John
1 or 2 features? Really? Is that your considered opinion or do you have facts to back that up?  Here is a basic list of the different versions. This does not include updates and features provided monthly.  http://www.cakewalk.com/P...s/SONAR/Versions#start

afaict from that link the only things you won't have are drum replacer, vocal sync and the fly-out thing on the eq... all the other stuff is add-ins (plugins) which should still work unless they're now locking stuff to "sonar platinum" and not just "sonar"
also, you will get a response from cakewalk themselves if you post on the steam forum, whereas this here is just a users' forum
good luck!

Transform Tool. Plug-In Load Balancing, and Theme Editor are Platinum-only.

Pow-r dithering options are only in Platinum. Try searching the help for "Platinum only" to see the features and plug-ins exclusive to Platinum.

I don't really get the whole Steam vs Cakewalk thing. I would have thought it's more advantageous to purchase Sonar direct through Cakewalk.
 
With Cakewalk as I understand it, you are paying for a permanent license for Sonar Platinum which does not expire. For that, you get 1 year of monthly updates included. If you do not pay again the following year, you still get to keep and use Sonar Platinum for as long as you want, but will no longer get the monthly updates. You are not paying for a subscription for a Sonar license or a subscription for updates. It is not a subscription. So the price difference between the different Sonar packages is based on the features and content you get in those packages which you can go on using as long as you like. So is Steam just a subscription where if you do not renew, you can not use the software anymore? If so I don't see the point in getting Sonar through Steam.
 
In your case, perhaps you could switch to a monthly subscription for now and keep an eye out for a favourable offer/promotion through Cakewalk then jump at that!

35mm
I don't really get the whole Steam vs Cakewalk thing. I would have thought it's more advantageous to purchase Sonar direct through Cakewalk.

There are a lot of people using Steam. Cakewalk provides a way for those users to purchase Cakewalk products in a way that is familiar to them. The product is the same. The distribution method is different.
 
Regardless of where the purchase is made, all Cakewalk products come with the same license for use. Once the purchase is complete, licenses do not expire. The payment plan only affects when the full license is granted. The one-time payment plan grants the full license immediately. The monthly payment plan, grants the full license after 12 consecutive payments. In all cases, renewal to receive updates and support is optional.

scook

35mm
I don't really get the whole Steam vs Cakewalk thing. I would have thought it's more advantageous to purchase Sonar direct through Cakewalk.

There are a lot of people using Steam. Cakewalk provides a way for those users to purchase Cakewalk products in a way that is familiar to them. The product is the same. The distribution method is different.
 
Regardless of where the purchase is made, all Cakewalk products come with the same license for use. Once the purchase is complete, licenses do not expire. The payment plan only affects when the full license is granted. The one-time payment plan grants the full license immediately. The monthly payment plan, grants the full license after 12 consecutive payments. In all cases, renewal to receive updates and support is optional.

scook, thanks for the clarification. In that case, I can't see what the OP is complaining about. He now has a full license for Platinum but his monthly updates have run out. The comparison of updates between different versions of Sonar is irrelevant. The difference in cost is related to the difference in what's included in the Platinum license compared to Pro, which is quite a lot! The OP only has to pay for another year if they want all the latest monthly updates. Or put another way, they can pay for another year if or when they decide they want to update Splat to a new version that has a feature they really need. The pricing seems fair to me. Cake do put on special offers now and then so that would be the best time to renew the license.
 
I think the OP is looking at this from the wrong direction. You are paying for a license, not updates. Most software you purchase one time and get free updates that are released within one year of your purchase. After that one year period if you want to upgrade to the latest version you have to purchase a new license again (often getting a discounted upgrade fee) - that's the standard, traditional model. The only real difference with Sonar is that updates are released on an incremental, monthly rolling basis rather than being saved up and released as one major annual update. With Sonar you also have the option to pay for the full license in 12 monthly instalments, use it for just a couple of months or carry on paying monthly or annually to keep up with the latest version on an ongoing basis.

35mm
The comparison of updates between different versions of Sonar is irrelevant. The difference in cost is related to the difference in what's included in the Platinum license compared to Pro, which is quite a lot! The OP only has to pay for another year if they want all the latest monthly updates.

I think the OP is looking at this from the wrong direction. You are paying for a license, not updates. Most software you purchase one time and get free updates that are released within one year of your purchase. After that one year period if you want to upgrade to the latest version you have to purchase a new license again (often getting a discounted upgrade fee) - that's the standard, traditional model.

I guess (at least I see that so) the question is from different angle...
 
The confusion comes from old CW practice: almost all old bundled plug-ins was not locked to particular Sonar, not even to CW products; the difference between Pro/Plat upgrades was ~$50 (one time even dropped to 0); people have payed for something which already exist (or at least planned...), not "up front" for something unknown (with the only promise "you knows us, it will be good...").
 
For the "fist time upgrader" that is even more questionable. Before (original purchase) the price was for existing product and 12 month updates to it. "Upgrade" is just for the next 12 month updates.
 
And so I think such questions are valid and have nothing to do with "aggression" and "attitude". There is no official clarification what you loose when "downgrading", which could avoid the discussion.

Hi Neil,
 
I'm not sure how steam works, but usually if you have paid at least 12 consecutive months on Platinum, you own it.  If that is the case with you, then I suggest sitting out the updates for awhile.  (Presumably) you already own Platinum so have the full featured product and will only miss updates/features from here on out.
 
A few months from now, you can look at the new things offered and see if they're enough to justify jumping back on the update wagon.  Plus, you never know when CW will offer another discount for Sonar upgrades -- or even better, the lifetime upgrade deal (You never know, it could happen!).
 
Bottom line, don't feel like you have to do something right at this minute.  Sounds to me like that's exactly what you're doing, and as a result are forcing a downgrade on yourself just to keep getting updates.  You do know you can stop at any time, and (assuming you own Platinum) can use the Sonar you own while you decide on your next course of action?

35mm
You are paying for a license, not updates. Most software you purchase one time and get free updates that are released within one year of your purchase.
 

 
When you renew rolling updates - that is what you are paying for.
 
What do I expect in the 12 months to come - anything worth like said here $250 for that year alone?
That is 50% of new price - and even Steinberg having agressive pricing has lowered this to about $25%.
 
I'm sure Platinum is worth every cent for those wanting the particular brands of everything in the package - plenty content more to say the least.
 
It's $300 more than Professional - and the big part is content as I see it. Those extra features are not close to resemble that price. It's content.
 
And once you own that - why pay for that again?
 
And Cakewalk do a good job in hiding what a consumer is in for - when i comes to renewal!!!!!
I think some consumer rights organizations knowing legislation might have something to say about that.
 
All info you get is from perspective of what you own - which in a way may be relevant.
But looking at what I am in for in future - to renew - I am completely in the dark.
 
I even went with a another browser, not logged in, and I could not see what rolling updates would cost in future.
You are asked to login in first. It's only after purchase you have any idea what it will cost to stay current.
 
It's obvious Cakewalk only provide sales points - not as it used to, also clearly saying what it cost to stay current.
 
Even Avid do this for ProTools, say what renewals cost - bad Cakewalk and even dishonest, poor judgement(not the first time).
 
I have to go on what is said in this thread - $250 annual cost to stay current on Platinum.
That is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overpriced in my view.
 
First lifetime free updates getting Platinum - and now 50% of new price each year to stay current.
Again - Cakewalk is shooting in the dark still - for the policy to keep.
 
I understand it's not a sales point in saying you have to pay 50% of purchase price again - next year.
It's probably legal though withholding that info.
But is it good customer policy that they get pissed off after a year?
 
Buying a daw is not like buying a plugin, as I see it.....plugins do one single thing that you want and not so considering if this will be updated again....but a daw is really different in this perspective always needing new features....all IMHO of course.
 
Why not - make all rolling updates $75 annually - for Artist, Pro or Platinum.
Keep differences offering more to Platinum than Pro, and Pro gets more than Artist.
Having Platinum you get the most for that money - a very good reason to take the plunge.
And no penalty for doing it - just getting more for they money feeling good about it - (not getting pissed off for sure).
 
Artist there as excellent daw with most things you need for very reasonable cost. But annual updates are higher in comparison to new price, so you feel you might invest a bit more and getting more moneys worth.
 
Many of the entry level software products on market do it like that - having rather high price getting next version. About 75% of new price doing an upgrade. All video editors I looked at are like that - Adobe, Cyberlink, Nero, Corel etc.
 
I can't say what is better business - maybe Cake do well as it is now - or until current policy been for a full year....and starting threads like this one.
 

scookTry searching the help for "Platinum only" to see the features and plug-ins exclusive to Platinum.

maybe time to update that comparison chart methinks...