Dear Mr. Anderton!

Thanks!

I think you could make the same points with a cooler head. It would be easier to read and address.
 
Markers
There have been a number of posts about how to get back the set-from and to key bindings that were in old versions of Sonar/Cakewalk. Basically, they boil down to using the key bindings thing.
 
Colors
I'm sick of hearing about colors. You can do a lot with colors in Sonar. I just don't care too much. Frankly, making it all work in gray tones probably helps the color-blind contingent (if there is one).
 
Screensets
I like em.
 
File-Naming
Personally, this isn't an issue for me, but I could see how it could bug you. For me, once the files are loaded into Sonar, I rarely return to the file system without using Export and then I can name it as I like. I have gone in before and noticed the takes over 800 or something haha.
 
Synth Rack
Really? I just hit B and do what I need to do. I hadn't noticed any real difference to my workflow b/c the Synths were moved.
 
Don't forget the Feature Request site.
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/contact/Feature-Request
 
I know you're complaining about changes in the software and that you want it back the way it was. IMHO, it's easier to just submit a feature request if you want it reverted. If you have a fair argument, I'm sure it'll be considered.
 
And I totally think Sonar has been getting steadily better. I'm not sure it's going to win the race against Linux, but for now, it's still the most awesome DAW I've got and I wouldn't consider using 8.5 when I have X3.
 
 
 

paulo
I feel sorry for Mr Anderton as he will feel obliged to read all of that.

The "funny" thing is Craig had absolutely nothing to do with the X series transition. He hasn't even been with GIBSON (not Cakewalk) for a year yet. And AFAIK he's not writing the code either.
 
Misdirected rage is misdirected.

Beepster

paulo
I feel sorry for Mr Anderton as he will feel obliged to read all of that.

The "funny" thing is Craig had absolutely nothing to do with the X series transition. He hasn't even been with GIBSON (not Cakewalk) for a year yet. And AFAIK he's not writing the code either.
 
Misdirected rage is misdirected.

Yup ! I meant because it's directed at him and he's a good guy who usually takes the time to read/reply to things that are.
 
Luckily for me, I have no such obligation....... ;)

I would like to comment on this statement but I am just one of those wannabe's and I don't count!

1. Per-project audio. Your comments are confusing about having to switch folders when starting a new song. And, what hoops are you talking about? You can see the associated clips for all tracks.
 
You get a nice formatted display window when you click on Project>Audio Files, containing track and clip information, for example for a quick project I set up, called Test-Proj-010, which has 3 audio tracks:
 
Project File Name: D:\Cakewalk Projects\Test-Proj-010\Test-Proj-010.cwp
Project Audio Folder: D:\Cakewalk Projects\Test-Proj-010\Audio
Global Audio Folder: D:\Cakewalk Projects\Audio Data
Total Project Size: 241.6 MB Min/Max Bit Depth: 24/24
 
(then you get info, formatted as: File Name \ Path \ Bit Depth \ File Size \ Status. Within File Name, you get: Project Name \ Track Name \ Clip Name - please note I am only showing the File Name info here)
 
Test-Proj-010, Vocal, Rec (06).wav
Test-Proj-010, Backing Vocal, Rec (10).wav
Test-Proj-010, Harmonica, Rec (08).wav
Test-Proj-010, Harmonica, Rec (14).wav
 
SO, I am not at all sure why the above is a struggle.  In addition, I do not recall any wide-spread (or even occasional) complaining about folks using per-project audio.  Actually, when it IS mentioned, people are RECOMMENDING that others use it, as it makes keeping track of tracks easier.
 
2. Screensets - some folks use them, and some folks do not.  It is a personal choice.
 
3. Browser - it's a simple 'B' to toggle its display off/on.  I never have to float it for any reason whatsoever, though I could.  And, simply double-click on any inserted synth in the Browser to open its UI.
 
4. What YOU consider useless freebies/options may be highly valued by others.
 
There is NO doubt that Sonar 8.5.3 was and IS a great release.  In MY opinion, it was one of the best ever releases of Sonar.  That being said, it also required a gigantic knowledge of key combinations to accomplish a lot of tasks, and it was difficult for newcomers to become proficient at being productive.
 
What began with X1, with a complete redesign of the UI, was an incredible undertaking to improve the usability for a wider user base, along with added functionality.  X3e is in many reviews, and in my opinion, even better than 8.5.3 - it is quite stable, and much easier for a much wider user base to use.
 
Yes, things are moved around, changed, deprecated, added, and all of that takes an investment of time to get a handle on, but in the end, X3e is a great release.
 
I wish you the best with it all, and will do my best at assisting you with any issues you run across.
 
I DO think you should consider that Sonar will never ever go back to the 'black arts' methodology of 8.5.3, but as noted in other posts above mine, DO fill out feature requests for things you would like to see.  Some may make it into future releases.
 
Bob Bone

Because, because, be cause.
Please re write as no one has the time to read your long explanation.
Something more succinct would be great.
 

That font hurt my eyes.

Noel is truly a genius.  Not only has he (and his team) kept the core product current with significant changes in the Windows computing environment, provided a parade of new features and functionality, and a migration path that has ensured cash flow (needed for the continued viability of the company), but he has somehow found a way to have an innocent bystander become the target of those who do not approve of his vision.  With this brilliance, Noel is not just a great IT leader but an IT God. 
 

gcolbert
Noel is truly a genius.  Not only has he (and his team) kept the core product current with significant changes in the Windows computing environment, provided a parade of new features and functionality, and a migration path that has ensured cash flow (needed for the continued viability of the company), but he has somehow found a way to have an innocent bystander become the target of those who do not approve of his vision.  With this brilliance, Noel is not just a great IT leader but an IT God. 
 

I don't think that is worthy of you. Noel has done nothing wrong or made Graig the scapegoat. It is the OP that incorrectly assumes things that are patently untrue.  He directed his rant at Graig simply because he is ignorant of the facts. His attack on X3 is full of misunderstandings and misrepresentations. It is no wonder he got it wrong as to who his rant should be directed toward. Even if he had been accurate in addressing his rant it still would be full of ineptitude and a great lack of understanding.
 
I don't know if you meant your post to be humorous or not. I just think it in poor taste and placing blame where there is none to be placed.
 
   

John...I have no dog in this hunt. Hell, I haven't even bothered to read the whole thread...or the OPs original post...what a dimbulbed choice of fonts!!!

BUT...

Would you please quit referring to CRAIG as GRAIG??

You do this all the friggin time. He must be too polite to mention it but...of course...I'm not.

I love ya ol pal but do him a favor and call him by his given name. I'm sure he'll appreciate it:-)

My turn! A few comments.
 
First of all, I'm not that important in the Cakewalk scheme of things. I helped put the acquisition together, and they welcome my input, but they welcomed my input before they were part of Gibson. I've been at Gibson for over a year, and my gig involves working with all the divisions - the four guitar divisions, Gibson Pro Audio, TASCAM, Cakewalk, and an...upcoming surprise. I don't have anything to do with the consumer electronics side of things, which is probably a smart move 
 
Second, Noel IS a genius, but he's not the only one at Cakewalk who is.
 
Third, I'll never diss someone who has this much passion for the product. I do think, though, that many of the OP's negative comments are based on not knowing the X-series that well. It IS different. I hated Take Lanes for about two days, until I'd worked with them enough to realize there was some serious genius going on under the hood.
 
Fourth, on balance I find the X-series far superior to what came before. However, I did have quite a learning curve before I came to that conclusion. I admire Cakewalk's courage to essentially come out with a totally different DAW with the belief that it would lead to greater things in the future. I think X3 shows that their thinking ahead has paid off.
 
The bottom line is I can gauge a DAW only by how productive I am. In over 50 years of playing music professionally, I have never been as productive as I have since the X-series came out. Although I currently have no interest in releasing my music commercially (hey, I still haven't been paid royalties for music I did in the 60s, 70s, and 80s - sort of a trifecta of accounts receivables), I continue to play live and record, with the results appearing in my YouTube channel. Not only has the quantity increased since the X-series, so has the quality. And for gigs were I do make money from what I do in the studio, I'm more productive in less time. 
 
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, otherwise there would be only one DAW in the world. I'm a very satisfied customer, and so are many other Cakewalk users who stuck with the company during the difficult times that preceded the X3 launch. Those difficult times are behind us, and the overwhelmingly positive acceptance of X3 - including from people who switched from other programs and voted with their dollars - has a lot to do with that.
 
Meanwhile, writing lengthy letters addressed to me will have no practical value in making any of the changes you'd like to see. I know Cakewalk pays attention to feature requests because I've seen many of them incorporated. If enough people want something, and it's doable, Cakewalk will put it in the queue of priorities. 
 
Cakewalk is a small company with a very dedicated group of people. They have to balance several different levels of reality, and I commend them for doing as good a job as I think is humanly possible - and then some.

Darn it! The OP has been edited and I don't know what was said.

For new arrivals, this thread is now best read backwards.

Craig... you ARE trying to save the world... that Video "When the grid goes down" is spot on!  I've forewarded it to oooodles of climate/sci/caring humans....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDYkMiE_cTQ
 
Now, Fuk is a real pile of du du.... don't even think you stand a chance of communicating the full extent of that one!