Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
So you don't think a full blown new comping mode, support for 3 new standards VST3, ARA and Gobbler, Prochannel improvements, redesigned color customization, as well as huge plugin workflow enhancements do not constitute a massive upgrade? All of these features impact pretty much every user in some way and were picked because they are not niche features but solid useful tools for every DAW user. Regarding the 3'rd party stuff they are 100% value adds. They take zero development time from us, other than some minor support issues and bug fixes and obviously release management. So its not like taking those out would have magically bought other features you wanted. 
 
If not you have some pretty unrealistic assumptions about what goes into building software. Every one has different ideas about what would be ideal features for their specific workflow. We pick features that would have the most impact on our larger user base. If anything I think X3 hits home here much more than any other version since it tackles the basics - recording, editing, plugins, and customization. Most users would agree that this is very close to what the majority of people wanted. Cakewalk is a small company and we have very finite resources so we have to spend our time wisely..

+100!!

Subjacent
Was looking forward to x3, but for me to upgrade at the UK price is a dilemma
all that is in it for me is the colour customization and the melodyne integration which will be great,
but I have addictive Drums, and use melda plugins so I have all I will ever need,
their just does not seem anything else in it that I personally use

A number of users seemed to teeter on the option of going from Producer to Studio, or even to X3. Studio seems to me to be a viable option if that fits your value equation better.
But seriously I liked X2 a lot too, and understand your point of view. (I opted for X3 Producer and I am very happy with it - even though I also already had Melodyne Producer, Lounge Lizard, Strum Acoustic (full version)).
Big thanks for the Drum Map information - very generous/helpful.
Cheers.
 

I would not consider Studio because of plug-ins that are locked to the Producer series. It is not worth $50 to find out a few months down the road that R-Mix won't work in X3 Studio.

Why would you find that out a few months down the road?

I do understand what you are saying Noel, and do appreciate, and sorry to come across maybe a little blunt in parts of my post
and for many comping is vital so glad that is finally here for many, but some of the improvements or fixes I feel in certain areas could have been done way back, many years ago, I was only voices the opinions just as many have as that don't judging from the posted I read over the years that have been constructive.
 
I just personally more so get a little frustrated but this is just my personal take on it, its some of the smaller bugs and things
I know it may only seem small and irrelevant to some, one being over the years all I would ask for is to be able to stretch and drag out midi event timing from the edge of an event a like you can with audio events, year in year out from v6, nothing big, but it is quite comment practice in most major daws and something so simple can be so effective in its results to come up with new patterns and rhythms, and all though only one wish from  a few, its implemented for audio, so baffled at why not midi at same time, important detail missing and falling on deaf ears so to speak.
It would be nice in the future now the major over hall is in place, that a step back could be taken to also consider such things, I don't personally want stupid things or gimmicks just the extra attention to detail and these little tweaks or improvements, I never suggest selfish things, only things that as little as they are do have a real value overall, like is say my own worse nightmare wanting it all. I don't believe in that slogan about bloat ware when it comes to editing details and working enhancements, it is never enough only technology advancements or getting in-depth with how a program works can dictate that.
 
I guess I will have to be more constructive in the wish list section, with more detail or diagrams etc, so I will get noticed, It would be great if their where a few more interactive moderators, as seen over recent period, it just gives us  a little more faith, knowing that their are go between moderator's that can do all the relaying back and too with user requests, I would not expect to have all answered as would others, but if its feasible idea, nothing wrong with a yeh! that sounds good, we will look into the principle idea, or a no its impractical etc,
A few of the big things like comping has come up and had a cakewalk member jump in, but for me its the detail that defines the program then the big things, so one can feel overlooked.
 
Sorry for sounding like a bit of a buffoon in parts lol, I guess I was playing devils advocate to get a reaction, But you answered and I now have better understanding of cakewalk from your words I appreciate that, its just good to know their is more forum communication its so important, I really do hate to love sonar but I do for so many reasons too. I guess I will have to put my money where my mouth is and get some good music done with sonar, instead of worrying about what I don't have or need and jumping from Daw to Daw for what it has, no daw is an Island yet lol but they are getting closer, I am going to have to compose my thoughts and decide on the X3 upgrade, I do want it, I was just hoping on  a working demo by now, just to make sure the jump is needed for me at this time and I will benefit greatly enough at this time.
 
Thanks

In the case of R-Mix, I do not use it every day. If I did not know that the plug-in only worked in X2 Producer and newer, it may come as a surprise. Since I do not use every 3rd party plug-in that came with the Producer series over the years, I do not want to find out when I decide to use one of them that they too are locked to Producer.

I merely meant that it would be simple to find out now, rather than months down the road.

Brando

Subjacent
Was looking forward to x3, but for me to upgrade at the UK price is a dilemma
all that is in it for me is the colour customization and the melodyne integration which will be great,
but I have addictive Drums, and use melda plugins so I have all I will ever need,
their just does not seem anything else in it that I personally use

A number of users seemed to teeter on the option of going from Producer to Studio, or even to X3. Studio seems to me to be a viable option if that fits your value equation better.
But seriously I liked X2 a lot too, and understand your point of view. (I opted for X3 Producer and I am very happy with it - even though I also already had Melodyne Producer, Lounge Lizard, Strum Acoustic (full version)).
Big thanks for the Drum Map information - very generous/helpful.
Cheers.
 

No worries your welcome,
and thanks for the info / vote of confidence , I almost think I will go for it as I want those colours even if the cost me over £120, I guess something is only worth what a person will pay, and even if its only colours, I would like them So I must pay, their for sonar must be worth it, their I talked myself into it, see you their lol.

Subjacent
 
do I hold on too my £180 towards bitwig studio,

When Bitwig first announced they generated a lot of excitement and it looked like it was going to be a fantastic DAW. These days I get the impression that it is vaporware and that you will be waiting quite awhile for it...
 
Regards,
 

Noel Borthwick [Cakewalk]
So you don't think a full blown new comping mode, support for 3 new standards VST3, ARA and Gobbler, Prochannel improvements, redesigned color customization, as well as huge plugin workflow enhancements do not constitute a massive upgrade?

Noel, I think a lot of people don't realize what kind of software features are easy to add and which are difficult. Certainly when you have to dig deep into the code for something like VST and ARA, or take the Take Lanes apart and put them back together, it's not trivial. I understand that if someone already has Addictive Drums, the Nomad plug-ins, and Melodyne, this might not be as compelling an upgrade from their standpoint...but frankly, for the way I work the new comping will pay for itself inside of 3 months in terms of time saved.