dcumpian
At this point, IMO, the closest thing to Sonar at the moment is probably Studio One. I'll likely start there and if that doesn't work for me, then Cubase or Reaper are top contenders. I've tried Reaper and could make it do what I wanted, but it sure takes a lot of work to get it setup.
 
Regards,
Dan

Kind of where my head is too Dan. Not a big fan of Cubase or Reaper.  I am hopping to Studio One forums to see if some of the issues I had were worked out.  None were insurmountable, more just irritating.  

I'm in the same situation as space_cowboy with an exception that I still run SONAR in Windows 7 and thus Microsoft's updates will most likely not prevent me from running SONAR as long as I want to.
 
However, I have to look for alternatives if development and maintenance is freezed. No need to do anything in a hurry but if SONAR 10.2017 is the last version in 2019 or 2020, I will look for alternatives.
 
Reaper - tested in 2014; I didn't like it at all.
S1 - tested in 2015. At that time SONAR won 6-0.
ProTools - I used it in early 2000's and have still no reason to go back to the past.
Cubase - was my alternative for SONAR in 2005. I went to SONAR because it worked and Cubase was unstable. Maybe, maybe.
 
EDIT:
I purchased Studio One. Black Friday price $190.68 USD (ex vat) is a bargain... I continue to use SONAR but at least now I have plan B in case SONAR stops working and/or Cakewalk servers are closed.
 

You all seem to be working from the assumption that SONAR is going to stop working on Friday. It won't.

no bitflipper, I think we are trying to secure our working future with a DAW that will have support in case there are compatibility issues, O/S issues, etc. 

panup
I'm in the same situation as space_cowboy with an exception that I still run SONAR in Windows 7 and thus Microsoft's updates will most likely not prevent me from running SONAR as long as I want to.
 
However, I have to look for alternatives if development and maintenance is freezed. No need to do anything in a hurry but if SONAR 10.2017 is the last version in 2019 or 2020, I will look for alternatives.
 
Reaper - tested in 2014; I didn't like it at all.
S1 - tested in 2015. At that time SONAR won 6-0.
ProTools - I used it in early 2000's and have still no reason to go back to the past.
Cubase - was my alternative for SONAR in 2005. I went to SONAR because it worked and Cubase was unstable. Maybe, maybe.
 
 

Any thoughts on Samplitude? 
I have tested in the past myself, seemed like a viable alt.

bitflipper
You all seem to be working from the assumption that SONAR is going to stop working on Friday.

Not me, Dave

Hmmm, will reconsider Mixbus. I already have that. Are there any good BF specials on crossgrades from other DAWs?

Taurean Mixing

panup
I'm in the same situation as space_cowboy with an exception that I still run SONAR in Windows 7 and thus Microsoft's updates will most likely not prevent me from running SONAR as long as I want to.
 
However, I have to look for alternatives if development and maintenance is freezed. No need to do anything in a hurry but if SONAR 10.2017 is the last version in 2019 or 2020, I will look for alternatives.
 
Reaper - tested in 2014; I didn't like it at all.
S1 - tested in 2015. At that time SONAR won 6-0.
ProTools - I used it in early 2000's and have still no reason to go back to the past.
Cubase - was my alternative for SONAR in 2005. I went to SONAR because it worked and Cubase was unstable. Maybe, maybe.
 
 

Any thoughts on Samplitude? 
I have tested in the past myself, seemed like a viable alt.

IMHO, Samplitude is very good . I'm also a Samp user ..Pro X 2 . The learning curve can be a little tough .
As far as the DAW itself goes and the included plugs and tools ...it is a top shelf DAW
 
all the best,
 
Kenny

I have, for the most part, dropped all of the bundled plugs in SONAR and do not use Pro Channel, so I just need something that "feels" like SONAR, if you know what I mean.

Studio One gets alot of love, and many ditched PT over it.