markcpaxton
Incredible. I had to read about this on the Overloud website and could not believe it, and immediately did a search and found this post. I guess it would have been too much to expect an email to registered users. You folks certainly knew how to email me when you were trying to sell something. I am floored and a little angry, as well as sad for the people who are now kicked to the curb and without a job.
 
Like many others, I have owned nearly all of the versions of Cakewalk software for nearly 30 years (even during those early days when others were dismissing it and DOS [and later Windows] as a non-musicians platform). I have to admit that for a brief instant when offered the lifetime updates option, I wondered whether this was a lame attempt to suck in a bunch of cash into a company that was getting ready to bale or knew it was beginning to have issues (I should have researched this further), but my overall love for the products and the people that clearly put their hearts and souls into what they created allowed me to push that cynicism aside and I foolishly sent in money only to find that a "lifetime" really meant they were planning on leaving by the back door as soon as the check cleared. I should have started looking for a replacement then.
 
Would be interested in hearing about alternatives... 
 
Happy holidays and a safe and happy new year. 

I too just learned about this today as I was reading a post at Sweetwater. I am also a long time user of the Cakewalk products, starting with Cakewalk Pro 3 back in the early 90's. I bought the "Lifetime" plan and am not too happy with the lack of customer loyalty rewards with Gibson. I understand business, but taking care of your customers is key to STAYING in business. I would love to see them add full licenses of the Cakewalk plugins and synths to those that put their faith in the product and company as they purchase the lifetime plan. This would at least show some thankfulness to us for supporting the company.
 
My heartfelt thanks to all those that worked effortlessly on this system and Godspeed in your next endeavor.

MMontgomery
Cakewalk/Gibson have given little detail about the future timeline and our ability to continue using the software. 

It is made clear in the OP of this thread that the authorisation servers will remain active for the foreseeable future and that in the event of them being shut down a permanent authorisation code will be made available.  There isn't really much more detail that could be given.

They really don't have a duty to do any of the above, which is why you are right not to trust their assurances.

Hi,
OK, it might be futile, but there is a petition with the idea that potentially could benefit everyone, incl Microsoft. 
Microsoft. Please rescue Cakewalk and Sonar out of Gibson.
 

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/microsoft-please-rescue-cakewalk-and-sonar-out-of

 
It costs nothing to sign this and it could be of a great consequence to us...
 
(sorry, the system doesn't seem to let me post any hyperlinks. I should be grateful if anybody would repost the link, thanks) 
 

violaplayer
OK, it might be futile, but there is a petition with the idea that potentially could benefit everyone, incl Microsoft. 
Microsoft. Please rescue Cakewalk and Sonar out of Gibson.
 

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/microsoft-please-rescue-cakewalk-and-sonar-out-of

Maybe it'd complicate the petition but I wonder why it's solely aimed at Microsoft? In the past, SSL have been strong sponsors of 3rd party DAW's - as has the SAE Institute (School of Audio Engineering).

disdisley
 
i've paid a yearly subscription which ends at the end of the month and i'm not sure how this will pan out
with no information about how to go about this 

How do you not follow the links on the first page of the very same thread you are commenting on ?
Go to the first page of this thread and follow the link in the FAQ:
 
" If you are on a rent-to-own plan and not have made 12 payments we have unlocked authorization so you can continue to use SONAR without interruption."

violaplayer
Hi,
OK, it might be futile, but there is a petition with the idea that potentially could benefit everyone, incl Microsoft. 
Microsoft. Please rescue Cakewalk and Sonar out of Gibson.
 

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/microsoft-please-rescue-cakewalk-and-sonar-out-of

 
It costs nothing to sign this and it could be of a great consequence to us...
 
(sorry, the system doesn't seem to let me post any hyperlinks. I should be grateful if anybody would repost the link, thanks) 
 

I've signed the petition and would like to encourage others reading this thread to do the same. 864 signatures out of 1000 required, so it's getting close. Who knows?

Andrzej Salm
This is some ****ty news... I learned about it just two days ago on Avid forums (sic!) where I was researching for my new audio interface.

 
The way this all was handled seems extraordinarily inept - even for Gibson.
 

Over 20 years with Cakewalk as my only DAW. At mid 40s I feel I'm getting too old to learn a new DAW from scratch. Being a hobbyist not a professional, I plan on using Sonar for as long as possible and when it gets killed for good by a Windows update I will simply sign myself out of the music world altogether.
RIP Cakewalk. F*ck Gibson.

I built myself a new little computer just for SONAR. Like you I'm a hobbyist in the Music arena. The new computer as you can see in my "signature" is a Windows 7 Professional 64-bit micro-workstation. It's a little underpowered, so I'll have to keep the real time work simple. But that would be all I could do anyway!

Windows 7 pretty much only gets Security Updates now - but I still mostly keep the system offline. The only time it goes online is to update VST packages (new purchases). Then it gets a FULL System Anti-virus sweep. Once I'm happy with the updates, I also do a full System Image in case I do need to roll back.

I'm not letting any Windows update stop me from making Music - and you shouldn't either. Keep using SONAR as long as you can. If for some reason you reach a point you can't - there are Open-Source and otherwise inexpensive alternatives. Really, the only reason to need something like ProTools is if you are a Music Professional. I used the "Studio" or "Artist" or "Home" version of Cakewalk products for years. I upgraded to SONAR Platinum when they offered a "Loyalty" discount. I'd still be using X3 Studio, otherwise.
 
Gibson be damned - don't let them take your music away. Let your disgust and dismay at Gibson run it's course, and perhaps vow to never spend money on one of their products again, but don't drop Music. If you have to - go back to 4 Track Tape system (LOL - just kidding... maybe).
 
Persevere and persist - Music was meant to be played, so play it! 

johne53

violaplayer
OK, it might be futile, but there is a petition with the idea that potentially could benefit everyone, incl Microsoft. 
Microsoft. Please rescue Cakewalk and Sonar out of Gibson.
 

https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/microsoft-please-rescue-cakewalk-and-sonar-out-of

Maybe it'd complicate the petition but I wonder why it's solely aimed at Microsoft? In the past, SSL have been strong sponsors of 3rd party DAW's - as has the SAE Institute (School of Audio Engineering).

Thanks for your response. I totally agree that there might be some other companies/institutions that could save our favorite DAW and our comunity. However, I think that the petition's author(s) are correct to aim at one company per petition. A petition addressed to many companies really does not inspire any one company to respond. That's the way I feel.
Also, let's keep in mind that Sonar doesn't just need to be sponsored but firstly taken over from Gibson's accountants who currently seem to want to write it off without offering it for sale. A larger company might be more interested in buying a brand and with a community of users and actually have the pockets to get it done.
 

I have to say that I feel ripped off.  I just bought the Sonar Platinum package last year and I also purchased the "special promotion" of "Free Upgrades for Life".  Now they're ending the platform?
 
So I basically gave money for the "free upgrades for life" for nothing.  

Ripped off!

I have been a user of Cakewalk, from Cakewalk 3.0 to Sonar Platinum for more about 20 years. And I have written many books for cakewalk's softwares. In these days, I determined to use other sequencers to teach my teachers. But I always feel that Sonar is the best sequncer for MIDI arranging, especially for orchestration. I love the multitrack MIDI editing function of sonar. 
I pray any other company can meet the cakewalk team, Although they are chinese or japanese or others.
Thank you, dear Cakewalk family.