pekbro
Sorry, the cool fly-out analyzer and theme authoring just doesn't cut it for me.
What makes you think professionals don't need cpu performance? I find it laughable...

Perspective is a funny thing. From my point of vIew, in mentioning the ProChannel flyout and cpu load balancing you have pointed out two very good reasons that as a professional absolutely the right choice is to buy into Platinum, irrespective of whether you use additional third party content or not. Add drum replacer, vocalsync, the extra prochannel modules and lifetime updates the mix and I can't see how you could not perceive it as value for money.  
 
To each their own I guess. Best of luck in your search.

pekbro
btw: the platinum version simply offers no value for me as I own full versions of
pretty much everything you have in there (3rd party wise) also arguably better and more
costly products. Sorry, the cool fly-out analyzer and theme authoring just doesn't cut it for me.

 
Of course usefulness of various features is subjective, but there are more unique features to Platinum than just a theme editor and fly-out analyzer:
 

• Lifetime updates for free (that’s a pretty big deal IMHO)
• VocalSync
• CPU load balancing
• Drum Replacer
• And while I realize you feel you don't need the plug-ins, there are some gems in there...for example there's no synth like the full version of Rapture, and the PX-64 is exceptionally useful with bass as well as drums. 

All software is designed to meet the needs of what's perceived as the majority of users, so for example while someone who makes purely instrumental music has no need for VocalSync, probably most users do record vocals. 
 
Also, Noel's point about Drum Replacer and support is a very real issue. I guarantee some people will enable it without reading the documentation and wonder why it doesn't work. Actually we've already seen that with the multiple inquiries regarding soft synths, when the documentation states clearly that soft synths can't be load balanced. Multiply that by the vast number of non-Platinum users, and it's a recipe for support overload.

So anyone that buys Platinum today automatically gets lifetime updates? That would be a game changer.

Yes, through Dec 31 2016 upgrades and new purchase of Platinum get lifetime updates.

...which probably accounts for so many new users.

One of the main reasons I have always bought CW's top version is to be sure to get all the great goodies CW offers. Some of which I don't use. The notion of opting for a cheaper version then one sees a feature they like in the top version but wont spend the money for it but complains is ridiculous. I don't see anyone having any sympathy for that attitude.
 
 
 
 

Craig and Noel,
 
Thank you, I appreciate your responses and your situation.
I'd like to say that as a company, cakewalk has exhibited a great
amount of forward thinking of late, that has breathed much needed
life into the Sonar franchise.
 
I hope this trend continues and allows you to see clear to the fact
that not everyone is going to be using Sonar in the same way and
that there are no universal requirements you're going to be able to meet
with an all encompassing package.
 
I personally never use Sonar from the standpoint of a musician. For me,
its a stalwart workhorse that is powerful and flexible enough to get
whatever job that I throw at it done with minimal fuss. At the same time,
its not the best solution for everything I do. Most of the benefits you've mentioned 
within the platinum version fall into that category for me as well. You might think
it odd, but even the life time free upgrades are not something I'm particularly
interested in. To me its only natural to maintain a yearly maintenance contract
or at a minimum paid upgrades.
 
This is something that I see as healthier for the vendor (and myself) in the long run.
To me its nothing more than a necessary business expense that I will write off
in the end.
 
I think the Ala'carte idea is a good and fair solution for everyone, and I truly
hope it comes to pass. Like it or not, there will always be those who are interested
solely in Sonar itself and the technology that you've developed for it. Personally,
I am happy to pay to support you for the privilege. Honestly, IMO you charge far
to little for the professional version. The surround feature itself is worth nearly
the full price of the top tier version. I would think that a version as I described
in my previous post should easily cost 3 - $400. Many of the tools I use, cost
far in excess of that, specifically due to this feature. The new load balancing
feature is equally valuable.
 
I will stay tuned, and perhaps I will be able to renew my subscription in 
the near future.
 
-All the best...
 
-Eric
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Actually in some ways it seems that you're anticipating the future, what with the upcoming workspaces feature, and the lifetime updates model that will likely be more of an a la carte purchasing model if it follows the same path as Apple and Microsoft.

Anderton
Actually in some ways it seems that you're anticipating the future, what with the upcoming workspaces feature, and the lifetime updates model that will likely be more of an a la carte purchasing model if it follows the same path as Apple and Microsoft.

Ok thanks, that is encouraging... 
 
-Cheers