First, let me apologize up front for posting a thread which I'm sure has been submitted many times before and answered in plenty! :)
 
And secondly, let me thank all of you up front who reply to my questions. I've been a Cakewalk user for about 16 years now and have gone through the previous versions and have been till now, and quite satisfactorily might I add, using Sonar Producer X3e.
 
I have just made the leap and purchased Sonar Platinum with the lifetime updates. I mean really? What's to complain about with this fantastic offer? ;) 
 
I have a few questions and I will certainly make the effort to thoroughly review these forums for the expert advice given and to see if I can answer my own questions as well.
 
When I install Platinum, will all of my X3 settings be retained? And will I be able to use X3 if I should need any backwards compatibility? I am a registered user of the full versions of Addictive Drums 2 and TH2 (and numerous other VST's and VSTi's) and will the Platinum install overwrite any of my settings and will I be able to use these full versions within Platinum and not the LE / SE editions?
 
I have many more questions but as I stated, I will make the effort to seek them on my own either in this forum and the Internet overall (But I can't promise that this will be my one and only post on the subject!) :)
 
Thank you again to all who take the time to educate me on some of my concerns. i also welcome any tips and tricks that you may be willing to offer me. I'm psyched and can't wait to being using Platinum.
 
Best regards,
Steve
 
p.s. I am thrilled to see that Craig Anderton frequents these forums as I have been a fan of his FOR YEARS and welcome all of his experience and insights. I can't believe the knowledge that he puts out there for all of us to absorb!
 
:)

TrueGrit
I have just made the leap and purchased Sonar Platinum with the lifetime updates. I mean really? What's to complain about with this fantastic offer? ;) 

 
well done. you won't regret.
 

TrueGrit
When I install Platinum, will all of my X3 settings be retained? And will I be able to use X3 if I should need any backwards compatibility? I am a registered user of the full versions of Addictive Drums 2 and TH2 (and numerous other VST's and VSTi's) and will the Platinum install overwrite any of my settings and will I be able to use these full versions within Platinum and not the LE / SE editions?

 
yes. yes. and yes. meaning x3e will stay as a separate installation, nothing will be overwritten and you can use AD2, etc in either Platinum or X3e ... however, after a short while you won't go back to X3e anymore.
 

 

TrueGrit
When I install Platinum, will all of my X3 settings be retained?

There is an option to migrate settings when SONAR Platinum is run for the first time. Cakewalk recommends you do not do it. Instead let the new SONAR setup with defaults and adjust it as needed.
 

TrueGrit
And will I be able to use X3 if I should need any backwards compatibility?

For the most part SONAR is backward compatible. Of course, new features will not be available in X3. One exception is projects containing patch points and aux tracks will not load in X3.
 

TrueGrit
I am a registered user of the full versions of Addictive Drums 2 and TH2 (and numerous other VST's and VSTi's) and will the Platinum install overwrite any of my settings and will I be able to use these full versions within Platinum and not the LE / SE editions?

The new install will not affect AD2 or the full version of TH2. You will get an AD2 product key for 3 more Kitpaks, 3 more MIDIPaks and 3 instruments. Plug-ins such as the bundled AAS and TruePianos are completely separate from the full versions.
 

I was going to answer but Scook and Rob answered already. However, if you have a question and I have the answer I'll try to be the first to answer. LOL 
 
I think you are going to like the upgrade very much. 

To Rob, Scook and John,
 
Many thanks for such quick replies!
 
I am certainly looking forward to using Platinum and I don't anticipate a lot of obstacles, if any, although i'm sure to come across some differences between Platinum and X3.
 
Regards,
Steve 

Question - I have previously purchased all of the Pro Channel modules. Will my Platinum install recognize these as being in my Cakewalk account and install them by default or will I need to download and install them separately? I am going to go with Scook's suggestion of not migrating my previous X3 settings so I'm not sure what the outcome will ultimately be.

I'm waiting for my registration codes and hopefully by tomorrow I'll have the install going.

Thanks.

Steve

The ProChannel modules not bundled with SONAR are treated like any other plug-in. If they are already installed and running in X3, Platinum will pick them up. If they are not installed, you will have to install them as they are not part of the Platinum package.
 
If you purchased directly from Cakewalk, the registration information should already be in your account. If you purchased from a reseller, the registration information is placed in your account immediate upon entering the redemption code provided by the reseller on this page.
 
Depending on how you install Platinum, you may not need your registration information. Registration is handled automatically by the Command Center. You might want to take some time and review the installation process detailed in the help and the supporting videos

Just a few more tips:
 
If you have already installed Melodyne with X3 skip installing it again with Platinum. It is the same product. Once installed all Melodyne updates are handled directly from your Celemony account
 
There is no need to install DPro or Rapture again. They are unchanged from X3.

Scook,

Once again, thanks for the quick reply and information. I did order Platinum from a reseller and am waiting for the redemption code.

It's good to know that the install should be pretty seamless and that the Pro Channel modules will be picked up in the install process.

Regards,
Steve

Okay, downloading Platinum now through the Command Center. Since I'm waiting, I have a question concerning Addictive Drums 2. I have the full version with practically all of the add on kits and MIDI paks. (with the exception of around 3 or 4. How convenient!) :)
 
Since my Platinum purchase includes 3 additional kits and paks, how do I go about adding them? Through my XLN installer or through the VST once it's opened up in Sonar? I would think that I will need a registration number with XLN and thus far (again, I'm still downloading so I'm basing this on first glance) I haven't seen any in my Cakewalk account.
 
Thanks again for any and all who reply.
 
Best regards,
Steve