is 8.5.3 the end?

Pretty sure the new patch file is called X1...

You can use 8.5.3 as long as you like. However, I'm certain there will not be anymore updates to it. It is what it is. The current version is X1. Cakewalk is busy preparing the next patch or two for X1 and once those are in place, and as people get used to the X1 interface, all the hubbub will settle down and X1 will be the version to have. 

There's never going to be a "perfect" release. There's just too many different computers, soundcard drivers, and software out there for that to happen. Its impossible. That's why its best to stick with the name brands that have the most reliable hardware and software and who provide support for it. Avoid the freebies and homegrown unsupported crap unless you want to clutter up your computer with a lot of unreliable, unsupported junk. Then you get what you asked for.

Yes, 8.5.3 is the end of an era. Im still gettign used to X1. After they fix some isssues with it, ill like it a bit more
Cj

There's never going to be a "perfect" release.

 
I don't know, 8.5.3 is pretty close to perfect within it's own context, the final snagging list is actually pretty short but will remain uncompleted.
 
What I fear at the moment is that there is never going to be a finished release. I appreciate that technology and user expectations move on, hence the 'new' product, but that doesn't justify why Sonar (as opposed to X1) is incomplete / unfinished, the feature list (for me at least) is perfect, the implementation of some of those features is not.
 
Makes me think of this guy:
 

 
That said, I think I'll be coming up to X1 when the next patch comes out as long as:
1. Sufficient buttons are returned such that I can continue to do all my work in Track View only
2. (this may be the case already but I've not seen any screenies to back it up) I'm able to change the colours of the volume, gain and pan controls in the TV header (all blue would do my nut, how do you quickly distinguish them from one another?)
 
Child

this forum is starting to look like this forum:

So true, Most times I log on to the forum it shows this

X1= 36 people viewing
Producer= 3 People viewing
Studio= 1 person viewing
Songs 2 people viewing
Coffee house = 3 ( non human beings) viewing :.

Then somewhere lost in the ozone and unloved is the NEW getting started forum.
You will now have Home studio and Producer users asking questions in the X1 forum desperate for attention.
Every once in a while X1 users come here and argue too.

I think there will be one last update for 8.5.3. lets keep our fingers crossed. arty

www.dmsstudio.com

It`s X1 or move elsewhere, unless you are happy with what you already have in 8.5.3

 
Sad but true.
 
Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be any other DAW's (including X1, it seems) that allow one to work without needing to use some sort of 'mixer' metaphor somewhere.
 
As far as I'm aware the only other one was Mackie Tracktion but it appears that Mackie have ditched it.
 
I recently upgrade my rig to Win7 and I gotta say I'm a little bit humbled as to how good it is. It's fixed one of my pet hates (the fact that the open dialogue didn't remember that you were using 'detail' view (to make it easy to sort the files by date)) It's fast and stable and I like the eye candy. Did loose an old and trusty MIDI interface in the process (Miditerminal 4140) just got bluescreens every time I fired it up, but if your hardware is compatible I'd recommend it as a great way to improve the performance of 8.5.3.
 
Given that my use of Audiosnap and Vvocal is very minimal the fact that they're not very well implemented doesn't hit me too hard and otherwise 8.5.3 does everything I need it to very well.
 
Child