MPH
My question to Cakewalk (which they probably won't / can't answer)... What are the general future plans for Sonar? How long are they planning to update / support Sonar? That is the only way to define how good of a deal this is for their long-time users... Without quantifying this, I'm having a lot of trouble getting excited about this offer. If in two years they put Sonar to bed and roll out their new flagship DAW, this won't seem anything more than a Kickstarter for a Mac Sonar version.

I don't have an issue paying for additional content but what is the expected lifespan of Sonar?

There is perhaps reason to suspect they will discontinue it in 2037 
 
Joking. They have said very clearly that there are no plans to discontinue and replace Sonar. It is their flagship product and the center of everything they do, and they are very much focused on continuing to develop, improve, and sell it, not cashing out on it in a gigantic bait-and-switch. I don't think there is any way you can get much more reassurance from them than that, given that a contractual agreement not to totally and flagrantly screw over their longtime loyal user base is a) hopefully not necessary given the general goodwill they've created with us over the years, and b) unlikely to hold legal water if it really came down to it.
 
Whether you choose to take them at their word, or instead believe they are rubbing their hands together and hatching secret evil plans, is pretty much up to you. But if they were, they likely wouldn't tell us about them here on the forum, would they?...

subtlearts
There is perhaps reason to suspect they will discontinue it in 2037 
 
Joking. They have said very clearly that there are no plans to discontinue and replace Sonar. It is their flagship product and the center of everything they do, and they are very much focused on continuing to develop, improve, and sell it, not cashing out on it in a gigantic bait-and-switch. I don't think there is any way you can get much more reassurance from them than that, given that a contractual agreement not to totally and flagrantly screw over their longtime loyal user base is a) hopefully not necessary given the general goodwill they've created with us over the years, and b) unlikely to hold legal water if it really came down to it.
 
Whether you choose to take them at their word, or instead believe they are rubbing their hands together and hatching secret evil plans, is pretty much up to you. But if they were, they likely wouldn't tell us about them here on the forum, would they?...

Which is why I'll most likely stay on the sidelines, with some popcorn and see where this road leads...

whitejs

bsantini99
I for one am not buying into this money grab to support MAC development. Part of your money will go toward this and not toward updating Sonar PC. I am not giving these guys $199 of my money without seeing what I am getting. How about a written guarantee they will continue monthly updates for at least the next two years and commit to adding x number of new vsts, other plug ins, and improvements. If they are truly 'listening', how about a list of features people are requesting you will commit to. They could at any time discontinue the current platinum product or reduce the frequency or quality of the updates. Once you give them your money, you give up control and choice. 
 
....

It's funny, because when I rolled into the page and watched the video, I have to say I was a bit shocked at the lack of real rationale being put forth.  It seemed like double talk, really, and almost at a child's level.
This indeed is a push to get a cash infusion.  I would have bought in if that had been stated with a sober, clear demeanor and candor, but it wasn't.  What seems to have been attempted is this "Hold on to your seats, folks, because we are about to give you a WORLD-CHANGING PRIVILEGE!  Get ready, it's coming!  You will be astounded!"
 
Well, if you think about the fact that you are already on a subscription or paying a yearly hundred some to be on a so-called "update" vehicle (while many vendors offer fixes and decimal-version updates free because they are responsible for functional programming, no less) -- a vehicle that did not even include upgrades in the first place -- you might soon realize, after letting the hype dissipate, that you just got asked for $200.  Sure they are trading your money for an unlimited upgrade future, so it's not devoid of balance, BUT, I would ask this: since upgrades to new evolutionary products (like the jump from X2 to X3 and such) are far and few between, why didn't any of you ever ask why you are paying $100 or more a year for fixes and polishes?
 
I'm not sure I like the way these young folks are carrying on, frankly.  I understand the fine lines here, and love the software, but if I were everyone here I'd look at that video again and ask "What was that about?  Did I get played?"
 
Why not just issue stock, so to speak, stating that you need some money?

 
SPLAT is a subset of their users.  If they wanted a money grab, they would have rolled out such an opportunity to say the Artist users.  
 
While I don't like spending money.  I'm guessing this is going to be a pretty good deal.  
 
The only people paying $199 for lifetime were not current members (or perhaps paying monthly, and you opt out at any time).  If you were a current member at the time of the offer, it seems most are paying $99.  
 
X2 to X3 type of updates happened basically every year like clockwork.  It is not much different than paying for that in advance, with a little extra $, and you are getting a lifetime of them.  Think about if this was offered 15 years ago, are you suggesting it wouldn't have been worth it?  

Brian Walton
If you are on X3, go to audiodeluxe.com and add the upgrade to Plat from any producer to your cart.  The deal is better than $199.  
 

Thanks for the tip - that's a very decent price reduction!

stevec

whitejs
...BUT, I would ask this: since upgrades to new evolutionary products (like the jump from X2 to X3 and such) are far and few between, why didn't any of you ever ask why you are paying $100 or more a year for fixes and polishes?
 

I'm curious...  which version of SONAR are you currently using? 
 

I hear crickets....

Blades
Just for grins, I looked at the audiodeluxe site, where it looks like there are some decent deals, but in this case, $339 is what I was offered.  Nonetheless, I bought it on Saturday for the $199 deal directly from Cakewalk.

Guess it's too late anyway, but just for correctness/completeness: you are not being offered anything on AudioDeluxe. They don't know what you are currently on, so you have to pick the right product yourself. If you paid $199 via Cakewalk, it means you are on Producer or Platinum, and then you had to pick 'Upgrade from any Producer or Platinum' ($199) at AudioDeluxe (or any reseller for that matter) which would end up being $169 upon checkout.

The Platinum  you buy in 3 years time and the product currently being offered via lifetime updates (after being updated in 3 years time) will be exactly the same. Everyone is hung up on the term "Core Functionality" - but it really just means that the contents (What is included) are up to Cakewalk to decide, and users should not expect to get all other products that Cakewalk produces in the intervening period, for free. (Some customers'll whinge and whine about it anyway, but, yeah....)

Thanks for clarifying, Brando and subtlearts.

Is it a money grab ?? I don't think so. I bought the Lifetime update deal and got tons of updates already...I'm very happy I decided to go for it.

So, just to be clear, if I buy the Lifetime Update, I will get all future versions of Sonar? It seems almost too good to be true, what is the catch?

3 Questions about Platinum Lifetime updates.
 
1: Does this mean that their will no longer be cakewalk versions of 3rd party software like TH3 and Lounge Lizard or does this mean the Lesser versions of Sonar will get them free with the subscription, but Platinum flagship versions will have to buy them separately or only as full versions?
 
2: Does this mean that we still pay $99 annually for the complete package.
 
3: What makes the Platinum version Platinum if its only based on cakewalk features. Without the feature inclusion of 3rd party plug-ins, only 11 features separate Platinum from Professional (based on your site's list of features). More to the point, Professional will actually be offering more instruments and effects than Platinum to new users, if Platinum excludes 3rd party instruments and effects. Is Platinum simply becoming a barebones one-time purchase version of Professional?
 
I feel I need to make this clear for those that don't fully understand my point:
If AD3 comes out next year and Cakewalk includes it in Sonar, Those who have a subscription to Sonar Professional will get it but those with Platinum Lifetime will not (by the description on their site - http://www.cakewalk.com/June-2016#SONAR4Life). This would make Professional the more feature inclusive of the versions within one year. I'm not  trying to complain, just trying to cut passed the BS. If Platinum is to become a modularized professional DAW with less 3rd party features but more capability/expandability; and Professional is meant to be a more turnkey product for getting pros and semi pros started quickly, then it make since and I can work with that. But don't blow smoke up my @ss. Cakewalk is a business, not a non-profit. They are in the business of making money, not losing it. And they do NOT have a business model based on volume sales.
Furthermore, If you have information so clearly explaining this, then please post links. Those of us that are commenting are doing so because the information we have found thus far is limited. So, be a pal and share your sources of info so we can know what you know to be so obvious, allowing us to stop asking the same questions twice. The term "take my word" does not apply in this day and age, so sources would be very welcomed.

I don't believe it!!!!! There has to be a catch!

lludwick
I would believe the only catch is that Cakewalk needs an infusion of cash to launch the Mac version. Even though the development of the Mac version has proven to be possible, it must be completed. This means hiring people who know Apple product integration, additional testers, and builders of the support systems (web pages, download format, etc ... ).
 
This 4life offer is tempting to current Sonar clients who realize the money they will save and those that might like to buy Sonar for the first time under 4life support conditions, and yes, this would include Mac people because Sonar will be available in both versions to a single person since you are allowed to have it on any computer (provided you only use a single instance at a time).
 
Once the infusion of cash is achieved, the project will have enough legs to stand on. The updates will be the same for both 4life and those who have chosen to stay with the subscription format.
 
This all sounds reasonable as a way for Sonar to expand their future. In a sense, 4life buyers may be very much like investors in the future of Sonar and may be receiving a benefit for that investment. Of course, we can never know what the real thinking is for Cakewalk in terms of this business decision, but it seems reasonable to me.

That seems reasonable to me, too... Well said.

I'm hoping for continued success for Cakewalk and a long and healthy future for Sonar!

raymondm4

lludwick
I would believe the only catch is that Cakewalk needs an infusion of cash to launch the Mac version. Even though the development of the Mac version has proven to be possible, it must be completed. This means hiring people who know Apple product integration, additional testers, and builders of the support systems (web pages, download format, etc ... ).
 
This 4life offer is tempting to current Sonar clients who realize the money they will save and those that might like to buy Sonar for the first time under 4life support conditions, and yes, this would include Mac people because Sonar will be available in both versions to a single person since you are allowed to have it on any computer (provided you only use a single instance at a time).
 
Once the infusion of cash is achieved, the project will have enough legs to stand on. The updates will be the same for both 4life and those who have chosen to stay with the subscription format.
 
This all sounds reasonable as a way for Sonar to expand their future. In a sense, 4life buyers may be very much like investors in the future of Sonar and may be receiving a benefit for that investment. Of course, we can never know what the real thinking is for Cakewalk in terms of this business decision, but it seems reasonable to me.

I second MPH,
If they had pitched it like that, I would have been one of the first to buy into it. Loyal users becoming the gofundme for new projects at Cakewalk and being given unique software benefits in lieu of cash returns. I'm all in with that. Maybe they should hire  for marketing and PR.

Agreed! B)