I'm a recent Sonar migrant myself, and am using Reaper successfully for creating orchestral music, using midi exclusively. I'm able to do everything I did in sonar, but then my midi editing is pretty basic. My general experience with Reaper tends to confirm that you can use it for anything. It'a all about establishing an acceptable work flow. I tried the entry-level cubase product, but didn't like the workflow. And although Sonar had a faster workflow for me, I don't like the direction sonar is going, and never could get past the 8.5 version, which is very different from the current one. Like windows 7 to Windows 10. Speaking of which, Reaper devs are working on a Linux build. what's not to like about this wonderful DAW?

I do primarily electronic music but often include symphonic strings sections, Reaper has always delivered, the key is to spend the time customizing Reaper to your needs. For example, I've got a fully custom MIDI Editor toolbar with every function I regularly use, and key-commands set up to use with them. Reaper's workflow is what you make it, within pretty broad limitations relative to other DAWs. If you're a hard-core MIDI pro with 30 years under your belt, coming from Bars and Pipes Pro or Cubase, you may find Reaper's MIDI relatively clunky and unsophisticated -- at first, until you figure out how to make it yours. Edit: should add, I use multitimbral Kontakt libraries often, and have never had serious trouble using Kontakt in Reaper, though, depending what you want to do, the setup can get a little arcane at times.

+1 to above comments - I do a lot of orchestral work and find REAPER a great environment for it.

I am also a new migrant from Studio One. Purchased Reaper not so long ago after thoroughly examining it (for around 15 days) to see whether it is suited for orchestral work or not. I can say that yes it is rather good for orchestral work and midi programming once you get used to of it's workflow. Reaper is like the information scattered here and there and you have to grab what is suitable for you. It's like training a beast. By the way what particular midi programming(s) are you on about? Now the midi editing, I think it is the articulation map where Cubase really stands out. But you can download BRSO articulate for this purpose. Works flawlessly. I don't know if there is any other thing which cannot be done in Reaper. People also talk about the sound engine of Cubase, even Hans Zimmer also said something similar that he could instantly recognise if the track was done in Cubase but I can't comment -- I am just a hobbyist. I have tried the limited Cubase version though, I think it was LE8, although I liked it but it had some limitations in routing that was a deal breaker for me. One more thing I like in Reaper is how it is written, i.e., fully customisable as well as it leaves very small imprint and not a cpu hog. You save a lot of memory in Reaper, run huge libraries and there is very less 'leakage' in performance meter which is why I dumped Studio One. I have some reservations about Reaper's workflow etc too but for now I am ok because I have made it to somewhat behave like S1 to match it's fast workflow. At least I have a starting point now.

Yes, this is the one. His claim was stuck in my mind but couldn't remember where I read it. Thanks for the link.

Also, look at adjusting mouse modifiers and keyboard shortcuts. A lot of complaints about note and CC editing can be resolved by tweaking these options.

Don't bother with reaper for orchestral work. Its pain in the arse and it will burn you out. Only positive is that it seams reaper might be able to handle few tracks more then competition.

Reaper has MIDI inserts on the input or output side of any track, it can also load VST MIDI plugins without any weird workarounds. With a script you can go back and forth from the relevant VSTi output related to a MIDI track or show the instrument... ... (the ones that start with "Show"), which ties the MIDI track to the instrument and output channels.

Honestly, if I was big into orchestral mockups and needed notation for it, I'd shell out for Cubase.