husker
Thanks.   Doesn't support external bank change though.  As much as I hate the dongle,  the Midi implementation of Cubase is legendary. 

If you use external synth hardware, which is the way I started out, MIDI implementation is important.  Back in the day there were really only a few choices for MIDI sequencers on Windows... Cubase, Logic, MOTU, and Cakewalk.
 
If you are on Windows, that choice today narrows to 3 original mainstays, as Logic is only available on the Mac now.  So with the recent news, subtract Cakewalk, and the choice narrows even further. Have nothing bad to say about MOTU, but my belief is that their focus is on Mac.
 
So Steinberg Cubase, eh?  Not too shabby, as music technology goes, as they invented ASIO, and VST. 

Yeah, think so.  Already talked to Sweetwater about the Cubase cross grade.  I got a Christmas bonus from work, so part of that will go to a new Daw I guess.   
 
Certainly will miss Sonar, but am excited about some of the Midi and compositional tools in Cubase. 

Glyn Barnes
Well I am hoping to get a lot of years out of Sonar, even if there are no new updates. But there is always the risk that Windows updates or the need for new hardware, or authorization problems could break it at some point if there is no maintenance.
 
I am thinking I need a two fold strategy.

1. Ensure I keep WAV stems and MIDI files of my projects so they can be recreated in another DAW.
2. In the longer term identify another DAW and learn it, probably by buying the most basic version, so I am not confronted by a massive learning curve IF Sonar becomes unworkable.

I had tried both Reaper and Studio One in the past and liked neither of them, but I think Studio One has come on a lot since then (MIDI was terrible when I last tried it) so maybe its time to try the demo again.
 
I have heard Cubase has the best MIDI implementation so I will also be looking there.

 
Also heading to Cubase. Seems to have more of what I would need than Studio One - but those are the only two in my thoughts. Ableton has a big following but it is so ugly I wouldn't even want to try it.

Steve Bolivar
Nobody has mentioned it yet and a bit out of left-field but Waveform by Tracktion looks nice. I do a mix of MIDI/virtual instruments, wav and REX loops, and live recording. It looks like it's worth a trial download. Current prices are $99-$200 depending on how many extras you get. Maybe I'm easily impressed but the intro video was impressive.
 

I got into Waveform earlier this year as a secondary DAW, and I can say that it exceeds expectations.  The basic package for $99 is really all that you need.  https://www.tracktion.com/products/waveform
 
It is a very intuitive tool for quick recording or arranging, and lets you focus on music rather than detailed tasks. It also has a lot of advanced features for editing clips and loops, as well as using multiple browser windows at once to preview loops. 
 
If you are into MIDI, the PRV editor can open in a separate editing window. The MIDI pattern generators can also produce bass lines, chords, arpeggios, etc., within your project key and chosen chord progressions.  That is well worth the price of admission, as far as I am concerned! 
 
You may still want to have a full featured DAW for mixing and mastering your project, but this is a great tool for capturing musical ideas.

husker
I got a Christmas bonus.  

Oh yeah??

Can I split it with You? Check your PM.

husker
Yeah, think so.  Already talked to Sweetwater about the Cubase cross grade.  I got a Christmas bonus from work, so part of that will go to a new Daw I guess.   
 
Certainly will miss Sonar, but am excited about some of the Midi and compositional tools in Cubase. 

I tried a demo of the Cubase 9 Elements ($99) earlier this year, and was impressed with the MIDI composition tools in there.  The chord track, the circle of fifths assistant, and the other chord tools were impressive! https://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/cubase_elements.html
 

Like bitflipper said Sonar won't break tomorrow (or something to that effect). Gibson may continue (or try) to sell SPLat for years.
 
However, from what I have seen so far, I like what I see in Studio One and the hardware Presonus offers. Presonus appears to have a HW integration that Roland nor Gibson were interested in exploring.

lawajava

Glyn Barnes
Well I am hoping to get a lot of years out of Sonar, even if there are no new updates. But there is always the risk that Windows updates or the need for new hardware, or authorization problems could break it at some point if there is no maintenance.
 
I am thinking I need a two fold strategy.

1. Ensure I keep WAV stems and MIDI files of my projects so they can be recreated in another DAW.
2. In the longer term identify another DAW and learn it, probably by buying the most basic version, so I am not confronted by a massive learning curve IF Sonar becomes unworkable.

I had tried both Reaper and Studio One in the past and liked neither of them, but I think Studio One has come on a lot since then (MIDI was terrible when I last tried it) so maybe its time to try the demo again.
 
I have heard Cubase has the best MIDI implementation so I will also be looking there.

 
Also heading to Cubase. Seems to have more of what I would need than Studio One - but those are the only two in my thoughts. Ableton has a big following but it is so ugly I wouldn't even want to try it.

I would say that if you are into MIDI, realize that Cakewalk, Cubase, and Logic started out as MIDI sequencers that later added audio.  Just saying...

Downloading Studio One now to try.  It is kind of ironic, I've been "working" on my studio and recording for more years than I care to admit and only this summer began really recording with Sonar.  I've had versions of it since before it was called Sonar . . . and paid them much money over the years b/c I was just about to get serious about recording.   While there may yet be a future for Sonar, I'm prepared to switch to a stable company.  I hope I like Studio One.
 
 

I love Studio One.  I have much respect and love for Cakewalk and Sonar, but I've barely opened it since I started using Studio One this past Spring.  Workflow is insanely fast.