lfm

interpolated
You get all these features for the fraction of the cost of say Protools and everything that goes with that. 

How upated are you on this?
 
ProTools is $599 new, Platinum $500.
To stay current PT is $99 annually, Platinum $250.
To reinstate expired by more than a month - PT is $299 and Platinum $250.
 
Make your pick if PT is alternative.
More content in Platinum for sure, but $150 extra a year and something 100% of your choice?
You can buy stuff for that money too.
But consider PT cpu hog compared to both Sonar, Cubase, Samp and Reaper.
And you need AAX plugins or use wrappers like Metaplugin or Patchwork to run VST if some plugins are exclusive.
But cloud collaboration is probably the best there is - nobody is close - share a track that is common and that is what you update like a version handling.
 
But all inclusive - Platinum is really high priced to stay current, compared to anything else.
Most expensive major version upgrade, next to Sonar, is probably Samplitude $199 and new release every year.
Cubase Pro is about $175 every two years for major version, and half that on x.5 version every year - so annually $87 to stay current.
 
So when I saw how new pricing policy were on Sonar I was really surprised - and did they really check competition?
At least I understand why they hide prices for rolling updates from anybody buying up on Platinum.

There are a few features you only get in Pro Tools HD that have been in Sonar for years and that's a big slice of bucks every year, $399 if you absolutely need to have those few features. Way more than Sonar Platinum. I know I have it and pay for the privilege every year to have HD. If I don't update and want to buy back in that's $899.

Cactus Music
Interesting stuff. First I agree that $250 is way too high and why I would not even consider that. I have found with software you need to keep your eyes wide open and take the opportunities when they come along. If it seems to high, wait, it will always come down and in the case of Sonar I have not had to lay out much cash since 8.5. I even bought Home studio. Same with 3rd party plug ins. I have a lot of powerful stuff on my computer and I doubt if it cost me much over $700 in the lat 6 years. 

Bottom line is that the listed upgrade prices are like MSRP. I suspect that ultimately, few people will end up paying $249 for a Platinum upgrade. Then again if some really exceptional features are added that cost significant $$ for Cakewalk to implement, $249 might seem entirely reasonable to users anyway. It remains to be seen how pricing and feature upgrades play out over time, at which point it will be possible to base opinions on something other than speculation.
 
 
 
 

mudgel
There are a few features you only get in Pro Tools HD that have been in Sonar for years and that's a big slice of bucks every year, $399 if you absolutely need to have those few features. Way more than Sonar Platinum. I know I have it and pay for the privilege every year to have HD. If I don't update and want to buy back in that's $899.

Yes, PT HD is another story. Avid was very back and forth about that too. On track monitoring and VCA's were removed for a while when spreadsheet guys were in the clouds somewhere thinking they could charge anything for nothing, like chuckebaby was into a bit.
 
Ordinary PT12 with 128 tracks is probably ok for most people. And most outrageous removals back in place.
I followed Avid forum for a year around then, and there were some other stuff in HD too that is beyond my understanding how they even succeed in charging so much for those cards.
 
I saw some episodes on Pensados Place where some usage of PT in the field, live tv shows and whatnot. You don't take a chance under those those conditions. If you having something that works you are not likely changing it.
 
Sonar is much more resource efficient than PT for sure. I ran PT as trial on a rather weak laptop and could run Sonar, Reaper and Cubase just fine - and PT just about started up. I think Avid are Mac guys and PT run much better on Mac, and Windows version is just for courtesy being large market. Just like Digital Performer in cpu on Windows as an estimate - also some work before MOTU get that optmized, I think. DP was double cpu for even less amount of plugins in a project. Maybe PT was a bit better than that.

lfm
 
You are probably right about that.
For anybody that never saw the film Soundcity - I recommend it strongly.
Such inspiration in many ways, I watch it every couple of months.
 
Anyway, there is quite some history over ProTools as well and how that introduction for music production influenced everything. And ProTools was also early to this digital thingy - and the leader of the pack.
 
As one story in film it took about two hours to render a song on computers of that day.
 
Overall it's about how Dave Grohl bought the legendary Neve board console at Soundcity and also made a really nice film on history of that studio, used by Nirvana, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac as many others, and also recordings in Grohls new location for an album also featuring Paul McCartney. An album I also purchased on cd with excellent tracks.
 
Anyways, enough off topic....

A bit more OT regarding that studio.  The XLN Addictive Drums ADpaks Fairfax Vol 1 & 2 were recorded in the former Sound City using vintage gear.  So it is possible to have a tiny piece of history in your DAW. 

I think sonar traditionally offers many opportunities to upgrade for cheaper. Hope that trend continues.

dubdisciple
I think sonar traditionally offers many opportunities to upgrade for cheaper. Hope that trend continues.

Agreed. I would advocate, however, as the OP complained, $249 for Platinum upgrade, when you do see $99 for PT on their website, regardless of how the two companies place value on the product, would indeed sway potential new customers from going in. MSRP is one thing, but when most people think MSRP is usually only about 120% of the Street Price (let's say, for example $199), $249 does make Sonar less attractive. I think CW would do themselves a tremendous favor in the storefront of newcomers and lower that MSRP by a significant amount, regardless of touted value. New buyers aren't usually aware of that value, and probably won't be for some time. Remember, these aren't people coming in from PT every day. Many newcomers are buying into Sonar strictly because it's intuitive--the sole reason I came to Sonar. But it took me a few years to realize the value of what I was buying and that I'd receive strong upgrade pricing incentives.

eliafell
Hey guys,
I own Sonar Platinum through steam. My yearly update plan thing ran out in April, and I have been looking into renewing it to get the rolling updates going again only to realise that platinum users have to pay a heap more money to do so. At the moment it would cost me 249USD to jump back on the rolling updates compared to Pro which is only 99USD. I looked back at the past months to see what the difference is between the versions and I have to say I am somewhat baffled by the fact that platinum users only get 1 or 2 extra features compared to the rest. How on earth is this "season pass" worth an extra 150 a year? I paid a premium upfront for platinum to get the extra features like vocalsync etc, so I feel I am being somewhat punished for owning a more expensive product. 
Does anyone feel the same about this issue? 
I am not trying to troll, honest, I love Sonar as a DAW. I just feel there is something wrong with the pricing structure here.
 
Thanks. 
Neil

I'd wait.  Yes, you will lack Ripple Editing and the Adaptive Limiter, but those are likely the two big things you lack by not renewing yet.  They will certainly offer a better than $250 deal, just be patient.  

So if I upgrade from X3 Producer to Professional it will cost me $100 using the current offer, then after a year I can optionally choose to pay $100 (current price) for a year's worth of updates every 12 months.
As I wouldn't need to keep it updated all the time I can leave gaps here and there.
So do Cakewalk have offers for the 12 months of updates and what have they been in the past year or so?
If they are half price then buying one every 18 months or so for $50 seems a lot more appealing than paying $100 per year as it's a third of the price on an annual basis.

Yes, there is no requirement to purchase updates. When you do purchase an update, you get the current version + 12 more months of updates. The new price structure was announced a few months ago. While Cakewalk has offered discounts in the past and say they will continue to do so, there is no history of discounts based on the new price policy other than the current offers.

Thanks. So what were the previous costs of 12 month update plans for Professional at full price and discounted?
I know it's only a reference but it's better than nothing.