Kudos to the Bakers AND the Cakewalk Community

There are plenty of "thank you" posts here regarding X3e, and it's probably bad protocol to start another one...well actually, I'm sure it is. But I'm super-impressed with the dedication that led to the five rapid-fire updates, and the results.
 
However, I also think it's important to give props to the community. It's like playing live: when the audience is clapping along and rocking out, you're going to play better. Although when X3 was introduced I did notice some malcontents, it sure seemed they were outnumbered by people who were genuinely trying to track down issues, make them reproducible, and file bug reports. Granted that kind of user base dedication is also about self-interest, because people had found particular bugs and really wanted them fixed. But as has been pointed out many times in these forums, the process of maintaining software is incredibly daunting for a small (but surely about to get bigger!) company. Having knowledgeable people providing valuable feedback...well, you can see the results with X3e. The effectiveness of this kind of partnership between a software company and its user base is self-evident.
 
It doesn't feel like a "company" and its "customers" as much as it feels like a bunch of people joined by a common desire to create a really outstanding piece of software that will help all of us realize our musical dreams. I like that a lot.

I think overall X3 has been one of CW's greatest releases (Sonar3 & 8.5 were huge) but the newest update is impressive.  I very well stay here awhile.

Elegantly put, Craig.

On behalf of the SONAR Dev team, I'd like to echo that sentiment with a thank you to all of you that contribute to the product, be it by feeding back to us regarding what you want & need, or by sharing your appreciation for the worlds greatest DAW with your friends.

The positivity here is inspiring.

Craig . . . what a great and positive thread.
The efforts to really tackle the bugs for everyone for X3 edition has been outstanding, and I hope the company and customer spirit of partnership continues at this level for a good long while.
 
This forum as a knowledgebase for users has proved one of Cakewalk's best assets.

Anderton
There are plenty of "thank you" posts here regarding X3e, and it's probably bad protocol to start another one...well actually, I'm sure it is. But I'm super-impressed with the dedication that led to the five rapid-fire updates, and the results.
 
However, I also think it's important to give props to the community. It's like playing live: when the audience is clapping along and rocking out, you're going to play better. Although when X3 was introduced I did notice some malcontents, it sure seemed they were outnumbered by people who were genuinely trying to track down issues, make them reproducible, and file bug reports. Granted that kind of user base dedication is also about self-interest, because people had found particular bugs and really wanted them fixed. But as has been pointed out many times in these forums, the process of maintaining software is incredibly daunting for a small (but surely about to get bigger!) company. Having knowledgeable people providing valuable feedback...well, you can see the results with X3e. The effectiveness of this kind of partnership between a software company and its user base is self-evident.
 
It doesn't feel like a "company" and its "customers" as much as it feels like a bunch of people joined by a common desire to create a really outstanding piece of software that will help all of us realize our musical dreams. I like that a lot.

I have always felt invested in Cakewalk. Not in a business sense but as one that was welcomed by the people behind the company. They have shown interest in this forum with timely posts and have often played along with us. They get the jokes. 
 
I know that they work hard. I also know that they are human beings and smart when hit with a virtual fist from a forum member. Everyone wants to take pride in their work and the people at CW are no different. 
 
You are right about most of the active membership being active in trying to eliminate bugs. Some go to a lot of trouble to do so. And they report their findings with respect and courtesy. They feel as I do that we are in this together. If we help the process along we all benefit. We have a great forum and it is hosted by a great company. 
 
Now where is the F patch?
 
 

Beautifully said, Craig...

Anderton
There are plenty of "thank you" posts here regarding X3e, and it's probably bad protocol to start another one...well actually, I'm sure it is. But I'm super-impressed with the dedication that led to the five rapid-fire updates, and the results.
 
However, I also think it's important to give props to the community. It's like playing live: when the audience is clapping along and rocking out, you're going to play better. Although when X3 was introduced I did notice some malcontents, it sure seemed they were outnumbered by people who were genuinely trying to track down issues, make them reproducible, and file bug reports. Granted that kind of user base dedication is also about self-interest, because people had found particular bugs and really wanted them fixed. But as has been pointed out many times in these forums, the process of maintaining software is incredibly daunting for a small (but surely about to get bigger!) company. Having knowledgeable people providing valuable feedback...well, you can see the results with X3e. The effectiveness of this kind of partnership between a software company and its user base is self-evident.
 
It doesn't feel like a "company" and its "customers" as much as it feels like a bunch of people joined by a common desire to create a really outstanding piece of software that will help all of us realize our musical dreams. I like that a lot.

I tried to +1 this earlier, before I left work but for some reason I couldn't post. Anyhoos +1'd now. 
 
Downloading the ProducerX3e patch now (actually a bit slow........maybe a lot of traffic?) and with a bit of luck I'll get it installed this evening...........

Extremely Gratefull to all.
 
To be honest. I have been with Sonar since X1 so I'm not an old timer in that sense. In saying that, I have been on a rollercoaster ride through Sonarland . X1 was good and there were upgrades and quick fixes and all was well. In X2 there were major problems with the software and the company. The company was going through a change in Owner/sponsership issues and I think because of this X2 got lost in the turmoil. We also lost bakers that in my opinion were very good at what they did, and I was very sad to see them go. I know change is sometimes healthy, but in the case of X2 it wasn't.
Then came Gibson. I still cannot believe the 180 degree turn cakewalk made when that happened. It almost feels like the nazi camps being freed and everybody celebrating. All at once the bakers wer on the forum helping everyone that had an issue with X3. And not to forget CakealexS for his registration and organization in the bug world. I personally hope (prey) that we all keep going in this direction for a long time.
Having said that there will always be bugs in software due to the multitude of companys making the software and the different methods of coding the software. There will always be clashes in the different software as well as clashes between forum and Cakewalk about issues. 
Cakewalk has done an exceptional job in creating a DAW that now in my opinion stands far above most other DAW s. Keep up the good work.
I think that we can cope with the small bugs that will always be there and the workarounds that are created to make everyone happy. 
And I am also greatfull that Cakewalk and the forum are now one big happy family and I hope it stays That way.
 
CAKEWALK ROCKS!!

So far X3e has been great! I am very happy that CW listened to its users and focused on fixing a long list of bugs before rolling out new features. It feels much more solid already after using it for just a few hours.

Kudos both to CW and those users who make the effort to carefully chase down and document bugs to help improve future releases.

Skyline_UK
(Small personal sour note: I'd still like a CWBRN to be updated with 'Ignored, trivial' or something rather than be in 'under investigation' for 3 months and effectively ignored.)

Skyline there are lots of bugs that will still need to be resolved not just your issue, but the good news is there are less of them :). I'm in the process of compiling another list right now. I'm sorry yours was not fixed this time, a lot of people have been waiting a lot longer than that for their issues to be resolved. Cakewalk seems to be making great progress since X3 has been released however so hats off to them...

drummaman
Well said Craig!

Having used Cakewalk since the Forté days, (man, I feel old...) I've seen the good and the ...not so good.
I've been full-in, and I've shopped other DAWs through the years.

Honestly, the best thing to happen to Cakewalk, besides X3, is YOU!

I've learned more about Cakewalk/ProAudio/Sonar through the years by reading your articles.

I am SOOOOooooooooo glad that a power user like you has joined the Cakewalk team.
Only good can come of that, and it has me locked in as a Sonar user.

 
It's great to be able to take a more active role. I'm heading up to Boston next week to do a webinar on Sonar for Berklee (details forthcoming, it will be available to the public) as well as discuss next steps for Sonar and Cakewalk.
 
However Cakewalk is very much in the driver's seat, I'm just a loud-mouthed backseat driver. I do hope some of my suggestions will merit inclusion in future versions of Sonar. I have this idea for a ProChannel module........

Now, if we can only get the higher ups at Gibson to get better name recognition for Sonar out in the industry...
(That really should not be that hard, considering all of the feature "firsts" Cakewalk brought out before the other,
more "industry standard" DAWs out there.)

We're trying! FWIW the people at Gibson enjoy having Cakewalk as part of the family. Everyone here senses that Cakewalk is not only turning around, but pushing ahead.