3. You can order the boxed discs from Sweetwater. Cakewalk typically charges S&H on physical shipments. Sweetwater doesn't.

TabSel
I would not offer a promise to do an even better album and charge upfront on a monthly subscription...

 
That doesn't relate to the question you asked about why change if something is successful. That's the question I answered. I know you're not sold on the implementation of the change, but there's a reason why it was changed, and it was in the belief that it would produce a superior experience for the majority of SONAR users.

Craig, we differ in views and opinions

 
Not really, because...
 

it's not you who might convince me by words to spend my money, it's cakewalk, who might convince by delivering. 

As I've said many, many, many times in this thread, it's not up to the customers to renew. The onus is on Cakewalk to make them WANT to renew.  I really don't see what you're saying as any different.

I at least get my English back up to grips arguing with you :)

Copiague
I have a few questions:
 
1. I have Sonar X3 and I have purchased the full versions of Addictive Drums 2, TH2, Melodyne, etc. Will the installation of Platinum let me bypass the installation of the "lite" versions of software I already own?

 
I installed last night, and the Command Center gives you buttons next to your products so you can choose which ones to update. For example I didn't update Melodye, Rapture. or Dimension Pro. TH2 Producer doesn't overwrite the full version, they're separate.
 
Sorry, but I don't know the answers to your other questions.
 

TabSel
I at least get my English back up to grips arguing with you :)

Well if English isn't your native language, you do a lot better than some Americans.
 
I always loved giving seminars in Sweden and Denmark because of their command of English. I asked a friend from Denmark why Danes speak English so well. He said "Well, no one speaks Danish." 

When will we be able to buy this new Sonar? Also, how long will the $149 price be in effect? Forgive me if this has been addressed and I missed it in the deluge of posts and comments.
 

I don't get this at all and I feel quite unhappy about it.
Firstly - I can't get X3 anymore? I was on X2 and was so disappointed how quickly X3 came out after shelling out for upgrades since 8.5 -> X1 -> X2. I thought I'd wait for X4.
But a) no X4, and b) an annual subscription? What the ????
And I don't even have the option of upgrading to X3 any more... it's annual membership or get lost???
What's with the stupid names - "Platinum"? What version is that?
I'm pretty unhappy about this. Might be time to learn a new product? Subscription model is @#$% - hell I'm a hobbyist that fires up my Sonar maybe twice a year for editing, and usually just to play my keyboard as a piano. Yes, waste of money for Producer but I wanted the best. But a subscription model? So offensive.

ontime
I don't get this at all and I feel quite unhappy about it.

 
Rest assured that you have not lost out on anything.  Well, not that much anyway.
 
What you think of as X4 is now just called Sonar.  See here for details.  It is the successor to X3 and you can upgrade to it for 50$, 100$ or 200$ depending on the versions involved in the upgrade.  See here for those details (scroll down the page to Pricing).
 
Unfortunately, Sonar is somewhat more expensive than X3 and you'll have to study up on it to determine what's best for you.
 
Don't be put off by the term "subscription" flying around.  You can pay for your upgrade in a single payment just like you've always done or, which is new this time around, you can pay for it in 12 instalments for a fee.  Once it's paid for, you can use the program for the rest of your life.  The first year you get updates for free, after that you have to pay for them.
 
Sonar is not available yet, but rumor has it that it will be release on the 21st of this month.
 
 
 
 

ontime
I don't get this at all and I feel quite unhappy about it.
Firstly - I can't get X3 anymore? I was on X2 and was so disappointed how quickly X3 came out after shelling out for upgrades since 8.5 -> X1 -> X2. I thought I'd wait for X4.
But a) no X4, and b) an annual subscription? What the ????
And I don't even have the option of upgrading to X3 any more... it's annual membership or get lost???
What's with the stupid names - "Platinum"? What version is that?
I'm pretty unhappy about this. Might be time to learn a new product? Subscription model is @#$% - hell I'm a hobbyist that fires up my Sonar maybe twice a year for editing, and usually just to play my keyboard as a piano. Yes, waste of money for Producer but I wanted the best. But a subscription model? So offensive.

There is no subscription. Its much as it always was. What CW is doing is trying to be faster with updates and patches. For the next 12 months you are entitled to all new additions and improvements CW rolls out. That is what the membership is all about. No subscription is used. When you buy Sonar you are offered a choice to pay the full amount for the upgrade as we have always done or pay monthly until its paid off.  Either way you get the membership.
 
As to the name its Sonar Platinum or Professional or Artist. Those are the versions. You can call it X4 if you like I may do that myself. Beside I used Logic Platinum 5 when it was cross platform and owned by Emagic. It didn't bother me that it was called that.
 
  

 I won't do a subscription based DAW.  I really loved Sonar and will continue to work with X3 for as long as I can, but it looks like Reaper will become the new DAW for me.