Could have said AND can !!!
 
At the moment I'm looking at Studio one Pro cross-grade, having looked at Cubase Elements 9.5 again as a cross-grade … Nothing comes close to Sonar Platinum for ease of use and functionality. I have used Cakewalk for many years as it allows me as a songwriter to run free without the need to think about why this or that isn't doing what it should, sure I've invested time and money in Platinum and all of it, I feel, worth while.
 
The nearest to this software seems to be Studio one 3 Professional but it feels (at the moment anyhow) like a cheap knock off of what Platinum has become.
 
I agree this whole think of dumping a really good well written bit of software is not the way Gibson should have gone regardless of Cakewalk's customer base and it doesn't make sence. I hope they are in more trouble that they let on, because as you say this sucks … really sucks!
AND I don't apologise for MY rant

How is Studio One with control surfaces like the Mackie MCU?

In the last 2 weeks, I've updated my Studio One 2 Artist, installed Reaper (with a "sonar x1" theme) and bought Samplitude Music Studio 2017 and Mixcraft 8 Home Studio (at Steam, promotional prices).
 
First impression is the same as the thread's author. Nothing compares with Sonar's workflow.
 
Reaper - mainly because the skin/theme - was the best to use. I've made a song, but to be honest, I'm still not comfortable using it. The other 3, were even more difficult.
 
My decision is to keep using Sonar, until it dies or can't handle some important technology. But I'm not going to "freeze" my machine, hardware or software. I don't want to be "out of the world", in terms of musical stuff...
 
Sadly, I don't believe in any form of Sonar "resurrection". The team is dismounted. The people that understand each part of the code will soon begin to forget it. I work with computer programming. Old code is the worst thing a programmer want to deal with!
 
So, I'll keep using Sonar, but will try other DAWs as much as I can, even if my stomach aches, to find something that resembles the great DAW I've been using for so many years and now is gone...

kevmsmith81

jjj.fcc
 
So, I'll keep using Sonar, but will try other DAWs as much as I can, even if my stomach aches, to find something that resembles the great DAW I've been using for so many years and now is gone...

Familiarity breeds contentment when it comes to DAW usage.
 

Is that another way of saying that we are institutionalised?

jjj.fcc

kevmsmith81
I'd say keep at it with Studio One.
[...]
Familiarity breeds contentment when it comes to DAW usage.

The lack of VST support on Artist edition kills that option. This seems so bizarre for me... Other DAWs (even the entry-level ones) have VST support... My Sonar is Professional, not Platinum...I don't need the buzzers and bells of the "top" editions. But I DO need VST...
 
Obviously, the "best" DAW is the one we are used to, as long as it has all the minimum stuff we need (for instance: VST support...). 

You can get VST support on Artist, but you have to pay for it as it's an addon. 

What's frustrating, as I look for a new DAW to adopt, is that every "Best DAW" list I find, Sonar is on the list!

Interesting thread.  Just to add a note about Gibson being heartless SOB's who won't sell SONAR, it appears that CW has been losing money the last six years.  I don't know for certain, but my guess is Gibson tried to sell SONAR, but there were no takers. 

I want to add my experience with Studio One as well. AWESOME! I tried S1 while I still was using Sonar and my reaction was "this is crap!" Really, I never even cracked it open. When you already have a workflow anything else seems clumsy. Put it this way, if Sonar did come back I'm gone already. S1 has everything I need once I found out how things worked it was a breeze. Maybe it's not for everyone but if I can do it you guys would kill it!!!
 
Also, I wouldn't advise  trying two or three different workstations at the same time. You'll end up hating them all equally. A testimony, Studio One was offering a cross-grade from Cakewalk. I sent them the screenshot but a few days later I had no reply so I said the hell with it. Paid $399 so I could get on with it. A day later here comes the email "You qualify for the discount".
 
Not expecting much I emailed support and told them I had already purchased S1 and its probably nothing they could do. One day later a got an email. Dear Mr. Oliver a refund in the amount of $250 will be credited back to your account. Please allow 5-7 business days. What! The very next day it was posted in my acct.
 
I'm sorry, but the stability and customer service like that was very much welcomed. S1 seems like I always had it now. It is simply solid. My only hope is they stay on track and not listen to us cry too much about changing what is now a dream come true. Everything works for me. No workarounds. I have my parallel compression and side-chaining is super easy and intuitive.
 
Maybe in a month things will be different. I love Sonar too, but after witnessing Studio One I'm sold. Besides this is their forte. Some of the console views are very inspiring. Thanks Cakewalk for many years of service! And thank all of you for helping me through my issues.

It is best to install the 64 bit version of Studio One anyway. There is a double precision setting which I have engaged all the time.
 
Many plugins themselves offer upsampling within the plugin itself.  But as you say for those that do not, then the upsampling mode is very good.  I do know from experience that Native Instruments Prism sounds quite different at 96K compared to 44.1K. (for some patches not all)