Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]

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.

Great, thanks.  One follow up: Does X3Pe need to be installed on the machine for the PC modules to show up in Professional, or is there some other method, e.g. Command Center?

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]

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.

Hi Andrew,
 
Have I misunderstood something?  You said he could upgrade to Sonar Platinum for $149 but the OP said that he was currently on X2.  My understanding from the website is that it costs $199 to go from X2 to Platinum.
 
For me the big point is that there's no deals anymore.  I was prepared to wait for a year after the new version came out to pick it up at a sale price, in fact it was the only way I could afford it.  That options gone now, so now I'm stuck on X2.  What was the best price we had for upgrading to X3 Producer?  Better than $149 I think.  Like the OP, if I could get X3 Producer at the best price I'd be considering that I think.
 
I hope my tone comes across OK because I'm not wishing to agitate - I love Cakewalk, I love Sonar, but I'm feeling marooned right now.

SGodfrey
For me the big point is that there's no deals anymore.  I was prepared to wait for a year after the new version came out to pick it up at a sale price, in fact it was the only way I could afford it.  That options gone now, so now I'm stuck on X2.

I think I've read every post relating to the new Sonar these last few days and cannot recall a single remark from Cakewalk regarding sales.  So I don't think we can mourn their passing just yet.
 

Paul P

SGodfrey
For me the big point is that there's no deals anymore.  I was prepared to wait for a year after the new version came out to pick it up at a sale price, in fact it was the only way I could afford it.  That options gone now, so now I'm stuck on X2.

I think I've read every post relating to the new Sonar these last few days and cannot recall a single remark from Cakewalk regarding sales.  So I don't think we can mourn their passing just yet.
 

The new model precludes it.  Up to now, they could reduce the price in the sales for "year-old tech", but now it's only going to be possible to buy the latest, most up to date version and since you're buying a membership, it has to always be the same price.
 
That's my view on it anyway.  I can see prochannel modules and things like Z3ta 2 appearing in the sales but not Sonar itself.

 
 
Cakewalk has had introductory sales, like they have now for Platinum, end-of-version sales like they had recently and sales in the middle of the year for no particular reason.  You could argue that this was unfair to those who paid full price.
 
Why wouldn't Cakewalk have a jump-on-the-bandwagon-sale every once in a while ?
 
 

Paul P
Why wouldn't Cakewalk have a jump-on-the-bandwagon-sale every once in a while ?

Before they could say "early adopters could use version Y longer". But now later "jump-on"ers will be able to use new version longer and they will get updates longer. And so:
* in case there is a sale for 1 year subscription, early adopters can get bad feeling...
* in case there is no sale, there will be less users...
 
But, they can:
* add some content which is available "this month" only, so later "jump-on"ers will not get it (as it was with X2 Content Club).
* open possibility to buy next subscription in advance, so current members also can participate the sale. Curiously, CW has written the time of the membership start from the time of pursues. But that can be changed.

SGodfrey
For me the big point is that there's no deals anymore. 

This new plan amounts to a doubling or tripling of the customary price people have come to expect.  And it happens by nibbling away in several areas:
 
1) Controlling or eliminating the late-life discounting
2) Discouraging the skipping of releases
3) Increasing the subscription 33% in the second year
4) Charging more for one year than was previously charged per release, even though the releases were usually spaced about 18 months apart.
 
Every business is entitled to try to maximize their profit.  My only objection is the attempt to pass this off as an altruistic move.  It is not altruistic.  It is profit-centered, and there is nothing wrong with that.  I want Cakewalk/Gibson to be profitable so they will have the resources to continue to build a good product.  As a person who has had to make many similar marketing/pricing decisions in the past, I caution that pricing is not a one-dimensional thing.  There is action/reaction.  I expect that the most active Sonar users will support the program, but this program could prove to be very off-putting to the less active users and most importantly, the potential new users.  When looking at other options like Reaper, I can imagine many will be driven away, so this may not end up maximizing profits in the long run.

cparmerlee

SGodfrey
For me the big point is that there's no deals anymore. 

This new plan amounts to a doubling or tripling of the customary price people have come to expect.  And it happens by nibbling away in several areas:
 
1) Controlling or eliminating the late-life discounting

We should wait a while to see either it is "eliminated". CW was not telling in November 2013 that at December 2014 you can get 60% discount...

2) Discouraging the skipping of releases

From all posts from CW, that is going to be simpler then before. And you can skip for example 1.5 "releases", instead either 1 or 2.

3) Increasing the subscription 33% in the second year

Preliminary marketing information... see (1)

4) Charging more for one year than was previously charged per release, even though the releases were usually spaced about 18 months apart.

I have pre-ordered Platinum for the same price I paid for "discounted" X3 after 3 month... And you get upgrades next 12 month. So I do not see it is more expensive NOW, do you?
 

Wow! I go to Birmingham (UK) on business and this happens.
 
I tried to read everything in this thread to try to understand the issues people are having but this seems like a no brainer to me.
 
Thank you for the fun product (I'm a hobbyist) and thank you for the great communication. I can't think of another company that I buy from that does this as well as Cakewalk. I have been lucky enough to have met some of the Bakers at GearFest. Great group of people, as far as I'm concerned.
 
I am downloading the Command Center as I type. I can't wait to try out the new features and look forward to an exciting 2015!
 
Rock on!

maximumpower
I am downloading the Command Center as I type. I can't wait to try out the new features and look forward to an exciting 2015!

 
Be aware that Sonar is not yet available .
 
Your Command Center will be empty for now.