I turn my back for a minute!!!  
 
The simple questions are...

1. What is the latest "Producer" version of Sonar and how do I get there from Sonar 4 Producer.
2. I used the Timeworks Compression and EQ extensively for many years (was packaged with Sonar XL ??).  What do I do with old projects that have those plugins addressed? 

For a variety of reasons, the last working version of Sonar I have is Sonar 4 producer on an XP machine.  It was just a few years ago, (or seemed like it anyway) but we have been in process of rebuilding the studio at a new location.  The plan was to upgrade to X1 then X3, but the studio wasn't ready and Windows 10 was coming out, so we held off.   We aren't quite there yet, but I need to start looking at some of my older projects, went online and my Cakewalk world turned upside down, and in talking to colleagues, for some reason it's been a mystery to them as well.
 
Anyway... I've been trying to catch up.  Was really hoping to talk to someone at NAMM, but there was no one to talk to, so here I am.  I see Craig is still around, he may recognize my name as I have been using Cakewalk since it was a DOS program.  Frankly after everything I'm reading I feel like I need to start from scratch to cut my losses...   but...  this has been a good community in the past, so I'd like the hive mind to weigh in on my two questions above.
 
Thanks in advance.
 

I think you are correct in assuming to cut your losses. Sonar Platinum has developed so far from Producer and the X versions that you will find it will be almost like starting over. Needless to say, some people thought Producer or X was difficult to learn! Platinum has grown to have a VERY steep learning curve.
I do not mean to scare you. I just feel we need to make you aware that there will be a lot of work ahead to adapt to this new version of Sonar. What you know of Producer will help, but don't expect to just jump in and go to work. Good luck to you.

Did you have a forum sign on when using SONAR 4?

If so you need to get that reactivated you can try asking here

If not contact support and explain your history to them they should get you on the right path.
 
Sonar now has three versions
Platinum = Producer
Professional = ???????
Artist = Studio

It is a new day - the versions are explicated above.  It is a different program, but most of the basic stuff still works the same (some of the mouse moves/clicks are different but much remains the same).  You shouldn't have much of a problem adjusting, tho it may take a little time (and it would no matter what 7-year old program you were used to).  Most users think the latest version is the best - SONAR 4 basically ends w/ SONAR 8.5 and the SONAR X series was different - skylight interface with a more ergonomic tool bar.  SONAR (no #s etc.) is based on the X series.
 
But the short answer is, I don't know what the process is to upgrade from SONAR 4.  No doubt you'll get some kind of upgrade pricing if you can connect to your old account - that too is all new.  Your best bet is to call the help #.  You might have to wait, but ...
 
Those Timework effects were cool, but you'll have the ProChannel instead.  If you have the old disk you can load the timeworks in - SONAR still does DXI.  I remember the TW stuff was good, but I don't think it will outclass the new software.
 
Oh, and welcome back.  I started using SONAR about 5.
 
@

There was upgrade offers from ANY register version of Sonar to the new versions. 
 
If your in need of some new gear, there are many Roland and now Tascam products that ship with Sonar LE. That saved me over $150 off the list price.  I bought a Roland A49 Keyboard for only $120 and saved $150 when I upgraded LE to  X3

There was a declaration by Cakewalk that beginning with one of the X2 or X3 versions of Sonar, it would not run on anything less than Windows 7 with Service Pack 1.
 
Also - I am not sure if 32-bit DXi plugins will necessarily run on a 64-bit Windows, but that is really speculation on my part, as I don't use any 32-bit DXi plugins any longer (to the best of my awareness, anyways).  Cakewalk still has a small number of DX plugins, but I believe there was some internal rework by them to get them to where they would run in 64-bit OS environments.
 
That all being said, you CAN install both a 32-bit Sonar and a 64-bit Sonar on a given 64-bit capable computer running 64-bit Windows 7 with SP 1 or higher.
 
Windows 8.1 or 10 are also options, but in any case, you will want to do some checking for any needed drivers for things like hardware (midi controllers, audio interface) to make SURE there are indeed production released drivers for whatever version of Windows you will be moving to from the current XP.
 
Once you get a nice shiny new computer together, and if needed get rid of a bunch of the bloatware free trial crap and software not desired, you CAN download a free Sonar demo and it will let you test out the user interface and the Sonar audio engine.  There are some restrictions and limitations, but you could still get a pretty good idea of whether or not it is a good idea to move to one of the current versions.
 
You could probably also install whatever version of Sonar that you are/were running on the XP computer, along with any new version of Sonar you decide to move to.  That way, you would/should be able to access your older projects in THAT version, if for whatever reason you can't get them to open in say Platinum.
 
As always, these forums are chocked full of friendly and helpful folks to work with you on getting things squared away.
 
Bob Bone
 

robert_e_bone
Also - I am not sure if 32-bit DXi plugins will necessarily run on a 64-bit Windows, but that is really speculation on my part, as I don't use any 32-bit DXi plugins any longer (to the best of my awareness, anyways).  Cakewalk still has a small number of DX plugins, but I believe there was some internal rework by them to get them to where they would run in 64-bit OS environments.
 

32bit DirectX plug-ins will run on 64bit Windows but DirectX plug-ins are host specific. IOW, 32bit DX plug-ins only run in 32bit hosts and 64bit DX plug-ins only run in 64bit hosts. It is possible to get some 32bit DX plug-ins to load in 64bit hosts by using a DX-to-VST wrapper and loading them via Bitbridge but I do not believe this will work for projects which already reference the plug-ins. In the case of legacy projects, the only solution to loading the projects with DX plug-ins intact is running 32bit SONAR.
 
When it comes to getting the discontinued plug-ins on a new PC, I am not sure if the SONAR 4 installer will run on a modern OS.
 

Hi, and welcome back.
I started with SONAR XL2.2, then upgraded to SONAR 4 Producer. From there I upgraded to X3 (which was quite a jump, but not too bad), and am now on Platinum.
With X3, and especially now on Platinum I feel like it is a pure joy to work with.
The basic buttons are the same, but there is SO much more, and on my end it is extremely stable.
If you take in a little at the time, you will be enjoying it as never before.
I do things now, that I never dreamed about in 2.2, or 4 
And as others have mentioned, the ProChannel stuff is way better than the old fx.
I think Cakewalk will get you sorted with regards to your old account. They did with me years ago, when I lost access to my old mail account.
All the best.

AT
I remember the TW stuff was good, but I don't think it will outclass the new software.
 

Regarding the TW stuff, it's not really a matter of good or not.  I'm sure there's something current that will outclass it, but problem is...  It's what was used so if I try to open any of that era projects, and it's not available, I loose 100's of hours of mastering work.
 
Not sue I have a forum login, but I did register my software.  I'm not terribly concerned about the learning curve as that happens with anything, more the "what do I do with the 100's of buns I have now that were all created on older technology?"  I later got into the habit of creating both final raw and processed tracks before mastering just in case something happened so that will help with some stuff.  I wouldn't expect new projects to be an issue.
 
I will try to reach out to them directly I guess and see what happens.   

The Cakewalk folks have been quite active and responsive to account issues, and they made a point of committing themselves to doing so, which they done well at honoring.  :)
 
Bob Bone