A couple of questions.

1.  I'm on X3 but never DL or registered Addictive Drums, (I'm a Superior 2 user).  Would I still be able to get the previous kits that were part of X3?  Sorry, I don't remember how that all worked.  Seems like you had to have you DAW online to access the kits.

2.  How long does the $149 upgrade price for X3 Pro to Platinum hold?  What if I wanted to wait 3 - 4 months before upgrading?  I'm guessing the price will no longer go down at years end but will it go up?

3.  Has there been any changes / improvements to the track color options?  Can we finally colorize the track backgrounds instead of the waveforms?

4.  How does the new FX Stacking (FX bin), work with the Pro Channel?  Pre - Post?  Can you position it in the PC like the FX Chain?  Will we still have the FX Chain?

Thanks.
 
Paul

So anything new for VS-700 owners or still the same as X3?
Cheers
 
jayson

Is the monthly plan set up as auto-pay, or would I need to remember to make payments?

RobertB
Is the monthly plan set up as auto-pay, or would I need to remember to make payments?

I have no way of knowing this, but I'd guess if you give them a CC #, they'd bill you monthly.
 

WallyG

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]

Vern C
Because I guess it got lost in the shuffle the first time:
 
What if you're like me and got Addictive Drums 1 when it was offered with Sonar? Would I get Addictive Drums 2 this time?

Yes, you get the Producer Bundle so you get to choose 3 new ADpaks, MIDIpaks, and Kit Pieces. 

Andrew,
You're not answering the "real" question. Will we be getting the upgraded Addictive Drums 2 or just the Addictive Drums 2 engine? The latter doesn't allow you to use previously purchased AD1pacs. This question has been asked before but not answered. Thanks.

Walt

Not sure why real is in quotes but hope this answers your question. You will be getting the new Addictive Drums 2 Producer Bundle. Not just upgraded engine like we did in X3. This is exactly the same as the Addictive Drums 2 Producer Bundle on their site. You can visit there site to learn more about it. 

RobertB
Is the monthly plan set up as auto-pay, or would I need to remember to make payments?

Auto-pay

Paul G

Greeny
Ok I get it. Sorry for my earlier frustration, I misread a few things and jumped to some conclusions. It makes sense now. Whoever said being dumb was easy. In my defense - iits late and I'm tired. Please feel free to slap me with a sonar platinum boxset.

OMG!  We've saved Greeny!
 
I've got to tell you guys, I was a little worried there for a while....
 

No "you" didn't, and I don't think it's funny at all.  Some did a good job of knocking him down for perfectly good observations on a bloody CW forum. 
 
This new format works for me this particular year (AD upgrade & packs) but as much as I love CW there's going to have to be a lot of proof in this particular pudding.
 
I think the CW staff has done a great job in this thread explaining things.  I don't think this "roll-out" has been particularly well-done on this site.
 
But I'm happy, and I think those of us here should always be kind to those who are not.
 
 
 
 

Thanks for helping me understand all of this, Andrew. Very much ready for the upgrade from X3 Producer to Platinum. Bring it!

bladetragic
My concern with this model is...
 
1) What happens in the event that a feature is introduced, but not properly functioning within the 12 month membership period?  Take Lanes is a prime example.  There are STILL glitches and bugs with Take Lanes and it has been well over a year since that feature was introduced.  As a customer, I would be upset if I bought into this model and it's "promises" and get stuck with a feature that is not properly functioning and then have to pay again (renew membership) just to have it fixed somewhere down the road.  Also, if I get stuck w/ a feature like Take Lanes that still has issues, I run the possibility of having to pay for another full 12-month sub just to "retain" the patch or update that contains said fix or else I may lose it.
 
<<The idea here is that we'll release features when they are ready and avoid issues like the one you describe. Keep in mind we want happy customers so it's in our interest to make sure these kinds of things don't happen.>>
 
2) Also, to borrow a previous posters scenario, if I pay for 18 months straight, then skip one month, then pay for another 6 months straight and then decide not to pay the next month, I now revert back to the version from month 18???  Even though, I invested another six months worth of money into the product???  That seems a bit unfair to the customer, if that is in fact how it works.  I can see that being a big issue. What if a customer runs into a financial hardship for any particular reason and is strapped for cash...only to lose all the benefits/content they paid for the previous six months?
 
<<yes that's correct. You may think that's unfair but that's actually to avoid people abusing the system. Like subscribing for a month or two, getting all the latest features since they last dropped out, then canceling and keeping those features. So we defined 12 months as a reasonable amount of time to let people pay before they could own it. Not 3 months or 6 months or 10 months. How would you feel if you were paying and knew other customers were cheating the system. >>
 
3) While this initial offering seems very good, going forward Cake is going to have to really bring some serious content and features to the table after this initial year to show customers that the yearly subscription is worth the investment.  Although, that could be a good thing for customers......putting the pressure on Cakewalk to really bring it. 
 
<<yes, i think that's why it's good for all sides. It puts pressure on us to deliver and then when you get value out of it and are happy you continue being a member, which then gives us revenue to continue innovating and putting out new features that make you happy, and so the cycle continues.>>
 
Which leads me to......
 
How will customers know exactly what they're paying for w/ the 12 month membership??? Let's say it comes time to renew my membership next year, how will I know what is on the horizon??? Furthermore, how will customers have reassurance that Cake will provide consistent content???  Do we just have to close our eyes and believe or will there be some kind of schedule set and adhered to by Cakewalk on how often new content/updates/etc. will be released.  There's got to be some kind of system to consistently keep the customers informed and enthusiastic on what's to come with this kind of model.
 
<<We will be letting customers know about some new features in advance, and of course there will be surprises. Really at the end of year you'll need to decide for yourself if you feel there was value and if you think we held up our end of the bargain. It's a 2 way street. That's why, as you mentioned, we know we will have to deliver and make customer happy. Right now, the situation is good for you...the customer. You will be getting a lot of value in the next year. >>
 
All in all, I think a lot of the question and concern customers have (and are going to have) is due to unfamiliarity and uncertainty of just how much Cakewalk will deliver on their end b/c this is all new.  This model can be as good or as bad as Cakewalk makes it.  If they deliver on their end it can be REALLY good.  If they don't, it could be REALLY bad. 
 
<<AGREED>>
 
 
 

pencilartist
Thanks for helping me understand all of this, Andrew. Very much ready for the upgrade from X3 Producer to Platinum. Bring it!

I am glad to hear that. Definitely a lot to digest in one day. But rest assured, our overall goal here is to make customers happy. Happy customers are the best customers.