Just wanted to get an overall wide ranging spectrum of your thoughts and feelings on the software. I do plan to take the plunge, but am waiting just a bit to see if it seems truly beneficial. Please do not sugar coat...I'm not one to waste words, so don't waste yours...I want the good, the bad and the ugly...not necessarily in that order! Thanks fellow XSonarites David

Truly beneficial in terms of what exactly? What version are you currently using? X1 I presume?

If you're going to upgrade eventually, and you have the funds, I'd do it now to be honest. Sure, there appear to be a few glitches here and there, but I'm getting along with it just fine. You can still use your X1 along side X2, if you feel that you're struggling with some of the X2 gripes. In the meantime you can be learning all the extra bells and whistles anyway.

A few things to consider, if you thing the $100 is a bit much. If you upgrade now you get $100 (a bit more than that) worth of strings samples for Dim Pro.

You also get a ProChannel version of Breverb, which, for me, is sounding nicer that Sonitus.

And you get R-Mix too, which is looking rather interesting. I'm currently in the process of learning how to use that tool for my own needs, and not for making karaoke tracks.

Automations Lanes are a fantastic addition, as for as I'm concerned and also the improved drawing and editing methods.

There have been a few complaints about not being to able to edit the colours of the interface as much as we have in the past. But if you're happy with how it looks now then that's not a problem.


Have a look at the video that is mentioned in the sticky area...

I am using X2 right now in a pro studio environment and I can tell you, It is probably the best release as far as features and workflow that Cake has done so far. I was concerned that the older versions are starting to pile up on my drive and I would have a lot more trouble than I did. It is taking some getting used to but if you have been using Expanded it is a piece of Cake.(no pun intended) Outside of the Rapture installation problem, for which there is a fix on this forum that worked for me, I have not had any blue or white screens and no crashes. I don't know why but I have been luckier than some with my installations and general workings. There is an issue I stumbled across and there is a thread on this forum called ALERT! possible driver issues with Windows and X2. It is not a big issue if you keep your settings the same for your windows outputs and your Sonar outputs. See Post!
Ihave used X1 from day one and moved to Expanded since it came out. If you have the really good plugin base to work from I don't see X2 as being a must have. If you are upgrading from an older version all the way up to 8.5, You have to get it! This is based on my working exclusively with X2 for about 3 days now. I know 3 days isn't much but those are a long time when you are working with a new version with clients paying good money and breathing down your neck for results. All in all, I think this is the best release Cake has done.

I'll let the good folk Beta test a bit more while I run X1 in my pro studio. Too many teething issues if you look at the forum, IMO.

In terms of a studio environment this is the best release so far, many of the complaints for editing and zooming, track lanes etc...have been addressed, while I have always thought Cakewalk was a good product it never really appealed to use as a primary studio environment DAW due to focus on midi/synths/elctronica/etc...

This release makes its place in a tracking situation truly worthy.

Other than that is just software.

There are ALWAYS teething issues with any piece of software this complex, but quite honestly, from what I've seen posted you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by upgrading now.

There appear to be NO showstoppers, apart from one or two people who probably have configuration issues, nothing more.

I was meh on upgrading but after looking at the video and seeing how it's totally improved the selection processes (which I always found to be extremely frustrating) that alone would sell me to upgrade from X1 expanded. The only reason I'm hesitating is because my system has Windows Vista so I'm not sure it will work with it. 

I would say its by far the best yet. Bang for the buck is fantastic. Some buggy teething problems as others have mentioned that may or may not affect you. Im sure these or at least the most important will be fixed asap.

Bottom line is if you earn your money from it and you have a stable system now, maybe wait for a patch for X2. But in saying that, you can run X1 alongside it anyway. Other than that, i wouldn't hesitate. I dont regret it for a second.

Cheers

Bibs

raisindot


The only reason I'm hesitating is because my system has Windows Vista so I'm not sure it will work with it. 

There are plenty of X2 users on Vista here. It even works on XP, it just isn't supported if things go awry.

great workflow changes - but not stable yet. I have circa 10 crashes a day :-( Wait til its patched before doing any serious work