Re: Please make it possible have multiple versions of Platinum installed simultaneously
2016/03/11 15:00:31
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Yes, the registry is not a problem. Here is a little more detail.
To clarify, in this post when I refer to a SONAR version it means, for example, SONAR 8.5, X1, X2, X3 or Platinum. A SONAR release means, for example, SONAR Platinum Dorchester, Manchester or Newburyport.
There are a few registry entries used by all versions of SONAR (and other Cakewalk products). Most registry entries are stored by SONAR version. IOW, for X3 has its own registry entries and Platinum has a separate set of registry entries. All SONAR Platinum releases use the same registry entries.
There is one VST inventory for the X series and before. There is a separate VST Inventory for Platinum. All SONAR Platinum releases share the same VST Inventory.
There are other version specific folders such as the user directory, Cakewalk Content, ProgramData. Just like the registry, all SONAR Platinum releases share these folders.
Because there is only one set of registry entries for Platinum, each release must be in the same parent folder. For example I use the default location so the current production version is located in "C:\Program files\Cakewalk\SONAR Platinum" and the others are in "C:\Program Files\Cakewalk SONAR Platinum-D", C:\Program Files\Cakewalk SONAR Platinum-E"..."C:\Program Files\Cakewalk SONAR Platinum-N."
I do not have a 32bit version installed but the layout is similar except user directory, Cakewalk Content and ProgramData are shared between 32bit and 64bit versions.