This used to be so crowded.  Ive been gone a couple years and everyone vanished.  Is Sonar not as popular now?  What happened?

It's funny you say that because many who haven't posted in years have returned since the release of X3.

im still on 8.5.....worth the upgrade?

I'm still here...

It's big change. Download the demo.

This time of year is betwixt and between. It will be awhile yet before X4 comes out and because X3 is so well put together there are fewer posts with problems. 
 
Try back in the fall and see how crowded it gets. 

...and give yourself at least a week to get into it. In many ways it's like learning a new program.
 
There was a learning curve with X1, but ultimately I was able to get projects done faster. If you had 8.5-specific workflows they may or may not be possible with X-series software, or there may be improvements, like comping (which I think most would agree really rocks, once you figure it out).
 
The Melodyne thing is huge, as is VST3 support. Waiting to come on board until X3 was probably a good move as it's a much more mature program compared to X1.

... They have all become millionaires ...

Driving is a nice sounding tune Alex...nice work.

The forum has been quieter as of late due to the success of the last release.   Very little to complain about.  Most peoples issues are simple "ah ha" things or "sonar just does not do that".
 
Everyone is out recording and too busy to check in here.