Yes, it is the new SONAR help file
 
From what I have read, the trial version may not be available on the 21st but they are working on it. There has been no firm date given for the trial. Usually the trial version lags a bit so it can incorporate a few of the early patches.

That's what I have. So I'm not missing out. Thought I had a reason to whine about something.

mudgel
That's what I thought however you said the manual is available now in post #1226. I'll wait as per normal procedure. Thanks.

To me the way Cakewalk handles the help file it is the manual . The Reference Guide pdf is nothing more than a recompiled shapshot of the original help file in pdf format. I stopped using the pdf when the help was posted on their web site. The web site is updated, the pdf is not. In the past updates also included new versions of the chm. It will be interesting to see how often the chm get updated going forward.

I was actually quite surprised by the amount of revision already evident in the .chm file. This was already happening through the X3 release cycle as I noticed fewer and fewer references to older versions which was still typical of the early X series.
Because I use an iPad for much of my forum participation it's handy to have the PDF. I haven't found a way to view the .chm file yet, mind you I haven't looked, I've just assumed it won't open on an iPad.
.mv

mudgel
I was actually quite surprised by the amount of revision already evident in the .chm file. This was already happening through the X3 release cycle as I noticed fewer and fewer references to older versions which was still typical of the early X series.
Because I use an iPad for much of my forum participation it's handy to have the PDF. I haven't found a way to view the .chm file yet, mind you I haven't looked, I've just assumed it won't open on an iPad.
.mv

CHM is compiled HTML, and a Microsoft proprietary format, so I doubt the i-stuff would, maybe not android either, but they have a better chance.
 
 

Hi everybody. Long time no see (for those that remember me)!
 
I'm a relatively longtime user (I've had every version since Sonar 5) and sometime forum frequenter (I haven't been around for a while but I lurk sometimes, and usually pop my head in around release time anyway to see what's what). I make most of my living as a performer which sometimes keeps me pretty busy and I don't have as much time as I'd like to use the software or be involved in the community. However...
 
I've been watching this release from the sidelines with some interest. I think the new version looks great, and I think the new pricing/membership model seems innovative, very fair and quite well-thought-out. While I understand that there will be some level of flame-back anytime a company makes a significant change like this, it's been strange to see how much angry resistance there is to something that actually doesn't seem to change much of anything at all if you don't want it to, but could bring features, improvements and fixes sooner, and keep the company more stable into the bargain. Good for everyone, no? It strikes me however that most longtime users and level-headed forumites can see this, which bodes well.
 
I wasn't one of the lucky few to get an early invite, which is probably for the best as I tend to take my time with decisions and might not have jumped on it, which kind of defeats the purpose. So now I'm waiting for the official release and pondering my options. I suspect I'll end up just forking out for the all-at-once upgrade to Platinum, since with the $149 intro offer it seems to translate to the best bang for the buck - all of 40 cents a day if my math is correct. And while it's tempting to downgrade to Professional given I could keep most of the extra stuff from X3Pro, I just don't think I can live without that fly-out EQ...
 
But I'm really interested to see how it plays out in the long term since, as mentioned, I tend to go through very busy phases in show creation (I mostly work in circus/variety productions) - it might turn out that a monthly option will work out well for me over the long term since I could stop my membership for those times when I know I won't have time to do any composition/production work, and then start it up again when things open up. I'm trying to get a sense of what I might lose if I chose that path - will the monthly fee for Platinum always be $19.99 if I have older versions of Platinum/Producer? Or will I at some point be relegated to a higher price point if I don't maintain constant membership? What about the $14.99 monthly intro offer? Do I have to keep that current in order to maintain the price, or will it go up to $19.99 if I lapse for a month or two?
 
Any thoughts, ideally from calm and informed users (or company reps) rather than hysterical anti-subscription idealogues?

Hey Tobias, nice to see you back in these parts. There's quite a few familiar old faces dropping by lately.

When X3 came out by the time the e update had been applied I declared it to be the best Sonar to date. With this new model and Sonar Platinum we have reached a new level of quality. I haven't seen a Sonar version so stable and mature out of the box. Under the Gibson brand Cakewalk has really flourished and I'm sure some more innovative things will be afoot.

To the payments, make a single annual payment and as normal you immediately own a non expiring licence for that version. Cakewalk have said that to acquire your non expiring licence when making payments you need to pay for 12 months.
If you need to just use the software for a few months then you can do that too, but you don't get to keep anything. If you drop out or have some difficulty Cakewalk have said they'll work with folks on a one on one basis to work out things if you're really experiencing problems but generally if you leave and come back while you'll get all the program to date you'll miss out on supplementary content released while you were away.
Just the same as if you skipped a version now you wouldn't get the specials that came with it but you'd get everything you were entitled to for the version where you upgraded. Hope that answers your questions?

A good time to be dipping your toes back in I'd say.

.mv

Oh I've been happily using X3e for a while now, I upgraded with the Melodyne Studio promo about a year ago. I haven't used either as much as I'd hoped, but enough to know that we have an embarassment of riches these days, and it seems that they will continue flowing for a while yet. I've rarely not been glad that I chose Cakewalk back in 2006, and at the moment it seems like a better choice than ever. For me, anyway.

Hi all, I can't see this asked anywhere in this thread so....
 
As a UK based user, will I need to pay £199 for 12 months or the equivalent to $199 (approx £131GBP)? 
 
Thanks
Dean

Like I say I strongly suspect they'll get my up-front money this time around, quite possibly right away. I'm as much as a sucker for intro promotions as the next guy or gal. I'm just exploring options for the future. I am OK with missing out on content released while I might be on hiatus, as I have so much in the arsenal already, but I assume program features will be retained and available when I come back to the fold? (ah, the prodigal son returns...)
 
Oh wait, looks like you already answered that, if I've understood rightly. To me the whole thing makes good sense and caters to people with varying needs and/or resources, without seeming to leave loyal users in the cold. Though as always, more than a few people have taken it as a personal affront and unleashed a load of righteous anger before taking the time to understand what's actually on offer. So it goes...