How About Expanded and the ProChannel for 8.5.3

I mentioned this in one of the slinging matches about the new compressor for Expanded, if the new Sonar DAW paradigm is to buy expanded or add ons for X1 is it possible to code these enhancements for 8.5.3.
 
For me X1 just does not do it for me, it at the moment is not the complete product that was 8.5.3, yes I know there are those of you who think 8.5.3 have bugs but ther are minor or at least for me they are.
 
So at the moment you have lost the $99 I would have used to upgrade form 8.5.3 but if you allowed me to keep my 8.5.3 Sonar and continued to support it for as long as possible (I know operating sysytem upgrades make it at some point not possible) I would happily shell out for the expanded products.  I don't need the ProChannel but as another flavour and now with Softtube branding, I would quite happily shell out the bucks and this includes the gate model, Sonar needs an easy to use gate model.
 
What is everyone elses feeling on this???
 
Peace Ben

Thats not the point though Lance, if the X1 paradigm is a static one, in that lets say that the x1 interface and it stays the same pretty much like Sonar 2 to 8 did and we are expected to purchase these little addons now and then, why can't we have the addons for 8.5.3.

Look I am not here to troll or to start some silly slanging match, what I am suggesting is if this is indeed the new paradigm of Sonars DAW and rather than X1, X2 and the like but rather we have Expandend or the ProChannel if this is the way the Cake is going to make their money, the best way to increase revenue is to open up these modules to those who have stuck with 8.5.3.

I have learnt one important lesson over my almost 13 years of being involved in music technology, if it aint broke don't fix it.  There is no reason for me to upgrade to X1 yet, Sonar still supports Windows 7 (for Sonar8.5.3) and in all likely hood Windows 8, that means that 8.5.3 has a long life span probally 5 years and beyond.

X1 does nothing different in terms of synths, audio snap pallate, matrix editor, step sequencer and or the apegiator, so why upgrade to a new program.  I keep saying to people the more we have to upgrade, the more we have to learn and the less time to make music.  Treat your DAW as a complex synthasizer.

I don't mind unlike some around here of the idea of keeping a user interface (as long it is 8.5.3) and purchasing modules around that.  In fact if I am correct and DAW's have reached the end game in terms of the wow must have factor, then what Cake is doing is a perfectly feasable business modal.  But it makes no sence to lock out customers and lets get this straight there are a lot of us who have stuck to 8.5.3.

What this does is stop alienating the long time loyal customers, extends Cakes bottom line and shows that Cake cares about music making not just money making.

It's all well and good to go upgrade but I don't want to invest time in learning a new instrument not until it is competly necessary and as I say this will be when, Cake adds a varispeed button to the program or they no longer support 8.5.3 when windows upgrades.

I want to support Cake and continue my long relationship with this company and as I have said when I have a few spare bucks or my Uni pays for it I will purchase X1, doesn't mean I will use it but I don't want to get stuck with having to shell out 300$ to upgrade from 8.5.3 to whatever version I upgrade to.  This will be X6 or whatever.

I just don't see how this is a problem, if this is the modal that Cake are heading down (that is modular upgrades), then open it and allow everyone who's a Sonar user to contribute.

But maybe I am living in fairyland.

Peace Ben

While I sympathize with your point of view (you just use 8.5.3 and are happy with it, without endlessly ranting on the X1 forum), I am afraid this won't happen.

Not because Cakewalk does want to do this or not, but because the human resources of the company are limited. It is stated several times here Cakewalk is not a big company, and they cannot pay an unlimited workforce (like Microsoft, Apple or another big software company). Developing a ProChannel version for 8.5.3 is a massive undertaking. Do not forget ProChannel is integrated in X1, so uses all new developed interface techniques.

ProChannel thus have to be "downgraded" and integrated with an older version that does not sell any more.

From a developers point of view (and certainly from a business point of view), that would mean using and dedicating a massive amount of the very limited human resources, just to please a small amount of the current user base. Even if this would be done, the cost involved would make ProChannel for 8.5.2 a relatively very expensive add-on. The result would be a very limited sale, and would lead to a big loss in business terms. 

So - realistically seen I think the chances there will be a ProChannel for 8.5.3 is are very slim. Even if Cakewalk would like do this (witch I doubt, because like any business - the want to keep moving forward) there are not enough resources to do so. Do not forget bringing out ProChannel for 8.5.3 also means they have to bug-hunt and maintain an older version of Sonar complete with newer add-ons, meaning they have to dedicate a extra team on a day-to day base as long as ProChannel for 8.5.3 is being supported. This would slow down any new development and bug-hunting/maintenance of the present version - X1. And -as I said before- knowing their resources are limited, this would be a very bad decision  business-wise.

 Just my 2 cents...

You are kidding Ben, right?

8.5 is EOL, it won't be happening.

Well pwal.. X1 is build upon 8.5.3. However - it is clearly not only a "new shell". So -while I think a ProChanel for 8.5.3 is possible in theory- I do not think it is possible in practice. And about business > technology. Yes - unfortunately a bunch of developers without a good running business will not be able to pay the rent, or something simple things like buying food to keep themselves alive. So - while technology can be unlimited, the resources needed to develop the technology are not. As a result technology has to be restricted to what is possible with the given resources. Sad - but a fact of life nevertheless..

Hmm.. difficult question if you think about it. How deep something must go before it is not longer a shell? If the sound engine is the core, then everything around it is the shell. But to keep it simple - while a lot under the hood is comparable (I do not say the same, because even if it is comparable a lot of tweaks had to be added to "interface to the interface"), there are a few things (docking, browser, ProChannel ;-)) that are different or even not present in 8.5.3, that makes a easy integration of the ProChannel in 8.5.3 not that straightforward.

Think about how PC is accessed...  to add this ability to 8.5, both the Track Inspector and Console View would need to be modified to add a PC tab, including the expand/compress function which autosizes everything else around it.   And, the audio routing scheme would have to be revamped to accomodate PC.   And then there's Freeze/Unfreeze.  And then... 
 

15 17 posts over something we all know will NEVER happen?
And 2 are mine, doh!
I have things to do...

19 and 3 are mine!

I was just putting it out there, I know it will not happen but after seeing the slinging match about the new upgrade and since I still haven't upgraded, I felt that this was the best way for me to support The Cake!!!!.

Hmmm this wouldn't be a problem if they made the ProChannel a good old fashioned DXI, this way they virtually by proxy keep it exclusivly for Sonar, I don't who else supports DXI's anymore and allows 8.5.3 just to install it.

Hmmm seems a little bit more simple now doesn't it???

I know it won't happen but honestly just make the ProChannel a DXI, solves all problems, no extra coding to make it fit the UI in 8.5.3.

Have I stumbled onto something here???

Peace Ben 

The best thing to do with a pointless thread is pad your post count. It works for the Bapu.

Hey deeringamps and ampfixer, I don't know why you are being rude!!!  I haven't been rude, I was just putting a simple suggestion out there.  Now The Cake can make of it what they will. 

There will come a time when people go you know what I don't need to upgrade my DAW for another couple of years but I wouldn't mind that addon, this to me is the best of both worlds for the consumer and The Cake.

Make of that as you will, this disscusion has nothing to do with post counts, not for me anyway, I am not some socialy retarted indivdual that sits around talking to faceless people all day.  When I can I participate in these disscusions I do and I have learnt a thing or two about on line etiqute, I just saw the backlash toward the new Cake paradigm and this is my two cents.

Peace Ben
 
P.S Yes Cliff I am

Ben, forgive any unintended rudeness but this really is a pointless thread.

I do respect your right to throw down your soap box and state your opinions and share your thoughts. I do it often enough.

I stated that it was pointless because the ols paradigm that peaked with 8.5.3 is done. Cake has moved on to a new paradigm. I see where you idea is going but I think trying to get X1 to look and behave more like 8.5.3 is a more realistic approach. I bought the expanded option because that seems to be where the development resources are going.

They will never code another line for 8.5.3 If they do, I'll eat every disk I've collected from my X1 journey.

fl studio lol supports dxi