Given the similarity of all three new Sonar products I have a question based on Scottish thriftiness...
I have Sonar X3 pro. If I took out a membership of Sonar Artist, could I not simply install that and then import the plugins and features I have from Sonar X3 pro - many of which are now on Sonar Platinum? And could I not import / install my Pro Channel and AD 2?
I seem to already have everything I need and don't wish to pay £19.99 per month just to maintain it. However, I understand that it might be worth £4.99 per month in order to have engine stability and consistency with recording file formats etc...
Any views on how feasible this would be?

I don't think Artist has the ProChannel. You need at least Producer to get the ProChannel

Like mudgel said, even if you have Pro Channel in a previous version you won't be able to use it in a version that does not support Pro Channel

 
And if you go with Professional you'll lose your fly-out PC EQ / analyser.
 

Paul P
 
And if you go with Professional you'll lose your fly-out PC EQ / analyser.
 

Are you sure about that Paul?  I've seen the question raised a few times, but haven't seen a definitive answer from the Bakers.  I'd really like to know myself since I'm on X3 Producer but am thinking Sonar Professional would be the right level for me in future (and I really like the Quad EQ Fly Out/Zoom).

The PC Eq is still flyout in Pro but does not include the analyser.
 
Rule of thumb to use, if it's an additional plugin you'll still be able to use it.  If it's an enhancement to the core program (ie, ProChannel, etc..) then you can't.

Many thanks for all the sensible replies. Very helpful and makes sense. Completely forgot about Artist not having pro channel. I have a lot of 3rd party plugins including EQ and analysers. Wouldn't miss the stock EQ analyser. Perhaps Professional would be more suitable.
I already have AD2, Melodyne, Sonar X3 stock plugins like Breverb, plugins from TRacks and Waves. Perfectly happy really. Just thought that it would be beneficial to keep the engine up to date but not re purchase everything I already have

cakevaper
I have Sonar X3 pro. If I took out a membership of Sonar Artist, could I not simply install that and then import the plugins and features I have from Sonar X3 pro - many of which are now on Sonar Platinum? And could I not import / install my Pro Channel and AD 2?

The items you identify are not available in the Artist version.
 
To use those functions you will have to use the version you paid for that has those functions included.
 
Why do you think you should be able to do this?
 

SGodfrey

Paul P
And if you go with Professional you'll lose your fly-out PC EQ / analyser.

Are you sure about that Paul?  I've seen the question raised a few times, but haven't seen a definitive answer from the Bakers.  I'd really like to know myself since I'm on X3 Producer but am thinking Sonar Professional would be the right level for me in future (and I really like the Quad EQ Fly Out/Zoom).

Karyn
The PC Eq is still flyout in Pro but does not include the analyser.

 
From The Man himself :
 

Andrew Rossa [Cakewalk]
As mentioned, you'll keep all the plugins and ProChannel modules. You'll lose POW-r and QuadCurve EQ Zoom. Also, you'll get three more AD2 Kits vs. 1 in Professional.

 
It has been said that Professional is the equivalent of Studio so it makes sense.  But 'Professional' sounds so much like 'Producer' that my reflex is to think of them as the same thing and Platinum as being some sort of elite version.  I hope no one will be disappointed by not knowing about the EQ.