I think, after using Pro Tools 10 for a few weeks, the only thing I actually thought was better than Sonar (which I've been using for years) was the automation curves. I especially loved the clip gain from Pro Tools 10 that allowed you to simply drag the corner down to adjust the clip gain, instead of having to create a clip gain curve for that clip, and for every clip. That's something I'd like to see in Sonar, but I'm still using 8.5, so I'm not sure if any of the X versions have introduced it or not.
As far as capability, I think it's probably a false assumption to think that any one program in the arena of legitimate DAW software is inherently better than the rest in terms of anything more than better ways of doing what they all do.
I know that Pro Tools doesn't automatically make your songs sound better than any other DAW software. And I know that Sonar doesn't either. But one thing I DO know, is that Sonar has stock plugins that sound FAR better and more transparent than the ones I've used in Pro Tools. Particularly the compression, and some of the reverbs and other things. I absolutely died laughing at some of the plugins Pro Tools included in 10.
Obviously, they just want you to buy the more high dollar stuff. Personally, I don't even care one way or the other. I'm going to use my Waves plugins either way. But Sonar's stock plugins for reverb and delay, and their channel tools and linear phase EQs... oh man... I've been in this business for a lot of years, and I can say they are some of the best I've heard for stock plugs.
So there's that. But again, pros and cons for everything. I think Sonar's automation manipulation is the worst thing I've ever encountered. And it sucks because I actually use the sh*t out of it.
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