Thanks scook.
 

scook
AFAIK, the only problem with the plug-in manager is backward compatibility of menu layouts. Is there anything else? 

I don't think it's a matter of 'backward compatibility' of menu layouts, being that after a Splat install, you can't create new or revise layouts in 8.53. It's more like, Splat broke 8.53's plugin manager capabilities. (I would say that not being able to use Splat menu layouts in 8.53 would be understandable and lacking 'backward compatibility').
 

scook
There is a pretty easy workaround to maintain the old plug-in manager for menu layout editing. The thread you  created provided the implementation details although there is a tool available to avoid having to use regedit to maintain SONAR tools entries.

 
I looked thru my thread, if you are referring to this one:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Plugin-manager-not-working-in-853-after-Splat-install-m3579913.aspx
 
I didn't see anything that appeared "easy", at least to me. Are you referring to ralf's idea on page 2 ?
TBH, I have an aversion to editing the registry. And, I'm not sure I understood every detail of what he said.
 
What "tool" are you referring to?
 
Thanks scook
 
 

timidi
I don't think it's a matter of 'backward compatibility' of menu layouts, being that after a Splat install, you can't create new or revise layouts in 8.53. It's more like, Splat broke 8.53's plugin manager capabilities. (I would say that not being able to use Splat menu layouts in 8.53 would be understandable and lacking 'backward compatibility').

This is precisely why I prefer not to to discuss the matter with you.

scook

timidi
I don't think it's a matter of 'backward compatibility' of menu layouts, being that after a Splat install, you can't create new or revise layouts in 8.53. It's more like, Splat broke 8.53's plugin manager capabilities. (I would say that not being able to use Splat menu layouts in 8.53 would be understandable and lacking 'backward compatibility').

This is precisely why I prefer not to to discuss the matter with you.

Well, that sure is interesting. 

I took a break away from music for awhile as well. I'm not one of you older guys on here, i started on Sonar 7 studio and worked my way up to 8.5 before taking my break. When i started up again i went straight into X3 and it was a whole new world but well worth it. Once you get used to it, it feels so much smoother and detailed than the older Sonars. I still have 8.5 on my old laptop which I still use in a pinch every now and again on the road, but Platinum is amazing. Stick with it. If you have questions these are probably some of the most interactive forums I've ever seen and always get answers to my questions when I present one.

I stuck with Sonar 7 for a few years and was quite happy with it. But there was one single feature of X2 that attracted me and made me want to upgrade. That was Screensets. The only thing that had annoyed me about working with that older version of Sonar was the need to keep opening, closing and re-opening Console View and PRV, with the need to re-congigure PRV each time. Screensets solved that problem.

You're dealing with a massive learning curve because you waited so long to update. I started with Sonar 8 and have purchased every update since. Those of us who did that have been able to keep up with improvements on an incremental basis. If you stick with it, you'll see that the latest version of Sonar is a superior program, and the forum here is a great resource for you. When you get hung up on a certain aspect, search here, because it's probably already been covered at some point. 

After upgrading, the biggest stumbling block for me was the new menu structure. Features that I was already familiar with had been moved to different places and I didn't always know where to look.

Kev999
I stuck with Sonar 7 for a few years and was quite happy with it. But there was one single feature of X2 that attracted me and made me want to upgrade. That was Screensets.

Dude, Totally agree. its one of my favorite features still to this day.
I haven't bought in to Lenses yet but screensets is worth an ounce in gold to me.

Hi. I made the jump from SONAR 4 Producer to SONAR X3.
It was massive!!
But learned to love it (and the version(s) coming after).
I just made baby-steps. Learn one thing each week / month.. 
Record, level, pan, eq, comp etc...
Suddenly things are looking brighter / easier 
All the best.

The only thing I miss from the old days is THE SCREAM panic button.