Questions before purchase

Hi all, I'm in the market for a new DAW and I'm looking seriously at Sonar. I'm coming from Ableton and the pricing structure has just gotten out of hand for a hobbyist like me. I don't believe in pirating so the lower price of even the platinum version of Sonar coupled with the rent to own option is very attractive. Anyway, I'm hoping someone can answer the following:

1) When using the rent to own option, does the computer have to be online at all times? I assume it would have to at least check in every 30 days or so to verify the account is current (which would be fine) but I don't leave mine connected unless I'm running installs, updates, etc. so an always connected requirement would be a deal breaker.

2) Am I required to download and install all content at one time or can I just start with the core program and add the instruments and 3rd party stuff at-will as I find a need for it?

3) I already own a lot of VSTi software, some of it quite expensive, that I'm not ready to abandon, so is there anything that is known not to play well or flat out refuses to work with Sonar? My main concerns are Izotope, IK and Waves products.

4) Is there an equivalent to Abletons freeze/flatten functionality where I can bounce a midi track to audio in place without recording it to another track?

5) For anyone else that has made the jump from Ableton, did you have a particularly hard time adapting and are there any caveats you wish you had known going into it? I should mention that I use Ableton as more of a traditional recording setup almost exclusively in arrangement mode so I'm not really concerned with loop handling or live performance but I do spend a lot of time programming drums and editing midi and I really like the intuitive editing of Abletons piano roll.

I think that's it for now. Thanks in advance for any and all comments.

Zargg
1: It only needs to be online for authorization, and updates. Not sure if it has to go online monthly or not.

There is no need to ever connect the DAW to the internet. There is a manual activation process but it does require some device connect to the internet to send activation requests and receive the tokens back from Cakewalk servers. The monthly payment plan requires monthly activation. It is easier if the DAW can periodically connect to the internet to activate and install updates.
 
Ease of use is a personal thing, try the demo.



 

scook

Zargg
1: It only needs to be online for authorization, and updates. Not sure if it has to go online monthly or not.

There is no need to ever connect the DAW to the internet. There is a manual activation process but it does require some device connect to the internet to send activation requests and receive the tokens back from Cakewalk servers. The monthly payment plan requires monthly activation. It is easier if the DAW can periodically connect to the internet to activate and install updates.
 
Ease of use is a personal thing, try the demo.



 

He was asking about the monthly option, hence my reply.
Forgot about the offline authorization, though.

bitflipper
it's not really a "rent-to-own" scheme.

You are aware Cakewalk uses that phrase in the purchase options

You get the fun of downloading and installing a second time.

Another Sonar plus is that this forum is a great resource.
Much less BS than other applications' forums, and none of us seem to be corporate shills.

Yes, to receive a non-expiring license the terms of the payment plan must be met.

chuckebaby

Zargg

dnelson1971
Yay for me.

If you have access to fast(er) internet connection elsewhere, just download there onto a external HD/Memory stick there. Bring home and install.

That is a Brilliant idea.

Must be one of those coincidences

chuckebaby

Zargg

chuckebaby

Zargg

dnelson1971
Yay for me.

If you have access to fast(er) internet connection elsewhere, just download there onto a external HD/Memory stick there. Bring home and install.

That is a Brilliant idea.

Must be one of those coincidences

I could see it now... dragging my desktop in to the local coffee shop that has free WIFI

Including a full rack (AI, some digital units etc) for Firmware updates

chuckebaby

Zargg

Including a full rack (AI, some digital units etc) for Firmware updates

HaHaHa. 
You and I should write a comedy skit.

I'm game
I've co-written a few skits for local tv in my youth

Brian Walton
$324 for Platinum here:
 
http://forum.cakewalk.com...e-Offers-m3684368.aspx

That's a Really Good Deal. Hope the OP finds the right thing at the right price, and yes, the community here adds a ton of value, and not just answering questions either. The entertainment value is worth the price of admission alone! Not to mention profound-if-somewhat-tangential philosophical meanderings... ;)