What's the release schedule like for Cakewalk products? is it every 2 years?
I'm new and asking because I'd like to know when to upgrade and when to wait.
I'd also like to know how often you all upgrade as well.

http://forum.cakewalk.com/m/tm.aspx?m=3054190&p=1
Ta.

October or November or even later. I can be fairly sure not for a couple of months. 

Finally managed to get the bloody link to work on my phone...

http://forum.cakewalk.com/m/tm.aspx?m=3054190&p=1

Not even thinking about X4 at this point. I still need to learn more about X3.

I've just jumped aboard with X3 and still learning plenty.
 
Personally, I'm not in favour of 'mandated' yearly major releases. Major releases should only be released when there are major enhancements and significant testing has been done. Of course, as Cakewalk have done, there should be constant improvement / bug fixes in the form of (free) point releases.
 
Yearly releases perpetuate a sense of obligation to upgrade, which of course is a great revenue spinner for the product. A juggling act, I'm sure, to keep inovation moving forward but not alienate customer through constant change.
 
I for one will think twice about upgrading simply because an upgrade is released.

The reality of software is that it can go on forever - "just one more feature, just one more week of testing" - so companies choose targets and create milestones for what they'd like to see in place in terms of features and testing, and by what date. If they make the milestones and the betas are stable, the product gets released. If not, it gets pushed back.
 
Also, retailers put pressure on manufacturers to have products in the pipeline by certain dates that correlate to sales activity. Christmas is an obvious one, but there are others. Pro users put pressure on wanting certain features NOW that a competitive program might have. To them, once a year is nowhere near often enough.
 
As to upgrading, that decision is entirely up to the customer. If an upgrade contains compelling features that would be useful and justify the cost, then you upgrade. If not, then you don't. And there's not a one-to-one correlation between features and upgrade cost. For example, if you didn't use pitch correction, never comped, had no VST3 plug-ins, but did need a solid virtual drum program, then X3 was worth it because the upgrade was the same price as Addictive Drums. OTOH I think some people would have upgraded just to get Melodyne, given the entire upgrade was only $50 more than Melodyne Essential and you got the cool comping, AD, VST3, etc. 
 
As to X4's drop date, it's after X3, but before X5. I'm quite certain of that 

I agree, new releases should be limited to when they're 100% ready. But I guess on the other hand Cakewalk is a business with investors to think of, and they have to keep up interest in the product and attract new users. I know it's a bit sad but I always feel obliged to upgrade because otherwise I think I'm missing out on something. That's why I kind of like how it works with smartphones - you get an upgrade every couple of years or so, which forces you to be happy with the phone you have instead of having to have the latest release (unless you want to pay $700 for a phone). 

Anderton
As to X4's drop date, it's after X3, but before X5. I'm quite certain of that 

Tee Hee - Thanks for your angle Craig ... all good for a rounded discussion and yup some of the inclusions do justify the jump. 
 
Ever diligent, and whether Cakewalk or anyone else, I'll have one eye open for 'engineered obsolesence'. :)

sharke
That's why I kind of like how it works with smartphones - you get an upgrade every couple of years or so, which forces you to be happy with the phone you have instead of having to have the latest release (unless you want to pay $700 for a phone). 

Yup - that's been me with phones @sharke, a decent one every 2 or 3 years. I'm not the sort to camp outside Apple's front door on release day ... besides, I'm Android-centric.