Sort of a catch22 for me. I find myself being able to test almost every feature now as it is released. Because of the fact that there is only one or two at a time for me to digest, I probably spend more time testing features than I used to, and less time creating music. Or perhaps more time in general at the computer.
However, now that I'm better acquainted with the features, I find I can do things quicker, and with more confidence that I'm using said features to the best of my ability.
I too feel that I'm rolling the dice with every upgrade, and cross fingers, toes and anything else every time I update. I do, however, update my laptop first and check to see if there are any major downsides before I update the main computer, and I feel this helps make the process easier.
Overall, I feel ok about the way updates are gradually implemented, and so far have confidence in the update process.
The one and only time I had a glitch with an update, with the help of forum members here, and Cakewalk support, I was able to find a solution to the issue and be on my way.
This leads me to the fact that one of the better things about cakewalk is their level of support and the friendliness/helpfulness of the Cakewalk users.

As I said, I'm simply going to update less frequently because it is more comfortable that way for my workflow. With the old system, I could leave X2 in place while running/testing X3. If they found a way to do that it'd solve all my "issues". Which really aren't issues at all, I just replied to the question "are you overwhelmed by the frequent updates". Maybe "overwhelmed" is a bit strong but I've been remodeling my home and for a while it seemed like every time I got to sit at my DAW there was a new update, even though I hadn't even really been able to check out the older one.

I am overwhelmed by how good the damned subscription is!

Best value in the business, warts and all, because nothing is perfect and there is room for improvement. Keep them coming!

Not to belabor the issue or be argumentative but from what I've seen most of the new stuff has been separate downloads (aside from the initial release with the Control Bar, FX Racks, PRV stuff). Drum Replacer was separate as have been other items. The new aux track stuff really couldn't be separate because they are baked in.
 
If you look through the releases really most of the core downloads really were bug fixes and enhancements. The flash and dash were kind of side dish/separate downloads.
 
Really though I think if we were getting the types of bugs that X1, X2 and even X3 introduced over the year then it would be a problem but really if we take the most up to date/patched version of X3(e) as a metric for bugginess/stability it was actually more fudged up and problematic than pretty much all the Sonar 2015 releases.
 
And you were STUCK with those bugs once Cake decided to stop working on a version (which was what led to me howling like a baboon once they bailed on X2).
 
Basically if even a couple of the Sonar 2015 releases ended up less useable than X3e was then I could see it being an issue but that has not been the case so far. I was concerned about that as well and the new delivery method required a LOT of trust on our end (a commodity I in short supply of) but so far the Bakers have held up tot heir end of the bargain.
 
Some users, with specific setups, have gotten temporarily burned on a release or two but they were outliers and had the rollback option and/or usually got a fix rather promptly.
 
It comes down to are we experiencing MORE or LESS showstopping bugs than we were before? I'd say, from personaly experience, FAR less and at least now when those things do come up there is a good chance it'll get sorted out whereas before you were simply stuck for a year until the next release which may or may not correct the issue.
 
I don't think that's a naive or overly forgiving assessment of the situation. If it sucked I would say so.
 
Anyway... if anyone is having problems just report them so the Bakers at least have an opportunity to correct the issue. Not just for you but for everyone else having the same problems.
 
Cheers.

Beepster
It comes down to are we experiencing MORE or LESS showstopping bugs than we were before? I'd say, from personaly experience, FAR less and at least now when those things do come up there is a good chance it'll get sorted out whereas before you were simply stuck for a year until the next release which may or may not correct the issue.

Pretty much every time there is major functionality introduced we see major bugs. The good news is they get fixed by the next month or earlier (well mostly). So it's better than X3E.

The olde bugs however are really still taking too long to get resolved and I sometimes wonder if they will ever be resolved. When Platinum was first released it looked like they were on the right track and 'on it', I'm not so sure now. New functionality is clearly taking up a lot of their time.

Is it better .. Yes.. Is the situation right now perfect... Hell no. We are still having to cope with a moving target.

I still feel Sonar is going through a transition phase with it's development cycles so right now I'm cutting them slack. By second quarter 2016 though I hope to see some BIG improvements with existing functionality. If we get another load of bolted on features and no big changes with EXISTING core program and stability/workflow for the better by then I guess I will review my renewal situation.

I am overwhelmed.
In the old days I'd wait until most folks said a patch was stable, then download and work in peace for a year. And my previous version would still be there if needs be.
 
No longer.
 
Now all I read is new features with new bugs and I never know when to commit.
 
Downloads here take 2-4 hours depending whats new and assuming no breaks.
If I could at least install Jamaica Plain and keep Hopkinton (which seems stable on my machine right now) but this is not possible as far as I can tell.

I'm still on X3 , that is in part due to needing a more robust Windows computer ….
Some of the updates the bakers have rolled out I'm very interested in for sure ….
I will cross that bridge when I go from an i 3 to an i7 …
There ain't no shame in my game using X3 for now and I have no intention of boot camping either of my other non windows computers …
 
Kenny
 

jpetersen
I am overwhelmed.
In the old days I'd wait until most folks said a patch was stable, then download and work in peace for a year. And my previous version would still be there if needs be.
 
No longer.
 
Now all I read is new features with new bugs and I never know when to commit.
 
Downloads here take 2-4 hours depending whats new and assuming no breaks.
If I could at least install Jamaica Plain and keep Hopkinton (which seems stable on my machine right now) but this is not possible as far as I can tell.

We're not forced to update every month. If you want, you can wait a year before  you update
You can always roll back to another version if a new one causes trouble for you. Just rightclick on Sonar in Command center and choose the version you want to roll back to.

Imho, the monthly releases are better than the annual releases.

I'm wondering what sonar power will do to keep up. :-)

Monthly updates do not bring too many features to be overwhelmed with. On the contrary, I can easily imagine being a different DAW user and coveting for the same amount of very useful updates as Sonar user have. Not to mention included instruments and plugins, excellent tech support, great tip and tricks from expert users like Mr. Anderton, and the list goes on, you name it...
All that helps Sonar stand out among other DAWs. So I would never, even in a worst nightmare, say "No, stop it, it's enough!"