Hi all,
Apologies if I've missed something in the FAQs, but I have (what seems to me) a very obvious question:  how do you use Command Center when your DAW is not online? 
 
I keep my DAW PC dedicated for DAW purposes only and temporarily enable relatively slow wifi connectivity for downloading small updates, but for large downloads, I typically download to my office PC with much faster connectivity, then transfer the files via  flash drive and install. 
 
I've purchased and downloaded command center, but don't see any options to download the Sonar files without installing them. 
I'm fine bypassing command center and just downloading Sonar directly, but don't see an option for that as well.
 
I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks
Russ
 
 
 

Hi Russ,
 
What I have done is simply interrupt the installation process as soon as all downloaded files have been validated and before the installation takes place.  From that point I transfer the files over to my DAW.  I have also read that another user downloaded the files directly from her/his CW store account.  I haven't checked myself, but I am sure it is doable as it has always been that way (prior to the 3C).
 
By the way, you can change the download folder in 3C by going to the Settings (cog) and going to the Command Center at the bottom section in the Download Path field.
 
Kind regards,
 
tecknot
 

I have an offline DAW as well. I downloaded the files from my CW account, and put them on a flash drive. The only thing I'm wondering about is updates. I see that Sonar Platinum in my account is now on a different build. So I guess I have to download the whole program every time I want to update?

This is an issue which I would also like addressed. I cannot find the thread now. But I believe it was Noel who said in a similar thread  " We don't recommend not using the command center to download and install Sonar 2015" 
Sorry I can't find it as these threads are moving to page 5 in no time right now. 
The gist of it is he's saying you need to use the command center or expect problems. 
For me it's a huge hassle as I'm just like Russ. But then add to that I am charged $10 a gig over 3 gigs a month. So am I'm faced with lugging my DAW to town? 
for X3 I just waited until I had access to a good connection and downloaded it no problem to a USB drive. I've never had to re download and that not an option I like. If these updates are large files then this puts the cost of owning Sonar way up for me. 
Not everybody on this planet has access to a good internet connection. I guess we are slowly becoming second class citizens. 

I haven't had any problems thus far.  I haven't install everything, like the Session Instruments and older plugin sets, but all is good.  I'll report if I do find a problem though.
 
Kind regards,
 
tecknot

Leadfoot - when you say you download the files from your CW account onto a flash drive - that's exactly my question.  I've always done this historically, but now with my purchase of Platinum, it's recommended to use command center, so have you downloaded the files from command center without installing?  Or are you referring to downloading previous versions before Command Center? 
 
I also don't see any ability to just download the Platinum files without using command center, even though several threads indicate this is supposedly possible. 


I did exactly what techknot did (I stopped the process after download, just as installation was commencing), but surely this isn't the designed way things are supposed to work.

It appears as though the command center has changed!  When I DLed Platinum I had the option to install or just DL the file.  I DLed the file, transferred it to a flash drive and installed it into my off line computer. I just checked and that option no longer exists. You can only install from the command center now.
 
Would someone else check this please just to verify.
 
Bakers, what gives?

karma1959
Leadfoot - when you say you download the files from your CW account onto a flash drive - that's exactly my question.  I've always done this historically, but now with my purchase of Platinum, it's recommended to use command center, so have you downloaded the files from command center without installing?  Or are you referring to downloading previous versions before Command Center? 
 
I also don't see any ability to just download the Platinum files without using command center, even though several threads indicate this is supposedly possible. 


I did exactly what techknot did (I stopped the process after download, just as installation was commencing), but surely this isn't the designed way things are supposed to work.

Sorry it took so long to reply. I didn't use command center. I just went to Cakewalk.com and logged into my account, and went into the products page. From there, it shows everything you've registered. I downloaded Platinum from there. Hope that helps.

Sorry it took so long to reply. I didn't use command center. I just went to Cakewalk.com and logged into my account, and went into the products page. From there, it shows everything you've registered. I downloaded Platinum from there. Hope that helps.

 
Leadfoot - thanks again. I'm baffled - when I go into 'my account' I can see all the products purchased before platinum available for download, but platinum is only listed under 'connected accounts' and doesn't have a direct download option - instead it redirects me to command center to download.  Am I being dopey and missing something completely obvious?

All,
I placed a support ticket to Cake and their response is below.  I'm baffled why these steps aren't in the FAQs or download instructions.  I should also add that you don't need to complete the application install on the non-DAW PC.  Once the files complete downloading and you're prompted for an installation path (or whatever the first dialog box is), just cancel out of the install to avoid installing the command center delivered application onto your non-DAW PC.  Then just follow the instructions below to get the download files.
 
 
________________________
Thanks for contacting Cakewalk! If you have an online computer and wish to install the SONAR Platinum files on an offline computer, you can in fact get the files from a hidden folder from command center
Open your run prompt by holding down the Windows key and pressing R

• In the Run Prompt, type %programdata%
• Double click the Cakewalk Folder
• Double click the Command Center folder
• Double click the Downloads folder
• All files in this folder are the setup files that Cakewalk Command Center accesses to install your products. You can copy all these files on to an external hard drive, and then run them on the offline computer. Note that you will need to go through the offline authorization steps if you are setting this up on an offline computer. Also note that some of these files are not necessary. You might notice multiple installers for each product. In this case, you only need the newest installer (check the numbers after the name of the product in the name of the Setup file; higher number = newer version).