Z3TA+2 from Steam is on sale at the moment for $30.00, which is very tempting.  I have Sonar Platinum and am wondering if there are any difference with the Steam version and if it integrates as well as the non-Steam version.  I've searched hear and only found that the updates are done through the Steam client, and not the Command Center.  Would that be the only difference?  Thanks for any help.

I think the Steam version has 2 features not included in non-steam versions:

1. Steam Cloud Support (new feature just added)
2. Free Polybius 8-Bit Game Preset Pack

Steam Cloud Support just add a folder that back up your presets to steam cloud service, as long as you remember to save your presets in this folder.
 
I don't know where you can get the Polybius presets outside steam, so maybe someone can chime in to help.
 
Hope this helps!
 
EDIT: you can get the preset pack following this guide:
http://blog.cakewalk.com/..-video-game-sound-pack/

Only the licensing differs as it's through Steam I believe which means you need to be online to use it (I do believe). TBF I would prefer it through the Cakewalk account. AFAIK I know anyway.
 
I'm not sure how much of a nuisance it is however that seems to be the difference. Much like the Adobe Cloud.
 
 

interpolated
Only the licensing differs as it's through Steam I believe which means you need to be online to use it (I do believe). TBF I would prefer it through the Cakewalk account. AFAIK I know anyway.
 
I'm not sure how much of a nuisance it is however that seems to be the difference. Much like the Adobe Cloud.
 
 

Nope. You only need to be online to install & activate.
 
You can use them offline as long as it is installed & activated.

Really? Interesting to know.
 

Thanks folks - The sale's on until July 5 so there's a few more days to mull it over.  Actually, most of Cakewalk's Steam content is on sale.  But as a Platinum owner, I have most of it, or at least most that I'm interested in.  Rapture Pro is on sale for $80...Although it's tempting, I think it's a bit outside what I'm willing to part with (considering local taxes are due!)  The Z3TA+2 price is easier for me to consider...

ChazEd

interpolated
Only the licensing differs as it's through Steam I believe which means you need to be online to use it (I do believe). TBF I would prefer it through the Cakewalk account. AFAIK I know anyway.
 
I'm not sure how much of a nuisance it is however that seems to be the difference. Much like the Adobe Cloud.
 
 

Nope. You only need to be online to install & activate.
 
You can use them offline as long as it is installed & activated.

yeah, steam's just the "delivery guy" - once it's installed and activated, you're good to go like any other VST

i also took advantage of the steam sale , and you needs to be really carefully what to buy . i learned my lesson in the hard way and i dont think i do that ever again .
 
you can buy some content but they does not let you download the content if you do not own the Steam Version of the same product you already own on the normal Cakewalk Account . so i bought some content i can not dl because its not very good described . i also bought some content and needed to buy something which contain Rapture Session . and you needs to install it via Steam before they let you download the content . installed Rapture Session on Steam and it messed up the registry from regular versions it even deactivated my regular Rapture Pro version and didnt wanted anymore activate as it asked for some Steam activations files . its because they handle Rapture Session/Pro the same way .
 
it tooks me really some time to repair the registry entrys that the regular versions works like before . Rapture Pro didnt wanted even activate anymore which i needed later to do offline as it dint wanted activate anymore via Command Center . and the part that i bought some content and that i can not download .
 
also again that you can not buy content on steam before you buy the Steam version of the same product you already own regular . you can not even connect it via Command Center that you could downloadl it at least regulary on Cakewalk .
 
thats really the bad side to Cakewalk Customer .
 
written to Cakewalk Support and i hope they can resolve this . lets see how long it takes before they respond on these issues and if they resolve this .

sorry to hear you had such trouble
 
the cakewalk store and steam store are completely separate entities, and all the steam DLC ("content") product pages do clearly say "This content requires the base application Z3TA+ 2 on Steam in order to run."
 
did you post in the relevant steam forum?

pwalpwal
sorry to hear you had such trouble the cakewalk store and steam store are completely separate entities, and all the steam DLC ("content") product pages do clearly say "This content requires the base application Z3TA+ 2 on Steam in order to run." did you post in the relevant steam forum?

yes they are completly different which is bad anyway you can not mix steam things with regular ones .
 
to be a little bit clearer this time . to take advantage of the steam sale and some content i have buy Sonar Home Studio which includes Rapture Session . in this way i have also buy "Digital Sound Factory - Analog Bass Synths" which are for Rapture Session which are included within Sonar Home Studio . i went over to the steam client and have buy "Cakewalk - Sound Center Pack Complete Bundle" , on the description page on the Cakewalk - Sound Center Pack Complete Bundle are clearly written "Must own Music Creator or Sonar on Steam to use this add-on" so i have buy because i have buy Sonar Home Studio at the same time . but Steam or Cakewalk means that Sonar Home Studio are not Sonar . Sound Center are discontinued by Cakewalk and replaced by Rapture Session which can open Sound Center Expansions . after i noticed that i can not download the Sound Center Bundle i went to the Single Expansions Page where are written now "this Product needs the Basicsoftware Cakewalk Sound Center on Steam" which are not written on the Complete Expansions Package otherwise i had not buy this . thats why i said before it is not clearly described on the Sound Center Bundle . i have no idea why they made it this way or changed it .
 
not to forget about the rapture session install on steam which mess up regular Cakewalk versions and that you can not connect it via Command Center .
 
no i didnt wrote this on the Steam relevant Forum . i written it here to the Support on Cakewalk . i dont know how long it takes before the Support answeres , otherwise i may needs to write on the Steam Support and take the money back (which i basically dont want , i just want to become the product i have buy) .
 
i hope it is a little bit clearer now "the Story behind" .