Sonar 8.5 producer user with Z3TA and AD - should I just buy X3 basic?

If you have a copy of Sonar LE somewhere, you might want to register that and use the LE to upgrade to X3 basic instead of using your 8.5 Pro for the upgrade.
 
This way, you can still upgrade your 8.5 Pro to current or future Pro version. You get better upgrade price this way.
 
I'm leaving the plugins out - you're aware X3 Pro comes with many full versions (Dim Pro, Rapture, etc) that needs to be upgraded in prior Pro version.
 
Going X3 basic will lose the SMPTE/MTC and Surround mixing features.
 
Pro Channel - since 8.5 Pro don't have it.. not having it may not effect your work flow, if you already have your personal channel strip preference. On the other hand, having the Pro Channel may enhance your work flow - X3 Pro includes all the modules (produced by Cakewalk) that we have to buy in X1 / X2.
 
...Melodyne Essential is included in Studio / Pro, missing in X3 basic.

If you can afford X-3 Pro, Go for it!!

Questions like this are difficult for me because I always buy the Producer for what it has with it and in it. That may not mean anything to someone else.  So it depends on what you want. 
 
I really think that as far as value is concerned the Producer version represents the best value. 

I reckon you (the OP) should just bite the bullet:
http://www.etcetera.co.uk/products/ROL600.shtml
 
 

Not sure if this is even still possible, but if there are still any offers for the "buy X2 and get X3 upgrade free" deals floating around that would also land you a few things not included in X3 like V-Vocal and R-mix

Most of the value of the X series is the Prochannel IMO. If you are on the fence about Producer don't get the basic X3 version (no Prochannel) look at X3 Studio. If you already have all the instruments and plugs you need then Producer doesn't add that much in comparison to Studio.
 
But really... You want the Prochannel. Also studio comes with Melodyne as well. You just lose two new PC modules (the Flyout Quad Curve which is cool but unnecessary and the Tape Sim which again isn't really necessary). The rest is the Nomad plugs which you probably already have covered and Addictive Drums which is nice but if you already have a high end drum sequencer isn't required and I'm pretty sure Studio comes with Session Drummer which is pretty usable on its own for most people's needs.
 
Disclosure: I do not own X3. Just been looking at the options.

The only thing I would add is that Producer puts you in a better position for future upgrades. 
 

scook, thanks for posting that.  I was hoping that maybe there was one that let you upgrade to X2 and get X3 free.  Oh well.  makes me glad I had X2.  R-mix has become very useful to me

tomixornot

Beepster
Oh... huh. If R-Mix didn't work in X3 Studio that would be a major problem. If that's the case I would definitely have to take a pass.

R-Mix works in my X3 basic. It also picks up all the Boutique and Engineering Suite items (that existed in my X1 / X2 Pro).

scook
Interesting that is not what CW staff have written.

Huh... These two posts are in conflict with each other. If you're correct though, scook, Studio is definitely out of the question for me. It's like they are actively trying to make guys like me not upgrade.
 
I will definitely have to give Cake a good long call to verify exactly what can and cannot be done with Studio before any final decisions are made.
 
Again thank you for bringing this potential problem to my attention. Cheers.

It was a staffer on the forum. I did not save the link. If you don't mind a link to kvr, Andrew Rossa mentions it here near the bottom of the page. I would suggest that if someone actually reports that it works, that would take precedence, however; that might be corrected in a future update if it was an oversight.

Thanks for the info guys. Appreciated as always. :-)