happyrat1
If Gibson's refusing to keep the company alive then why not transfer all the old programs over to the public domain instead of making us pray that our validation codes will still work years later?
 
Some of us are so deeply mired in Cakewalk software and projects that transferring over to a new format is no easy feat!!!
 
The least you could do is release a few older versions without DRM issues so that we can still keep on using the software for years to come.
 
Gary ;)
 

Completely agree with you Gary - don't understand why it was not possible to sell it as a going concern either. Their tech was awesome and the set of instruments and audio fx outstanding! Just hating Gibson now.

We have 15 computers running SONAR to digitize tapes, vinyl ...
I have no idea how to change our business to an other DAW. That is a big financial failure.
And I do not think the servers will be up and running in the next 20 years.
I am totally shocked. I'm working with SONAR since 1995.
  
Why is Gibson doing that?
 

Wow. I still have my old Cakewalk vs. 1 floppies. Not sure where to go from here. Would like to see where some of the developers land and then consider their products.

ojdonovan
Okay, Just want to point out that I am very disappointed at this decision on several levels. I have questions.
 
1) Knowing that this was in the pipe, why did you continue to push sales of a product you had no intention of supporting? 
2) Do you think that practice will not somehow not become common knowledge and have an impact on your sales of "other" audio products? Do you think it wise?
3) As an owner of multiple cakewalk products, at a substantial cost, what do you intend to do so that when I have to change a motherboard, or disk, or laptop, I can migrate the software I own and have it operate properly. Meaning, since I have to register with your site, what do you plan to do to allow me authorize my software without you?
4) If you intend not to do anything regarding question #3, do you intend provide an app, or function that will allow all of the professionals out there that have substantial amounts of projects in the Sonar format to export them (using a form of bundle) into a format that can be used (imported) by a product such as Cubase, or Logic Pro, Pro Tools, etc,.
 
I would like to think that with the loyalty that sonar users have bestowed to Cakewalk over the years, it merits careful consideration that both items #3 and #4 are valid and deserve not only addressing, but action taken to resolve in responsible fashion with solutions worthy of the support we have given you.
 
Sincerely,
O.J. Donovan

Couldn't have put it better. Absolutely outraged by Gibson (but from what I now read, not surprised) and definitely feeling for the great team at Cakewalk, who've made my home recording possible over the years! Just hope someone goes in and grabs the team, and ideally the software, and is able to take it forward!

Why is Cakewalk by Roland, by Gibson?
Why is Cakewalk not a own company ???

TerraSin
Cakewalk needs to be sold, not closed. Closing down for any amount of time is a death sentence.

TerraSin
Cakewalk needs to be sold, not closed. Closing down for any amount of time is a death sentence.

Completely agree 200%

TerraSin
Cakewalk needs to be sold, not closed. Closing down for any amount of time is a death sentence.

TerraSin
Cakewalk needs to be sold, not closed. Closing down for any amount of time is a death sentence.

Completely agree 200%

Gibson is trash, there's no other way of putting it. I do not wish Gibson all the best, I'd like to see them go under at this point. Harsh? Maybe. But they are not a good company and haven't been for years. This is worth a read. 
 
http://gawker.com/gibson-...lar-company-1713072808

Truly sorry for the folks that will be having a lean Christmas. The employees have been great to deal with and I'm sorry they're going to be job hunting in the new year.
On the other hand, I want to get everything I've ever purchased onto my PC while it's still available. Just because they say the servers will still run means nothing, they could be shut off tomorrow. 
I can't express my feelings about this. I'm mad at myself for doubling down on Sonar. I don't have the funds to recreate my software collection with another company. REALLY GLAD I overhauled my Teac 3440 on the weekend. IT still works great after almost 40 years.
Gibson is dead to me.

LJB
I'm a little shocked right now - being a professional engineer who runs my studio totally on Sonar for projects this now forces me to look at other DAWs, learning curves, decisions about how to transition to another DAW, never mind all the Sonar specific plugs that I know like the back of my hand.... wow... much to contemplate.

I just rebuilt my studio, so I'm sort of in transition mode anyway. I saw this coming when the long-timers like us were offered lifetime subscriptions - that's simply a way to say "give us one last bit of cash before we go." I got an "extra" six months out of it. 

When they said the anniversary celebrations this year were going to be full of surprises...yeah...no kidding.