jatoth
No, it's not about "bang for my buck". I have purchased everything offered by Cakewalk since 2008. All Producer upgrades, Pro-Channel Plugs, full versions of all included extras (ie AD2, Melodyne, et al.)
As I said in my OP, I can't be a tester. I generally wait a few months for the show stoppers to be fixed and the dust to settle. This time it seems Cakewalk wants my money up front in order to receive everything you received from the first day, even if I want to wait and pay them more later. 

On your first point, i don't think you have anything to worry about. This is without doubt THE most stable version ever released. It just works.
 
Regarding the point about wanting your money up front - this is clearly no difference whatsoever from previous releases, except you DO have the option of paying monthly - and will the full program immediately available.

scook
It was not sent to a specific customer, it was a newsletter which even if you did not receive you have known about for several weeks.

Sorry but that's not the point.
 
I'm not being argumentative here, I'm just waiting for Cakewalk to say something about this.
The minute they do, I'll stop.

I really do appreciate everyone's replies. Thank you all.
But, (you knew there was a but coming) I already understand the payment options, the length of membership, fixes and new features current and future. My original question for someone at Cakewalk to respond to still stands unanswered by Cakewalk. 
Please explain what I will miss if I wait a few months and will I be able to "catch up" at a later time.
Again, I know I will get all new features and bug fixes no matter when I fork over the cash.
 
Bapu,
If I purchase from Cakewalk I have to install it now?
 
 

See http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/3145090 Andrew indicates the promo would go "At least through January and probably February" This is the earliest reference I can find.
 

jatoth
If I purchase from Cakewalk I have to install it now?

You never have to install the product. When purchasing directly from Cakewalk, the membership starts immediately. When purchasing from a retailer, the membership starts when the code supplied by the retailer is redeemed at Cakewalk.

scook
"At least through January and probably February"
 

You have to admit that is somewhat vague.
 
FWIW at 15:34 this afternoon I received another newsletter from Cakewalk.  Just the usual offering me the latest Sonar at full price.
 

Bristol_Jonesey
 
 
On your first point, i don't think you have anything to worry about. This is without doubt THE most stable version ever released. It just works.
 
Regarding the point about wanting your money up front - this is clearly no difference whatsoever from previous releases, except you DO have the option of paying monthly - and will the full program immediately available.

Sorry Bristol, but I have counted over thirty reproducible issues with CWBRN numbers in the Problem Reports forum related to Platinum. You may not have run into any of these, but others have.
 
Point 2. There is a definite difference from previous releases. (except X2 content club) Previously, If Bapu purchased HIS upgrade the day it was released, and I waited 6 months, I would have EXACTLY EVERYTHING Bapu has. If a brand new user waits until summer to make a full purchase of Sonar Platinum does he get EVERYTHING Bapu got? As it stands now, I don't think so.

"Content" is a pretty loose term, I'll grant you that. I think this would require a response from a Cakewalk representative. I would assume loop libraries and expansion packs for instruments would be members only, although I could also see some of them being sold separately to non-members and non-SONAR users.
 
As to things like my amps, that's up to Cakewalk. I'm planning on doing an amp every month, so there are lots of ways they could be handled...they could be sold as an "Amp Pack" so people could catch up. Maybe Cakewalk would let Platinum owners get all of them, and Artist and Professional users get a lesser amount. Or maybe Cakewalk will be feeling generous and give 'em all away. 
 
I think a lot of the point of membership is you get stuff as soon as it's ready. Whether something that was part of membership becomes available in a year or two for "catch up" hasn't been defined, but Cakewalk does seem to err on the side of generosity.

Pay the 15 and experience much joy and happiness and the relief that you do not have to think about it, nor write about it, again.

If there is content that is only exclusive for the month, we will let you know. Otherwise, unless stated, it will be included as part of Command Center and you can download it at your leisure. The core program will always be the latest when you start. That's one of the advantages of this system. You aren't going to go to a store and find an "old" version and realize you have to catch up. The first update is coming soon so people will get a chance to download it on Command Center and see how it is presented. I believe all the content for update 1 will be permanent. 
 
In terms of licensing for third party products, there are no changes expected any time soon but it's always possible that we could change something about the program. For example, we updated from Addictive Drums 1 to Addictive Drums 2. In the past we've also dropped older technology, like for example Perfect Space or V-Vocal.