Sorry if this has already been explained elsewhere, but I haven't been able to find any official answers. 
 
I jumped onboard the annual subscription model (went from X3 Producer to Platinum) because I like the idea of getting new features throughout the year and having the ability to keep what I have if future updates no longer appeal to me.  Cakewalk has advertised that members will receive monthly updates, and thus far that has indeed been the case.  (New content for Platinum such as Vocalsync, AD2, etc. in January and the February Braintree release.)  However, the "up next for members" section has been touting the development of drum replacement, quick FX, onscreen keyboard and "a special surprise" ever since the launch of the new membership model.
 
Because none of the Braintree content was listed on the "up next for members" section, I get the impression that perhaps major software features will only show up on an annual basis, and that the monthly updates will be more about bug fixes, existing feature enhancements and some added presets, plug-ins, etc.
 
It's still worth it in my book, but after seeing the same content on the "up next for members" section for the past three months, I am a little disappointed that perhaps we're still going to have to wait a year for any significant enhancements like we did prior to the new pricing model.  I understand that we can't realistically expect Cakewalk to offer new mind-boggling features every single month, but given the way it was advertised, one would hope that we see some big developments at least a few times a year...
 
And yes, I do realize that the desirability of the new content is completely subjective.  While I wouldn't classify any of the new content in the Braintree release as "underwhelming", it's certainly not the sort of thing that would entice me to pay for an upgrade were that the case.  Vocalsync, AD2 Producer, expandable plugins/sends, etc. are what enticed me to jump from X3 to Platinum.  On the other hand, some folks probably like the Braintree stuff more than the "big" features that I liked from January's rollout, so there you go.
 
I guess the short version of my question is this: any idea if the Drum Replacer, etc. are going to be included in a monthly update relatively soon?  Or are those long-term enhancements that aren't likely to show up for another 6 to 12 months?
 
I know my questions will be answered in time as these monthly updates roll out, but if there's any official info about what type of content we can expect on a monthly basis (and why the "up next for members" section seems to be static), please enlighten me!

Yes section has been touting the development of drum replacement, quick FX, onscreen keyboard and "a special surprise" ever since the launch of the new membership model.
I would like to be enlighten 2!!
 

Ah we've finally found a use for the keyboard thingy for somebody..
As far a timescales is concerned no information (nor are you likely to have until very near or on release), the next update is under a week away I think?

Nobody outside of Cakewalk knows what's "up next"
 
Why would anyone feel disappointed about something they know nothing about?
Personally I feel more than a little excited about forthcoming updates, but I guess I was always a little weird.

Nobody knows what is coming up next.  I get the feeling that Cake is giving the bakers etc. some leeway.  Craig and his stompbox fetishes, the extra impulses and presets for Rematrix solo, etc. So if a baker has an interest, they can indulge it.
 
There are also features Cake has promised, like the keyboard and drum replacement.  I expect these to be doled out over the year.  The implicit promise is these are part of your purchase, not next year's.  That ain't to say they might drop a "promised" feature if it gets too hard to implement.  Cake might find they can either do the drum replacement or everything else because of extensive rewriting.  I'm not a coder, but I do know that once you open a can it can be full of worms. 
 
There is no reason to suspect Cake is trying to pull a fast one on you and entice you with their product and future promises they have no intention of fulfilling.  That is basic economics, since hell has no fury like a customer who feels they have been lied to.  I don't know why so many young people are so distrusting.  Cakewalk has been selling software for almost as long as I've been recording music, which is longer than I care to say.  They didn't survive by pissing off most of their customers, or a plurality.  Few companies do and none prosper by throwing their customers belly down onto a mattress.  Most companies and the people who comprise them are looking out for their interests by looking out for their customer's interest.  They don't always succeed, but lord they try.  I know I do in my own business dealings, and wouldn't bother to stop and pee on a company or person if they were fire if they had lied to me - as some have.  That is a much better solution to bad business practice than worrying instead that everyone is out to get you so you never buy anything.
 
@

Looking at the "Up Next for Members" screen it looks like a ghostly guitarist as the "special surprise". Since Applied Acoustic Systems have just announced Strum GS-2, maybe we are in for a real surprise.

I certainly don't feel like Cakewalk is pulling a fast one or that I'm getting swindled in any way whatsoever.  Had they NOT gone with the membership plan and instead gone with Sonar X4 Professional including Vocalsync, etc. I would've upgraded to the newest version anyway.
 
I just found it strange when they listed the new content that was "up next" for members, then the Braintree release came out that didn't include any of those listed features.  I'm not a programmer either, but I certainly understand that implementing a new software feature that interacts with the guts of the program requires a lot of coding and testing, whereas adding impulse responses or ProChannel presets is a fairly straight-forward process of adding new content to existing features already "hard-wired" into the program.
 
So I completely understand that Cakewalk isn't likely to add significant software changes each and every month, but when they state that members receive monthly updates and the drum replacer etc. were listed as "up next", they did give the impression that our February update would've included those specific items.
 
So it would seem that the "up next for members" section is detailing significant software changes that are currently in development, but not necessarily features that are really "up next".  I think confusion could've been avoided if they simply would've said that a few major changes would be incorporated each year, but each month will provide a little something new to members.  (Hell, maybe that IS stated somewhere and I just missed it.)
 
But again, it's not like I think Cakewalk is pulling a scam or being dishonest.  I've tried other DAWs and while there are some things Cakewalk could do better, in my opinion it's the best DAW out there by a long shot, at least when it comes to composing/creating music.  Pro Tools has an advantage in regards to comprehensive mixing features, but many of those can be replicated to a degree within Sonar.  But when it comes to the usability of the interface and all of the plugins and instruments that are bundled with Sonar, Cakewalk is definitely dedicated to providing musicians with as many tools as possible to create music from start to finish, AND they also give you one hell of a bang for your buck.  I can only image what PT would cost if they included as many plugins and instruments as Sonar has!
 
So I'm not upset with Cakewalk or feel like I've been ripped off.  I was simply trying to ascertain what to expect with the monthly updates.  Again, I'll find out in due time once more updates roll out.

streckfus 
Because none of the Braintree content was listed on the "up next for members" section, I get the impression that perhaps major software features will only show up on an annual basis, and that the monthly updates will be more about bug fixes, existing feature enhancements and some added presets, plug-ins, etc.

 
These are all fair questions and perhaps I can give some insights.
 
I do know that right now, Cakewalk is paying a lot of attention to workflow enhancements and fixes. If you look at past updates, there would be lots of these initially and then they'd sort of trail off as fewer things needed fixing. The difference now is that I suspect a lot of the fixes will still be "front-loaded" for a while because there was essentially a new update to "X4," but will tend to even out as the monthly release model takes hold.
 

It's still worth it in my book, but after seeing the same content on the "up next for members" section for the past three months, I am a little disappointed that perhaps we're still going to have to wait a year for any significant enhancements like we did prior to the new pricing model.

 
That's definitely not the case. Although you're correct that "we can't realistically expect Cakewalk to offer new mind-boggling features every single month," new features will be introduced over the course of the year. Different releases will have different mixes of fixes, features, and content.
 

And yes, I do realize that the desirability of the new content is completely subjective.  While I wouldn't classify any of the new content in the Braintree release as "underwhelming", it's certainly not the sort of thing that would entice me to pay for an upgrade were that the case.

 
Here I think it's important to consider what you get over the course of a year. Maybe you don't have a need for bass loops, or maybe like Grem, you'll check them out and find them useful...or maybe you'll find them useful six months from now. But after a year, when you have a lot of content to choose from, I think the odds that some of it will be very useful to any individual musician increases dramatically. I've finished a Les Paul Gold Top expansion pack for Dimension Pro that has what I think are some pretty useful sounds (check out the 12-strings!), as well as a library of percussion loops which varies from straight tambourine beats to some whacked-out electro percussion. I'm also soliciting content from other sources. If you added up what it would cost to buy all the content you receive in a year from other vendors, it would be much more than the upgrade price but of course, the upgrade price buys you a lot more than content.
 
I've always thought of the features and fixes as the "bread and butter" of the releases, with the content being the "But wait! There's more!!" element that will be perceived as a welcome bonus by the majority of members.
 
 

I know my questions will be answered in time as these monthly updates roll out, but if there's any official info about what type of content we can expect on a monthly basis (and why the "up next for members" section seems to be static), please enlighten me!

The "What's Up Next for Members" so far has involved the longer-term projects, but they'll arrive sooner rather than later. I think the main reason it's been static is because in the early days of a new release, fixes and workflow enhancements tend to be a priority.
 
I'm writing up the eZine for the second release now so I know what's in it, and I think members will be pleased.

strekfus,
 
I wasn't so much responding to you but to some here and elsewhere.  Your attitude was more wondering and a proper carefulness.  My post was more of general thoughts on others who seemed the world is agin them.  Esp. with the Subscription model etc. of Cakewalk's released, we had a lot of paranoids here.  I'd hate to go through life thinking everyone is out to get me.  Most people aren't out to get you - they don't care.  The great truth is that if something seems to good to be true, it is.
 
@

Hey Craig - I've always thought your content has been more than useful. I bought the Minimoog and Electronic Guitars for Rapture and so far the content for SPLAT has been great. With you involved it can only get better. Keep up the good work!