Hello fellow Sonar users! I'm in a bit of a trouble and I'd like to get some advice from the X3 users.
 
Back when X1 came out, I gave it a try but I was never convinced about the UI. As cluttered as it was, I missed 8.5.3 a lot, so I ended up going back to it. But each year I'm having more and more issues with recent plugins and projects, and I'm tired of losing time with hung-ups, hard freezes and hiccups. I want to work with no distractions and no slow-downs, so I've been thinking about upgrading my OS to win8.1 and going for Sonar X3.
 
Problem is, I had a really hard time adapting to the X-series interface. Has there been any major upgrades in that regard? Is there a way to get the "classic" UI back? What about keybinds - any way to get those back to the "classic" layout?
 
Thanks in advance!

Well you can download a 30 day trial here:
http://www.cakewalk.com/products/sonar/web-trial.aspx
 
I suggest you backup before installing this software.
 
Thanks..

X3 looks the same but have had a major overhaul in the details department. Is there a demo? You should check it out if it is. Even though it looks the same as X1, you might love it. To me, X1 is like using wax cylinders in comparisment now. X3 is pretty smooth!

> Is there a demo? You should check it out if it is.
 
#2 :)

CakeAlexS
> Is there a demo? You should check it out if it is.
 
#2 :)

 
You posted while I was typing

Sonar went through a MAJOR and complete UI redesign, and is not likely to ever go back, or offer any way to maintain 8.5.3 UI functionality.  
 
Many many folks bitterly complained about the redesign of X1, but have come to embrace what are some significant work flow improvements.
 
X3 has some really wonderful features, and if you take some time to invest in learning the new ways of doing things, you may come to like it - as many of those who had originally complained have done.
 
There are lots of videos, some well-written (and current through the release that just came out today) books, and of course the forum.
 
Why not download the 30-day free trial and give it a good test drive?
 
Bob Bone