So is Sonar X3 Studio ---> Sonar Artist an UPGRADE or a DOWNGRADE?
 
John
 

You will lose features such as AudioSnap, ProChannel, and BlueTubes Effects.
 
You would gain the improved workflow and control bar and the bug fixes.
 
Overall I'd say it's a downgrade. 

Yeah, you will some functionality. Do you currently use the ProChannel?

Not being a musician or audio engineer there are many features I have yet to use, ProChannel being one of them. This is why I'm content with Sonar Studio. 

Hi jj, this brought a smile to my face. If one is not a musician or an audio engineer, what does one do with Sonar?
One gets the feeling that one is secretly a musician and one is keeping it a secret (perhaps from oneself). (The give away seems to be the keyboards in the background of your pic).