Sonoma RiffWorks Standard Guitar Recording Software

Feature:
As a songwriting tool it's impossible to beat!! There is nothing on the market like this. I wish it had more features from traditional DAWs (like cut and paste editing and true VST support). For capturing ideas and assembling songs this is the first software I turn to. Then, I mix to a stereo .WAV file (if needed) and do mastering and other surgical edits in software like Reaper or Audacity. The more I learn to work with RiffWorks though I've found workarounds and am using other software less and less. I use RiffWorks almost every day.

Quality:
It does crash occasionally but when it restarts it gives you the option to recover any files you were working on. Mostly it's worked out that I haven't lost anything. There are a few pesky irritations or, quirks (to be expected) but overall it's solid. The audio interface and drivers you are using are the biggest factor. They list the recommended interfaces on the web site and are willing to work with you and your setup.

Value:
It's really in a unique class so I don't know how to rate it other than to say I would be lost without it. I use this software daily and have come to depend on it for songwriting. There is nothing quite like it that I have found.

Desirability:
The interface is brilliant both, in functionality and appearance!! I want it now even more than when I bought it. I'm in love with it and so are many of the people who use it. Believe it!!

Sound:
The instant drummers sound amazing!! You can easily get quality recordings. Many people have recorded their CD straight from RiffWorks. The effects have some high points too. The delays are awesome! To actually hear how it sounds just listen to some of these contestants from the recent RiffRumble contest. Songs had to be posted or "Riffcast" from the software itself so you can be sure that you are hearing Riffworks in action here. Check it out: http://www.riffworld.com/riffrumble/riffrumbleviii/mostvotes

Ease of Use:
Best user interface and most intuitive piece of recording software I have EVER used...PERIOD!! You can learn the entire thing in a few days or less. Very guitar (or, bass) player friendly as well :-)

Support:
The best I've seen!! That's no lie! The Sonoma Wireworks crew are a small team of caring people who want to make a great product and are completely open to suggestions and improvements. Also, the user base on the forums is AMAZING. Very kind and helpful people there!

Overall:
If you play guitar or bass and write music (or just love to jam and create backing tracks) there is little doubt in my mind that you will WANT this software! The instant drummers are invaluable to me because I can find that perfect groove, set it and forget it. The drums take care of themselves playing appropriate breaks and fills and later if I want a different drum sound I can easily change it (in real time). Being able to control the drum's tempo and time signature is a dream for me. The loop based format and riff structure make recording ideas in the form of verses, breaks, chorus, etc. so easy it's like magic. The song timeline allows you to arrange and rearrange these riffs or loops at any time. It is so easy to just create music and not worry about navigating menus and a complex software learning curve. This is straightforward software that looks great, is stupid-simple to use, and really inspires you to create music :-)

Feature:
Fewer features, less clutter -- I love this thing

Quality:
Rendering sounds awesome.

Value:
For what this does you cannot beat it.

Desirability:
I want it !!!! Heck I own It!!!!!

Sound:
It Sounds incredible.

Ease of Use:
less clutter = Much easier and quicker to get ideas down.

Support:
Incredible and fast!!!!!

Overall:
Best Bang for buck and Riffworld is the bomb.