Larry Jones
Craig, I appreciate you taking the time to address my rambling post, and I'm not going to argue with you about how corporations work. You and I have different agendas on this forum

 
Are you sure? I think all anyone here wants is just to know the reality of a situation, with minimal filtering. Anyone here is free to point out where they think I'm wrong. Conversely, that is reciprocal. I am free to point out where I think others are wrong.
 
I have insights into how all this will work that those who are not involved can't know, nor is the time right to talk about it. But I have reasons for what I believe, it's not just faith. When there was exceptional skepticism about Gibson after the acquisition, I said everyone was going to be all right. I think what's happened since September 2013 has proven me right. I felt confident in saying that because I knew the attitudes of the people involved and the motivations for acquiring Cakewalk.
 
As an FYI, prior to Gibson I never held a job in my adult life. I was always self-employed. I didn't need a job and when Henry offered me one, I initially turned it down (as I had turned down feelers from Apple before that). But then I thought about it. Figured I might as well have a real job before I die ...stay for a year or two, and go back to what I normally did.
 
But Gibson is a really unusual company. It's not for everyone by any means, and it is a challenging and sometimes difficult environment on many levels and for many reasons. But when I see the opportunities for those with entrepreneurial spirits within this company, the good it has done through its Foundation, Henry's attitude that it's important for those who are well-off to give back, well, that resonates with me. Henry gave me only two absolute, non-negotiable job requirements when I joined: He said I had to have fun to do my job effectively, and he wanted me to help change the world.
 
Not your normal corporate to do list. I feel very welcome at Gibson.
 

perhaps we can at least agree that there are economic realities that are not met by having fun and blowing minds.

 
Not sure why you didn't give the full quote: "Make this fun, blow minds, and make money." I think that adjusts for economic realities.
 
I'm not here right now because I need to be; staying up until 2AM and typing messages in a forum is not part of my job description. But changing the world is. We need more idealism, we need more companies to treat their customers with respect, we need more companies that give back to communities. We need more CEOs who are actually part of the world where their products are sold. We need more people who share their knowledge instead of hoard it, and more people who realize that humans are fragile so we can be more tolerant of others' frailties.
 
I probably don't have all that much time left on this planet, and I know I can't change the world. But maybe I can change a piece of it. My core belief is that we are put on this planet to leave it in better condition than when we found it. Dialog is helpful in achieving that goal.

Hi
 
Is Sonar X3 Discontinued? and is replaced by Artist/Platinum/Professional?
 
I wanted to purchase Sonar X3 Studio Online Downlaod. Can anyone guide?

Along with this thread announcing the new version of SONAR, the X3 series was removed from the Cakewalk store.

I think most users would prefer the updates to core functionality. The "extras" have been typically things you would never miss if you never saw them (such as the X2 Content Club). I think I have developed anti-GAS over the past several months as the more toys one has distracts them from the purpose at hand. X1 was a good platform and I pre-ordered X2 as a result... X2 turned into a nightmare for me so I waited for a couple weeks feedback before buying X3. X3 introduced some very crucial functionality - Speed Comping, ARA, VST3 support, etc. - which will last for years to come. And now that X3 has been very good to me I am taking a more critical eye on things.
 
I already own most of what CW sells, and cannot help looking at the X3P->SONAR Platinum and feel I am re-purchasing things that I already own (for the most part). The new features do not give me the same feel as when I read about X3... and banking on the "possibility" of things coming down the pike is not the same as announcements of addressing user feedback to core functionality and announcing what is slated to be done. Granted there are business concerns to doing such, but the new model is turning the tables on things as well. Dangling a carrot for a "potentially missed extra" does not carry the same weight as "we are perfecting X-component." Many of the threads now have very little "What to expect in the coming year" (customer-focus), but more defending the new model to the bitter end (company-focus). The upcoming year will force a shift in this paradigm as well, as users reflect on their past year of membership.
 
I still have a couple weeks to hem and haw about this, but X3 will be a tough act to follow. The core functionality is what matters most (to me anyway).

Every time Cakewalk update their software there seems to be outrage at the "update" cost. As a user (as quite a few here are) since the days of floppy disks I think the bakers have always offered great value for money. I've just pre-ordered from JRR for the price of 33 Starbucks cappuccinos. I will continue to have X1, X2, and X3 installed on my machine and will get on with making music.

As an old (Pun intended) ex Sonar user, I parted company at Sonar 7 Producer; I can only see benefits in the new method. 3 Addictive kits alone make the return very, very tempting. Another benefit of the rental, unless I am missing something; is that you can have a full working version to really evaluate and if you are not happy opt out at a minimum cost. (Example 2 months rental).
 
Choice is always a benefit and I am surprised that many appear to view it as a negative. Anyway good on you Cakewalk and every success with the new line up. I like many others, I am sure; are watching this with keen interest.
 
 

Just submitted my platinum order and I am looking forward to see what you guys come up with this year.

ankur30904
Hi
 
Is Sonar X3 Discontinued? and is replaced by Artist/Platinum/Professional?
 
I wanted to purchase Sonar X3 Studio Online Downlaod. Can anyone guide?

Yeah X3 is discontinued and replaced.
If you were going for X3 Studio, you might want to check out the new Sonar Professional version.
Here's a comparison chart of the available version and as you can see they've kept the colors (orange, green and blue line just under the version-image) to make it less confusing for us costumers.
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Versions

Sorry, late to the thread and can't read all 33 pages.  I just upgraded from X2 P to X3 Producer for a very nice price, happy with that purchase.  Can someone point me to some information that lists what I would get for upgrading to Platinum now for $149 ?
 
An open comment to ALL software developers.  I'm not paying a monthly subscription fee for software......any software. Period. End of Story.

Anderton
He said I had to have fun to do my job effectively, and he wanted me to help change the world.

Now, that's the kind of boss everybody should have... Unless you specialize in explosives.