Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]

clintmartin
I've read all 5 pages and have a two questions.
 
1. Are you sure that buy upgrading from X3e to SONAR, I'll receive 3 adpaks, midi paks and 3 kit pieces? Even if I already own AD2? (If true this would pay for the Sonar upgrade alone.)
 
2. No Mid/Side for quadcurve?
 
 
Everything else looks pretty good to me.

I've read all 5 pages and have a two questions.
 
1. Are you sure that buy upgrading from X3e to SONAR, I'll receive 3 adpaks, midi paks and 3 kit pieces? Even if I already own AD2? (If true this would pay for the Sonar upgrade alone.)
 
Yes, I am positive. You get three more packs to choose from. Brand new code will be delivered.


2. No Mid/Side for quadcurve?
 
I don't believe there were updates to the QuadCurve but I can check.
 
Everything else looks pretty good to me.

Well then sign me up! This is a great deal no matter how you look at it. I spend more time on Sonar than I do on TV and I pay a lot more for cable.

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]
 

I've read all 5 pages and have a two questions.
 
1. Are you sure that buy upgrading from X3e to SONAR, I'll receive 3 adpaks, midi paks and 3 kit pieces? Even if I already own AD2? (If true this would pay for the Sonar upgrade alone.)
 
Yes, I am positive. You get three more packs to choose from. Brand new code will be delivered.


 



Can I check something with that, just after the fiasco with XLN and those who purchased AD1 upgraded, but lost their 2 Session Kits in AD2, I want to be certain.
 
If I get a code for an Adpak, but their is nothing currently available that I want from XLN, can I sit on it and wait for a new Adpak to be developed. There won't be an issue of it expiring.

May be I missed it in all the information overload but how long is the $149 intro offer on for?
 
ie when will it change to $199?

I like the idea of rolling patch/fixes. Can I assume revisions will be reflected in the "About Sonar" screen? Probably the build number? I can see this being more relevant when we are trying to troubleshoot a particular problem.
 
"Here is the question - will I be able to download/update if my main system is not connected to the internet???"
Listen
Good question.
Will the Command Center show available updated?
If so, downloading updated to an online computer and transferring to the DAW via flash drive is easy enough.
 
What does this mean for Music Creator? I have been recommending MC for new users who were a little intimidated by Sonar, or were shy about the price. The "try as you buy" plan with Sonar Artist would seem ideal for a new user, and MC kind of becomes pointless as a low cost introductory product.
 
I have to admit, when the survey suggested a subscription plan was in the wind, it ruffled my feathers.
But seeing it rolled out, I like it.
I might not have an extra $150 at one time, but $10 or $15 a month is easily doable.
Among other things, it means I can update Sonar and replace my wounded controller
 
 

Beepster
Sooo... the upgrade price for Producer is going to go up to $200? Okay now I'm gonna do a bit of grumbling... that's gettin' pretty steep, guys. Hope there will be plenty of sales throughout the year.
 
/grumbling

Funny story. When we were cleaning the old office out and moving to the new one, we found all kinds of fun stuff. One was a price sticker for Pro Audio 9. It was listed as $500 in 1999 (approximate) dollars. If we adjusted that to inflation it would be $690 in today's dollars. I understand that it going up to $200 can be steep, but we're still selling our software cheaper than we have in years past. 

Susan G
Interesting! I have a couple of questions.
 
1. Does this mean there will no longer be free demos? I'm having some problems with X3e and it look like the only way I could find out if the new version resolves any of them would be to pay for a month's subscription. Is that correct?
 
2. Will a list of bug fixes be posted publicly and regularly? Say there's something preventing a user from opting in.  Will there be a way for them to know if it's been addressed, or would they have to pay for a month to find out?
 
Thanks-
 
-Susan

1. Nope, we'll have free demos, hopefully available on day one of updates, and updated through the year. We've always wanted to improve our demo availability. 
 
At least for later releases, I'm not sure about this initial day one. There's lots going on behind the scenes with the new model.
 
2. Yes. 

gswitz

SimpleManZ
Easy to see I can only use Sonar on "1" computer from now on end. Then the occasional rebuilding of the said "1" computer will need to hassle of reclaiming whatever token I have 'dongled-Sonar' to the internet. 

Just for clarity, I believe there is no dongle (can I get a hallelujah).
 
If you never let your DAW on the internet, there is a way to validate the software so you can use it (by downloading a file and using sneaker-net to move the file to your DAW).
 
You can use that same file to authenticate 10 offline computers that you own if you wish, as long as you continue to only use them one at a time (which most of us are forced to do anyway due to only having one good interface). I'm really not sure how Sonar would protect themselves if you have 10 DAWs in your studio that are NEVER online. I'm guessing it would come down to the honor system at that point.
 
For most of us, this translates to the fact that you can install on your DAW and your Laptop if you want. You can use your laptop in the field as long as no one is concurrently bouncing tracks in your studio on your DAW.

Obviously its up to us to protect ourselves. To state it simply, we have no intention of making it difficult for people to authorize their software, even if they have multiple machines. I wouldn't worry. The design is very unintrusive.

With that being said, if we see the same authentication request 100 times we're going to know somethings up and, if necessary, provide a free complimentary upgrade to SONAR Demo :)

Edit: yikes bad typos!

johnnyV
 Cakewalk needs to do something about the Piracy and this new model is what that is all about, my guess. 
 

 
I'm thinking it has more to do with the code development cycles (moving from Waterfall towards Agile SDLC Models) and about predictable revenue streams. If we (Cake Customers) are on a month to month payment system, they (Cake Business Owners) can get customer feedback sooner if there is a market shift.
 
Currently, the Forum helps Cakewalk keep their finger on the pulse of highly loyal users, but the quiet users might be a large part of the revenue and harder to know when they unhappy enough to leave Sonar. Also it's hard to know when they are unhappy with some other DAW and looking for a new alternative when the barrier to entrance is high enough to cause some users to delay the purchase.
 
(I spend a healthy budget on audio gear and have only purchased Sonar. I haven't purchased any other DAW Software just to test drive because it's expensive and I won't demo because it took a long time to get my DAW working smoothly and I know it would not take much to upset the apple cart.)
 
So, now, barrier to entrance is lower for Cakewalk customers.
Revenue stream and monetary customer feedback is monthly rather than yearly (at least in part).
Development cycle can be shortened, which makes sense with a mature product receiving enhancements and bug fixes.

Ryan Munnis [Cakewalk]
 
You can either use Cakewalk Command Center https://www.cakewalk.com/Command-Center to download and install which will activate automatically (requires an internet connection) or you can follow our Offline Activation instructions here https://www.cakewalk.com/My-Account/Offline-Activation 
 
(the link in the page is not currently active, we'll have that up soon)

 
Ok hold everything here.  Are you saying SONAR is now a challenge /response activation?  If so, that's a pretty BIG deal.
Can this be clarified?  Is this a change?
 
Edit: it was clarified above.  Not sure what to think of this.  
 
 

With Mix Recall - can it only A/B or can you save and choose from multiple different scenes from within a project?
 
 
 
ps. collapsable fully functional control bar looks great!