I would love to upgrade to SONAR Platinum but the cost is just too expensive at the present time.
How big of a benefit is it to upgrade from Sonar X3 Producer to the new Sonar Professional?
 
Can you install both versions on the same computer?
Will the new Sonar Professional version overwrite the X3 version?
Would I still have the ability to use all the plugins that are now available in Sonar X3 with the newer version?
 
These are some questions I'm unclear on regarding the upgrade.
 
I really need to know how this new install would affect my current setup before I make the move to upgrade.
 
Regards,
Eric
 
 
 
 

Any and all versions of Sonar can co exist. You'll just have 2. Versions of Sonar and can pick which one you run. No change to your current setup. Still access all plugins as now. All versions after X3 that is the current versions of Sonar use the Cakewalk Command Centre through which all new Cakewalk programs are installed. X3 won't show up in that.

Here's a link to a comparison chart between current Sonar versions https://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Versions

By the way, welcome to the forum. If you upgrade I'm sure you'll enjoy the many improvements since Sonar X3 was released.

In a nutshell, Platinum is simply light years ahead of X3 and worth every penny.

and it's half price for X3 owners right now

Once you've used the latest version you'll never ever use the old one. I still have X3 on my DAW and there's no way I could use it. Even my new version of Home Studio is better in many way's than X3

Lots of good under the hood improvements going X3 to SPLAT 
 
JR

#1 Can you install both versions on the same computer?
Yes

#2 Will the new Sonar Professional version overwrite the X3 version?
No

#3 Would I still have the ability to use all the plugins that are now available in Sonar X3 with the newer version?
You should be able to use quite a few, I am not sure about all, seeing that some have been updated in Patinum, such as TH3 if I'm not mistaken.
 
As far as Platinum over X3 , as someone said it's light years ahead, so the learning curve might be a little work for you , but worth it.

mudgel
Any and all versions of Sonar can co exist. 

This is not accurate. 8.53 does not co-exist with Sonar Platinum beyond Dec 2016 version.
 
 
Also, the OP's question was referring to Professional. Not Platinum.

timidi

mudgel
Any and all versions of Sonar can co exist. 

This is not accurate. 8.53 does not co-exist with Sonar Platinum beyond Dec 2016 version.
 
 
Also, the OP's question was referring to Professional. Not Platinum.

The OP probably needs to clarify this point a bit more seeing that he did say:
"I would love to upgrade to SONAR Platinum but the cost is just too expensive at the present time."

Expensive is subjective. I would give up drinks and any entartainment for c. 2-3 months to save to upgrade to Platinum. Would eat less too.