Don't forget to look into Mixcraft 8 .
There's a lot of Bang for the buck features included in the program and it can do much more than what it costs .
 
Kenny

Hi Mick!
 
Good to see you around, been a while since we were struggling with getting X1 to work with our hardware ...
 
Just want to throw in that if you still want to have some sort of a control surface and not go all mouse, then hold on the to VS700C (ditch the vs700R, I reckon you will have a hard time selling that for real money) especially if check out all options and then decide to stick to Sonar.
 
Personally, I'm happy with what Sonar provides these days in terms of functionality and stability (later depends 99% on your audio interface, though, IMHO). I still run the vs700C but use several MOTU interfaces in a rather large setup. After such a long time mixing with faders and knobs under my fingers I would not want to got all mouse (and definitely not touch) but that's just me ...
 
Mixbus I got as well here. It's an interesting concept and currently much faster developing than Sonar (but it has also been lacking so much more), but overall it's not strong enough to convince me to use it more often.
 
I reckon if you come into recording from an old school tape machine / mixdesk mindset Sonar still provides everything and appears very usable.  Plenty of music is created differently these days and so there are obviously better tools for other workflows.
 
My 50ct would be to think first which way you are going to work most with the software and check out which DAW suits you best.  Of course, each one claims to provide everything these days. So it may be worthwhile to demo before you splash out. Not all that glitters is gold.
 
 

Hey Rob so good to hear from you mate after all this time!
Yes I hear your words...been thinking long and hard on this and concluding really that the demise of loyalty upgrade paths is what started me on the ponderings of another platform. However I understand the economics and the regular specials may be something to hold out for perhaps. I also hear you regarding the surface...hard to beat the tactile feel of mixing personally coz there is something 'connecting' about it to get that part of the brain working..for me anyway
I have a Motu 9Pre and am curious why you have left the 700R. It is bloated for sure and the repower for sample rate change is the one thing I cringe over however the Motu I remember being great with excellent monitoring etc. Would love your thoughts further on this.
Might try the Harrison demo as the reviews so far have looked interesting.
Cheers.

Unless X2 does not have something, specifically, you are wanting or needing then stick with what you have. From what I have seen, the only differences in X2 and SPlat is the interface upgrades, prochannel stuff and the bundled instruments and the like.
 
The point being, IMHO if it isn't broke then no need to fix it...

DrLumen this also makes sense. Right now I've got the query into Cake about recent specials etc and if they say no to accessing the last deal then I am happy to stay with X2 for now, you're right. I will though have a play with the Harrison demo as that did tickle my small fancy in some strange way.
Also after Rob's reply I'm about to return to Motu and see how the world now looks with it and the 700C running X2.
Should be interesting and looking forward to getting back into the music saddle...

I dunno, if you figure in all of the additions that you may or may not use Sonar is still a real Bargain. For instance, if you wants a good drummer AD2 is in there. If you want plenty of presets to get you started on everything from guitars to efx chains, it's in there. If you want a higher grade of EQ or limiter...it's in there.
 
This is all about making what you have now sound good be it 10 or 100 tracks. Add in all of the helpful advice and the online manual in addition to the help notes functions and you have a tutor leaning over your shoulder every step of the way. 
 
A detailed comparison to any of the others omits much of that. Now subtract from the 499.00 during a sale and it becomes more of a no brainer. 
 
I don't believe it should always be about initial money payed. It should also be about value and comparison. You can get SPLAT sometimes for 399.00 or less. Weigh it all, weight it all.

Where are you getting the $499 price?  Don't you already have X2?  Log in to your account and there should be an upgrade deal available.  (Or have upgrades been discontinued? I honestly don't know.  Best to check for yourself).
 
And even if you get a deal, I'd still suggest leasing Platinum for a month or two, just to insure that it fits your workflow.  I'd also follow the advice already given here: You should check out all the trials of other DAWs that look interesting to you.

JonD
Where are you getting the $499 price?  Don't you already have X2?  Log in to your account and there should be an upgrade deal available.  (Or have upgrades been discontinued? I honestly don't know.  Best to check for yourself).

Cakewalk had been advertising a special last chance price to upgrade from the Sonar X-series for several months.  I believe that this deal just expired on Oct 1. 
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/legacy-upgrade
 
It apparently was even extended for an additional month from the original deadline.  Even so, it would probably be a good suggestion to send a message to sales to see if anything can be done.

Good point. There will be more sales.
 
 "if I was faced with paying $500 to keep using Sonar, I would take a good hard look at Studio One 3 Pro, but to say Sonar is not worth looking at is just you clearly talking out yer tailpipe!!!


I have both and I still prefer SPLAT for mixing most of the time. That's me though 
 
No one should need to spend 500 to keep using Sonar. Once you buy in it gets less painful to upgrade. You don't need to upgrade every year either. Keep what you have and keep working.

Mully
Hey Rob so good to hear from you mate after all this time!
Yes I hear your words...been thinking long and hard on this and concluding really that the demise of loyalty upgrade paths is what started me on the ponderings of another platform. However I understand the economics and the regular specials may be something to hold out for perhaps. I also hear you regarding the surface...hard to beat the tactile feel of mixing personally coz there is something 'connecting' about it to get that part of the brain working..for me anyway
I have a Motu 9Pre and am curious why you have left the 700R. It is bloated for sure and the repower for sample rate change is the one thing I cringe over however the Motu I remember being great with excellent monitoring etc. Would love your thoughts further on this.
Might try the Harrison demo as the reviews so far have looked interesting.
Cheers.

Clearly Cakewalk still haven’t worked out how to keep the riff raff out o’ here.
How are you Mick? Can’t remember the last time I saw you round these parts.
Stick with Sonar. I reckon there’ll be specials on during the holidays. From X2 to now is about 4 years or so but really light years in Sonar development change. Gibson has been the biggest shot in the arm that Cakewalks ever seen. Whatever else maybe Gibson’s problems Cakewalk isn’t among them and as you mentioned, the forum is still pretty good. Se ya round like a dissolve mate.