Ya that Quad Curve Fly Out Eq is definitely a big plus...just about worth $99 by itself...Plus you get all the other goodies...it's a no brainer. 

dimelives1
 
What are the biggest differences from X2 to X3?... Pro and con. Additions, subtractions, alterations, omissions, fixes, etc., etc.

 
I can't think of single 'con', which to me is stunningly superb.
 
Others have pointed out many of the new tools to which a say: yep it's all good. And I would add that overall, and with the ongoing release of patches, I find X3 to be the most stable and enjoyable version of Sonar I've used (really started using it full on around 8.5).
 
Having said that there are some things I would like to see different but they are by and large cosmetic in nature. With X3 we finally have a mature and stable version of the vision that was the 'X' series.
 
To the OP in particular: you say haven't really used X2 yet which begs the question "what are you using?".
 
Regards,

Kev999

flameout
...you did not say what version of X2 you have...But I assume from the $99 fee the version is "studio"...

$99 upgrade price applies to Producer edition right now.

Just curious - I paid $149 a few weeks ago to go from X2 Producer to X3 Producer, and I see that is the price today as well. Did I miss a sale price? If so, doh!!

There is on going targeted promotion via emai. If you are not receiving the newsletter or other Cakewalk email and want them, sign up for the newsletter. Having trouble receiving the newsletter, PM "Ryan Munnis [Cakewalk]" 

scook
There is on going targeted promotion via emai. If you are not receiving the newsletter or other Cakewalk email and want them, . Having trouble receiving the newsletter, PM "Ryan Munnis [Cakewalk]" 

Thanks, Steve. I probably opted out of the newsletter years ago, since I am perennially buried in commercial email. I guess I just paid fifty bucks for that little bit of privacy...

I just paid $149 to jump from 7PE to X3, which had previously been $199.  Felt I got a steal of a deal.

Not any cons I can think of at all to not go to X3.

I opened X2 the other day and man, I don't want to go back to that. It's nothing like X3.

Other pluses for X3- tape emulation, Bifilter, comping tool, Smart tool, Nomads Blue Tubes fx, color, and on and on!!

As has been stated, X3 is the much refined vision of the what the Bakers have been trying to get into our hands!!

So come on and get a handful!!

Thanks for all the replies so far, folks. Lot of helpful insights here.
 
 

forkol
There are a few reworked features (track lanes and new comping), and a few features that have been dropped (R-Mix), and a few other small 'subtractions'.

 
Can you fill me in on what other features (apart from R-Mix) were dropped?
 
 

flameout
Dime,
 
Your framed the question well, but you did not tell us about - you - what you typically record, the kind of music, vocals, the complexity of your songs - etc. So it would just be giving you are random thoughts which is what you did not want.

 
Well I mostly was just looking to learn about the most impactful differences between the versions, but I suppose a little background info on my needs wouldn't hurt.
 
I actually have two different ambitions with recording music. The first (my primary usage), is primarily rock/metal based tunes, heavy vocals and the like, with a light/moderate usage of VST and MIDI, including fairly extensive use of Session Drummer and the Step Sequencer.
 
My second direction is more orchestral, ala video game and other such media soundtracks, making heavier use of VST and MIDI.
 
 

flameout
Further, you did not say what version of X2 you have, making it a bit more difficult to answer the question you posed.
 

 
Sorry - X2 Producer.
 
 

flameout
If you are a one guitar and one vocal person, then stick with x2... if you are an occasional hobbiest, a quick recording here and there, stay with X2.  If you don't come close to overtaxing X2, stay with it.  If you are happy with teh stability of x2 the way YOU use it, then stick with it.  If you don't use take lanes, then stay with it. If you don't use melodyne then stay with it.
 

 
Though I have been in a bit of a lull from recording for a little while, I'm getting back into it, and my intent is a bit more than hobbyist. Max quality will be a goal, so comping/take lanes will be a key tool for me (just as layers were in 8.5 and X1).
 
I can't really attest to the system taxation and stability of X2 on my system because, as I mentioned earlier, I've not even gotten to installing it yet. But I never experienced any serious problems with X1 when I was using it regularly.
 
I've never used Melodyne to date, and don't really anticipate heavy usage of it in the near future.
 
And just in case it's of any relevance, here are my system specs:
Windows 7 64-bit, Pentium E5500 Dual-Core CPU, 10 GB RAM, Roland UA-1G audio interface, stock Intel video and Realtek sound cards.
 
 

mmorgan
To the OP in particular: you say haven't really used X2 yet which begs the question "what are you using?".
 

 
I've just been away from recording entirely for a while. The last program I used extensively at all was X1.
 
 
Thanks again, all.
 

dimelives1
 
 
Can you fill me in on what other features (apart from R-Mix) were dropped?
 
 

As you have X2 you will still have R-mix if you want to install it. Same goes for VVocal. They are no longer included but will still work in X3 if installed. Addictive drums blows session drummer away IMO.

paulo
.....
As you have X2 you will still have R-mix if you want to install it. Same goes for VVocal. They are no longer included but will still work in X3 if installed. Addictive drums blows session drummer away IMO.

Yeah, I said the same in my reply to him as well, but he had not installed X2 yet, and I encouraged him to do so.  I'm also not aware of any other real 'subtractions' besides the RMix and VVocal.
 

dimelives1
Well I mostly was just looking to learn about the most impactful differences between the versions, but I suppose a little background info on my needs wouldn't hurt.
 
I actually have two different ambitions with recording music. The first (my primary usage), is primarily rock/metal based tunes, heavy vocals and the like, with a light/moderate usage of VST and MIDI, including fairly extensive use of Session Drummer and the Step Sequencer.
 
My second direction is more orchestral, ala video game and other such media soundtracks, making heavier use of VST and MIDI.

 
For the vocals, you can use new Melodyne, and the Blue Tubes effects will be helpful here as well.  The new comping features might be helpful here as well.  
 
As for the orchestral part of your planned work, I don't see much that's added for X3.  The new comping feature might help here as well. 
 

dimelives1..
 ...
And just in case it's of any relevance, here are my system specs:
Windows 7 64-bit, Pentium E5500 Dual-Core CPU, 10 GB RAM, Roland UA-1G audio interface, stock Intel video and Realtek sound cards.

 
For your orchestra stuff, if you are going with some really High-quality orchestral libraries, you might want to consider upgrading to a different CPU (although this is the 'good' Pentium) and maybe have a look at upgrading audio interface options as well.