I posted this in the Cubase thread:
I spent all last night downloading demos, Cubase 8.5 is 9 GB so It's still grinding away.
 
Anyhow for those interested so far my observations

Mix Buss - Probably a cool program for people who work in audio only, Midi editing is crude. GUI is also very undeveloped and feels like freeware. I never did figure out how to insert a 3rd party vst. Might as well go back to Sonar 5. Let's just say, you get what you pay for at only $100 regular price. There's the Mix Bus 32 but all you get is better EQ and more Busses. I failed to grasp the value in that for more like $350. One can get by with 8 sub busses and EQ is easily added with Plug ins. 
Oh, and it crashed on me for no apparent reason. A visit to the user forum and seems Mr Harrison himself answers questions, most are about  bugs found and he seemed to promise immediate action. 
 
Mix Craft- GUI and Midi editing is on par with Sonar 8.5. Probably a cheaper replacement for Studio 1. 
 But over all it is logical and without reading any instructions I made a song and inserted a few 3rd party VST's. 
I like it but I have Sonar 8.5 and X3 so it would be a waste of $100. I have no desire to go through 6 years of development again.

Which really nails it for me. I think you'll find only Cubase is up to our standards. I am not even going to bother downloading Studio 1 demo because so far everything I've read say's I will be disappointed with the MIDI editing and hat it too is way behind Sonar.  I feel sorry for those who panicked and did not take the time to research the options first. As said somewhere above. There is no reason to panic.    

tenfoot

aidanodr
A CUBASE 8.5 trial is available here. Fill in the form and you get an email with link + trial serial - 9.4GB D/Load:
 
https://shop.steinberg.net/cgi-bin/dlreg?ID=CP85TRIAW
 
If thats any use for you guys testing DAWS
 
 

A trial version that you can't use without purchasing a usb licenser? Can't help but think Steinberg haven't quite hought that one through!

That's one of the reasons (No ARA is another) I didn't go with Cubase. Dongles are so 70s!  I don't mind a one time authorization like Superior Drummer 3 or similar schemes other products use. When I purchased Studio One 3 they gave me a authorization code that I entered and I was good to go. No stupid Dongles!
 
Walt 

Do any of the big alternative DAWS have the insert effects visible on each track like SPLAT? (instead of an inspector like setup) I didn’t use the pro channel that much as I preferred using/opening insert effects straight from the track itself in the track view.

demo demo demo!

I don't understand how Steinberg dongle could be a deal breaker for anyone. Many of you guys are showing off your big list of computer and audio equipment as a signature, so what harm would one little dongle do if you add it to your gear collection?

SONAR was the only reason I stuck with Windows on my last laptop upgrade.  I was kind of shocked last year when all the SONAR for Mac talk just went quiet.  I like that Cubase works on Windows or Mac.
 
I already have Cubasis 2.3 (50% off yesterday on app store) on my IPad and it claims to have seamless integration with Cubase.   Cubasis does anything Momentum does better with 100's of more features including MIDI.  Cubasis with a good mic (like Shure Motiv) and a MIDI controller is the most portable multi-track solution I have found that gives me lossless results that can be further developed on SONAR.  Maybe now I'll develop further on Cubase (with less hassle to boot).

The Melodyne integration in Studio One 3.5 is more seamless than sonar. I can open a Melodyne Clip in the editor, edit directly, close the editor and keep working on the project. I have Melodyne Editor but this was my only worry about switching. Turned out not to be a worry at all.

I don't think Cubase has an Event List. That's a deal breaker for me. I use it constantly, along with staff view. That's why Reaper has worked out so well for me. A great notation editor, and an Event List identical to Sonar's.

michael diemer
I don't think Cubase has an Event List. That's a deal breaker for me. I use it constantly, along with staff view. That's why Reaper has worked out so well for me. A great notation editor, and an Event List identical to Sonar's.

Cubase Pro has a page called List Editor which looks like an Event List to me but I'm looking at their web page as I don't own it (well, not yet anyway !). It's about halfway down the page, after Score Editor.
 
https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/cubase_music_production_software/music_composition_tools.html
 
Is that what you're after ?
 
Bob

The dongle means probably less theft and more likely that Cubase will continue.
 
GEE - we can't have it both ways.  It will take money and theft protection to keep software employees employed and a good system to keep going.  Otherwise, we will all be in the same boat later.
 
Maybe I am wrong - I am not a theft protection expert.