I agree that SONAR has drifted from its earlier focus on MIDI. It's sad because when I started with Cakewalk in the 80's there was literally nothing better around for MIDI, and that remained the case for 30 years.
 
That said, I don't reach the same conclusion as the OP.
 
I, too, am no casual MIDI user. I use it extensively. But unlike the OP I have not once been stymied by SONAR's MIDI implementation. Sometimes by my own lack of skill or imagination, but never by a bug or a missing feature. 
 
Sure, it could benefit from some high-level conveniences (e.g. a simple, reliable process for eliminating duplicate notes), but it's far from a "poor design". From this software designer's perspective, I'd characterize it as elegant and functional. But as with any software, there's always room for enhancements.

I personally just find it way too cumbersome and it has reached a point where workflow is taking a back seat to workarounds.
 
 

What ever shall we do?

SilverBlueMedallion, just switch to a different DAW. I spent years arguing here for the bug fixes I need, posting evidence that things were broken, and nothing ever changed. Eventually I tried a new DAW and it beats Sonar in almost every way that matters to me, so I'm happy. I only come back to check on bug fixes that might help my many legacy projects, but even deploying bug fixes properly seems to be difficult to do. They've never seemed dismissive of problems, just unable to resolve them in a timely manner, probably due to a lack of resources. So it's best to just move on.

If you're going to buy Reason, check out ReWiring it into SONAR. SONAR has what Reason doesn't have. They're a great combination.
 
That said, the specialty of one of Cakewalk's new engineers is MIDI. So the company realizes what needs to be done next, but I guarantee it won't happen next week. 

bitman
What ever shall we do?

knew there would people like this.  Instead of actually making a proper argument or adding to the conversation, you decide to get all butthurt some stranger you dont know doesn't like the same DAW product you do.  Emotional IQ of a 4 year old.  Congratulations.

2

Anderton
If you're going to buy Reason, check out ReWiring it into SONAR. SONAR has what Reason doesn't have. They're a great combination.
 
That said, the specialty of one of Cakewalk's new engineers is MIDI. So the company realizes what needs to be done next, but I guarantee it won't happen next week. 

 
That is nice to hear Anderton.  I really hope they resolve these long standing issues.  I truly believe the entire MIDI engine needs a re-code.

I am a lifetime member, so I obviously am not going anywhere, and when it comes time for mixing I will probably be using Sonar, but for MIDI programming, I might have to jump ship, which is aggravating.  
 
Rewire seems like it might be cool, not sure I will need it, but will check. 
 
Thank You!
 

Anderton
 
That said, the specialty of one of Cakewalk's new engineers is MIDI. So the company realizes what needs to be done next, but I guarantee it won't happen next week. 

 
Did they lose all the staff that had midi expertise then? Surely they don't just have one now?

Kamikaze

Anderton
 
That said, the specialty of one of Cakewalk's new engineers is MIDI. So the company realizes what needs to be done next, but I guarantee it won't happen next week. 

 
Did they lose all the staff that had midi expertise then? Surely they don't just have one now?

Of course not. I said it's one engineer's specialty.

SilverBlueMedallion
Emotional IQ of a 4 year old.  Congratulations.

Some would say that applies to people who think it actually matters to other people what software they use...
 
Objectively speaking, the OP did not initiate a discussion. You have simply posted a laundry list of frustrations, and as azslow3 has pointed out, they are not all of universal relevance by any means.
 
The "discussion" is simple: Like all software, SONAR has limitations. Like all companies, the manufacturer is working on removing those limitations. Like all efforts to remove limitations, they don't happen fast enough for the company or its users. Unlike all companies, Cakewalk is willing to have a forum that tolerates noise as well as signal. There's a reason why Propellerheads and Ableton canned their communities, and also, why they won't be the only companies to do so.
 
Find a solution, get back to work, and make music. If there is no solution, do what Ableton did - they wrote their own program that solved their specific needs (i.e., live performance).