Hi to everyone, it's been a while since the last time I came here to the forum, but have been a Sonar 8.3.1 user for as long as I can remember.
 
My question is fairly simple, and although I did a forum search, couldn't find a suitable post about it: what are the advantages (and maybe disadvantages, if any) of migrating from 8.3.1 (producer) to X3?
 
is there a great difference? I guess I'm looking for enhanced/better audio quality, though I record with an M-Audio Fast Track interface (I know, you'll tell me to replace THAT first for a more "serious" interface...).
 
and if I did, would I still be able to open my 8.3.1 projects seamlessly in it?
 
well, thanks in advance for any help! :-)

Ferchis,
I started with Sonar 7, used 8, 8.5 and all the X versions. The sound quality of the native DAW is not going to be any different. I don't know what plugins you use but you may get improved quality from some of the included X3 producer plugins. 
 
The biggest advantage of X3 is the workflow. It is quite different than 8.xx and it will take some getting used to but after a couple of projects you would not want to return to 8.xx.
The pro-channel alone is worth moving to X3. Comping in X3 is also pretty cool and will get even better in X3e.
 
I suggest you download the X3 demo and see what it is like.
 
Michael
 
 
 
 

Here's the way it seems to work for many people...
 
1. Read all the glowing reports about X3.
2. Take the leap of faith and install X3.
3. Become incredibly frustrated because the workflow is so different.
4. Wish you'd never installed X3.
5. [optional] Come into the forum and rail about how much X3 sucks.
6. Start discovering things about X3 that are cool.
7. Discover more things about X3 that are really cool.
8. Start to realize it's taking you less time to complete projects, and you're having more fun doing it.
9. Wish you'd upgraded sooner. 
 
X3 isn't as customizable, has a definite learning curve if you're used to 8.X, and you have to unlearn everything you knew about comping and layers so you can learn how X3 does it. But there are so many workflow improvements in the X-series...it takes a while master them, but it's well worth the effort. It's like you have to make an investment that doesn't seem to pay off at first, but then really pays off over time.
 
 

Ferchis,
Regarding opening your projects...
It depends on the project. If you move from 8.3 32-bit to X3 64-bit, you may have to replace some plugins with the 64-bit versions. Some people have to replace their 32-bit plugins with the newer 32-bit plugins. Same with synths. Some people have no issues at all opening old projects. It all depends on what is done in the project. Most issues are with plugins and synths. Your recorded audio should transfer just fine.
 
It's free to try the demo. That is the only real way to get definitive answers to your questions.
Michael
 
 

Craig nailed it !
 
Michael
 

Yes you should try the demo first. For me there was not a big difference at all. I just went from 8.5 to X3 Studio. There was a sale where they offered the upgrade to studio for only $99. so I jumped on it. 
There was absolutely nothing wrong for me with 8.5 64 bit.. but eventually our OS and drivers etc will all be obsolete, so best to not fall to far behind the game. I'm good for anlther 4 or 5 years now. 
 
But as far as cool new features go, It really depends on the way you work and what you will use Sonar for. I am very old school and just do a few MIDI drum tracks, Some traditional Keyboards and then the usual Guitars, Bass and vocal. I could care less about 80% of what any DAW can do. If I went back to 8.5 tomorrow I doubt I'd even notice a dramatic change. That's me. So depending on what you want to do you need to explore the demo and see what's up. There will always be new versions and each one seems improved in stability, Apparently I missed a lot of bugs by waiting it out until now. But I still had to download a patch that is claiming to fix 2 pages of stuff? 
 
But I will say one very positive thing I'm noticing is way better performance with this version. I did just change interfaces too, but I think X3 is a very stable and smooth running version on Windows 7 64 bit. 
As far as workflow goes.. I have not seen this in the way I work.. And the interface is all changed just enough to slow you down at first, but a quick look in the manual and no problems at all using the weird mouse pointy things. I like it, it's a keeper and will serve me well for a long run here.. 

I stuck with Sonar 8.5 for a long time. I actually bought X1 but I didn't like the change in the interface so I continued to use 8.5 for a while with X1 just sitting unused on my drive. I eventually read more and more positive comments from X1 users about new features which led me to start poking around with X1, which led me to buy X2. So I guess I followed Craig's list more or less. 
 
I think the biggest issue is just getting used to working in a little different way using Sonar X1/2/3. You can certainly keep working in 8.3 until you get comfortable with X3 (kind of what I did). But there are several improvements that the X series offers which make it IMO worth trying.
 
So the disadvantages would be: different interface and some different ways of working, might not work well with older computers.
Advantages: new features, better ways of doing some functions, a newer program that's suited for newer version of Windows.
 
(And speaking of Windows, you didn't mention your machine specs - you'd want to be sure that it is up to the task of running X3.) 
 
Also, when I started using X1 and would open a Sonar 8.5 project in X1, I saved it as a separate X1 project - that way I had the original 8.5 project I could go back to if I felt that something got changed beyond my comfort level with X1.
 
HTH.

LOL, Craig's list about sums it up! When learning the X-series it helps to treat it as a new experience. Where many have resorted to #5 is assuming things without reading or asking questions.
 
X3 even got me on the first day (coming from X2) with the new comping feature... I am showing it off as soon as I first open it, assume it is "Sound on Sound" while recording a loop, and suddenly I said "Um.... something is not right" If you explore with the intent to learn, X3 is a well-powered playground!

Three things you should know about X3 before upgrading:
 

1. Colors and the Control Bar aren't fully customizable. (Not a big problem for me)
2. You cannot set a default clip background color for each track. You can change the background color of existing clips, but new clips will always have the default black background color. (Not a problem for me)
3. There's a controversial feature called Take Lanes. Make sure you fully test it when you try the demo.  (The BIGGEST issue for me)

 
Also, because I don't want you to say "Why didn't anybody tell me this!?," let me post this link to Alex's bug thread: http://forum.cakewalk.com/Outstanding-Issues-as-of-X3D-UNOFFICIAL-and-general-comments-m2952585.aspx
 

Don't know if anyone's mentioned one but X3 won't run on Windows XP so if that's your OS, then you may need to factor an upgrade into your plans and that may even require a hardware upgrade as well.as