I used to upgrade constantly.
 
Haven't felt the need for years now, and rarely have any questions these days, after 10 years as a forum member.
 
Is this the beginning of the end?
 

The beginning of the end of what? 

It'll likely be the beginning of the end of your computer if you ever connect it to the internet. No MS support for 8.1 means there are security holes that are never going to be fixed, that the malware community knows about, and more will be discovered. However, if you never ever need to connect it, and the software is doing everything you need it to, good on you! You're missing out on some rather fun and useful stuff, to be sure, but that's absolutely your prerogative!

portesham
I used to upgrade constantly.
 
Haven't felt the need for years now, and rarely have any questions these days, after 10 years as a forum member.
 
Is this the beginning of the end?
 

Are using the 64 bit version?  I was having problems with Sonar 8.3 in Windows 8.1 64 bit.

portesham
and rarely have any questions these days
 
Is this the beginning of the end?
 

How ironic.

subtlearts
It'll likely be the beginning of the end of your computer if you ever connect it to the internet. No MS support for 8.1 means there are security holes that are never going to be fixed, that the malware community knows about, and more will be discovered. However, if you never ever need to connect it, and the software is doing everything you need it to, good on you! You're missing out on some rather fun and useful stuff, to be sure, but that's absolutely your prerogative!

What!!!! Since when is Microsoft not supporting Windows 8.1?? The MS Support Lifecycle for 8.1 is 2023. What did I miss?

 
I think subtlearts misunderstood OP's post.
 
Sonar is what he stopped upgrading, not his OS (At least, that's how I read it).
 

portesham
I used to upgrade constantly.
 
Haven't felt the need for years now, and rarely have any questions these days, after 10 years as a forum member.
 
Is this the beginning of the end?
 

Nahh... I use 8.5.3  in Windows 7-64. It doesn't surprise me that it works in 8.1. I have X3(e), but haven't bother to install it yet. I use Sonar mostly as a digital tape recorder. No one has convinced me that X3 (or Artist, Professional, or Platinum for that matter) actually SOUND better than 8.5.3. The only thing pushing me toward X3(e) is native VST support. Other than that....

JonD
 
I think subtlearts misunderstood OP's post.
 
Sonar is what he stopped upgrading, not his OS (At least, that's how I read it).
 

You're probably right, even though "8.1" doesn't look much like "XP"!

Earwax
I use Sonar mostly as a digital tape recorder. No one has convinced me that X3 (or Artist, Professional, or Platinum for that matter) actually SOUND better than 8.5.3. 

Actually IIRC it was Noel that said at the base level no DAW will ever sound better than any other DAW. Digital audio is digital audio and would sound the pretty much the same unless the developer chose to add "something" to the base DAW (pretty much like the users of Harrison MixBus believe, and no let's not get into that here).
 
What has happened (as I'm sure you're aware) is that the X series (including the New SONAR) has had enhancements that some cannot live without and others welcome with open arms. There is no point in me telling you what I like as it's not germane to you and what you do with your DAW.
 
Heck I know some active posters here who still use a version of SONAR older than yours and are perfectly happy and they produce excellent mixes to boot. 
 
Glad it's working for you.