LJB
I really don't care about a lifetime membership (which I have) etc. I'll happily pay again if this means carrying on with a fully supported DAW which happens to be the best one in the business. That's just my opinion.

Couldn't agree more.
John

Bloomsberg on Kuok Meng Ru of Bandlab
https://www.bloomberg.com...e-over-palm-oil-riches

bitflipper
I, for one, am not in a hurry to draw conclusions about this transaction.
Yes, they do make it sound as though their intent is to revive SONAR and continue its development. But merely buying intellectual property does not commit the buyer to anything other than trying to get some return on their investment.

I'm with you that an acquisition may not mean anything yet at this point and especially the fact that this is about the assets and IP made me very weary.
However, the CEO statements in the PR do rather explicitly say that they intend to continue development and (less explicitly) revive Sonar. If they would end up just ripping Sonar (and side products) apart just to use the IP in their existing product(s) or in totally different products, this would already put their trust to shame. PRs on acquisitions are normally rather sketchy about the actual business plans, so calling out the continuation of Cakewalk products like that surely should mean they have a solid plan with that.
 

anxiousmofo
Exciting news.  I'll be damned if I ever pay for Sonar again, though, after purchasing the lifetime update.

That will be a hurdle that will linger on and on long after the full impact of the outcome of this deal.

I hate to be literal and it has been mentioned already but Cakewalk is dead along with the EULA. If a license holder passed on then that obligation is satisfied as far as "Lifetime" is considered. I hate to use that as an analogy but there it is, put in the bluntest and simplistic way.

There is a legitimate grievance in the case of Cakewalk Inc. But not to this new company purchasing only the intellectual assets.

Let's see what they do, in the end the offer maybe be well worth purchasing... or passing.

I don't get why anyone in their right mind would think lifetime updates would be reinstated. They need now to recoup their investment and cannot simply go back to monthly updates and giving these away free to all the lifers. Sonar is like cocaine, many of you are hooked, and even though you say you won't, you will cough up more money to get back on board. I've moved on to Cubase which I find much better than the 'old' Sonar, so don't really care to come back, but am curious to see what comes of this.

Forget it, we now have heard from the new owners.

Disclaimer: I have no idea where Bandlab will take Sonar. It's true they have no obligation to fulfill any promises Cakewalk made as a business entity. However from my perspective, Sonar supporters and the community are a major asset. I would be shocked if Bandlab didn't recognize this and figure out some incentive to keep those supporters in the fold. 
 
Also Sonar fills a gap in what Bandlab offers. Some other companies contacted me because they were interested in licensing Cakewalk's IP. It could be that Bandlab bought Cakewalk because the IP has real value to them, and Sonar gets to go along for the ride as the platform that generates the IP...who knows.
 
The saga continues 

I read the full release on the Bandlab site. It says they intend to continue development of Sonar. I imagine they will shift to a subscription model to ensure consistent billings.

Rocsee70

bitflipper
I, for one, am not in a hurry to draw conclusions about this transaction.
Yes, they do make it sound as though their intent is to revive SONAR and continue its development. But merely buying intellectual property does not commit the buyer to anything other than trying to get some return on their investment.

I'm with you that an acquisition may not mean anything yet at this point and especially the fact that this is about the assets and IP made me very weary.
However, the CEO statements in the PR do rather explicitly say that they intend to continue development and (less explicitly) revive Sonar. If they would end up just ripping Sonar (and side products) apart just to use the IP in their existing product(s) or in totally different products, this would already put their trust to shame. PRs on acquisitions are normally rather sketchy about the actual business plans, so calling out the continuation of Cakewalk products like that surely should mean they have a solid plan with that.
 

It does not make sense someone will buy Sonar-Cakewalk and not expect it to be basically what it is: A DAW.
A DAW to remain competitive to Cubase, Reaper, Studio 3 etc. Other technologies to be integrated into Sonar and not the other way around. If no longer a functional DAW why the heck did Noel even bother.  

bsantini99
I don't get why anyone in their right mind would think lifetime updates would be reinstated. They need now to recoup their investment and cannot simply go back to monthly updates and giving these away free to all the lifers. Sonar is like cocaine, many of you are hooked, and even though you say you won't, you will cough up more money to get back on board. I've moved on to Cubase which I find much better than the 'old' Sonar, so don't really care to come back, but am curious to see what comes of this.

Cubase is like crack, you've just modified your addiction.