1. Per-project audio. Your comments are confusing about having to switch folders when starting a new song. And, what hoops are you talking about? You can see the associated clips for all tracks.
 
You get a nice formatted display window when you click on Project>Audio Files, containing track and clip information, for example for a quick project I set up, called Test-Proj-010, which has 3 audio tracks:
 
Project File Name: D:\Cakewalk Projects\Test-Proj-010\Test-Proj-010.cwp
Project Audio Folder: D:\Cakewalk Projects\Test-Proj-010\Audio
Global Audio Folder: D:\Cakewalk Projects\Audio Data
Total Project Size: 241.6 MB Min/Max Bit Depth: 24/24
 
(then you get info, formatted as: File Name \ Path \ Bit Depth \ File Size \ Status. Within File Name, you get: Project Name \ Track Name \ Clip Name - please note I am only showing the File Name info here)
 
Test-Proj-010, Vocal, Rec (06).wav
Test-Proj-010, Backing Vocal, Rec (10).wav
Test-Proj-010, Harmonica, Rec (08).wav
Test-Proj-010, Harmonica, Rec (14).wav
 
SO, I am not at all sure why the above is a struggle.  In addition, I do not recall any wide-spread (or even occasional) complaining about folks using per-project audio.  Actually, when it IS mentioned, people are RECOMMENDING that others use it, as it makes keeping track of tracks easier.
 
2. Screensets - some folks use them, and some folks do not.  It is a personal choice.
 
3. Browser - it's a simple 'B' to toggle its display off/on.  I never have to float it for any reason whatsoever, though I could.  And, simply double-click on any inserted synth in the Browser to open its UI.
 
4. What YOU consider useless freebies/options may be highly valued by others.
 
There is NO doubt that Sonar 8.5.3 was and IS a great release.  In MY opinion, it was one of the best ever releases of Sonar.  That being said, it also required a gigantic knowledge of key combinations to accomplish a lot of tasks, and it was difficult for newcomers to become proficient at being productive.
 
What began with X1, with a complete redesign of the UI, was an incredible undertaking to improve the usability for a wider user base, along with added functionality.  X3e is in many reviews, and in my opinion, even better than 8.5.3 - it is quite stable, and much easier for a much wider user base to use.
 
Yes, things are moved around, changed, deprecated, added, and all of that takes an investment of time to get a handle on, but in the end, X3e is a great release.
 
I wish you the best with it all, and will do my best at assisting you with any issues you run across.
 
I DO think you should consider that Sonar will never ever go back to the 'black arts' methodology of 8.5.3, but as noted in other posts above mine, DO fill out feature requests for things you would like to see.  Some may make it into future releases.
 
Bob Bone

I don't understand the file naming complaint. One can name audio files via the inspector. 
 
Per Project folders is an outstanding method to keep projects organized. 
 
Synth Rack is in the Browser. I use it all the time. I do not know what is refereed to as VI. I suppose VI means Virtual Instrument. But I use the term soft synth. I wonder if you are talking about the dialog that pops up when one is inserted.
 
I totally disagree with the statements about plugins. Sonar comes with a very well rounded and extensive group of very high quality plugins if you opt for the Producer version. Also it has Pro Channel with very useful modules included.
 
Folders as they are in Sonar work fine for me. Buss coloring adds a very useful way to color code what is going where.
 
Instead of leaving X1 on the shelf you should have spent the time to learn it. The transition to X3 would have been easier if you had.
 
The basic idea behind your post is wrong. I love the X series and do not wish to go back to the chaos of 8.5     

Because, because, be cause.
Please re write as no one has the time to read your long explanation.
Something more succinct would be great.
 

I looked at this thread thinking it was something posted two years ago and it wasn't.
+1 to pretty much everything that has been said here apart from OP.
 
Basically OP is picking up X3 and expecting it to operate like 8.53. Sorry but some minor retraining may be required. Some things may be done differently but that doesn't mean to say it is worse, most of the time it is an improvement. If the OP does not have time to retrain they may consider sticking to what they already know.

That font hurt my eyes.

Anderton, you moved my cheese.

Noel is truly a genius.  Not only has he (and his team) kept the core product current with significant changes in the Windows computing environment, provided a parade of new features and functionality, and a migration path that has ensured cash flow (needed for the continued viability of the company), but he has somehow found a way to have an innocent bystander become the target of those who do not approve of his vision.  With this brilliance, Noel is not just a great IT leader but an IT God. 
 

Wow.......that's quite a rant. 

gcolbert
Noel is truly a genius.  Not only has he (and his team) kept the core product current with significant changes in the Windows computing environment, provided a parade of new features and functionality, and a migration path that has ensured cash flow (needed for the continued viability of the company), but he has somehow found a way to have an innocent bystander become the target of those who do not approve of his vision.  With this brilliance, Noel is not just a great IT leader but an IT God. 
 

I don't think that is worthy of you. Noel has done nothing wrong or made Graig the scapegoat. It is the OP that incorrectly assumes things that are patently untrue.  He directed his rant at Graig simply because he is ignorant of the facts. His attack on X3 is full of misunderstandings and misrepresentations. It is no wonder he got it wrong as to who his rant should be directed toward. Even if he had been accurate in addressing his rant it still would be full of ineptitude and a great lack of understanding.
 
I don't know if you meant your post to be humorous or not. I just think it in poor taste and placing blame where there is none to be placed.
 
   

There's no way I'm reading anything in that font.