I can see a lot of concerned people making reticent comments about this new sales model.
 
The only thing i don't understand... if we buy outright, do we still get the big-fixes and updates like usual, or do we only get fixes and updates if we subscribe? From what i can see, subscribing for the Pro version costs a $100 more a year than just buying outright. If Cakewalk is saying we only get bug fixes/updates etc for the extra $100 when we subscribe, then that's a no-go in my books, i'll be out of here.
 
Besides, i didn't see anything in this update aimed at EDM producers, quite disappointing. Do they ever wonder why Fruityloops and Ableton Live are the biggest selling DAWs in the world. EDM my friends! I make EDM, i can't see a thing in this update that makes me giddy with glee or lick my lips with anticipation.
 
My request list for Sonar...
 
-I wish Cakewalk would overhaul the Pentagon I synth and give us version II with ultra-low aliasing filters and upgraded synth engine with some all new EDM presets, plus change the graphics of the front panel.
-I also would like to see a built-in cutting-edge Arp integrated for every channel the same as the one in Logic Pro X.
-A brand spanking new drum-machine full of 24bit uncompressed EDM drumkits similar to NI's Battery 4.
-Overhaul Dimension Pro and Rapture, these two romplers are quite pedestrian and getting very long in the tooth. What? 5 years old now, or longer? Hundreds of all-new cutting-edge modern sounds with plenty of phat synths and punchy basses.
 
There you go, four measly requests. If these things were fulfilled i'd be a dedicated user for life, and IMO Sonar would subsequently be the go-to DAW IMO.  
 

Have you watched the MIDI Pattern tool video?

If you buy outright or what we are calling upfront, you'll get 12 months of fixes and updates as well. Also, you'll get brand new features, content, and video tutorial to help teach you about the new stuff. First big feature coming this year is Drum Replacer.

Drone7
I can see a lot of concerned people making reticent comments about this new sales model.
 
The only thing i don't understand... if we buy outright, do we still get the big-fixes and updates like usual, or do we only get fixes and updates if we subscribe? From what i can see, subscribing for the Pro version costs a $100 more a year than just buying outright. If Cakewalk is saying we only get bug fixes/updates etc for the extra $100 when we subscribe, then that's a no-go in my books, i'll be out of here.

Yes, you get updates for a year when you buy outright.
 

Drone7
Besides, i didn't see anything in this update aimed at EDM producers, quite disappointing. Do they ever wonder why Fruityloops and Ableton Live are the biggest selling DAWs in the world. EDM my friends! I make EDM, i can't see a thing in this update that makes me giddy with glee or lick my lips with anticipation.

I've been producing or attempting to produce EDM on Sonar for a couple years now. Mix Recall is pretty huge.
 

Drone7
-I wish Cakewalk would overhaul the Pentagon I synth and give us version II with ultra-low aliasing filters and upgraded synth engine with some all new EDM presets, plus change the graphics of the front panel.

I haven't played with Pentagon I much, maybe I should check it out. I would have to agree with you on presets, there hasn't really been anything new for most of the synths that come with Sonar for a long time.
 

Drone7
-I also would like to see a built-in cutting-edge Arp integrated for every channel the same as the one in Logic Pro X.

Every channel has a step sequencer, there is also an arp built into every midi channel. Most soft synths have pretty good arps so I don't use the built in stuff much, but it's there.
 

Drone7
-A brand spanking new drum-machine full of 24bit uncompressed EDM drumkits similar to NI's Battery 4.

You can load samples into Session Drummer, but it's not the same. This is a missing feature. I just use Battery and a couple Vengeance packs for that.
 

Drone7
-Overhaul Dimension Pro and Rapture, these two romplers are quite pedestrian and getting very long in the tooth. What? 5 years old now, or longer? Hundreds of all-new cutting-edge modern sounds with plenty of phat synths and punchy basses.

I've been somewhat disappointed with the support for the built in romplers, even the extensions you can buy are several years out of date. That being said, I still find things in there now and then, the vocal expressions expansion is pretty cool. There's always Nexus.
 
Even if you use Ableton or FL Studio, you still need to get a bunch of plugins to do EDM anyway: Sylenth, Omnisphere, Nexus, etc. Sonar works well for the genre even if they haven't optimized the application for it.
 

"-I also would like to see a built-in cutting-edge Arp integrated for every channel the same as the one in Logic Pro X."
 
I don''t know logic, and as their is a an Arpeggiator  built into every midi track, can you say what it lacks.
 
Also are you aware their is also a midi FX Arpegiator plug in you can apply to the track also.?

Drone7
-Overhaul Dimension Pro and Rapture, these two romplers are quite pedestrian and getting very long in the tooth. What? 5 years old now, or longer? Hundreds of all-new cutting-edge modern sounds with plenty of phat synths and punchy basses.

 
Z3TA+ 2 is huge with EDM artists. Probably what you'd like is to see that included with SONAR. 
 
But, I have to say if Rapture never existed and was introduced tomorrow, I would flip out. It was way ahead of its time...all those step-sequenced modulation options are off the hook. I still use my Minimoog Expansion pack but even more so Electronic Guitars. I can't put them on tracks without someone saying "Wow, what synth is that?" Rapture and NI's Damage are my "secret weapons" that nobody recognizes but everyone thinks are amazing.
 
The fundamental concept behind Rapture is still totally great. The kind of changes I'd like to see are more about adding to it than replacing it.

If you are a Sonar X series Pro user you can upgrade to Z3TA+2 for 50 bucks. That synth has 2000 presets. If you upgrade to Sonar pro or Plat you can and choose AD paks Reel Machines which might be useful for EDM.
 
 
 
You do agree with you that Dim Pro and Rapture can use some upgrades. I am hoping ADSR sliders or knobs, more filters and better included FXs
 
 

Anderton
Z3TA+ 2 is huge with EDM artists. Probably what you'd like is to see that included with SONAR. 

Z3TA+ 2 is great, I missed mentioning that. No one else does wave shaping and mangling like Z3TA+. It also does pretty good Moog emulation. It could use some filter tweaks and additions though, a ladder filter would be cool.

Thankyou Andrew Rossa for chiming-in so quickly and addressing my concern, that's what i needed to hear and puts me at ease now. Cheers.
 
Addressing some of the replies, i'm not sure, but i don't think the midi ARP feature in Cakewalk is a dedicated tool in the sense that we can play 'through' it, isn't it a 'post-played' tool? If so, neither will it give immediate functionality in real-time while playing, thus it is hard to achieve immediate relevant results on the fly.
The one in Logic Pro X is dynamite, as is the Karma feature on the Korg workstations; the Arp plugin in Cakewalk is a Grandma compared to these others, thus my request for a dedicated one with new algos. The Karma function on Korg workstations gives powerful immediate flexible results, this is what i am referring to, it is highly relevant for EDM, and actually an absolute necessity.
 
I already own Z3TA+ II, but Pentagon is a 'gem' in its own right. It's actually one of the better softsynths out there, believe me, the sound is awesome, much like a 'vintage' Ford Chevy V8 car, it just needs a reconditioned engine and some small additions and a new lick of paint to show it off.
It seems that Cakewalk think Z3TA+ has replaced Pentagon, so they have neglected it, but really Pentagon is a beast in its own right with a powerful phat chunky hardware sound, it just needs an update to bring it into the modern era, it's a much underrated synth with personality and guts, i just wish Cakewalk would come back to this baby and give it a loving upgrade with all new refined filters and presets to show it off in all it's glory.
 
I don't find Rapture very useful by today's standards, sorry! It can't compete with Nexus II, Rapture is like a 10 year old Toyota car, it can do some basics etc but times have moved on if you know what i mean.
 
And as for Dimension, i have to say the stock sounds are long overdue for an overhaul IMO.
 
Also, a new version III of PSYN would put a smile on my face. 
 
But the drum-machine, oh that drum-machine, where art thou oh Romeo? Pretty please Cakewalk, may we have an EDM drum-machine, this is a practical request for us EDM dudes.
 
Thanks all for the thoughtful replies. But FYI just to make it clear, i'm an EDM fanatic, i eat, sleep, breath and sh_t this genre, so EDM is all you'll ever hear about from me. Just sayin.
 
PS: I wish someone from Cakewalk would explain if the upcoming "Drum Replacer" is for Acoustic drums or if it is a drum-machine or a beat designer or what? A hint would be good.
 
FWIW, i just finished filling out an exclusive survey from Steinberg sent to me personally. In a nutshell, i told them Cubase is way overpriced, full of superfluous irrelevant features and frivolous plugins, and the USB eLicenser is a pain in the ass and needs to go. I  told them when these things are rectified i'll take another look, but actually i can't see them fixing the situation.

The fundamental concept behind Rapture is still totally great. The kind of changes I'd like to see are more about adding to it than replacing it.
+1