HI:
Been a cakewalk user since the 90's and when I logged in and  tried to upgrade X3 Producer today to Platinum, I came up as a new user with no discount.  Appears that option no longer exists and an upgrade from any previous version requires full price.   If this is the case, they seem to be abandoning a whole slew of customers this way---perhaps I missed something earlier on, but I don't routinely read every email I get as I get hundreds every day.  I tried  call the customer service number 617-423-9004 and no one answers the phone.  Left an email message and will see if that gets anywhere.  
 
Any clues anyone on what's up here?   Hate to have to learn a new DAW after all these years, but I'm not planning paying full price to upgrade something that's not likely different to what I already have.  
 
Thanks!
 
Alan

This was the subject of a thread here and several email announcements. Effective May 1 2017, there are no upgrade discounts for X3 and older.
 
The customer support number was discontinued last year. Initial support contact is via email http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Email
 

Yeah, unfortunately, you just missed the boat on upgrading older versions. Here is the thread:
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Cakewalk-Announces-Simpler-SONAR-Prices-m3573984.aspx

Hmm, as I mentioned,  I don't spend a lot (any) time lurking on forums or reading emails from companies so I guess I missed this.  I've always waited a bit to upgrade to give them a chance to get the bugs out.  Always been given a good discount.  With all the competition out there now, can't see why they would want to alienate a customer base.   Guess I'll be moving to Studio One (They appear to have a good crossgrade deal), but I'm old now so hope it doesn't take me too long to learn!
 
Thanks for the info!
 

Really? X3? That's ridiculous that you can't upgrade to platinum from X3.

alanyost
Hmm, as I mentioned,  I don't spend a lot (any) time lurking on forums or reading emails from companies so I guess I missed this.  I've always waited a bit to upgrade to give them a chance to get the bugs out.  Always been given a good discount.  With all the competition out there now, can't see why they would want to alienate a customer base.   Guess I'll be moving to Studio One (They appear to have a good crossgrade deal), but I'm old now so hope it doesn't take me too long to learn!
 
Thanks for the info!
 

So you also missed the 6 month window for lifetime updates that Sonar offered you?

Yup, guess so.   Didn't know about that.  If they'd have sent me a letter in the mail, I might have read it--or maybe something saying IMPORTANT or similar on a subject header.    Don't have any complaints about X3,  been working pretty well minus a few lock-ups now and then so can keep using it, but its been a couple years so thought I'd investigate the next release.   BTW,   I just found out from a friend that Sibelius did the same thing to its customers,  appears it now costs about $300 a year to keep it updated.  Hadn't looked into that yet, but if that is the case,  I will be switching back to Finale which generally just charges a $100 or so for version upgrade.
 
 
 
 
 
 

As was mentioned in many threads:
1) there is nothing wrong with "learning a new DAW". In fact I got one 2 days ago and I have started to learn it. After the usual WOW effect, even after 2 (not 24hours per...) days I understand that it will not replace Sonar for me completely. I mean learning other DAWs can at some point justify Sonar upgrade price
2) even initially it was announced there will be "actions". Just today there still was 30%. And I do not think that is the only and the best discount you will see this year.
3) X3 was introduced more then 3 years ago. So users who payed every year have invested quite some money into "not likely different" current version (for some it is different, for some not). I mean that "cut off" is, while I also think not nice, fair in general.

It's also important to consider that the difference between Platinum and X3 is huge. Think how much the Linear-Phase EQ, Linear-Phase Multiband, and Adaptive EQ would cost if purchased in the "outside world"...but then when you consider plug-in load balancing, upsampling, Transform Tool, support for all the latest Windows 10 goodies (Pen, Dial, low-latency internal sound chips, etc.), comping enhancements, Lenses, upgrades to TH3 and Melodyne, Theme Editor, new themes, Smart Swipe, tempo detection, Aux Tracks and Patch Points, speed improvements, Rapture Session, synth recording...the list goes on. It really is a new program, as well as a more stable and speedy one. 
 
Upgrading X3 for the past 3.5 years would probably have been about the same as buying Platinum.

There will be deals and discounts so I have heard so stick around for those. I'm now really glad I updated from 8.5 to platinum lifetime updates on December 31st (the last day of the offer) fewww! Seems a bit crazy that a few months later you don't even get a discount for X3.