Geo524
 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. 

Geo524, what to you consider to be a subscription ?  It think the term is usually associated with programs that you continually pay to use and when you stop paying, you can longer use the product.

This is not the case with the new Sonar.  Once you've paid for it, you can use it forever.  After a year, you have to pay for updates, but that's the way it's always been with most programs.
 
It may be worth your while to read a few pages of this thread as all the details are gone over in depth.
 

How does activation work?
 
Does your DAW need to be connected to the internet to keep SONAR activated?
 

No need to be connected to the internet.
 
If you are connected to the internet here is the auth process http://youtu.be/oG62qz0_q88
If not, here is the auth process http://youtu.be/roIgly_GjoI
 
Or you can read about it here http://www.cakewalk.com/D...=Introduction.28.html#

Thanks Paul. Perhaps I misunderstood. I will take your advice and read the posts more thoroughly. 

watercourse
I have a question regarding ProChannel modules.  I apologize if this was already asked and answered.  I searched the thread and wasn't able to find my specific question.  I currently have X3 Producer and am considering switching to the new Professional version (not Platinum).  I understand that any separately purchased PC modules will show up in Professional, but what about PC modules included with X3 Producer that are not purchased separately and also not included in the default Professional version? I'm specifically referring to Breverb Sonar, PC76, PC4k bus compressor, Console Emulator, Tape Emulator and Tape Saturation.  Since I 'own' these from X3 Producer, will they still be available to me if I switch to Professional?  And, if I do get access to these modules within Professional, what is required to activate them? Does X3 need to be installed on the machine or does activation happen through the command center, etc.?
 
Thanks in advance!

Hi Watercourse,
 
Yes all your existing ProChannel plugins will work in SONAR Professional. You will also get the new REmatrix Solo.

Geo524
 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. 

It's not subscription. Please read the FAQ first:
 
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Membership
 
 

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.

This is not a subscription model. Please read the FAQ:  http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Membership
 
SONAR X3 has been out for 15 months. You know eventually it will be updated, and it has with new version.
 
SONAR X3 = SONAR Artist
SONAR X3 Studio = SONAR Professional
SONAR X3 Produer = SONAR Platinum
 
If you want to buy an upgrade, our friends at GC still have it: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Cakewalk-SONAR-X3-Producer-Upgrade-from-SONAR-X2-Producer-Software-Download-109841619-i3455813.gc
 
Lastly, this new model should work out nicely for you if you think about it. You never have to worry if buy a version only to have a newer one come out the next day. You could go buy X3 somewhere but let me ask you why you would do that? If you buy say SONAR Platinum for the same price of $149, you will get:

• Everything in SONAR X3
• Everything announced in SONAR Platinum
• Plus 12 more months of new features and more

And you will own everything you receive. So explain to me how X3 is better? Maybe you can make me understand that logic.

Thanks.

rodreb
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.
 

Does anyone know the answer to the highlighted question? I'm not quite ready (financially) to buy the new version, but I don't want to miss the deal. I've searched Cakewalk and the forum and have not seen a definitive answer.

No date certain have been given. There is a post early in this thread indicating it may go through February.
 

scook
No date certain have been given. There is a post early in this thread indicating it may go through February.
 

Thanks Steve!