I am so frustrated with the Sonar software, about to throw $500+ down the drain and switch to something easier.  I thought getting the Producer right off the bat would allow me to easily record songs but it has been such a pain.  I was a beginner 4 years ago when I bought Producer 8.0, then 8.5 came out so I upgraded.  All the time I've tried to worked on it, it has been 2 steps forward 10 steps back. It seems every time I come back to it I have to relearn everything.  The software is so un-user friendly.  I got so frustrated I stepped away completely for quite a while ... Now I am trying to get back again.  Still no luck.  I need to know, if the X1-3 versions changed to be more of a beginner friendly tool?  It seemed Sonar 8.x the front end was a bowl of spaghetti with too many functions all over the place.  Wonder if I should have bought Protools instead.  Just feel like I've wasted so much money and time and have virtually got me no where closer to recording my songs.  Can someone help me figure out what I should do next?  

The X-series is not necessarily easier to learn. Neither is ProTools.
 
Try learning by taking one step at a time and whenever you get stuck ask for help here on this forum.

We can understand your frustrations but it would help if you were to start by asking a specific question.
Sorry to sound harsh but your post comes across as a rant and you don't actually ask anything!
 
Have you done the tutorials or accessed any of the many videos that are available?
 

I agree with the above. Without understanding something specific, it is very difficult to help, but we ALL have been new at some point so can commiserate with you. SONAR is a very capable program, and as such, it has a LOT of features. It is very prudent to start small, learn the GUI (names, menu items, features, etc.), and add to things as needed, rather than try to eat the elephant whole.
 
Can you give us a specific frustration you have? Also, if technical in nature, system specs will help us to help you as well.

When I started with Sonar, I knew how to record and mix with other tools.
 
It was too much for me to immediately start capturing recordings using a computer. I would record using a Tascam 2488 and export the tracks to Wav files and import them to my computer for mixing in Sonar. That way, latency really didn't matter at all. I did all my tracking on the Tascam and all my mixing in Sonar.
 
I had years to learn the FX and automation techniques and the DAW in general starting with a 2002 version of Sonar and more seriously with Sonar 6.
 
When I started tracking using Sonar, I was already completely familiar with the FX. I'd watched videos and read books. I had a handle on it. The only thing I had to focus on was tracking. Punching. Loop Recording. So, the scope was focused.
 
I feel you on 'there are too many things to learn'. It's no fun to be overwhelmed. So try to slow down. Pick something you want to do in Sonar and get that to work.
 
BTW, the changes in the X series were almost entirely organized around trying to make it easier for new users. There is still a contingent of hard core users that are afraid the X series will make them less efficient so they don't upgrade.
 
IMHO, X3e is best yet. I wouldn't want to be stuck using anything else.
 
And ask questions in the forum. Don't be a stranger. Also, trying to answer questions in the forum will show you what you do and don't know. Once you can teach Scook a thing or two you'll be getting there. :-)

I need to know, if the X1-3 versions changed to be more of a beginner friendly tool?

Sorry, no. SONAR is complex because it has so many features. Adding features can only increase that complexity. Making it more beginner-friendly would almost certainly require restricting functionality, and would be met with much resistance among the current user base. This principle applies not only to all DAWs, but indeed to complex software in general.
 
I am a software creator myself and have struggled for 30 years to make my own products user-friendly. When I teach a new user, I start by explaining how to do one routine, everyday task. Once he or she thoroughly understands how to perform just that one task, all the variations of it become apparent and the user is on the road to becoming an expert user.
 
I would recommend approaching SONAR the same way. What is the main thing you want to do? Record yourself singing and playing guitar? Sequencing arpeggiated electronic dance music? Composing film scores? Mixing other peoples' performances? Are you more audio- or MIDI-oriented? Acoustic or electric? Hardware or software synthesizers?
 
Pick one narrowly-defined task to focus on and ask specific questions as to how to do it, and we'll help.
 
 
 

And to any viewers reading this thread researching which software to get, don't spend $500 on recording software if you're a beginner (as much as Cakewalk would love that ). Get  Cakewalk's Music Creator for less than $50. 

Unfortunately, when you buy a software with 1800 page user manual, you can realize you're starting something that requires plain hard work to master properly. Go one step at a time, as mentioned above.  
You don't mention about your system. One important factor is a proper soundcard with native ASIO drivers, so you don't stumble on technical issues trying to learn the software.
Have patience.

http://forum.cakewalk.com/To-Those-Who-Find-Sonar-Overwhelming-m3039787.aspx

+1 to Gregs answer.  I think that you'll get no symapthy reguarding the $500. There are demos and even a free version of most DAW's. You can't use a DAW without an audio interface and almost every audio interface ships with a basic version of a DAW.
My Tascam came with Cubase 5 LE which I still find very usefull for certain MIDI functions. My Scarlett came with Abilton lite. Free. Then Roland product like my A 49 controller come with Sonar X1 LE a great starter pack for a newbie.
 
Every DAW I ever tried was about the same as far as the learning curve goes. But even a stripped down DAW will take time before you can hit the record button.
And certainly there is a lot of help, But I get a feeling your one like many who once in a blue moon gets the urge to record something just to find out the tools are all in a messy box and you forget where everything is .
 
I highly recomend a hardawre digital recorder. I saw a Tascam 24 track Hard Disk recorder on sale brand new for something like $399. It has everything you need in what I think a much easier to learn package.