I think I'm going bottom of the line SONAR X3

It's not that I'm unable to afford the Pro version but it contains so much add on stuff that I won't even bother to install.  From what I've learned from a post by Noel, ARA and VST3 support exists in the basic X3 product.  So from that I assume that my existing Melodyne 2.1.1 Editor should integrate into SONAR X3 just like it is in Studio One and my existing VST3 plugins should work as well.
 
I will lose the ProChannel plugs and upgrades that I have in X3.  I don't see that as a problem since I'm UAD2 equipped and I have all the LA2A, 1176s, Pultecs, etc available in UAD and Waves versions.  I've got the tape simulator and channel strip emulators covered by Slate.

I don't get the Addictive Drums but I have every Toontrack drum kit that exists.

I don't get the Lounge Lizard keys but I have EZkeys and I'm not much of a player so the extra tweakablity won't help me any.

I've already got Dim Pro and Rapture.

I won't get the fly out EQ but clicking on the FX bin can fly out the nice EQs I already own.

And if at any time I wish to go whole hog, I suppose I can upgrade from there.

Anyone see anything I missed?

I could run through the gambit of plug-in counts etc., but SMTPE/MTC and Surround will be missing. If you use a lot of external gear I'd take that into consideration.
 
Also, Addictive Drums is quite nice. Even if you feel that you don't "need" it, I can't imagine you won't want to use it when you start to use it.

The extra $50 is worth it for all you get in my opinion. We aren't adding unlocks. Trying to keep this simple as possible.

Ryan Munnis [Cakewalk]
I could run through the gambit of plug-in counts etc., but SMTPE/MTC and Surround will be missing. If you use a lot of external gear I'd take that into consideration.
 
Also, Addictive Drums is quite nice. Even if you feel that you don't "need" it, I can't imagine you won't want to use it when you start to use it.

Agggh, SMPTE/MTC, although I haven't chased time code in forever and a day.  If I run into a project that needs that, I can always back down to X2 Pro or run one of my other platforms.  I'm just trying to find a reason to buy ANY Cakewalk product at this time.  (No insult intended but the Take Comping and ARA implementation are the only bullet points that caught my eye.)
 
As far as another drum product, I'm tempted sometimes to eliminate some of the libraries I already own just so that my choices are more limited.

Mod Bod

Ryan Munnis [Cakewalk]
I could run through the gambit of plug-in counts etc., but SMTPE/MTC and Surround will be missing. If you use a lot of external gear I'd take that into consideration.
 
Also, Addictive Drums is quite nice. Even if you feel that you don't "need" it, I can't imagine you won't want to use it when you start to use it.

Agggh, SMPTE/MTC, although I haven't chased time code in forever and a day.  If I run into a project that needs that, I can always back down to X2 Pro or run one of my other platforms.  I'm just trying to find a reason to buy ANY Cakewalk product at this time.  (No insult intended but the Take Comping and ARA implementation are the only bullet points that caught my eye.)
 
As far as another drum product, I'm tempted sometimes to eliminate some of the libraries I already own just so that my choices are more limited.

Well, if those two are the only ones that caught your eye and you already have a lot of the included plug-ins, then I can tell you those are the two I'm personally most excited about and can say they're by far the biggest enhancements in my personal world.
 
Dragging and dropping a clip from an audio track to a MIDI track and it converting automagically? LOVE IT! I'm not a huge fan of guitar MIDI controllers and I'm awful on keys, so this helps me tremendously to lay down a melody and then drive a synth with it afterwards.
 
Also, I drink too much coffee and am way out of practice on guitar, so I tend to have to record multiple takes. The comping improvements are pretty slick when you start auditioning and promoting multiple performances in real time.
 
If those are the two features that stuck out to you, I'd say they're really good ones to be excited about. That's my opinion at least.
 
I will say the other thing I personally didn't know if I'd be using a lot were track colors, but now that they're there I can't stop. It's super helpful for organizing my sessions and the UI makes it very easy and quick to deal with. 

How does it play with the V studio 700?  I already have addictive drums as well as the $800 Melodyne Bundle. I have a Kurzweil keyboard that is pretty good.  VST3 support is good. Now my waves plugs will work correctly.
Kind of similar situation.
 

Can Addictive Drums be used outside of SONAR?

I look at $150 and I can get one really cool plug-in, or a boatload of really cool plug-ins with X3.

Mod Bod
I see an additional upgrade level that Cakewalk should consider - a $25 upgrade that would unlock the Prochannel strip in X3 to use existing ProChannel modules that a registered user already owns.

yes but what if you are loving this program and want some extra features, then you.ve painted yourself in to a corner.
its not much more to spend, specially when taking in to consideration prices around the league for daw software.

We didn't drop support for the VS-700. The SONAR X3 installer still installs the components and we did not remove any functionality. I do know this is not an area we focused on with this release however, so I would expect the same functionality as SONAR X2a.

this is just sad... with all the bells and whistles, there is no mention of any updates to functionality and features with regard to MIDI sequencing. 

viewing the videos, Cake has really created an amazing GUI and Comping is just excellent.

have already got both Melodyne and AD is my goto drum kit... funny that Cake would drop True Pianos.

djwayne
I look at $150 and I can get one really cool plug-in, or a boatload of really cool plug-ins with X3.

but question is.. can you compare like for like.. they have a tape sim... I *REALLY* expect U-he satin to be far better, partly due to the cost paid compared. Much like I go to the store and only expect Heinz beans to taste like that :)

djwayne
I look at $150 and I can get one really cool plug-in, or a boatload of really cool plug-ins with X3.

And I would imagine that sort of thing would be the deal maker in Cakewalk's target market but if you already have more top notch plugins than you have time to audition, another boatload doesn't do you much good.
 
My software situation is much like my hardware situation.  I've gone out and bought some better pres (Avalon, UA, JoeMeek) and now cheap pres don't appeal to me so much.  

I know this is of my own doing and I'm definitely understanding on anyone jumping in and buying X3 Pro because of all the extra goodies.  Heck, I may end up buying it just to stay up to date for the sake of Toontrack betatesting.  Lord knows, that's paid for the upgrades.
 

That Portico EQ Is priced at $250 bucks...and doesn't look all that much different than X3's new EQ. As a matter of fact X3's is a 6 band EQ vrs Portico's 5 band.

I already have the full version of Melodyne, Addictive Drums, and a bunch of other stuff......but there are some things in X3 that I like......I wanted to buy it today but had to get password changed and the store isn't taking it...I'll call support on monday