Were we spoiled with the X3 release?

P-Theory
Been on platinum for a few days now and despite a few issues with melodyne and Kontakt for me, largely its been a solid release.
 
However I do feel a little short changed, certainly when compared to the joy of the X3 release.  Its clear there has been lots of back room work on things like the command centre but for everyday usage there is nothing that is really blowing me away.  With X3 we had ARA, VST3, AD, Speed Comping, Blue Tubes suite etc  in other words a whole raft of major developments and improvements.
 
The Mix recall is the only new feature that is comparable in terms of product evolution to the X3 features in my opinion. The vocal sync is cool but not earth shattering for me. I'm under with the new audio snap, it certainly detects transients better but that's about it, it still sounds the same and offers nothing new functionality wise.  The control bar is well and good but I can't imagine ever reconfiguring again now I have done so adds nothing to daily workflow. ReMatrix and AD2 I already had so that might be swaying my outlook I admit. Expandable sends and FX are fine but just move the scrolling problem to elsewhere in the pro channel as opp0sed to the FX bin in my opinion.  Pattern tool I just don't get, what was wrong with control V?  PRV enhancements are better but again a little underwhelming and the midi timestretch thing I can't really see any point for in my workflow.
 
I'm not whinging, just commenting, hopefully now cake has some fresh money and subscriptions they can start rolling out killer new features as we go along.  I'd still love to see a product roadmap even though I am already a paid subscriber

I understand what you are saying. It maybe as you point out that perhaps we have been spoiled.  I'm not thinking that though. I think this is a tweak of X3 that offers a great deal more. I like the customizable control module. I like the ReMatrix reverb both of which I will get a lot of use from.
 
But wait there is more.  We are just at the beginning of things to come. I don't know what they are but this version is meant to be added to.  It will be as things become available. For right now think of this release as the first installment.   

CakeAlexS
Well I want to see the changelog which will arrive sooner or later, and if it is what I hope it is, then this application is absolute gold dust. Sometimes the best changes are the boring ones which don't translate well through marketing...

 I have no doubt whatsoever that from a technical point of view, the amount of effort gone into this release is massive and builds an excellent delivery mechanism for future code.  My comments were based on what we got on release day compared to what we got on release day with X3.  Lets just hope there is a load of new features to blow us out of our socks in the pipeline with the new membership model.....time will tell :-)

for me getting fairfax 1 and 2 and reel machines for AD2 which I already owned is worth the price alone, I see your point though it doesn't seem to have the immediate WOW factor of X3 but I am noticing lots of nice little touches and with a release as good as X3 I think evolution over revolution is probably the right way to go - in my opinion that is :)

Well its tricky to compare since we have changed the product model to be one of continuous enhancement.
For one if we were releasing under the old model, you would have seen a couple more features baked in (drum replacer and the touch kbd for one) out of the gate and a few patches. If you take those into account its certainly pretty much on par with the feature count in X3.
However now for the same cost you will now get those features and a whole bunch of features we already have planned for the year. 
Also another point to make is X3 added support for two standards - ARA and VST3. We pick stuff like that carefully since it requires years of maintenance. Surely you don't expect us to add new standards every year :) The new SONAR includes enhancements to both those standards. You will hear more about it when the upcoming features are unveiled.
Additionally some users would argue that they want more improvements than new features. We focused on these requests as well and improved stability and workflow.
 
To summarize you aren't getting less at all and the next few months will prove it.
 

I will be sitting on the fence this time. 149.00 for updates that more than likely wont effect me ?
+ Cakewalk is hiring on all levels !
More improvements than new features ...is a good direction though !

I get it, as explained I know the level of effort involved getting internal delivery systems is massive.  And I've no doubt that good things are to come but I can't deny I wish I hadn't started the clock ticking so soon and waited until you had rolled out a few more solid features....sorry

Based on the features list, I think it's safe to assume that a lot of work was done "under the hood". There seems to be a a need to have a lot of stuff nailed down in order to have the vocal sync and mix memory working smoothly. I'm hoping that the side effect will be an overall improved user experience.
 
I'm waiting for a week and then I'll buy in. And no, I don't think we were spoiled by X3. It was the first time I felt that a version upgrade went well. Everything after X1 is gravy. Well, maybe everything after expanded.

No Way!!!  I loved the evolution of "X" and the entire platform and this is just accelerating my LOVE 
 
I'm tickled pink already!  Addictive Drums is now much deeper with the 3/3/3 addons (for most people!) and it essentially makes all the other goodies FREE...
 
I think stability is better... flows wonderfully.  And everything everyone has already said!
 
Awesome evolution, worth every penny... and it ain't finished!

CakeAlexS
Sometimes the best changes are the boring ones which don't translate well through marketing...

Well said! Truly, i had not realized this until you said it; i find this comment quite profound, and essentially it is a paradoxical statement but enlightening nonetheless; nicely said, and very pertinent concerning the current climate surrounding Sonar!
 
Even though i did actually feel a little bit disappointed about this latest release of Sonar, looking from another perspective, i'll be happy to try and see this as a "Quality, not quantity" release.
 
And if i stop for ten seconds and take the focus of myself for a moment, and look back over the years, seriously, starting from Sonar 6 Producer onward, each and every subsequent annual release of Sonar has been nothing short of spectacular IMO (if memory serves me correctly), definitely not flimsy in terms of what it brought to the table. And i don't think any other DAW can boast that.
Also, over the years Cakewalk has not been afraid to get there hands dirty and have a go at reinventing Sonar for a better end-user experience. And without wanting to sound condescending at all, from a business point-of-view that takes a certain amount of courage, and thus deserves kudos from where i'm standing.
 
I've always had the impression that Cakewalk wanted to do the right thing by their customers, and always in order to make us happy, all the way up to X3, each new version was seemingly bristling with new tech and toys, anyone could see that Cakewalk developed this DAW from the heart and with earnest intent. I cannot remember a release of Sonar before this one that ever failed to impress me, and i sincerely applaud Cakewalk for that, and for trying to look-after their customers.
 
Indulge me to be a bit more emotive about this... To some extent i feel a little bit sorry for Cakewalk, because some of us are a bit down on them over the latest release, but if i was to get my head out of the sand for just long enough, i could actually see the new 'substance' in this latest version... 16 Virtual Amps, REmatrix Solo, Addictive Drums II Producer Bundle, VST 3 enhancements, MIDI enhancements... all of which qualify as "Quality" in my books; in all honesty, the REmatrix verb alone is worth the total upgrade fee to me.
 
And seeing as how Cakewalk will be bringing more to the table throughout the year, then hey, i'm actually bordering on feeling guilty about how much they're giving us for the money. Let me say... This DAW has character, not only in it, but also behind it. Cheers.
 
  

I wish bug-free would become the norm, instead of the other way around.

  I'm liking the monthly release idea. 
  Instead of being overwhelmed by new features and perhaps overlooking some due to the learning curve, we get to familiarize ourselves with a nice chunk of new features just in time for more to arrive next month

sorry for multi posting, it was in error but can't seem to delete them
 

yevster
Have people forgotten what disaster X3 was in stability and reliability? If this Platinum is as solid as people say, this is a huge leap for CW, regardless of the feature count.

 X3 was absolutely rock solid for me don't know what you mean?

yevster
Before or after the C & D updates? And have you never had FX tails in the beginning of your exported mixes? Or random midi events transmitted to all your softsynths?

I have the buffer issue  that you call tails. I have never had any random events going to anything. The buffer thing can be deleted or cut from the mix. 

When a bug is so old, you adjust your workflow around it, that's hardly rock solid. This never had to be done on any other DAW I've ever used.