At home I use Live for about 90% of my content. As amazingly powerful Live is it falls short in the mixing dept. So for the last few years i have been exporting individual tracks and mixing in Protools. I have been wanting to take advantage of the 32bit/88.2 or 96K capabilities of Live & my TC electronic interface. So this is where Protools LE fell short. No 32bit or 96k support with my current digi interface. I was also sick of having to mix with a different interface just for protools as well. But the audio editing features of Protools were worth the hassles. But now it can handle my needs so it's time for protools to go bye bye.
This started my search for a new Mixing solution. I am also an familiar cubase/nuendo & samplitude user. But do to Live 7s new 64bit architecture i didnt want to deal with anything less. So this left Sonar & Reaper.
I was thinking i know Sonar is a mature app but i bet reapers going to suck.
I downloaded both demos and Sonar was nice. Way more bloated then i need. & i don't really care for the interface. I really only want a powerful, customizable mixing engine that supports my Remote Zero SL & Faderport.
So i figure what the hell i'll try Reaper.
WOW.
After i realized i don't have to use that horrid looking default theme. This is one of the most flexible Mixing engines i have ever used. Unlimited routing capabilities, Fully customizable interface, 64bit audio path, with real time bounce for my external dsp.
I can't tell how pleasantly surprised i am.
If you are in similar shoes i really recommend checking out Reaper.
This i a screen shot of my export from Live & Mix in reaper template.
www.rhythminmind.net/images/...shot.jpg

FYI- info about the benefits for 64bit mixing engines.
www.youtube.com/watch