempo Track |
Tempo Track |
Song Tempo Automation Envelope |
Tempo markers |
Tempo Automation |
Global Tempo Track |
Large Transport Bar |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Looping |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Metronome |
Audio & MIDI metronome |
Audio & MIDI metronome |
Audio & MIDI metronome |
Audio metronome |
Audio metronome |
Audio metronome |
Audio & MIDI metronome |
Keyboard Shortcuts |
Predefined & customizable |
Predefined & customizable |
Predefined |
Predefined |
Predefined & customizable |
Predefined |
Predefined & customizable |
Look & Feel |
Window Layouts |
Multiple global layouts; project layout stored |
Multiple global & local layouts; project layout stored |
Multiple project Screensets; import Screensets from other projects |
Per project layout only |
Per project layout only |
Per project layout only |
Multiple project Screensets; import Screensets from other projects |
Color Schemes |
Multiple color schemes & clip color assignments; track icons |
Intensity settings only for project windows; flexible event color assignments |
No color options for project windows; track & mixer color assignments |
Multiple color schemes & clip color assignments |
Icon intensity options; track an envelope color assignments |
Multiple color assignments & skins |
Multiple region colors; track icons |
Templates |
Predefined project templates & well as the ability to create project templates; track templates |
Predefined project templates & well as the ability to create project templates; track templates |
Save sessions as templates & import session data. |
Single template |
No |
Save sessions as templates & import session data. |
Predefined project templates & well as the ability to create project templates; track templates |
Meters |
Types |
Level meters for both audio & MIDI channels |
Level meters for both audio & MIDI channels |
Level meters for both audio & MIDI channels |
Level meters for both audio & MIDI channels |
Level meters for audio buses and recording only |
Level meters for audo; meter thumbnails for MIDI |
Level meters for audio channels only |
Routing |
Pre/post fader displays |
Pre/post fader displays |
Pre/post fader displays |
Post fader displays |
Post fader displays |
Post fader displays |
Post fader displays |
Display |
Peak & RMS, Peak Markers |
Peak |
Peak |
Peak |
Peak |
Peak |
Peak |
Scale |
Adjustable scaling |
No scaling control |
No scaling control |
No scaling control |
Adjustable scaling |
Scaling on WaveCandy plug-in |
Exponential & linear scaling |
Grouping/Linking |
Various channel parameters (volume, pan, solo, etc.) can be grouped |
Various channel parameters (volume, pan, solo, etc.) can be linked |
Various channel parameters (volume, pan, solo, etc.) can be linked |
No |
No |
No |
Various channel parameters (volume, pan, solo, etc.) can be grouped |
|
|
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Summary |
Sonar 7 |
Cubase 4 |
Pro Tools 7 |
Live 7 |
Acid Pro 6 |
FL Studio 8 |
Logic Pro 8 |
Category |
Track Management |
Maximum Tracks |
No stated limit |
No stated limit |
32 |
No stated limit |
No stated limit |
No stated limit |
No stated limit |
Segment Groups |
Clips |
Events & Parts |
Regions & Region Groups |
No |
Project sections |
No |
Project sections |
Editing |
Commands |
All the usual editing commands: cut, copy, paste, join, delete, etc. |
All the usual editing commands: cut, copy, paste, join, delete, etc. |
All the usual editing commands: cut, copy, paste, join, delete, etc. |
All the usual editing commands: cut, copy, paste, join, delete, etc. |
All the usual editing commands: cut, copy, paste, join, delete, etc. |
All the usual editing commands: cut, copy, paste, join, delete, etc. |
All the usual editing commands: cut, copy, paste, join, delete, etc. |
Muting |
Smart Mute Tool can be set to apply to partial or entire clip |
Mute tool applies to entire event/part |
Muting applies to entire region |
Track mute; clip deactivate |
Track muting only |
Track muting only |
Track & clip muting |
Auto Save |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
|
No |
Undo |
Multiple undo levels |
Multiple undo levels |
Multiple undo levels |
Multiple undo levels |
Multiple undo levels |
Multiple undo levels |
Multiple undo levels |
Automation |
Parameters |
Changes to most parameters (volume, pan, FX sends, etc.) can be automated |
Changes to most parameters (volume, pan, FX sends, etc.) can be automated |
Changes to most parameters (volume, pan, FX sends, etc.) can be automated |
Changes to most parameters (volume, pan, FX sends, etc.) can be automated |
Changes to most parameters (volume, pan, FX sends, etc.) can be automated |
Changes to most parameters (volume, pan, FX sends, etc.) can be automated |
Changes to most parameters (volume, pan, FX sends, etc.) can be automated |
Recording |
All automation can be recorded |
All automation can be recorded |
All automation can be recorded |
All automation can be recorded |
All automation can be recorded |
All automation can be recorded |
All automation can be recorded |
Envelopes |
Track automation & clip automation for some parameters |
Track automation & event automation for some parameters |
Track automation & fade automation |
Track automation & clip automation for some parameters |
Track automation & fade automation |
Track & clip automation for most parameters |
Track automation & fade automation |
Nudge |
Based on Snap settings, time units, frames, ticks |
Based on Snap settings |
Can be set separately with Snap settings as options |
No |
No |
Yes |
Based on Beat Ruler Settings |
Snap |
Musical time, events, markers, clip boundaries, absolute time, waveform zero crossing |
Grid, events, shuffle, magnetic cursor, waveform zero crossing |
Variety of time and note settings available |
Based on quantization & timeline grid |
Same as note settings |
Variety of time and note settings available |
Based on quantization |
Track Presets |
Track Templates |
Track Presets |
No |
No |
No |
Channel settings |
Channel Settings |
|
|
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Summary |
Sonar 7 |
Cubase 4 |
Pro Tools 7 |
Live 7 |
Acid Pro 6 |
|
Logic Pro 8 |
Category |
|
Recording |
Multi-Track Recording |
MIDI |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Audio |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
MIDI Step Recording |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
no |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Multiple Takes |
Separate clips in a single track displayed vertically or stacked |
Separate events/parts in a single track displayed vertically or stacked |
Separate regions stacked and listed in Regions List |
Single clip for all takes |
Separate clips stacked in a single track |
Multiple takes create multiple channels |
Separate events/parts in a single track displayed vertically or stacked |
Overlay Modes |
Sound on Sound, Overwrite |
Merge, Replace |
Destructive, Non-Destructive |
MIDI overlay only |
Clip overlay |
Blend recorded notes |
Merge, Replace |
Punch In/Out |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Input Monitoring |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
Go to Ratings |
Explain the Rating |
What is this? |
Explain the rating |
Summary |
Sonar 7 |
Cubase 4 |
Pro Tools 7 |
Live 7 |
Acid Pro 6 |
FL Studio 8 |
Logic Pro 8 |
Category |
Operating Environment |
Multiple Projects Open |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Can run multiple copies |
Multiple copies with multiple interfaces |
Yes |
Device Control Mapping |
Active Controller Technology |
Quick Controls (7 inputs max) |
No |
MIDI & keyboard mapping |
No |
MIDI & keyboard mapping |
MIDI mapping only for Logic compliant devices |
Control Surface Support |
Support for 13 specific remote control devices plus 2 generic remote control device interfaces |
Support for 18 specific remote control devices plus a generic remote control device interface |
Support for 6 specific remote control devices (MP Command 8 only); no generic remote control device |
Support for 29 specific remote control devices plus a generic remote control device interface |
Support for 2 specific remote control devices plus a generic remote control device interface |
Support for 17 specific remote control devices plus a generic remote control device interface |
Support for 25+ specific remote control devices |
Operating Systems |
Windows |
Windows, Macintosh |
Windows, Macintosh |
Windows, Macintosh |
Windows |
Windows |
Macintosh |
Networked Processors |
No |
VST System Link |
No |
No |
No |
No |
Nodes |
Copy Protection |
Serial number & activation code |
Dongle & license code |
Dongle & license code |
Serial number & activation code |
Serial number & activation code |
Registry code |
Serial number |
