Where can I get Sonar 8.5?

Unfortunately, when Cakewalk went to X1, all older versions were no longer available.  You can't get 8.5 - and it's a pity, it was the supreme version of Sonar.  I have X1, and it amuses me to poke at it once in awhile, but I still use 8.5 for actual work because I'm much faster with it.  I Did take the time to learn X1, suffered through all the video tutes- but the program remains not much more than a curiosity piece to me.  I'm sorry you can't upgrade your version 8, but I personally feel you're still better off with it than suffering the tedium of X1 with its constant insistence that you become a computer keyboard slave, a menu clicker, a hair-puller-outer over the arcane and ultimately pointless convolutedness of its programming. 

Randy B.

If you call Cakewalk and beg them, they might send you a link to download it for a more reasonable price... beg for it. It IS available to them. 

And I absolutely agree that 8.5 is way better than X1, no comparison. Runs very smooth on my win 7 64 bit upgraded puter! I really hope Cake decides to continue supporting it someday... it's a truly fantastic app!

Seems I'm not the only one who isn't in love with X1...

I had a similar problem,contacted my local Roland distributor and they posted me the upgrade on disc.
most professional DAW builders seem to have an "OEM"  copy they could help you with if you are willing to beg .
if not and you are a registered user of Sonar 8 what`s the harm in me mailing a copy of my update disc to you?

Glyn Barnes

webbs hill studio


 
if not and you are a registered user of Sonar 8 what`s the harm in me mailing a copy of my update disc to you?

8 to 8.5 was a paid upgrade so it might not be that straightforward. IRC the last unpaid upgrade to version 8 was 8.3

sorry-my mistake-8.3.1 was my last paid upgrade-oops-

Yea, a simple internet search will yield you legal copies of sonar 8.5
I also doubt that they will continue development of 8.5. Im pretty sure they moved on to X1 and will only develop on that one. I cant see them going backwards.
Cj

I cant see them going backwards.

I think the term is 'blind faith'

IMO one major new feature (Smart Tools), a bunch of fluff (dock thing being the main example), a fiddly implementation around envelopes (which they'll get bored with and never complete cf - ACT, Audiosnap, Gapless Engine etc) and a gui that demands you use some pointless picture of a mixer which was previously optional (and may well require new monitor(s) graphics cards etc).

Surely we can all see it coming? The main features of the next version are going to be all the ones they broke in the move to X1 'wow, X2, the DAW reimagined! You can make anything whatever colour you want and put your icons and widgets where ever you want them so they're just a click away. No more memorising additional key combos (how '00s')'

I'd love an X* 'legacy edition' with the 8.5 gui and tools but with whatever fixes to the audio subsystem that are applicable, it irks me that they didn't roll out an end of life patch for 8.5 with all the outstanding bugs fixed, especially as I reported them against that app. Instead they rolled them up in to the new version and expect me to pay for and learn an essentially new daw (albeit with a number of the same long term bugs and issues underneath!) just to get the bits I paid for in the first place.

In a way I shouldn't complain, Cake are saving me money in the long run, Sonar really got cooking about V3 or 4 so that's an annual bill I don't have to make for a couple of years and in the meantime 8.5 is working well for me. I'll be putting my upgrade money in to hardware instead!

Child

evansmalley


yeah you can buy 8.5 online pretty easy, but it's lots cheaper to get it as a download/upgrade from Cakewalk if you're already an owner! Like only $80 instead of $300... 

Well, that's the thing. Is it even available anymore as an upgrade option?

Mick Moreau

Chappel


I suggest doing a Google search for "Sonar 8.5". Stores still have them in stock and are trying to get rid of them. Below are 3 links I found in just a few seconds.

Sonar 8.5 Producer Edition

Sonar 8.5 Studio Edition

Sonar 8.5 Studio Edition

all of these links, one you read the fine print on the box are only for Sonar 8 producer, not 8.5

Yes, that is true. But the upgrade to 8.5 was a free download for 8 if 8 was registered on, or after, July 1st 2009.

Mick Moreau


I agree, but you can no longer do that with legit copies of 8 producer.  One is stuck at 8 because the upgrade is discontinued.

Well then, anyone trying to buy 8.5 better get on the ball and and find a copy because they're going fast. Maybe some stores will still have it on the shelves so contacting local music retailers might be a good option.

Mick Moreau


Thats what Im trying to say here, you CAN'T get the 8.5 anymore, it was only available if you bought standard Producer 8, registered it and got the 8.5 upgrade.  I just bought the Producer 8 package and the upgrade isnt avaiable anymore even to registered users such as myself.

Some boxes DID include the 8.5 software. Mine did.

Cakewalk CAN sell you the 8.5 download as an upgrade, for an upgrade price. It's lots cheaper... just requires some serious begging pleading and other attempts at emotional manipulation- but it's not in the business plan. Still, Cakewalk is the best company ever, in my opinion, no question.

Yo guys seriously... why would you get X1... when you can make equally as good projects with sonar 7 or 8?

Mick Moreau

evansmalley


Cakewalk CAN sell you the 8.5 download as an upgrade, for an upgrade price. It's lots cheaper... just requires some serious begging pleading and other attempts at emotional manipulation- but it's not in the business plan. Still, Cakewalk is the best company ever, in my opinion, no question.

 
 
Evan, where did you hear this because I sent them an email right after I got my sonar 8 prod registered and inquired about getting the upgrade and never got a response.

I had a similar problem,contacted my local Roland distributor and they posted me the upgrade(8.3.1-8.5.3)on disc.(free)

most professional DAW builders seem to have an "OEM"  copy they could help you with if you are willing to beg .

lets face it it`s a discontinued product-Cakewalk/Roland/Intelliware looked after me but as i said-are you willing to beg?

Awesome! Thank you, Evan :)  I'm gonna give that a try cause I really like the Producer 8.