Sonar 2016.03

Hi Musikman. It is for Sonar Artist, Professional and Platinum (All versions of Sonar after x3e).
The updates in the new Sonar are cumulative, so you need only install the latest.

Ok thanks guys, I guess that rules me out if it's only for versions after x3e. So why don't they make it clear that it's only for x3e and later??  I've also never heard of Sonar 2015, never got any emails about it, and in my account products page I only have 8.5 and 8.5.3 Producer, don't see anything else for Sonar.
 
In a way I'm kinda glad I missed a lot of updates, they charge way too much for existing users to upgrade versions. Used to be very reasonable, but now it seems all they want to do is drain your wallet. For example, if I wanted to upgrade from 8.5.3 to Sonar Platinum, it's gonna cost me $200, that's almost half of what it cost for a new user buying it off the shelf for the first time!  So what kind of break do you call that for being a customer for 15 years?? NO BREAK, that's what I call it.  I really like Sonar, don't get me wrong, but for that kind of upgrade money I can purchase a very capable brand new DAW of another kind. Pretty soon the upgrades are going to be $500, then what?
 
Larry, I actually am upgrading my PC as we speak, so when I get it back from my technician I'll have Windows 10 on it and from what I have read, my Sonar 8.5.3 Producer will not run on Win10, or at least it hasn't been tested yet. I know the best way to go is upgrade to Platinum, but if I'm being honest, I really have to think about whether or not it is affordable to do so anymore, that's what it's come down to unfortunately. I'm on a fixed income, so most of the time I really don't have $200 lying around that I can just throw at Cakewalk, wish I did! Guess I'll have to either look elsewhere, or wait until they offer a discount or the price just drops.
 
Again, thanks for the advice, much appreciate, and sorry to vent here in this thread, I guess maybe I should be talking to one of the reps instead.
 
MM

I hear ya, but only after I've spent the $200. I just don't think they should charge so much from their faithful users of many years. They come out with a new version every year, and every time there's an upgrade we have to pay up at least $99, and heaven forbid if we like the version we've been using and miss one or two upgrades, we now get charged double. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but it seems like overkill imho.

Musikman
I hear ya, but only after I've spent the $200. I just don't think they should charge so much from their faithful users of many years. They come out with a new version every year, and every time there's an upgrade we have to pay up at least $99, and heaven forbid if we like the version we've been using and miss one or two upgrades, we now get charged double. Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but it seems like overkill imho.

Actually they DON'T come out with a new version every year, not any more.
 
There is one core version available in different flavours (Artist, Professional & Platinum) and these are updated monthly.
 
I spend more on coffee every year than I do on Sonar.

Musikman
 
 
Ok, so are they charging a fee every month now? How does that work? I know some software companies make you pay a "maintenance" fee yearly.
 
Btw, it looks like Command Center is only useful for the newest versions (Artist, Professional, and Platinum), is that correct? It really doesn't come out and specify, it just says it installs "your connected products".

You can pay yearly or monthly. Once you have paid 12 months via either method you 'own'  the software to that point. Unlike a subscription model it does not stop working. The one off, single payment upgrade fee gives you 12 months of updates,  and you own the software. 
Once you get your head around it and see see what is included each month it really is good value.  Bear in mind when you update you are getting all of the major improvements that have happened for the entire time since you last upgraded, which is quite a few years if you are still on 8.5
 
Yes -  CCC is only for updating Sonar 2015 onwards. You could hardly expect Cakewalk to implement new update features in six year old software -  there will certainly be no updates to the version that you have. 

Thanks for the answers, guess I've been out of the loop for too long, I have a lot of catching up to do!  Regarding the "one payment gives me 12 months of upgrades and I own the software", what happens once the 12 months are over and there are more updates released after that 12 months? I assume I would no longer have to continue paying, unless a new major upgrade is released?
 
Anderton, I hear what you're saying, I know there is a lot of value there, it's just frustrating that what was once very affordable to me is now stretching my wallet. I'll just have to either wait until they have a discount special, or try to find another way to afford it.
 
I'm wondering if I'm going to have to learn how to use the program all over again! I can see the screen grabs on the website, but having actually worked with the newest version, roughly how much different would you say the new version is from 8.5? I know there are more options, new look, etc.....but do the UI and general tools, etc...basically operate the same way as they always have?...or is it completely different?
 
 

Musikman
Regarding the "one payment gives me 12 months of upgrades and I own the software", what happens once the 12 months are over and there are more updates released after that 12 months? I assume I would no longer have to continue paying, unless a new major upgrade is released?
 
 
I'm wondering if I'm going to have to learn how to use the program all over again! Having used the newest version, roughly how much different would you say the new version is from 8.5? I know there are more options, new look, etc.....but do the UI and general tools, etc...basically operate the same way as they always have?...or is it completely different?
 
 

If after the 12 months you choose not to continue your membership,  you own the software to that point,  and it will continue to function.  You do not however receive any further updates. 
 
The best way to find out how much it has changed is to download the demo.