This is really sad news. I've been watching this thread hoping it was some sort of misunderstanding :(
I've known Billy for several years now. Probably ok to say this now - he contributed as a beta tester for SONAR for several versions just prior to X1, so many of us at Cakewalk got to know him. I'd also met him personally many years ago at AES.

Billy struck me as a very passionate guy. He did a lot to help us during his time as a beta tester. I remember having dialogues with him late into the night trying to fix problems he'd find. He'd always be trying to write new songs using the beta's and finding bugs as he went along. He had a lot of energy and determination to get things right. We even communicated on a personal level a few times when I was mixing our CD - I sent him a couple of tracks to critique the mix and he went out of his way to even try and remix one of them.

The new X2 feature to insert/replace synths smoothly was definitely Billy's pet area.  I had many discussions with him about this while he was a tester and thought about him while developing it. Its bittersweet that he won't be here to enjoy that feature. 

RIP Billy. 

I've known Billy for a number of years and boy was he a quick-witted soul!  As fast as I had a come-back for one of his quips, he was hitting me with the next one.  Billy was also one of the most prolific composers I've ever met.

From what Noel says, It's nice to know there's a "little bit of Billy" in Sonar for us all to enjoy.  Rest in peace my brother; those of us who knew you are richer for it.

Bill Ruys.

Sounds like a winner John.

  Even his screen name was creative, in a sweet way.  This thread speaks volumes.  You're a great bunch of folks, like Billy.

to everything there is a season- and this one sucks...  bless you brother!  Happy trails!

Thank you for all the help you have provided us with Mister Billy A you have now become another shining star in the sky. Rest in peace sir your kindness will never be forgotten. My respect and condolences to your family and your loved ones. Awal

John


May I propose that we as a forum send a letter to his family expressing our deep sorrow and our great feeling of loss.

I view this thread as a kind of testimonial to Ba Midi that is great for us but does nothing for those of his family he left behind. I believe they would like to know just how much he meant to us here.

A single letter from all of us noting what his loss to us means.

This is in respect for him and for those that were close to him.

it could be posted here and signed by each of us and forwarded via CW, if CW agrees. Or by some other means if so desired.

If  this forum agrees please let us know here or PM me.

I will write a draft for all to agree with or others can do the same and the forum can pick the one that is most appropriate.

Of course we can decide not to do so if that is the forum's wish.

This is simply a proposal. 

Yesterday when it was confirmed I was in no mood to post anything on this forum. Somehow none of the various threads held any interest for me.

Today I can deal with this thread and this forum as a whole. But it is still a shock. 

Great idea, John! If there's a way this can be done, I'm all for it.

I just found out via the Grapevine that our friend Billy passed on.

He was an inspiration to me while we we Beta Testers many moons ago

Rest in Peace Billy!

Your friend

Jan van Schalkwyk

paulo

Rain

John


May I propose that we as a forum send a letter to his family expressing our deep sorrow and our great feeling of loss.

I view this thread as a kind of testimonial to Ba Midi that is great for us but does nothing for those of his family he left behind. I believe they would like to know just how much he meant to us here.

A single letter from all of us noting what his loss to us means.

This is in respect for him and for those that were close to him.

it could be posted here and signed by each of us and forwarded via CW, if CW agrees. Or by some other means if so desired.

If  this forum agrees please let us know here or PM me.

I will write a draft for all to agree with or others can do the same and the forum can pick the one that is most appropriate.

Of course we can decide not to do so if that is the forum's wish.

This is simply a proposal. 

Yesterday when it was confirmed I was in no mood to post anything on this forum. Somehow none of the various threads held any interest for me.

Today I can deal with this thread and this forum as a whole. But it is still a shock. 

Great idea, John! If there's a way this can be done, I'm all for it.

Yup, sounds like a good idea to me - seeing the comments from CW staff here, I'm sure they will find a way to do this.

If you can, please. Maybe even a print out of this thread as well with our condolences .....

 Very sad, he was a great asset to the songs forum, he will be missed.  RIP old friend.

John


May I propose that we as a forum send a letter to his family expressing our deep sorrow and our great feeling of loss.

I view this thread as a kind of testimonial to Ba Midi that is great for us but does nothing for those of his family he left behind. I believe they would like to know just how much he meant to us here.

A single letter from all of us noting what his loss to us means.

This is in respect for him and for those that were close to him.

it could be posted here and signed by each of us and forwarded via CW, if CW agrees. Or by some other means if so desired.

If  this forum agrees please let us know here or PM me.

I will write a draft for all to agree with or others can do the same and the forum can pick the one that is most appropriate.

Of course we can decide not to do so if that is the forum's wish.

This is simply a proposal. 

Yesterday when it was confirmed I was in no mood to post anything on this forum. Somehow none of the various threads held any interest for me.

Today I can deal with this thread and this forum as a whole. But it is still a shock. 

That's a great idea, John.  Count me in and thanks for doing this.

This is a draft of what I had in mind. Please feel free to make suggestions and changes.

Dearest Family of  Mr. William Arnell


The Cakewalk Sonar X1 users forum is deeply grieved to learn of the passing of Mr. Arnell. We know him as BA Midi. We have come together to let his family know just how much he meant to us and to not let his passing go by without letting those that knew him best know that we care, greatly and will miss him greatly.

On this forum, which is all about computer music software, he has been a member for a very long time and one of the most respected.  Often he has helped us with issues with no regard to his time or being reticent in offering his vast knowledge.

With his presence here we were all better for it.  He was a peace maker here without being judgmental. By him posting, many disagreements were concluded because he offered insights that would bring us to understanding.

We know him as a sort of mentor to us all and a gifted musician. We have never written to anyone about a member that is no longer on this forum. It is unprecedented.  However, for Ba Midi it is an honor to speak of his being a member here and to remember him with the greatest love.

We are a very diverse group that comes from all walks of life and from all over the world. We are in full agreement about the awful loss you and we are feeling. Normally this forum is seldom in agreement on much of anything. Here we all feel the loss.

If you come to this forum and read the testimonial written in remembering him you will be our honored guest. 

We wish you to know that you have our deepest sympathy. 

The Cakewalk users forum

Below is a short listing of the members that wish to place their names on this letter.

 

Yes,  Keith is correct...I wanted to say the same things,  but John is doing such a great job i did not want to say anything.


Anyways, thank you John and please include me.

Yes, John, You hit the right notes on this for me....

That made me teary, John.