X2 runs like a dream here on XP 32. I would have to say more stable than X1 was. I'm planning a duel boot xp/7 soon with a SSD but mostly for EWQL samples and DX 11 gaming support. I briefly tried 7 and X2 with the a patch on a standard HD here, it ran well, perhaps loaded more quickly but the only other thing I noticed differently was my DX plugs were not there to use and some of my vst plugs were not loading.

 I'm sure I'll warm up to 7 since DX11 is so wonderful for stereoscopic 3D gaming.

 I guess it boils down with how you use it. If your projects are like mine, mostly live recorded tracks with a few VSTi's for drums and bass. I think you will be OK with XP for now.
 If you're planning on large projects consisting mostly of high end synths such as EWQL and some IK patches. XP will quickly run out of resources on you.

  No stability issues here with XP....sure the occasional software hiccup but I've read a lot of posts from people having trouble with plugins in 7/8. It's really the thought of having to reinstall and reauthorize literally dozens and dozens of plugins and apps that keeps me from upgrading.

when ms stops support for xp then security will become an even bigger issue than it is now for xp users.

The company I work for has over 60,000 employees..all of us in our office just got brand new computers with Win 7 stickers on them...loaded with WinXP....so I'm not worried about it for the near futire....gear lust will certainly win over by then and I'll have moved to Win 8 or 9 by then........

X2 runs like a dream here on XP 32.

I take it that's X-2 not X-2a ? I also assume that X2a is a bug fix/stability release from X-2 ? The upgrade is only like $85 now so I might just pick up X2 for the heck of it. Can I also assume that X2 will overwrite X-1 and not install along side of it ? Anyway thanks everybody for the help....much appreciated....

X2 will not overwrite X1. Each version installs in separate directories. There are utilities and plugins that versions of SONAR share which are overwritten and are backward compatible.

If you do install X2 Producer on XP, there was an update that does install on XP that fixes a few issues with the original release of X2 http://www.cakewalk.com/S...reader.aspx/2007013292

So with thousands of hours carefully crafting my tunes using "Commodore 64 and Sonus Super Sequencer " I can't bear the thought of having to upgrade to a PC.  I might have to rework my projects and I will loose all of those carefully crafted tunes. 

Come on folks.  Relegate your ancient work on that ancient Amiga to the closet and get along with it.  When you are in a position to afford the gear just go to the current version of the OS and Sonar.  Not upgrading because your Amiga 2000 VST won't run on Windows is just preventing you from moving on.  If the plug-in vendor dosen't have a version that will run on Windows 8 x64 then the plug in obviously isn't worth keeping around.  Find something better (instead of sticking to something that really is worse).

I'm willing to bet that there aren't a lot of folks using Amiga's out there today.  That same fate is in store for your XP system and 8.5.

Glen

X2 will not overwrite X1. Each version installs in separate directories. There are utilities and plugins that versions of SONAR share which are overwritten and are backward compatible. If you do install X2 Producer on XP, there was an update that does install on XP that fixes a few issues with the original release of X2 http://www.cakewalk.com/S...reader.aspx/2007013292

Wow what an incredibly helpful post. Thanks so much. I'll be picking up the X-2 upgrade later today..... and thanks for the link. The fact that I can have them running side by side is a comfort and I'll have X-2 when I am ready to update my OS....

John


X2 may run on XP but X2a wont install. 

I hope Cakewalk do like AVID do on new Pro Tools 11 x64.
Ditch SONAR x32 bit completely one and for all on SONAR X3 release and only have one version of their software. The x64bit version of SONAR X3 that every one use or should use if they don't use it. If you still on older computer you need to update to be able to run SONAR X3. As simple as that.
 
More time for the programmers  effort to maintain just one version (x64bit the original version) and more time for applying new functions instead of bug chase on x32bit version on SONAR. The x32bit version is just a ported version from the X64bit build with many downside restrictions.
 
 
Best Regards
Freddie

Come on folks. Relegate your ancient work on that ancient Amiga to the closet and get along with it. When you are in a position to afford the gear just go to the current version of the OS and Sonar. Not upgrading because your Amiga 2000 VST won't run on Windows is just preventing you from moving on. If the plug-in vendor dosen't have a version that will run on Windows 8 x64 then the plug in obviously isn't worth keeping around. Find something better (instead of sticking to something that really is worse). I'm willing to bet that there aren't a lot of folks using Amiga's out there today. That same fate is in store for your XP system and 8.5. Glen

Wow what an incredibly ignorant and arrogant post. You're one of those people who thinks 64 bit must be twice as good as 32 bit right ? First of all comparing WinXP to an Amiga is just plain silly and nobody said a thing about Sonar version 8.5. Since you know all about which plugins are "not worth keeping" you certainly must know about abandon ware right ? Developers who have have left the business or in rare cases passed away and their plugins will never see a 64 bit version. If those plugins don't play well with a bit bridge then you're just out of luck. On my system I have no such worries and can happily use any of the great legacy plugins out there which are most certainly "worth keeping". Eventually developers will start to release 64 bit only plugins so then it will be a concern but not until then. Of course since you're so smart you know that 99% of plugins don't benefit at all from being 64 bit....in sound and function they are identical to their 32 bit versions. I am certainly "in a position to afford" any computer or OS I wish and the fact that you chose to highlight that part is further indication of your ignorance and arrogance. Glen, your gear snobbery just makes you look foolish.....

If you still on older computer you need to update to be able to run SONAR X3. As simple as that.

Wow another arrogant post......Like I said above I can certainly afford any computer I want and that's not the reason I haven't "upgraded" to the latest OS. But I'm sure there are people who struggle to pay the bills and can't afford a new computer.....as simple as that. Cutting them out of the Sonar family just to serve your selfish needs is indeed self centered.......

Teksonik

If you still on older computer you need to update to be able to run SONAR X3. As simple as that.

Wow another arrogant post......Like I said above I can certainly afford any computer I want and that's not the reason I haven't "upgraded" to the latest OS. But I'm sure there are people who struggle to pay the bills and can't afford a new computer.....as simple as that. Cutting them out of the Sonar family just to serve your selfish needs is indeed self centered.......

I'm sorry to hear that but I'm not trying to be rude my friend. That is the way it is, and its called evolution.
 
If you check out some more news you would see that its just not just Cakewalk, many other companies do the same like example AVID now. I heard that other will follow like Waves, UAD and Native Instrument ditching x32bit too in a near future. All software and hardware companies ending XP32 and x32bit support world wide.
 
 
Its not a civil right to be able to buy the latest software's and expect that it will support XP32 or Windows 95 x32 or what ever forever. Save your money to a new computer instead of wasting them on latest software's is my advice my friend.
  
 
Best Regards
Freddie