chuckebaby
while some habits die hard and old habits are hard to break, I believe Sonar 8.5 was made to run on Windows XP. That's a long time ago and even though it may work on Windows 7. Im not sure Melodyne will. Newer versions of Melodyne were never intended to be run on DAW's like 8.5. so if you run in to issues, you'll know why.
 
If you can find an older version of Melodyne you might be better off.
 
 

8.5 runs on my W7 and the Melodyne version as included with X3 pro also works fine in 8.5, you just have to insert it in the fx bin and record/transfer your audio into it the old way. Ctrl+M is way more elegant though, plus you have the ability to drag audio>midi too which is pretty cool.

OK I opened Sonar 8.5. 
It will not open CWP from newer versions. It tries, but nothing happens. I even saved a pure midi file as a CWP and it would not open. It warns that it will be overwriting the file and information will be lost. Probably stuff like lenses settings. 
 
Not only that, I have not opened and poked around for a long long time. There is no way we could go back to that version now. We have advanced 10 fold. 

Cactus Music
OK I opened Sonar 8.5. 
It will not open CWP from newer versions. It tries, but nothing happens. I even saved a pure midi file as a CWP and it would not open. It warns that it will be overwriting the file and information will be lost. Probably stuff like lenses settings. 
 
Not only that, I have not opened and poked around for a long long time. There is no way we could go back to that version now. We have advanced 10 fold. 

I can open newer files in 8.5 in safe mode then click  "yes to all" and they will open. 
 
Not that I'm recommending this as the way to go, just saying that it does seem to be possible. Stick with one or the other and accept however that impacts on your workflow would be my advice. 
 
I agree that it would be hard to go back to 8.5 now.

M.G.
Thanks again for everyone's help.  I installed 8.5 and it seems to be working OK (can play some old .cwp files I recorded).  Some programs seem to load but I'm not sure if they work (Add. Drums, Rapture). Dimension Pro works as does Vocal Strip, etc.  None of the Blue Tubes work - I get a message saying they're only licensed for X3 and above.
 
I can't get 8.5 to even recognize Melodyne... will I have to export a single track as a .wav file, import to Melodyne, modify and save the .wav file then import it back into 8.5?  
 
 
M.G.
Back In The Day
http://www.reverbnation.com/bitd
 
 
 
 

Yes ,  I did mention the Blue tubes were locked out .
You also have many other X3 plugs and instruments that you may be able to find a use for in SONAR 8 ...
 
The list is extensive and some of the plugs are miles ahead of what came with SONAR 8 ...
the only way you could have hit it back then with the quality of the X3 plugs was to drop some serious coin on 3 rd party
here's a Cakewalk link of what you have already from X3 PE
https://www.cakewalk.com/Documentation?product=SONAR%20X3&language=3&help=Plug-ins.1.html
 
I would list all the plugs and stuff that I like and got w X3 that I use not only in SONAR , but in other DAW's
that would end up clogging up this post 
What I could tell you is this ...if it has TL -, LP-, PX-, TS-, VX-, as a prefix in front of it's name  it's top shelf ...
A few other very useful things  that I use all the time are Chanel Tools , Boost 11, Breverb,Tone2 Bi Filter 2.
BTW Session Drummer 3 is pretty nice ...as far as X3 VST instruments go only a few won't make the trip over to 8
 
Anyway , just so you know the reason why I am doing this .... I'm not looking to get on the soapbox , it's just that this is what it took for me ...
When I had gotten X 3 I hit a total brick wall ...I hated it at first and I couldn't do anything right ...
I suffered on my own with out asking for help for about a whole year ...
($uckey'est year of music I ever had, I had one foot in the past and the other foot in the uncertain future ) ..
I started a thread on how frustrated I had become and how much I hated it ..I kid you not when I say this ,
I think folks around here took me very seriously when I mentioned that I was gonna take my laptop w X3 out to the range and put 2 clips of 45 ACP into it
 
The main thing that changed everything for me is I asked for Help and people did help me ...
 
It's a real funny thing about asking for help ...most folks would rather go through a half a tank of gas driving around lost. When they have finally had enough running around in circles they will finally ask for help and then Bitcchh about the traffic
 
any way good luck , it was nice rapping w you ,
 
Kenny
 
 
 
 

Cactus Music
OK I opened Sonar 8.5. 
It will not open CWP from newer versions. It tries, but nothing happens. I even saved a pure midi file as a CWP and it would not open. It warns that it will be overwriting the file and information will be lost. Probably stuff like lenses settings. 
 
Not only that, I have not opened and poked around for a long long time. There is no way we could go back to that version now. We have advanced 10 fold. 

Noel mentioned a while back that cwps created when AUX tracks were brought into play are not backwards compatible (even previous Platinum versions).

I felt a lot like Kenny did when X1 was released. I was excited for the new look but I was very frustrated about the learning curve. I wondered where my save button went, I wondered what this Skylight thing was. It was like working backwards. But the learning went by fast. I finished projects in 8.5 and learned X1 slowly by starting test projects. then moved on to real projects.
 
You tube is your best friend man. groove 3 is another great source for sonar videos.
I bought 2 of them and they changed everything for me. So I guess what im saying is pretty much what everyone else is. use 8.5 but learn X3 in the process but for C sake, don't give up on it. Someone told me something once and I have never forgot it.... "Technology wont wait for you, so don't let technology leave you behind, because If you do, your screwed".
So don't be left behind man  For all the hassles it might be, try using Melodyne in X3 with ARA integration/As a Region FX.
When it comes right down to it and when you put it into basics... There's a record button, faders, panning knobs and editing tools. A DAW is a DAW but some have more features and options than others and in this case, X3 over powers 8.5. What ever you do I wish you the best. Good luck man.

kennywtelejazz
 
It's a real funny thing about asking for help ...most folks would rather go through a half a tank of gas driving around lost. When they have finally had enough running around in circles they will finally ask for help and then Bitcchh about the traffic
 

Now that there is an EXCELLENT point, LOL!!! 

Thanks again for everyone's comments! Work has been hectic of late so I had to put recording on hold for a few weeks... I now have a long weekend, I will try to sort through X3 again (understanding that it will take longer than I originally thought).
 
Kenny and Chuck - it sounds like you both were in the same place I am now... and seeing you both got through it (and recommend X3) is encouraging  :)
 
 
M.G.
 
P.S.  some songs I recorded in 2008 (using Sonar 6 I believe):
www.reverbnation.com/bitd
 
 

I went from SONAR 4, to X3. It was a massive jump.
But as chuckebaby said. It has a record button, faders etc. That's how I started learning X3.
I just used the basics first. Record, level, pan, routing, FX (delay, reverb ect).
Baby steps 

Well... right off the bat I'm having issues with an audio interface I bought a couple years ago.  I wanted to use something other than my extremely dated sound card, so I purchased a Lexicon Alpha in 2015.  Tried it yesterday with no luck... couldn't update the drivers.  Maybe it isn't compatible with my system (Windows 7 64-bit)?
 
I started a new topic in Hardware but I thought I would mention it here... you guys have been very helpful!