Before I upgrade to X2 producer. I have a few questions.
 
Can I keep 8.5 installed?
 
I thought I read somewhere there is an audio to midi note tool. Is that true? If so, how well does it work? I just want to get the notes of some basslines to add subbass, or thicken them up with VST doubling.
 
Did you they improve the piano roll since 8.5?
 
Any other impressions? Worth it?

Yes, you can always keep previous versions installed. There are a couple of ways to generate MIDI from audio, it sounds like you would be looking at V-Vocal for your requirement. SONAR 8.5 Producer already has that function. There are many changes to Piano Roll. You may want to try the demo http://www.cakewalk.com/p...s/sonar/web-trial.aspx

The entire interface and workflow in SONAR has changed from 8.5 to X2. So you'll be learning how to use SONAR all over again, but once you get used to it, the workflow is nice.
 
Scott

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Scott R. Garrigus - http://garrigus.com - SONAR X2 Power! - http://garrigus.com/?SonarX2Power
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar and Sony Sound Forge Power book series: http://garrigus.com/?PowerBooks
* Author of the Cakewalk Sonar ProAudioTutor video tutorial series: http://garrigus.com/?ProAudioTutor
* Publisher of the DigiFreq free music technology newsletter: http://digifreq.com/?DigiFreq
* Publisher of the NewTechReview free consumer technology newsletter: http://newtechreview.com/?NewTechReview

triscuit - moving to Sonar X2 is well worth it.  There is a learning curve, but the fun is in the journey.  And once you have caught up with X2 you'll really appreciate it.

Different people... different experiences. For me, moving from 8.5 has been an extremely rewarding experience. You do want to have a powerful enough 64bit system to really take advantage, though.