If it's not Sonar 9 then it's not really useful for looking down on people.

I want to be looking down on 8.3.1 users knowing I'm a much higher number.
Fractions don't cut it for me.

ORIGINAL: Marah

I've heard rumors that there actually are Sonar beta testers. heehee!

I've heard they were made redundant after Sonar 4.

Meow!!!

I also think that money -- and in particualr the awful economy -- may have something with cakes decision -- if the next relase is a paid update -- 8.5 -- or 8.XXX

I am saying the ecnomy is really bad and I am sure cakewalk is feeling it... like the rest of the world and all buisness -- we should at least consider this may be part of what ever decision cake/roland makes with the next version

how much does it cost to devolpe a new version with new features... VS how much it cost to add one downloadable feature and a few more bug fixes? and weigh that againts profit -- I am not a business guy and i am not claiming I know anything about anything -- just saying -- finacially they have to be feelig the "pinch" like everyone

Paul

if the next relase is a paid update -- 8.5 -- or 8.XXX

If where talking between $10 and $50 for a update that improves sonar and adds features, its money well spent IMHO. 8.5 or what not could be 9.0, but called 8.5. No one will know until they release the release notes and price.
An update could be 2 bug fixes or 50 new features and enhancements. All this speculation is making some mad over nothing. We know nothing as users and the link about it contains no details. Chill for a bit


Mooch you spelled Release wrong...

ORIGINAL: CJaysMusic

We know nothing as users and the link about it contains no details. Chill for a bit

But we can purchase the update offer now - shouldn't we know what we're going to get before we part with our cash?

ORIGINAL: scook


Why?

What happened to "In for a penny, in for a pound"

I just took delivery of my S8PE upgrade yesterday (purchased before July 1st).

I haven't installed any of it yet, therefore I haven't agreed to the EULA either.

If this new offer is better than the £81 I saved (and Scott's book and the S8 HD DVD) I may test the assertion that's often made in here that I can return the goods for a full refund as I don't wish to agree to the EULA.

ORIGINAL: cmusicmaker

ORIGINAL: strikinglyhandsome1

the recession is that bad here that I can't even afford free plug-ins

As always...comments like that just make me laugh out loud!

You still have your razor sharp wit! Brilliant. All this talk of a new version/update/upgrade/????? reminds me to probably add some 8.3 comments to *that* thread review of 8.0 on DV's forum he he...

Ben Fogle and James Cracknell have decided that their next challenge is to start reading that thread and to get to the end of it.

absolutely no chance.

But we can purchase the update offer now - shouldn't we know what we're going to get before we part with our cash?

yea, you should and there is a lack of info as it stands right now
Cj

HUH??? Weird

If I'm not mistaken, in the entire history of Twelve Tone Systems, they have never charged for a dot.point release.

They have only ever charged for " whole number " releases whether it was Cakewalk for DOS, Pro Audio or Sonar.

The more I think about this, the more concerned I am that the Company we all knew and trusted is being fully "corporatized".

I wonder to how much the [very low] sales volumes of the VS700 combined with its development cost is driving this sort of "business decision" - 18 months ago, CW would never have even tried to pull a stunt like this.

Like I said before maybe, just maybe, 8.X will be worth paying for - ie: new features, better engine, lots of bug fixes ....... problem is that I am starting to get a very uneasy feeling about where Rol/CW is heading ..... I REALLY hope I am wrong !

Tim

ORIGINAL: Marah

I've heard rumors that there actually are Sonar beta testers. heehee!

I've heard rumours that these beta testers are nearly as good as Cakewalk's marketing department.

UnderTow

ahhh I love this time of the year, too speculating about the new Cakewalk release - and seriously Cake does this EVERY year so get over it. You think about what you got and what you need and decide if you have to upgrade. Personally I do the every odd version but I did do one of these upgrades {was it 5 > 6 to get 7?} and it was Euro version and I'm in the USA so obviously getting rid of old stock on that deal.

This year there are so many more variables, poor economy pushing longer product cycles, new Roland control over the company, new version of Windoze.

Personally I want to have the last great version of Sonar that still runs on XP. I am already 50/50 with OS X and Logic is a fine recording beast with some bad ass synths and Snow Leopard @ $29 vs. Windows 7 @ $179 that will take one year to have drivers and a service pack crafted for it isn't appealing to me.

The offer timeframe does point to not having the traditional Sept/Oct rollout of a new version but AES is still happening in October and there will certainly be indicators which direction Roland/Cakewalk are moving at that time.

ORIGINAL: keith

xiwix, for a member with a mere 179 posts, you sure do make a lot of sense...

I think the post count does mean that it should all be ignored.
xiwix may return when your post count exceeds 500 and you may be taken seriously.
Personally, I'd have you removed.

ORIGINAL: Marah

Why March? Because post-March the inevitable successor to 'Sonar' will be unveiled, a whole new platform, and they don't want there to be any ambiguity between that new product and the "next paid upgrade" that this current offer refers to.

Interesting idea. I suspect Cakewalk will release a new product, like "Sonar" was to the old "Cakewalk Pro Audio" and the new product will run on BOTH PCs and Macs.

Given the partnership with Roland, and given Cakewalk has already released virtual instruments that run on both Mac and PC, releasing a new PC/Mac DAW would make sense.

It is also clear to me that the next "update" will NOT be Sonar 9. Cakewalk, as in the past, would have clearly stated "free upgrade to Sonar 9" if that were the case.

What would really be fun would be to try to guess the name of the Sonar successor. Any ideas?

ORIGINAL: Martin Hines

ORIGINAL: Marah

Why March? Because post-March the inevitable successor to 'Sonar' will be unveiled, a whole new platform, and they don't want there to be any ambiguity between that new product and the "next paid upgrade" that this current offer refers to.

Interesting idea. I suspect Cakewalk will release a new product, like "Sonar" was to the old "Cakewalk Pro Audio" and the new product will run on BOTH PCs and Macs.

I agree with this. But I also think that it will be an even bigger break than between Sonar and the next product than there was between Cakewalk Pro Audio and Sonar. Sonar was very much a building on/continuation of/extension of/etc the CPA code base. The new product will have a substantially different codebase, if not necessarily a substantially different UI. I think the need for this has been fairly obvious (and was not made any less obvious through recent discussion of how the codebase is a limitation on even small updates to the Sonar Staff View.)

This means that CW has been on parallel development paths for both Sonar and the new product. Much of what we've seen recently (releases, announcements) has pointed to the changeover between those paths, and how that change is being managed.

ORIGINAL: Martin Hines

Given the partnership with Roland, and given Cakewalk has already released virtual instruments that run on both Mac and PC, releasing a new PC/Mac DAW would make sense.

I agree with this too. Sonar's most visible competitors on the Windows platform -- Cubase, Pro Tools, Reaper -- are also on the Mac.

I'm aware that many don't see the Windows version of Pro Tools and Reaper as serious competitors to Sonar, which is seen as a more "pro"-worthy DAW, but I think that's simply incorrect if not myopic.

ORIGINAL: Martin Hines

It is also clear to me that the next "update" will NOT be Sonar 9. Cakewalk, as in the past, would have clearly stated "free upgrade to Sonar 9" if that were the case.

Totally.

ORIGINAL: Martin Hines

What would really be fun would be to try to guess the name of the Sonar successor. Any ideas?

Well, for the last year or so I've been thinking of it as ProjectR, mostly because of Roland. but I doubt that would really be its name. 'Sonar' is a good name for this kind of product, and maybe they'll use to for the new product, but I doubt that too. First, 'Sonar' is a better *name* than it is a *brand* at this point. Also, CW/R will not simply discontinue the Sonar line -- there are too many users and too much other value in the line for it to just be abandoned. It will likely continue for some time (in parallel with 'ProjectR') with updates/upgrades that are more in the "add-on" and tweak category, as has been the case for a while, than any full blown structural or "character" changes. There will also be an aggressive cross-grade promotion to win the Sonar faithful over to the new family member and flagship dauphin.

Some see Roland as an evil entity imposing corporate control, but I see Roland as a corporate sugardaddy who makes this product and business transition possible. I can also imagine CW being more fully subsumed into Roland, and that "by Roland" will at some point become "from," if it's not dropped altogether because it goes without saying.

The current economic environment couldn't have made this transition easier; I suspect upgrades have probably been lower than ideal (if only because of the economy), and I don't think Sonar is as attractive to first time DAW-buyers as it was just a few years ago. (Sonar was the obvious choice for me when I got on board late in the 2XL cycle and got a free upgrade to 3 Producer. I still think there is a lot of value in the current Sonar package, but for me, knowing what I now know about DAWdom, I would choose and recommend differently today. I think things have changed.)

If this all sounds like gloom and doom and anti-CW, it's a misreading. As I've said before, I think Cakewalk and Roland are smart companies and that things are actually pointing in a good direction, even though it's going through a difficult transition.

ORIGINAL: Marah

I'm aware that many don't see the Windows version of Pro Tools and Reaper as serious competitors to Sonar, which is seen as a more "pro"-worthy DAW, but I think that's simply incorrect if not myopic.

I work most days on Pro Tools (on windows more often than on Mac) and play most evenings on Sonar. There is a very good reason that it isn't the other way round: Sonar is no competitor to Pro Tools in the pro market. It isn't even in the pro market.

As for the rest of this thread and the speculation about a totally new, cross-platform DAW from Cakewalk/Roland... hmmm... I am not entirely convinced to put it mildly. My main argument against that idea is the whole V700 range and the fact that it was released with/for Sonar. Then again... it included a Phantom synth in its initial release so Cakewalk/Roland are not thinking in anyway similar to the way I think.

Don't get me wrong, I would be very happy if they did come up with a new professional DAW (assuming it would satisfy what I expect from such a product). I just don't see it happening and would question the idea of making it cross platform. (If it was indeed cross platform and if it even exists!)

Oh and like Marah, I'm not anti-CW nor do I think they are entirely clueless. I am just at a point where I seem to expect something different from a DAW than most CW customers do.

UnderTow