Sonar X1LE Don't buy download version go to X1 Essential

If you are thinking of buying Sonar X1 LE as a download (it is usually an OEM with a piece of hardware), then think carefully. 
 
Why? Because lots of bugs have been fixed in X1 and therefore there is an X1b version and other fixes (soon to come X1c)
but these updates are only available for Producer, Studio and Essential and not for LE at this time 7th July 2011. 
I did not know this at the time I purchased X1LE as a download. 
$59 US  

You might be better off starting out with Essential if you are on a budget.  (although if you buy only as a download rather than box set you do need to buy LE first as it is the only way to get the Essential download as it is only in upgrade form, and Cakewalk should change this.)



More on this. 13 July 2011

I have upgraded to Essential, but doing this via LE Download and then Essential Download from Cakewalk site (which is the only way you can do it, is more expensive than buying the boxed Essential version outright.
Dealers here sell for between $109 - $119 for the boxed product.

Okay so it is not a lot of money (around $13-14 AUD total, which is a little more USD at the moment) But that is not the point.  A download should be cheaper than a boxed set with disks etc.

Second Cakewalk could make Essential available as a direct download, and reserve the "broken" LE for OEM only.

I am a bit annoyed over this as LE is not supported for update patches and the site does not tell you at the important purchase point, (when you go to buy LE) the info is buried elsewhere. A new user will not look there until it is too late. And then to have to end up paying more.

see

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/X1-Essential/updates.aspx

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/X1-Studio/updates.aspx

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/X1-Producer/updates.aspx 

Another update 15th July 2011

With the download of LE you do get MP3 Activation ( as Cakewlak reminded, another $19 worth which is then usable with Essential of course so all in all it works out to be about right , in the pricing department). 
  

My Final Conclusion on the matter is

As I stated before make Essential available as a direct download, and reserve the "broken" LE for OEM only. 
Otherwise it is a lot of messing around downloading and installing an app "kind of twice". 

If I had known and if it was available I would have just gone straight to Essential as a download as I am sure others would too, knowing there are no updates for the Bugs in LE.

I am sure Cakewalk are offering this option of LE download with the view that,  people will upgrade.
So make it simpler Cakewalk.  I was very glad to see your App was available as a download, just iron out the process a little.
Offer Essential as the starting option for online purchasing, it is that simple. (or make it very clear re LE no updates on the purchase page)


Thanks

PS A great application and I do love it a lot and I am going to have a lot of fun.
 

to the OP ... thing is you post using an iffy name + DON'T specify what hardware you use.. that also sounds iffy and you hide your profile..

so are you trolling it up or something ?

if your trying to say you used it with a decent ASIO based soundcard fair enough.. you don't even state your setup..

but for all we know you could be using the onboard (without even asio4all)

it's all in the detail as they say.. and have you got permission to use the companies logos on your site?

To Fog 

where the's no wood...the fire goes out

think the OP has a point there, no reason to question his motives.

Fog is good like that.

He's done it to me before.

Like any of it is any of his business. I try my best to ignore him these days.

chris2002rock


How does Sonar compare to Guitar Tracks 4?

I need to configure a MIDI keyboard, a Qx49 I can't get working because I have never done MIDI before and Alesis sent me to Ableton, and they sent me back to ALesis.


So I decided that if I buy one more piece of hardware with MIDI support, then they will have to give me an exact configuration support, or set up instructions to configure the KB.

I already own an Edirol UA4FX but I can't get my disk of Sonar LE to work. I also have an M-Audio Black Box. I bought a software library tool for it, but they didn't answer my email, because I thought it would help me configure MIDI.

So, which Cakewalk USB bundle should I get? Guitar Tracks 4 looks amazing, and the price is as much as $140, with the 2 track USB. There is a 1 channel (stereo at least) bundled with Sonar LE for $80.

Which is the best deal? For example, does the Sonar LE facilitate a worthwhile upgrade price for a Sonar licence that beats Guitar Tracks 4? I have no clue which package does what. I use Audition 3 trial, which is too expensive for what it does, and I never figured out how to configure it or anything else for MIDI. There are also 2 Cakewalk MIDI USB devices.

Considering all this, I might need nothing, or I might need the Guitar Tracks USB bundle. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Judging by what you already have you shouldn't need to invest in more gear. I would start a new thread and let the helpful folk here try and get you up and running.