"To upgrade or not upgrade, that is the question..." I'm an occasional user, have been out of the loop for sometime, about to return to a project I started a few years ago in 8.3. I get these offers from Sonar to upgrade for $99, so I'm tempted, but have a couple of concerns: Version 8.3.1.372 is doing o.k. on my system, so I'm thinking, "If it ain't broke don't fix it." If I do go ahead and download X2, will my previous version (8.3.1.372)still be on the computer and would it still be functionable? I might like to be able to go back and forth from the new version and the old version while I'm learning to stumble, fall, and repeatedly trying to pick myself back up with the new version. Could there be any serious conflicts having both programs on the computer at the same time? (I'm wondering if my Presonus might go into some sort of conniption fits). Would the data files created on X2 be backwards compatible with 8.3? (I'm thinking, a big "NO," but would like to hear it from someone who knows the answer for sure). -Steve

It will function yes.

Also, why dont you DL the trial first?

 Great. If the 8.3 and X2 can be installed side by side on the same computer without issue, I might go ahead and give it a test spin. -Steve

Hey mushroomman . . . the great thing about Cakewalk is that it's always been backwards compatible, you can open old projects with confidence that they will work in the new versions. Should be no problems having multiple versions of Cakewalk installed, as they seem to co-exist on your OS as separate entities.

 Looking at my original post, I see I misspoke. I asked if the X2 would be backwards compatible with 8.3. What I should have asked if it is forward compatible. Will 8.3 read data from X2 if the user should want to reverse direction? I can't imagine it would, and thinking about it more, not sure it would really be necessary.

No. CW has never been able to figure out a way to time warp the future in a way where an older version will handle all the new features that CW has added to new versions. 

They keep saying that they did well enough in making sure that new versions will read all old versions.  But I just think they are tired.  

Just for fun, I opened a simple X2 project in 8.5.3, which is still on my machine. Before opening, 8.5.3 gave me a warning dialog that a newer version created the project and it may sound different if new features were used; also, overwriting would lose those features. I said Ok but the project would not open.

John


No. CW has never been able to figure out a way to time warp the future in a way where an older version will handle all the new features that CW has added to new versions. 

They keep saying that they did well enough in making sure that new versions will read all old versions.  But I just think they are tired.  

John . . . my experience of loading older projects into Sonar X2a has been different, because I've been able to load older projects into Sonar X2a with good results, and your mention of  "But I just think they are tired." is peculiar to me.
 
For the OP: as far as "forward compatibility", I believe once a project is saved as Sonar X2, it  will not open in Sonar 8.5.3

noynekker

John


No. CW has never been able to figure out a way to time warp the future in a way where an older version will handle all the new features that CW has added to new versions. 

They keep saying that they did well enough in making sure that new versions will read all old versions.  But I just think they are tired.  

John . . . my experience of loading older projects into Sonar X2a has been different, because I've been able to load older projects into Sonar X2a with good results, and your mention of  "But I just think they are tired." is peculiar to me.

I think you should reread the post again. I am saying older versions are not supported in opening newer version's projects. In other words no forward compatibility is supported. It was also meant as a joke. 
Just to be sure we are on the same page. X2 can open an 8.5 project but Sonar 8.5 may not be able to open an X2 project.

The reason I mentioned that they may be tired is warping time is hard work. Do I really need to put a smiley in there?

Agreed, the wording is confusing in all the posts here. Forwards compatible, backwards compatible, whatever . . .
"X2 can open an 8.5 project but Sonar 8.5 may not be able to open an X2 project" helps to clarify it.
No smiley faces necessary, it's just out of character for you to say "they are tired" John.