X3 is on sale this month. My projects are typically 16 - 24 tracks of audio (guitar based rock band). The only MIDI I use is to create a click track and to extract MIDI notes for kick/snare enhancement or replacement via Session Drummer. No loops. Basically Sonar is just a big tape deck with unlimited tracks and digital editing for me.
 
So what is new in X3 Producer that would make me want to spend the $150? I've been known to suffer from GAS, especially when stuff is on sale, but X2 has been mostly flawless for me. I'm in the final stages of mixing our album, so if X3 has some whiz bang feature that will help those mixes, now is the time to upgrade. CD needs to be on its way to the plant by mid May...

For me X3 works much better than X2 ever did but in your shoes you should not mess things around if X2 works and you are mid-project.
You could always get X3 and save it for a rainy day .

Grum.

X3 is more stable for me, but no super features other than Addictive Drums that you may like better than SD.

I use both regularly and other than the new plugins that came with X3 I can't see a difference.  X2 ran perfectly for me.

The integrated Melodyne functionality alone is worth the upgrade, IMO.
 
Kenn

 
There really isn't much difference (for your requirements) between X2 and X3 except for a lot of bug fixes.
 

Be aware, that Melodyne registration brings with it an opportunity to upgrade to Melodyne Editor from Essential version, this offer last for 2 weeks. Nothing seems documented to this offer, but everyone seems to receive it after registration. It cost 150 dollars more, so if this appeals, make sure you have the cash available to feed both in a short time window.
 
Addicive drums2 looks to be a free upgrade for buyers who purchased since March, but so far there has been no confirmation that applies to those who purchased with Sonar, but it looks possible. It comes 16th may, but what is extra in AD2 is yet unknown. AD1 is sweet though!
 
 
 

comping is cool and improved.
VST3
Gobbler integration for backing up projects to the cloud
Improved Touch
Flyout EQ with spectral analysis in the background
Color-coding tracks based on target bus... this makes it easy to color code your drum tracks or vocals or whatever.
 
For me it's a no-brainer. I figure if I'm making recordings once a month, it's worth it.
 
In general i use Sonar as you do, but I also use it as a practice machine. Turns out I don't write a lot of songs. I spend most of my time trying to learn songs my friends want to play. Seems like they never learn songs I like to play :-(
 
Best! G

I find it to be more stable. Fast comps are super cool, the fly-out in the quad curve EQ is the bomb, Melodyne ARA integration. You could always take a look at the videos available showing the new features.
 
For the price the upgrade is a no-brainer in my opinion.
 
Regards,

I think I'm going to go for it. It's only money. And now that "e" has been released, X3 is probably pretty solid.