alanyost
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Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
HI:
Been a cakewalk user since the 90's and when I logged in and tried to upgrade X3 Producer today to Platinum, I came up as a new user with no discount. Appears that option no longer exists and an upgrade from any previous version requires full price. If this is the case, they seem to be abandoning a whole slew of customers this way---perhaps I missed something earlier on, but I don't routinely read every email I get as I get hundreds every day. I tried call the customer service number 617-423-9004 and no one answers the phone. Left an email message and will see if that gets anywhere.
Any clues anyone on what's up here? Hate to have to learn a new DAW after all these years, but I'm not planning paying full price to upgrade something that's not likely different to what I already have.
Thanks!
Alan
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scook
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 19:51:08
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This was the subject of a thread here and several email announcements. Effective May 1 2017, there are no upgrade discounts for X3 and older. The customer support number was discontinued last year. Initial support contact is via email http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Email
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telecharge
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 19:55:25
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alanyost
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:03:07
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Hmm, as I mentioned, I don't spend a lot (any) time lurking on forums or reading emails from companies so I guess I missed this. I've always waited a bit to upgrade to give them a chance to get the bugs out. Always been given a good discount. With all the competition out there now, can't see why they would want to alienate a customer base. Guess I'll be moving to Studio One (They appear to have a good crossgrade deal), but I'm old now so hope it doesn't take me too long to learn!
Thanks for the info!
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MelodicJimmy
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:10:36
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Really? X3? That's ridiculous that you can't upgrade to platinum from X3.
Toshiba Ultrabook Laptop (Core i7)/ Sonar Platinum/ Windows 10 Home 64-bit10 gigs ram/ solid state drive/ Roland Cubix 22 interface/ M-Audio 88-key Keystation MIDI Controller/ Samson Monitors/ Sibelius 7 Notation
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Brian Walton
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:10:46
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alanyost
Hmm, as I mentioned, I don't spend a lot (any) time lurking on forums or reading emails from companies so I guess I missed this. I've always waited a bit to upgrade to give them a chance to get the bugs out. Always been given a good discount. With all the competition out there now, can't see why they would want to alienate a customer base. Guess I'll be moving to Studio One (They appear to have a good crossgrade deal), but I'm old now so hope it doesn't take me too long to learn!
Thanks for the info!
So you also missed the 6 month window for lifetime updates that Sonar offered you?
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alanyost
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:24:43
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Yup, guess so. Didn't know about that. If they'd have sent me a letter in the mail, I might have read it--or maybe something saying IMPORTANT or similar on a subject header. Don't have any complaints about X3, been working pretty well minus a few lock-ups now and then so can keep using it, but its been a couple years so thought I'd investigate the next release. BTW, I just found out from a friend that Sibelius did the same thing to its customers, appears it now costs about $300 a year to keep it updated. Hadn't looked into that yet, but if that is the case, I will be switching back to Finale which generally just charges a $100 or so for version upgrade.
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azslow3
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:25:19
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As was mentioned in many threads: 1) there is nothing wrong with "learning a new DAW". In fact I got one 2 days ago and I have started to learn it. After the usual WOW effect, even after 2 (not 24hours per...) days I understand that it will not replace Sonar for me completely. I mean learning other DAWs can at some point justify Sonar upgrade price  2) even initially it was announced there will be "actions". Just today there still was 30%. And I do not think that is the only and the best discount you will see this year. 3) X3 was introduced more then 3 years ago. So users who payed every year have invested quite some money into "not likely different" current version (for some it is different, for some not). I mean that "cut off" is, while I also think not nice, fair in general.
Sonar 8LE -> Platinum infinity, REAPER, Windows 10 pro GA-EP35-DS3L, E7500, 4GB, GTX 1050 Ti, 2x500GB RME Babyface Pro (M-Audio Audiophile Firewire/410, VS-20), Kawai CN43, TD-11, Roland A500S, Akai MPK Mini, Keystation Pro, etc. www.azslow.com - Control Surface Integration Platform for SONAR, ReaCWP, AOSC and other accessibility tools
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Anderton
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:35:23
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☄ Helpfulby DrLumen 2017/05/30 21:35:12
It's also important to consider that the difference between Platinum and X3 is huge. Think how much the Linear-Phase EQ, Linear-Phase Multiband, and Adaptive EQ would cost if purchased in the "outside world"...but then when you consider plug-in load balancing, upsampling, Transform Tool, support for all the latest Windows 10 goodies (Pen, Dial, low-latency internal sound chips, etc.), comping enhancements, Lenses, upgrades to TH3 and Melodyne, Theme Editor, new themes, Smart Swipe, tempo detection, Aux Tracks and Patch Points, speed improvements, Rapture Session, synth recording...the list goes on. It really is a new program, as well as a more stable and speedy one.
Upgrading X3 for the past 3.5 years would probably have been about the same as buying Platinum.
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35mm
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:35:30
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There will be deals and discounts so I have heard so stick around for those. I'm now really glad I updated from 8.5 to platinum lifetime updates on December 31st (the last day of the offer) fewww! Seems a bit crazy that a few months later you don't even get a discount for X3.
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telecharge
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:39:52
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alanyost
If they'd have sent me a letter in the mail, I might have read it--or maybe something saying IMPORTANT or similar on a subject header.
Well... 
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scook
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:39:58
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There is a 30% discount at the moment.
Support for X3 was discontinued as of Jan 2016.
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alanyost
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:44:06
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I never upgraded every year, I would miss a version now and then, but they supplied incremental releases for bug fixes. After a few of those, things were generally pretty stable, which is why I always waited for a bit to upgrade. Just got an email from customer service who promised me they will be soon offering something to X3 customers who 'missed the boat'. So will be checking emails from cakewalk a bit more carefully.
Thanks for the help.
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Anderton
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:44:58
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35mm
Seems a bit crazy that a few months later you don't even get a discount for X3.
TBH I don't have stats, but I suspect the number of people in the OP's position is pretty small. Apparently the number of remaining X-series users who hadn't upgraded after all these years was small enough that it wasn't worth it for stores or online fulfillment companies to maintain a lot of different SKUs for a small number of potential customers. Cakewalk extended lifetime updates to twice what was planned because of people asking for an extension, and gave plenty of notice about the new pricing changes. It's understandable that some customers would not keep up with what's happening at Cakewalk if they're satisfied with what they have, but computer-based recording requires some degree of engagement with the companies that make your software if you want to stay on top of what's happening. For example with end-of-life products, you may not be able to find drivers past a certain point, so you better download them while you can.
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:48:18
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alanyost
Yup, guess so. Didn't know about that. If they'd have sent me a letter in the mail, I might have read it--or maybe something saying IMPORTANT or similar on a subject header. Don't have any complaints about X3, been working pretty well minus a few lock-ups now and then so can keep using it, but its been a couple years so thought I'd investigate the next release. BTW, I just found out from a friend that Sibelius did the same thing to its customers, appears it now costs about $300 a year to keep it updated. Hadn't looked into that yet, but if that is the case, I will be switching back to Finale which generally just charges a $100 or so for version upgrade.
Sibelius asks 99 bucks a year to stay current unless you let your support (and the grace period) lapse. There's also a deal where you get three years for 220 or so.
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alanyost
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 20:56:24
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Hmm, I don't think I got any of those announcements. Checked my Inbox and deleted folder for the past couple months and they weren't there. Perhaps I didn't 'subscribe'... Anyway, thanks for the help folks. Can't believe I got all these responses in such a short time.
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Anderton
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 21:05:19
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Since you've been with X3 for this long, you might as well hold off for a bit longer, wait for a special, and pounce on it. Checking back to the SONAR home page once a month should be sufficient to catch any of the longer-term promotions, but you could miss out on flash sales.
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alanyost
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 21:17:00
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Re Sibelius:
That could be. Don't recall the fine print when I bought it---will check into it but I probably let the thing lapse, if there was a lapse clause in there somewhere.
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azslow3
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 21:17:29
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Anderton
TBH I don't have stats, but I suspect the number of people in the OP's position is pretty small.
I know several users with X2/X3. From what I know, they are not "music noobs" like I am, they use Sonar continuously and plan to continue (otherwise why bother about control surfaces for it  ). My conclusion why they have not upgraded: Sonar was already good for mixing at X level and Platinum is not a dial breaker for something else. So I am not sure about stats. CW is the first company in my registrations which a priory guarantee there will be no discounts for old customers  More usual are promotions for "all customers" (including free/$1 products), as can be seen in Deals board (and my mailbox). But I must admit, CW is very creative in price politics last years (in both direction ).
Sonar 8LE -> Platinum infinity, REAPER, Windows 10 pro GA-EP35-DS3L, E7500, 4GB, GTX 1050 Ti, 2x500GB RME Babyface Pro (M-Audio Audiophile Firewire/410, VS-20), Kawai CN43, TD-11, Roland A500S, Akai MPK Mini, Keystation Pro, etc. www.azslow.com - Control Surface Integration Platform for SONAR, ReaCWP, AOSC and other accessibility tools
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alanyost
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/30 21:21:35
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Anderton
Since you've been with X3 for this long, you might as well hold off for a bit longer, wait for a special, and pounce on it. Checking back to the SONAR home page once a month should be sufficient to catch any of the longer-term promotions, but you could miss out on flash sales.
Thanks, I'll try to keep a lookout. But "this long?" I think I bought X1 or x2 around 2011 and x3 in 2014. It's 2017 now so I am right on track :)-----I still use Office 2010 and have an old phone and still have a landline. Too hard to keep up with everything.
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Sanderxpander
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/05/31 02:40:58
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alanyost
Re Sibelius:
That could be. Don't recall the fine print when I bought it---will check into it but I probably let the thing lapse, if there was a lapse clause in there somewhere.
The mandatory Avid Application Manager complains quite loudly when you do. Unless you were on a version older than 7.5 I guess, but in that case it's been years since you updates and yes, you'll have to buy yourself in again for 220 or so.
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alanyost
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/01 13:01:14
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Yeah, I tried to upgrade Sibelius yesterday to 8.5 from 8.4.2 and it said I was 'expired'. Getting "unexpired" is now $299.00 since I am a couple months past some deadline. So, I just upgraded Finale 2012 to version 25 for half as much (and got a free virtual piano in the process). I can use either program, Sibelius is just a bit more user friendly than Finale. There is also a freeware/open source notation program called Muse 2 that's pretty good.
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FCCfirstclass
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/01 14:00:33
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Finale 25 (or just Finale as it is now called) is very cool. Lots of new stuff and I have it Re-wired into Sonar for easy access.
Win 10 Pro x64, 32Gb DDR3 ram, Sonar Platinum, Cubase 9.5, Mackie MCU Pro, Cakewalk VS 100, Roland Octa-Capture, A 800 Pro, Carver M-1.5t amp & C4000 pre amp, various mics, drums and brass instruments. And away we go!
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jackson white
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/01 16:48:29
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-------------------- Some pieces of wood with wires and bits of metal stuck in them, silicon and plastic
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bapu
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/01 17:12:49
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I missed out on upgrading my 1972 Pinto to a 1997 F-100 Pickup. Now I'd have to pay full price. That's ridiculous. Ya?
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alanyost
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/01 18:27:38
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Could do that, but will just stay with X3 since its fine for what I do. I've usually waited about 3 years to move up. Just missed the boat this time. Was just surprised by the change in the way they and now Avid are doing business. Really surprised as well by all the responses I got to my inquiry here , mostly helpful but even some tacky sarcasm from a few.
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/01 21:09:57
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FWIW, we'll soon be running a special campaign for SONAR X3 customers to upgrade to the latest versions of SONAR - hope to kick off mid-June...
Alex Westner VP Product Strategy & Innovation
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dazeja
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/14 22:18:37
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Is the special campaign still a possibility?
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robert_e_bone
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/15 06:49:34
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For whatever the worth, if you DO get an upgrade offer at some level of discount to come up to Platinum, I HIGHLY encourage you to also pick up Lifetime Updates, if it is available to you at that time.
It was a 1-time $199 charge at the time, for all future updates to Platinum, and Platinum has LITERALLY been updated once a month for more than a year now, so not only would you continue to get monthly fixes and features, you would not have to pay what used to be a $199 upgrade fee to X4, X5, and so on, it's just Platinum now, so JUMP on any chance to add Lifetime Updates if you DO decide to come up to Platinum.
You can download a 30-day free trial now - and while it won't have the 3rd-party plugins and such, you will be able to test out the engine and the amazing new features of the User Interface - they really have done an amazing job with it.
Bob Bone
Wisdom is a giant accumulation of "DOH!" Sonar: Platinum (x64), X3 (x64) Audio Interfaces: AudioBox 1818VSL, Steinberg UR-22 Computers: 1) i7-2600 k, 32 GB RAM, Windows 8.1 Pro x64 & 2) AMD A-10 7850 32 GB RAM Windows 10 Pro x64 Soft Synths: NI Komplete 8 Ultimate, Arturia V Collection, many others MIDI Controllers: M-Audio Axiom Pro 61, Keystation 88es Settings: 24-Bit, Sample Rate 48k, ASIO Buffer Size 128, Total Round Trip Latency 9.7 ms
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Re: Sonar Upgrades/support/etc.
2017/06/15 14:10:21
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Yes, still working on setting up the campaign. We switched our ecommerce provider - yesterday - in fact, and we're back to defining the parameters of this campaign to reach out to people who missed the boat on LTU as well as our campaign before switching to our new pricing policy.
Alex Westner VP Product Strategy & Innovation
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