Lovin' it since Cakewalk 3.5.

I think the new monthly updates concept has been incredible in the initial 12 month period. At the present time I think Cakewalk have struck a nice balance between adding new toys and developing optimisations/stability improvements and bug fixes. Sonar can't be 100% all things to all people and there will obviously always be debate. But I am very impressed with the commitment to the originally stated objectives, and very happy that at this point in time, the prophets of doom who were preaching destruction for Cakewalk under Gibson ownership have been completely wrong. So it's probably also appropriate to tip our hats to Gibson management, that have allowed the Cakewalk team the freedom, encouragement and finance to develop and deliver a superior product, a product that was obviously inhibited under Roland ownership.
 
A Happy New Year of health, wealth and music to all.
 
Regards
 
Greg

 Are not most DAW forums full of **** sessions?  All you need to do is go over to "another grass is greener DAW because I never tried it" is full of the same thing.
 At least the complaints do not fall on deaf ears. People involved with the development of Sonar are involved in the forum and that is very important in keeping users.  Propellerheads dropped their forum, not active on their FB page either.   They take a 50% cut off rack extensions from developers.  I would not be surprised if Reason is either acquired or cease development with in 10 years.  They spend their time promoting their free iPad apps.  Most of their users make sure it goes to the spam folder.  They sealed off all communication with the end user. 
 Something else I thought of is how 3rd party developers believe in Sonar. Do you think AAS and XLN would waste their time offering their products with Cakewalk?  
 

cakewalk faithful soldier from version 3 !...1994?
 

GLG
...But I am very impressed with the commitment to the originally stated objectives, and very happy that at this point in time, the prophets of doom who were preaching destruction for Cakewalk under Gibson ownership have been completely wrong. So it's probably also appropriate to tip our hats to Gibson management, that have allowed the Cakewalk team the freedom, encouragement and finance to develop and deliver a superior product, a product that was obviously inhibited under Roland ownership.

Big ole +1 there.   I never would have thought that a product like SONAR could flourish under a company like Gibson so much more so than Roland... it just doesn't seem feasible.   But reality has proven otherwise many times over.   These is the beginning of a new era for SONAR. 
 

Though I love Sonar and have for years, I do tend to get frustrated with dropouts or other problems from time to time. Part of that can be my own PC limitations. But if it's bad enough, can get great support with a phone call or a visit here. I can't wait till this new PC I got is ready to work with Sonar again...just one more firewire controller so I can hook up my desk and I should be in business!
 
Andy

Came from Cubase 4 to Sonar 8.5, now on Platinum and I've never been happier!

My wife, my kids, and sonar, are 5 of the best things in my life. Just wish I had more time for all of them.

Greetings Community,
 
I have been a Cakewalk user since 2000 starting with Guitar Tracks and currently using Platinum and I am extremely  satisfied. The program with monthly upgrades is great and though I may not have an immediate need for some of the new features it's nice to have them in the arsenal should I have the need for them in the future.  I like the performance upgrades that improve stability and performance.  My recordings have never sounded better.  I look forward to the 2016 offerings.  Thanks to everyone at Cakewalk for providing a great product and a happy and prosperous new year to all of you music makers.
 
Blackie James

I was tracking a band (a band I've recorded many times since X1) this past week using Sonar and arming 17 tracks per drum take. Other than not being able to record multiple takes per project (Comping mode) due to Audio Dropouts, Sonar never crashed! Before in X1/X2, it crashed every session, several times! (Yeah, I'm still hurting from the X2 issues -- I won't ever forget how bad X2 was for us). But Platinum is working just fine!!
 
It did crash when I opened a few Waves plug-ins for the first time since Platinum was installed, but otherwise, it's been solid.

A few minor gripes, still:
1) Clicking Apply and Close for Preferences hoses up the system for a good few seconds, many times when adjusting I/O buffers. 
2) Still some wonky-ness in Take Lane expansion when Auto Zoom is enabled. Sometimes the wrong Folder expands.
3) At times, editing Gain envelopes (automation) still gives me issues when I'm not able to add, edit, or move automation points. This is an issue I've had since X2, and reported it a few times. Spend some time with envelopes, and it'll show it's face.
4) Faders are still too small, especially for 'touch'.
5) Sonar seems to introduce static when pre-mastering with loudness, depending on the plug-in. It still can't handle this task inline, especially when mixing. In other words, if I'm intending on creating a very loud master, I can't use Sonar to accomplish that to a professional degree. I don't use Sonar for Mastering, since it lacks the metering and other Mastering tools I require, but for a quick "check" on dynamic pressure in a loud mix, it works pretty well.