I've just installed my steam version of Sonar on my new machine and I can't get it to authorise when I open Sonar, sounds like I am stuffed as I had contacted Cakewalk support and had been waiting 3 days for a reply. Now I know why I didn't get one.
I can only open Sonar in Demo mode!
If I had changed my pc 2 weeks ago I would probably have been ok
I am gutted. 

I'm using sonar still. Probably It can be actual few years. Some people use sonar 8.5 still.
I tried studio one and I dislike their comping process and the program doesnt have musical notation and fret pane like has Sonar.
And I stoped on reaper. I have some songs for mixing and I do it in reaper and I so miss for pro channel and I like audio snap. Besides I can change display individual peaks on a track in Sonar. In another DAW I can do it only all traks

It may work for years, however, all it would take is a change in Windows or the C++ runtime module, or a driver that affects Sonar and we're dead. Plus I have a Cakewalk UM-3G MIDI interface. Who knows how long that will be supported? There would be no one to fix it. Plus we have no support now so if you have a problem, you'll have to figure it out. And who knows how long this forum will be available to us to help each other. 
 
 

Here's were we are at. 
I would guess that on this forum we are spit almost half and half between those who abandon and those who stay with Sonar. 
I think it's been a great come together for the community, keep our heads and share future plans. 
For those who are finding another DAW that works well or even better for them this was then a good thing to happen to you as it forced the move. 
For those of use who found all those other DAW just won't cut it until they mature a little more we are also happy to realize how great Sonar really is/was as a DAW. 
Things I've learned for all this. 
 
Sonar will run for another possible 10 years on a computer running Windows 7 or 8.1. 
There's a slim possability that it could also run on Windows 10 for a long while but we have too many examples of an update screwing things to trust a system running that OS. 
 
So if your going to stay using Sonar you should also think about abandoning W10. If you stay with W7 or 8.1 you aviod the update pitfall and much nothing will change until that computer dies of old age. This is what I'm doing with some of my computers. One I will still run W10 just to see.. 
 
We don't know for certain about future installs of Sonar because until Cakewalk re works the code for the new versions to include the old X3 and back type authorization we live in fear of the servers being turned off. We are fed rumours that Cakewalk is working on this and can only cross our fingers. I am optomistic that they will do this while they are still on the payroll and have the means to make it happen. 
 
We all run out and try other DAW's and most who used Sonar in a certain way discover quickly how it was the best DAW for us. This will not be everyone but for those of us who see it this way we have to just take up a plan of attack and carry on. I'm even will to return to X3e is all else fails. I found even Cubase was not as usefull to me as X3e can be. 
I too bought Mixbus for $30 and it is a disapointment mostly because it keeps crashing on me. 
I have had Cubase 5LE for a long time and bought Elements 7 last year on a whim and so I'm covered that way. The other DAW's including studio one are fine but are like going back to 8.5 to me. 

daveny5
I own Studio One 2 Artist, looks nice, but I would have to buy a higher level of the program for it to use any of my VSTs.

I don't want to shill for Studio One, but honestly Studio One 3.5 brings a host of improvements over 2 that are really amazing. There's a fully functional demo available:
 
https://www.presonus.com/products/studio-one/get-studio-one
 
Strongly recommend downloading it and giving it a whirl. You will be amazed how fast it runs and how reliable it is. If you are using 32bit VSTs you'll need to setup JBridge as well, but I found the whole process smooth as a gravy sandwich. 
 
I got the 50% off black Friday offer, but I understand if you drop Presonus an email they are sympathetic to Sonar users and prepared to deal.

+1 for studio one - once you get going with it and realize that - no - you don't have to do everything the way SONAR does it ... and yeah - there are other plugs that are just as good or better than SONAR's .... and no, after working a while and getting used to new workflows, you really don't miss SONAR so much any more! And wow - - it does some things better ....  or that SONAR doesn't do it all - imagine that!

Daveny5
 
You can request an unlock code from OverLoud to unlock the Cakewalk versions of their plugs 
so that they can be used in other daws:
https://overloud.com/news/overloud-welcomes-cakewalk-customers
 
Breverb
TH3
Rematrix Solo
 

Daveny5: These Sonar plugs work on Reaper: the entire Sonitus series, except the basic EQ. The multiband EQ does work. Also, tube leveler and LP 64 compressor. But not the LP 64 EQ. TTS-1 may or not work. There are probably others that work, I just haven't tried them.

daveny5
OK. So I've been auditioning potential replacements for Sonar and I must say it's depressing. Seriously. I just want to cry. Mixbus: not even close to Sonar in usability or sophistication. Don't buy Mixbus without trying the demo first since they won't give you a refund. I found out the hard way. I own Studio One 2 Artist, looks nice, but I would have to buy a higher level of the program for it to use any of my VSTs. Reaper has potential, but I went to add BREVERB to a track and it said "BREVERB is only licensed to be used on Sonar". That will probably be the case with most of the Sonar plugs. Will I no longer be able to use Dimension, Rapture, SI-Bass, SI-Strings, Sonitus, BT, Meloetc.? Probably not. And I was just getting going with it since I retired and now have the time. This year I wrote and recorded four new songs and numerous gig recordings for the band I work with using all the great new tools in Sonar that will not be easy to replace! Folks, we are seriously F'ed! I'm considering quitting this wonderful hobby I've had for most of my life because it would be too much for me to start over. I may still look at Cubase and ProTools before deciding what to do. Cakewalk: this is the biggest disappointment I could have imagined. 

 
Give the Samplitude demo a try. It's a detailed program so there is some learning curve but a lot more like Sonar than Mixbus or Waveform and more fully featured than Reaper or Studio One. And check out the Overloud offer to unlock their plugins - I just opened Breverb and TH3 in Samplitude, and some of the Sonitus plugins work also (but sadly not the compressor  ). Several folks here have moved to Samplitude and the forums have plenty of folks offering help - at least give it a try before you throw in the towel.  
 
 

Serious question: Would it be foolish to still buy Sonar Professional if I can get a couple of productive years out of it?
It's the only interface I ever liked and I'm am finally going to buy it legitimately.
If I have a questionable version of a different product (like Sonar Producer 7), should I just use that until something hopefully moves positively forward with this interface?
Any feedback would be appreciated; i'm sure others would like to know