So, can I just buy Sonar the old fashioned way?  If the only option is to buy a membership that can expire then I'll never buy any cakewalk product again.

Sure, the upgrade currently is $149. A single payment like every version before and the license does not expire, just like every version before.

Ok.  Thanks, scook.  I think I'll take a permanant pass on Cakewalk though.  I get this nagging feeling that I'll accidentally buy something that expires, or they'll change their terms, and I just don't want to spend the time baby sitting it.  It's become over complicated and just not worth the time.

Ok then...bye.  Have fun with your life as a troll.

The biggest difference if you upgrade now is that instead of getting only the features that were added since X3e was released, you get those features and a 12-month membership where you receive features, content, tutorials, etc. for the next year. Anything you acquire during the membership does not expire. You can pay all at once, or spread out the payments over 12 months.
 
At the end of 12 months the membership itself does expire. If your membership expires, you won't receive new updates, features, etc. unless you renew - in other words, Cakewalk will continue to do yearly paid upgrades, like going from X1 to X2, X2 to X3, etc. However if you don't renew, everything up to that point is remains fully functional and permanently activated. It would be as if you had X2 but didn't upgrade to X3.
 
This is not like the Adobe or Avid programs. You keep what you buy.

You've been told that paying upfront means the licence will NEVER expire.
 
No company can change the terms of a contract - which is what this is. Can you honestly see Cakewlk turning around after say, 6, 7 months to all of thier users, "oh, by the way, your licecne is going to expire on the anniversary of your payment, even though you've paid for it"?
 
That would be corporate suicide.

Anderton
The biggest difference if you upgrade now is that instead of getting only the features that were added since X3e was released, you get those features and a 12-month membership where you receive features, content, tutorials, etc. for the next year. Anything you acquire during the membership does not expire. You can pay all at once, or spread out the payments over 12 months.
 

What will be the best way to find out when these features, content and tutorials are available? Will there be email to subscribers?

I am understanding the whole up front thing and would never consider the monthly payment plan, but what concerns me is: what will the price be in 2016, or a year later. I am sure they will still offer the choice to pay upfront or use monthly installments, but what is the cost going to be and is this what I have to look forward to every year...a $149.00 or more upgrade price. I am not complaining, just concerned, as in the past you knew what you were getting in an upgrade, but next year, if we keep getting the upgrades during our yearly membership, what will be new. Nothing, unless they withhold something or many things to make it appealing to all of us to upgrade again, or you are just buying into a membership that promises to deliver in the next upcoming 12 months. Cakewalk has never done anything that I perceived as "not in my best interests", as they have always delivered, but I am curious. I am an upgrader for sure, but I am curious how this will play out. I have not seen any other posts regarding this, so I have missed something, am over thinking it, or just stupid. Keep in mind I am a newbie with regards to real hands on...so I am blind anyway.
 
 

So Long
, really going to miss you - how sad, just so sad, just, hey wait a minute, I have no idea who you are BYe!

As I see it Cake are saying we are going to produce a product called SONAR that we will strive to constantly improve.  

There will be no more new versions of SONAR just improvements and enhancements throughout the course of your membership.

You have a choice you can either buy into that membership by paying monthly or buy paying yearly your choice whatever you can afford.  You can also buy in at the level of sophistication you can afford, i.e. Artist, Profesional or Platinum.
 
There will also be add-ons that can be purchased if you so wish like the forth coming +10dB compressor and Eq from third parties and possibly even Cake themselves, but these would be things that would appeal to certain peeps and not to others.  Like some of the Pro channel modules that had to be purchased separately from X1 expanded onwards. 
 
One thing to consider is that all previous versions of SONAR did not guarantee there would be fixes and or patches or and enhancements from one version to the next.  Though they did they were not under any obligation to do so they just did.
 
So the choice is yours you can join and enjoy the ride and instead of waiting from one year to the next for a new version.  Cake can now concentrate on one product and just make it better. 
 
Thanks Cake and the bakers I like your plan.