tlw
 
I know it's early days Andrew, but..
 
I'll quite happily admit you've surprised me, I didn't expect Sonar to ever be released in an OS X version, and I'm extremely pleased you've decided to go down that road.
 
A couple of questions though.
 
Is the plan for an OS X Sonar to be able to use AU plugins?
 
Secondly, pricing. I didn't pay membership for 2016 because the only PC we have is the DAW and it's been acting up badly. I also needed to learn Logic for a project and we already have Macs so I've mostly been using Logic over the last few months. At the moment I can purchase a discounted lifetime membership, until the end of August, yes? If I hold off until the OS X version is on the market might a reduced price deal for previous Sonar members/customers still be available?
 

We're in the early Alpha stages of this product. At this time there is no AU support just VST2, VST3 and DX. I elaborated on this a bit in my SOS interview here. The lifetime membership will include all platforms of SONAR so its the best offer we have. Initially the OSX version will be a free alpha.

Andrew, is there any chance we could get an official response on the SONAR product lifecycle? Is Cakewalk/Gibson guaranteeing to release updates for lifetime users (as an example) for at least 5, 10, 15, etc. years?
 
I appreciate the lifetime offer, an ostensibly good deal for users, however every 'lifetime' software product I have purchased has ended support within 2-4 years. Usually either 1) the company renames/reclassifies the product, 2) the company retroactively changes the lifetime license terms, 3) the company gets bought and the parent company discontinues support, or 4) the company goes out of business.
 
It would be great to have some kind of official assurance of the continued support for this new license type.

You mean I won't have to buy a PC to open my old projects and/or keep on trying to rebuild them from scratch in my DAW?
 
Best news in a long while! I love you guys!

SilkTone
 
OK not sure if I'm opening a can of worms here... but my upgrade to lifetime was only $49. It could be because I paid the yearly membership only about 1.5 months ago, not in Jan.

You are correct. That's how mine worked out as well (I accidentally bought the annual renewal 2 days ago for $150 and then saw the price on the unlimited updates drop to $49 which I bought today, so $199 total.)

Jesse G
What the @#$%^   I waited all night and part of the afternoon for this??   
 
* I have a Mac with Sonar already on it, it's call installing Windows using Boot Camp.  
 
* I and not going to spend 8 hundred plus dollars on the Softube plus  control thingy, I have a MCU the allows
   me to  control most all plugins from within Sonar Platinum. (My Main DAW) 
 
* I just want a FREE Cakewalk Coffee Mug and I'll be happy!!!!
 
 
 
 

Jesse, I haven't read through this thread yet, but I feel you man.  I'm getting a great deal and am happy about it, but I wasn't going to renew this year because of the dearth of information about  SPLAT2016.  I did mainly because of the promise of GUI enhancements and it was rumored that the update was going to be $199, and it wasn't.
 
I do love the new EQ (or my ears do), but unlike 2015 when there were so many things I was looking forward to, I have zero ideas of what may be coming now.
 
I've always gotten great value for what I've spent with CW, so I'm fine.  But I do miss the days when Sonar releases were a big deal to me.  I think that thrill has gone.
 

I just bought the lifetime update and feel Sonar has always been a great deal. I hope since this only updates Sonar that we aren't nickeled and dimed for all the items in Sonar the way we have been purchasing it. I have always updated and been happy. I hope that continues...
 

Anderton

bnwitt
 
Well except the "collect more money from the existing users"

 
Don't overlook the part where in return for collecting the money, existing users get updates for life. No wonder so many people find this appealing.
 

everything else is future vaporware and promises.

 
The proof of concept Mac version is running now (and has actually been running for a while). Cakewalk has made it clear that what will be released is an alpha version designed to gauge interest. It's not like Cakewalk is advertising it and taking orders. And when the Alpha does come out, it will be free. 
 
As to promises, the developers are already working on the promised updates. And regarding crystal balls...recall that in January 2015, when the membership program was introduced, there were quite a few people whose crystal ball told them Cakewalk would just take the upfront membership money and not deliver anything. Then there were those who said despite Cakewalk's promise of monthly updates, they'd never be able to pull it off. And of course, that within a year after being purchased by Gibson, Cakewalk would be out of business.
 
Hopefully these people got free updates for life with the crystal ball, and are at least at crystal ball 3.6, which supposedly has major bug fixes that reduce the number of inaccurate predictions. 
 

Craig,
As a PC user, what do I have in my hand today for my lifetime upgrade fee which I already paid last week??  What if I drop dead tomorrow?  I've waited with drooling lips for this June 1st big deal and I have nothing to install right now.  Zip, nada. and nothing but a Mac version coming for other people not me.  It is clear to me that there are many people in this forum who would applaud the bakers for a poke in the eye with a sharp stick due to blind loyalty.  "Owe! That hurts!  But I know you really love me.  Hit me again" Instead of spending just my annual upgrade fee this year, I now have spent an additional $99 before my next upgrade is due for something I'm supposed get tomorrow.  Like Wimpy and a hamburger today for which I'll gladly be paid next Tuesday.  As I said in my earlier post, at the moment it's just a money grab to me.  Only the future will tell if it has value.  Also, I know darned well that adding the Mac OS will drive additional man hours for development and support which will take away support from us windows users.  Since there is no crystal ball all we have for our upfront money right now is promises
Barry

Jim Roseberry

reactorstudios
There was something for everyone in the three facets of this announcement. Those of you in the 'meh' class might need meds.
Many thanks to the bakers for lots of hard work pushed through at a remarkably low cost.

I've used Cakewalk software since the CPA 4.0 days (first version to have audio).

• The planned updates are nice (Ripple Editing, etc).  I've grown to expect those with rolling updates.
• Lifetime updates is cool.  I thought Sonar was already very affordable.
• Mac version of Sonar?  I have the fastest Mac you can currently buy... but my custom PC is faster.  To be able to run Sonar on that Mac (the way I do on the PC), I'd need $2k in external Thunderbolt drives.

While I don't want to be a downer, that does leave me feeling a bit "Meh".  

You're the only person I've seen here that started with CWPA4,  I can't believe what I did with 16mb ram.  Lots of copying & pasting?

bnwitt

Anderton

bnwitt
 
Well except the "collect more money from the existing users"

 
Don't overlook the part where in return for collecting the money, existing users get updates for life. No wonder so many people find this appealing.
 

everything else is future vaporware and promises.

 
The proof of concept Mac version is running now (and has actually been running for a while). Cakewalk has made it clear that what will be released is an alpha version designed to gauge interest. It's not like Cakewalk is advertising it and taking orders. And when the Alpha does come out, it will be free. 
 
As to promises, the developers are already working on the promised updates. And regarding crystal balls...recall that in January 2015, when the membership program was introduced, there were quite a few people whose crystal ball told them Cakewalk would just take the upfront membership money and not deliver anything. Then there were those who said despite Cakewalk's promise of monthly updates, they'd never be able to pull it off. And of course, that within a year after being purchased by Gibson, Cakewalk would be out of business.
 
Hopefully these people got free updates for life with the crystal ball, and are at least at crystal ball 3.6, which supposedly has major bug fixes that reduce the number of inaccurate predictions. 
 

Craig,
As a PC user, what do I have in my hand today for my lifetime upgrade fee which I already paid last week??  What if I drop dead tomorrow?  I've waited with drooling lips for this June 1st big deal and I have nothing to install right now.  Zip, nada. and nothing but a Mac version coming for other people not me.  It is clear to me that there are many people in this forum who would applaud the bakers for a poke in the eye with a sharp stick due to blind loyalty.  "Owe! That hurts!  But I know you really love me.  Hit me again" Instead of spending just my annual upgrade fee this year, I now have spent an additional $99 before my next upgrade is due for something I'm supposed get tomorrow.  Like Wimpy and a hamburger today for which I'll gladly be paid next Tuesday.  As I said in my earlier post, at the moment it's just a money grab to me.  Only the future will tell if it has value.  Also, I know darned well that adding the Mac OS will drive additional man hours for development and support which will take away support from us windows users.  Since there is no crystal ball all we have for our upfront money right now is promises
Barry

Well you have seen all the updates we have done over the past 18 months. We are also trying to be as transparent as possible on what's coming down the road. Some of those items on the list will be coming soon. 

Boscoe

SilkTone
 
OK not sure if I'm opening a can of worms here... but my upgrade to lifetime was only $49. It could be because I paid the yearly membership only about 1.5 months ago, not in Jan.

You are correct. That's how mine worked out as well (I accidentally bought the annual renewal 2 days ago for $150 and then saw the price on the unlimited updates drop to $49 which I bought today, so $199 total.)

If you renewed, it's $199 minus what you paid already this year. So that makes sense.