Anyway, I guess they will have some surprice for the Lifetime Updates owners. Look when Meng says they consider SONAR users "specially the lifetime fans".
They are planning a new software intended to new and younger customers. We, the existing and over 35 years old users, doesn't represent the goal market for the new DAW. Also, most of us have tried these days BandLab and we discovered that is a really cool idea, and we have recommended it to some people, so I think one of the collateral objectives of BandLab Technologies on acquiring Cakewalk is being already accomplished.

I'll guess they re-name Sonar and re-release the current version free to all who had a current Sonar license.
After that it will cost something for future releases. It should. 

Sonar Platinum includes Melodyne and other deals.I do not think a Sonar Home user will receive all of these products from BandLab. I suspect there will be a full Sonar for all but without these accessory products. The BandLab DAW will simply be compatible with these additional products, but without the addition of these additives.  ?  ...

paul jenkins
 
Sorry, i mis-read about the lifetime updates continuing, the bit about lifetime owners will get the new software, with no crossgrade price etc
 

I assume it means 'one more update', on the house....  After that we're only guessing... 

astaub
Sonar Platinum includes Melodyne and other deals.I do not think a Sonar Home user will receive all of these products from BandLab. I suspect there will be a full Sonar for all but without these accessory products. The BandLab DAW will simply be compatible with these additional products, but without the addition of these additives.  ?  ...

Having bought the assets of Sonar that might include the rights agreed with Celemony for the Melodyne integration, etc. Maybe one of the myriad bits and pieces involved in the detailed negotiations. Or those agreements might have had a 'sunset' clause if Cakewalk disposed of Sonar.  All will become apparent. I'm just glad the core Sonar we know and love is saved.

i reckon the 3rd party deals don't count as IP, rather operations, so i'd be surprised if they're included for new users... but of course if you have them already, you have them already, unless they're locked to "classic" sonar

As far as I know the Celemony license, as with the XLN Audio license, was a code that you received from Cakewalk for redemption at the vendors website.  You set up an account with them and that is where your license lives.
 
I installed Tracktion Waveform 8 last year, which included another Melodyne Essential license, but discovered that the one I had already installed in Sonar was recognized.  No need to add a 2nd license, as the original was not locked to the DAW. 

well exactly, if the 3rd party plugin is installed and licensed and working already...

I would bet any of the companies giving away a limited edition of their software are doing so hoping that you will pull the trigger on the full version.
WSS

Westside Steve Simmons
I would bet any of the companies giving away a limited edition of their software are doing so hoping that you will pull the trigger on the full version.
WSS

definitely, the gateway version... also, there's a difference between a host-locked limited edition, and a generic le that's host-agnostic, but they're both offering that discounted upgrade to the full version (all those threads asking "which plugins work in other hosts?")