I would like to stop by and commend Cakewalk for the work that they are doing on Sonar. The rolling updates have turned out to be a major success.
I am even starting to tolerate the new comping paradigm. Although I would still like to see the old 'layers' method return as a choice in the "edit filter" list alongside clips, automation, midi, etc, I have to admit that the recently improved current approach is pretty good. I see that Cakewalk intends to develop it more in the near future, and I hope they will maintain it as a priority. The old paradigm offered a lot of creative possibilities, but this works well for its intended purpose.
Another program I use has been quite badly mishandled by its parent company, and I'm cautiously optimistic about the partnership between Cakewalk and Gibson. It appears that Gibson is happy to let Sonar develop according to the designs of the Cakewalk people, who should know a thing or two after all these years.
During the Roland years I actively prepared to move to a different platform, but I'm glad I didn't. Things could still go wrong, I suppose, but where we are now is pretty good. I would like to see Sonar listed as officially compatible with more 3rd party software, such as from Universal Audio and Izotope. I suppose that will come with an expanding base of users.
The program itself is the best its ever been. Thanks.