I read somewhere that they were going to scrub the X series in favor of a more robust console style workflow. The track view will basically be the same. IIRC, they are going to drop the pro-channel.

That is true, they need to integrate the technology they exchanged with the alien greys first....
 (might have been bitcoins involved not sure)... I do have my sources but people may end up getting assassinated so best I don't squeak.

Cake, please don't be like Microsoft. Take your time and do it right. No more new plug-ins. Get the functions that people are complaining about fixed and make X3 rock solid to 95%. We don't need no more stinking plug-ins we need complete stability. (I'm not calling your plug-ins stinky, it's just a matter of speech.)
Thank you

I like the idea of a stink plugin.  Kind of compliments the suck plugin, but in aromarama.
 
@

If they keep the color scheme the way it is they could come up with some really cool plug ins.
 
The suck - A notch filter that has an up and down button like vibrato.
The whip - for adding punch
The cane - for stiff compression
The chain - That will be a surprise
Satin - for those silky smooth legato lines
Vanilla - for keeping things simple
 
The options are enless!

Silly thread.

Anderton

Wookiee
Why do we have to go through this process of getting the new version up to speed for three to four months only to repeat again eight months later.

 
Well, i'm sure I'm not the only person who was able to make music from day 1 of having X3. It's not like it took three to four months before it was useful, more like three to four months to have enough usage cases out there to identify issues, set priorities, and do fixes.
 
As to why do it all over again, hopefully it would be for the same reason it was worth getting comping, Melodyne, Addictive Drums, colourized mixer strips, etc. If the next version doesn't have compelling/useful features for some people, they can keep chugging along contentedly with X3...just as some people are still on 8.5.
 
Sonar appeals to both hobbyists and pros. For pros, anything that gives a competitive advantage or saves time is well worth adopting as soon as possible. For example in my case, the amount of time saved with the new comping dwarfs the time spent learning to become proficient at it. For hobbyists, it's often the extras like Addictive Drums or the Nomad Factory plug-ins that are appealing. Different people have different priorities; it's only possible to know whether you want an update ASAP or can afford to wait awhile after scrutinizing the list of features, and seeing which ones matter to you.

Well Graig it did not take me 3 to 4 months either but we have had five maintenance patches and the last has broken something that was working in "D".  What I am saying is do we really need a yearly release of a "New" product.  Would it not perhaps be a little better to have say a two year cycle with a more robust product from day one.  Just an old programmers per-s-p-e-c-tive.  (Hyphens because the forum software can not differentiate when the S P E C is contained within a word.)

Silicon Audio
I actually think that this is the first time in history that people aren't champing at the bit for the next version.  The reason is that X3 is just so solid that folks have got back to the business of just making music.  Sure it's not 100% perfect, but it doen't impede the musical process at all.
 
Yeah, there are alway more features in the wish lists, but I think the level of satisfaction with Sonar is at an all time high.

+1

@Wookiee I'm not aware of any regression bugs from X3D. Here are the outstanding X3E issues we know about (what is your issue?)
http://forum.cakewalk.com...aspx?m=3009969&p=1 (first post)... Thanks.

One of the best threads i've read in ten years of skateboarding forums on the net; this one is like a mixed bag of lollies with interesting flavours and additional humour thrown in. 
 
Mr Anderton's affirmations about the intentions and direction of Cakewalk are very reassuring to me, he said exactly what i needed to hear. 
 
To me, the former Sonar X3 release (bugs aside) was stellar through-the-roof smokin off the charts; the new plugins sucked me in big-time. I myself, concerning DAW updates and new releases, am all about new plugins (quality not quantity, of course), that's what i look forward to; i don't care much for new features, i'm an improviser, and the features in modern DAWs are more than i can even use, so, no need for more, imo; my whole personal music-making process is always a simple affair, and modern DAWs already offer much more than simple; anyway, to me, new DAW releases are like presents at Christmas time, i look forward to it, and Sonar X3 already done good on that count. Clearly Cakewalk takes the game seriously and are aware of their end-user demographic, very pleased with that!
My main wishes for new release DAW upgrades are... refinements to existing 'plugins' (ver I ver II ver III etc) to make them perform even bigger and badder, plus 'brand-new' plugins that excel performance-wise, and newer higher performing plugins that are made to replace and usurp existing ones; that oh so lovely refurbished feeling.
 
With Cubase and Sonar going at it hammer and tong, such quality DAW 'options' can keep music producers in good stead! If you already own a Ferrari, it is nice to have a Mclaren to swap between when the need arises.