This model for payment is a correlation to PBS or various radio stations that depend on donations to keep their stations alive.  I am listening to one of my go-to stations right now, that is Jazz24, from Seattle WA which is a part of KNKX.
 
If you like it, then drop some coin into their hat.
 
 

Waiting on my mug now.  I've been a long time supporter of Cakewalk, so excited that I can finally have a Noel inspired mug

Anderton
It will be interesting to see how many people who said they'd be willing to pay to keep Sonar going will do so now that there's an option to do so.
 
I'm feeling the need for a mug myself 

I did - about a week ago. I just got a "Thank You" from BandLab for my Tip. I'm looking forward to a mug and a t-shirt. 

Faza_TCM
I got as far as entering my CC details when I learned the only option is to "Save Card". Sorry, no go. I've seen enough data breaches over the years to refuse to hand over my card details to anyone who intends to store them. Add a one-time use option and I'll gladly drop some money towards development.

 
A word of warning...Harmony Central was hacked in 2013. It didn't really matter because the only information that was stored was email addresses for registration. But I started looking into hacking and found that over 400,000 institutions were hacked that year, including government agencies, the military, pretty much all banks, etc. Your card details are already stored in your bank. This isn't to say a company like BandLab can't be hacked--after all, the Pentagon has been hacked--I'm just saying that you've already handed over your card details to an institution that stored them and has likely been hacked. It sucks.
 
Stealing your card is a problem, but if you watch your statements you can get things rectified. The real problem is when an institution like Experian is hacked, which has the personal details needed for someone to create accounts in your name that you don't even know about. Amazon (or BandLab) doesn't have my mother's maiden name and social security number...Experian does. 
 

I am not at all enamoured with the free+tip jar model. Quite the contrary. In fact, at present it's a prime reason for me to consider switching to a different software altogether. I'm still waiting to see what's meant to come after, but if more of the same - I shall reluctantly have to go elsewhere.

I don't think the tip jar is a "model," there are several ways BandLab's parent company makes money. However, when it was announced that Gibson had stopped development, the forum was filled with people who said they could gladly contribute to keep Sonar alive. I assume any money that goes into the tip jar is dedicated specifically to Cakewalk - maybe enough to hire another support person or something else that wouldn't be in the budget otherwise. But that's something only BandLab can answer for sure.

dlesaux
I'm confused here? Isn't BandLab a commercial endeavor? 

 
Of course BandLab is a commercial endeavor. 
 

Most businesses succeed by offering a product (or service) for a fee where the fee is higher than the total cost of the product which results in a profit. Is the model here to hope that the users make enough donations to cover their costs? If that's true, it's a pretty shaky business model.

 
Most businesses do, yes, but an increasing number of software companies are offering software for free as a way of generating a captive audience at whom other things can be marketed. The tip jar is obviously not their intended revenue stream - frankly, I find it a little bizarre. Tip jars are usually used by solo developers who produce freeware that has no revenue stream. 



 

I was glad to add to the tip jar. It cost money to buy the IP, and it'll cost money to maintain and further develop the software, I'm looking forward to that. Retaining Noel and untold bakers made it a no brainer.

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
 
I personally find it very appropriate. We're putting it in the hands of the users to decide whether they want to support us, and rather than charging people money upfront for software we let users contribute to our creation process if they feel a commitment to it.
BandLab is a company that services musicians and this model is widely being used by many artists who's fans support their projects. As more work is done going forward, more people will appreciate the value they are getting and contribute.

Bravo for that.  I love it. 

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]

sharke
The tip jar is obviously not their intended revenue stream - frankly, I find it a little bizarre. Tip jars are usually used by solo developers who produce freeware that has no revenue stream. 

 
I personally find it very appropriate. We're putting it in the hands of the users to decide whether they want to support us, and rather than charging people money upfront for software we let users contribute to our creation process if they feel a commitment to it.
BandLab is a company that services musicians and this model is widely being used by many artists who's fans support their projects. As more work is done going forward, more people will appreciate the value they are getting and contribute.

But surely that cannot be BandLab's business plan for Cakewalk. It won't survive solely as donationware. Fans supporting artists is one thing but a DAW needs a resident production team working daily to maintain it. I'm presuming all of these production costs were hashed out during talks, and I find it highly unlikely that a tip jar was part of the plan as in "guys we'll scrape through as long as we can secure a minimum of $x a month through tips." So clearly the DAW was bought as an investment with a long term view of making money as part of BandLab's overall experience. To be clear, I find nothing morally wrong with a tip jar, I'm just saying that to those who are worried about the future of Cakewalk and are wondering how it will sustain itself successfully this time around, tip jars don't exactly instill confidence.

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]

sharke
The tip jar is obviously not their intended revenue stream - frankly, I find it a little bizarre. Tip jars are usually used by solo developers who produce freeware that has no revenue stream. 

 
I personally find it very appropriate. We're putting it in the hands of the users to decide whether they want to support us, and rather than charging people money upfront for software we let users contribute to our creation process if they feel a commitment to it.
BandLab is a company that services musicians and this model is widely being used by many artists who's fans support their projects. As more work is done going forward, more people will appreciate the value they are getting and contribute.

Hi Noel,
 
I appreciate the sincere sentiment, and I acknowledge my POV may not be in the majority on this, but a tip jar seems just a little odd for a professional music app, and it feels a little like we're going down a path of desperate hobbyists who don't have the funds or time to continue development, especially right after acquisition. It feels a bit amateurish, and doesn't inspire confidence. 
 
Obviously, it's someone's sincere idea, so go ahead and keep it, but it would honestly look a LOT better if the tip jar went to a charitable cause for poor musicians, for example, who needed help buying a computer so they could actually USE Cakewalk. THAT would be really cool, and it would go 100% with the vibe that BandLab is about getting Cakewalk into the hands of EVERYONE on the planet, and tear down ALL barriers. It would STILL give those that wanted to show Cakewalk their appreciation an opportunity to give money, AND it would honestly be WAY better for perception and PR. It would also show that Cakewalk is operating on solid legs after the acquisition, but really focused on their new, human-centric, lofty mission, rather than being perceived in any way that they need donations to survive.
 
As for actual revenue, I'm on board as soon as you guys start releasing the great paid-for modules I know you're capable of. I'd like to show you my appreciation and send you money, but for a PRODUCT or SERVICE. Thank you for giving Cakewalk as a baseline away for free (it's a great business concept!), but now start releasing great plugins, etc...
 
Anyway, just quick thoughts, and I don't mean to disrespect the tip jar idea, it just doesn't sit well with me in this case, especially after Cakewalk died, was resuscitated, and now even has the remote semblance of being on life support (i.e. "tip jar" for any reason other than charity to others). I don't think it actually is a good ROI for you guys in terms of the image issues that you are trying to cultivate. Best of luck with that though if you all stick with it.

I would happily throw $50 their way but only if I can choose which mug I get. The black one is very cool whilst the white one, IMO, is rather ugly. Please add a way to select specific mug or t-shirt to the donation page and I'm in!

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
 
Well thats exactly what CbB and BandLab itself is. Its a service/platform for music production. Even before BandLab came along this was the the original goal at Cakewalk with the lifetime updates initiative - to make SONAR into a service. The core service would be free and add on's would be monitized. Sadly the plug got pulled before we could realize any of those goals. BandLab has both the vision and resources to follow through with this. 
 
I'm old enough to be from a different era where it people were willing to pay handsomely for specialized software Unlike today, software was considered a valuable asset. I paid close to 400£ for Cakewalk 1.0 when I could barely afford it! That model is dying or dead and today most software companies are gradually moving to a services model. Take a look at even the big boys like Microsoft, Apple and Google. Pretty much all the software is free and you pay for other components.
 

 
I definitely get that, Noel, and I'm excited for what you guys will do with Cakewalk with the backing and commitment of BandLab. Looking forward to the first add-ons! Any rough idea on ETA?
 
BTW, another quick question -- are you going to make the paid add-ons locked to Cakewalk (for example, in the case of a plugin) or are you going to release VST versions that will work with other DAWs, etc.? Combination of both?
 
Anyway, sending you best wishes on this new journey, and keep going with this vision. I'm happy you're part of Cakewalk's future!

I've been skint for about 4 weeks (laid off from my job), but I start a new job on Monday so..... soon.