Hard to understand why anyone would remain confused about the "membership" model. I bought the full upgrade from Sonar X3 to Sonar Platinum for $149. Just like other years, that brought me new functionality and new content. Now, at no additional cost, I also get significant improvements in functionality and additional content regularly (monthly so far). Each month I look at the updates and ask, would I pay $12.42 for this bundle of additional function and content (149 divided by 12)? Of course I would. Next year the decision to pay again to continue such cheap incremental improvements should be easy. But I also have the option to stop paying, stop getting regular updates, and just keep using what I already have.
Those who don't have the cash for a full initial purchase can get the full product with very reasonable monthly payments. They can use the full set of features for very little money and can quite using the product and quit paying at any time. If they pay for 12 months, they own the product outright with no requirement to keep paying (unless they want to continue receiving regular improvements). Those who chose monthly payment end up paying more over a year than those who pay all at once, but monthly payment can be a great option for those who need it.