The thing is, if your happy with Home studio and have gotten used to using it, You obviously don't need a power house DAW. Why spend hundreds of dollars on something you'll have to figure out all over again. I would just sit tight and wait for your FREE version of what Bandlab will be releasing very soon. 
 
And just to point this out as well.. There's soooo little difference to your recording quality beyond 48hz. 99% of the people on this plant cannot hear the difference. I use 44.1 because nothing I do is going to "sound" better above that. 
 
Do you have the latest version of Home Studio? It has been offered for Free for a few months, not sure if the deal is still going. 
http://forum.cakewalk.com...e-Studio-m3718860.aspx
 
you copy paste this: 
 
3327-46FD-8F9A-BBC7
 
Here     http://www.cakewalk.com/Redeem?kl=16&promo=CM250

@Cactus, I bought the Steam version of Home Studio late last year so I'd assume it's the same thing.  I prefer what I get for $100 with Cubase at this point honestly. 
 
I'd have gone with the $200 Pro version of Sonar if it was available (and proven not DOA for a year or so with updates)

chuckebaby

iRelevant

dannyjmusic
Have you tried Studio One? You can download a trial and give it a shot.
I didn't care for it at first but I'm getting used to it... It's just different, and Craig anderton is making a tips section for it.

I've have SO Pro for a number of years myself, and it is a excellent program. However I don't see it helpful towards Cakewalks future, now that a solution is in sight, to promote SO on this forum. There is a lot to be said about Presonus, their forum sucks ... as well as some of their hardware. I've had the VLS1818 experience.

I bought Studio one when the news of Cakewalk's demise was first released.
Ive used it a few times but I really don't like it. That's not to say its a bad DAW. It actually has some very cool features. Im just used to Sonar and its going to take some time to get used to it.
I just prefer using Sonar because it fits my needs and more importantly.. I have years of experience working with it. Sometimes familiarity goes a long way.

I know the feeling well.  I jumped over to PS One 3 (and I have to ask yet again, why the hell don't they just call it Studio 3????).  Like Chuckebaby I've struggled to bond with it.  I know Cakewalk fairly well, and I LOVE the GUI and the prochannel.  Lately I've been making myself work with PS1-3 and I'm getting happier.  Not happy, but happier.  The upside is that thing is EASY!!  I mean EASY.  Since using it I've had to search only two functions.  So if you're tied to CW I understand that.  I'm definitely going to see what Bandlab does with it.  But if you're open to looking at other DAWs PS1-3 is well worth a peek.

jude77
 
I know the feeling well.  I jumped over to PS One 3 (and I have to ask yet again, why the hell don't they just call it Studio 3????). 

I guess cause it would be a really poor brand policy, don't think Studio One 4 is far away in time. They seen to switch versions when it get's up to the x.5/6 mark.

Thanks for that link/code Cactus.  I already had Home Studio but I didn't have Big Fish Audio Loop Content.

I have Cubase Elements 7. I keep playing around with it when I bored but I really don't like the way it uses VST instruments. Sonar has a better workflow for me. And I can't work without the smart tool now. 
 
Did you get the last update for Home Studio in September? There were a lot of improvements including the new PVR. 

Yes I have the 9.2017 update for Home Studio.  I really like Home Studio but I and my gear are starting to get cramped with it. 
 
I've been able to figure out Elements 9.5 and am able to get my workflow entirely running again in it.  It seems to be just the bump up in specs I needed for the medium term.  As I outgrow it possibly I'll be looking to upgrade either Home Studio to Platinum, or Elements to Pro. 
 
I've been a Cakewalk user since 2006 so I'm quite saddened by the current state of things but I've had a chance to explore the other offerings and I must say that I simply disagree <generally> that Sonar is anything but the best, or at least among the best.  Cubase is working superbly for me however.  My exploration of DAWs led me to 3 finalists, and those were Cubase, FL Studio, and Reaper.  I like each of them a lot for different reasons, I could see myself using those 3 + <a future version of Sonar> as my creativity dictates.

travismb
Anyway, is it a stupid idea to... buy Sonar Pro from the website?  Will Bandlab get the $$?  Will I get support for it and updates?

As mentioned, no website purchase available -- but if you can find any boxed old stock from one of the online retailers, then you'll be just like any other Sonar owner (In fact, with Platinum, you'll be the same as a lifetime update member since you'll get the latest version), and then will be eligible for the free crossgrade to whatever the Bandlab product is.

Codernova
I ended up going with Cubase Elements.  I tried Studio One, REAPER, FL Studio, Ableton Live, and numerous others.  Cubase ended up being the least annoying of the bunch.  I also wanted to continue to have a score editor.
 
I'll miss Sonar but I needed something immediately.  But only being $100 into Cubase, there's the chance I'll come back to Cakewalk if things look promising in the future.

I have 9.5 and hate the GUI. Not easy to load a VSTi either.

kitekrazy1

Codernova
I ended up going with Cubase Elements.  I tried Studio One, REAPER, FL Studio, Ableton Live, and numerous others.  Cubase ended up being the least annoying of the bunch.  I also wanted to continue to have a score editor.
 
I'll miss Sonar but I needed something immediately.  But only being $100 into Cubase, there's the chance I'll come back to Cakewalk if things look promising in the future.

I have 9.5 and hate the GUI. Not easy to load a VSTi either.

Are you telling me that:
 
Right click the track list area -> add instrument track -> (choose from list) -> add track
 
is more difficult than:
 
Right click the track list area -> insert instrument -> (choose from list) -> create
 
Or am I misunderstanding what you mean?