I'm not happy about the membership scheme Cakewalk has introduced.
 
I've spent a ton of money with Cakewalk over the years and if I don't subscribe they are effectively cutting me off - how is that good customer service?  That has really annoyed me.
 
They also appear to be charging extra for all the things like bug fixes and some content updates that we, the customers, used to get for free.  
 
I think they have discounted this first year to try and make it look like a better deal than it actually is - look at the price hike next year if you select the pay monthly option.
 
I'm just not seeing the benefits of this scheme.  In 2016 it will cost me over 60 UK pounds a year extra.  I'm seriously thinking of cutting my losses and switching to another product.  But, before I do that can anyone give me any facts about this membership that isn't based on the Cakewalk marketing blurb?  Is this membership a good thing to pay for?  Please convince me!

Here we go again. 
 
Yes, it's a good deal. The update is great and the bonuses are worth more than the price of the update. If you pay for itup front there is no difference at all from how it was before. You've misunderstood (or are deliberately misunderstanding, I don't mean to cast aspersions but there have been a lot of these threads started by brand new members over the last few weeks so please forgive us if we've become a bit cynical) the marketing. There are at least 15-20 very similar threads here if you want to take the time to look, where every such objection is thoroughly debunked. I'm not interested enough to rehash it all here, except to say that in effect the only thing that has happened is that a monthly payment option has been made available to people who might need or want it, and if you don't you can safely ignore it and continue to upgrade ~yearly as before, and enjoy a fabulous software suite from a great company. And this excellent forum is gravy. 

Hey, less of the attitude please.  I simply asked some questions, if you didn't want to answer then don't answer.

Please don't feed these one post, one complaint guys who are going to take their business elsewhere.  I've got licensed versions of 5 different DAWs and if a new version looks like something I can use, I buy it.  Sometimes, I buy it and never use it but I have it if I need it.
 
 

I'm not really sure where the discontent comes from.  If you prefer to continue paying in full for each upgrade - you can still do that, so there doesn't NEED to be a change if you're uncomfortable with it.  However if you prefer NOT to pay in full, you can pay per month.  Either way, you're not being cut off - you still own whatever you've purchased historically, which is exactly the same situation as you've had all those years you've been upgrading.  In addition, if you do upgrade (whether monthly or annually), not only to you receive the current upgrade (as you always have historically), but it also entitles you to free upgrades for the next 12 months. 
 
There are numerous threads on this subject.  A quick search on the forum will give you all the details and context you need to make a decision. 

In short,
1. You're paying for an upgrade, just as if Sonar X4 were released
2. You're getting a whole extra year not only of bug fixes (used to be roughly half a year) but also of extra features (we never had this before).
3. You're not getting cut off after a year, you get to keep your software as is. Again as it was, except now you'll have a newer version.
4. You don't HAVE to upgrade after a year, you can wait until new features become available that you're interested in (no different from before).
5. Cakewalk will have to provide some incentive for people to upgrade right after their year is up, so I'm personally guessing/hoping there will be some discounts for those who wish to continue with no interruptions.

As I recall, every time I upgraded I always had to pay up front. Cakewalk never let me download the software and use it, then pay later. Now, you can do that, which is great if that's what you want to do. Otherwise, it is the same as it ever was.
 
Dan
 

I have used Cakewalk since I purchased a copy of Sonar 8, and I have upgraded through each version to X3.  I have tried other DAWS in the past and stuck with Sonar as I like it the best, so it is my only one.  I have, and hope to continue to be, a loyal Sonar user.
 
I'm just new to the forum.  I don't usually use forums so my apologies if my post has caused any bad feeling or misunderstanding.  My post was perhaps not well worded, but that may be as I've had a fever for the past week!  Probably not the best time to write it.
 
I now have a better understanding of the membership deal.  So, thanks.  That's all I was asking for.  

Go back and edit your OP title to say "SOLVED". And maybe apologize? Just a thought.

For example, I apologized in advance and explained why I (and others) might come off as impatient with this line of inquiry. If you genuinely missed the info, then I am happy to apologize again, but there has been a pattern and your post happened to fit it perfectly.