fitzj
The problem is its hosted on Cakewalk servers and when they go we lose all contacts. That's the end. This forum could be gone next week so what then?
 

There are SONAR users here that will set up a new home for the community quickly if Cakewalk servers go down. I'm not the only one who has planned to do that... If we lose this forum, you should find the new forum by Google search.
 

Now my software (Platinum) matches my hardware (VS-700)......abandoned,
I guess it’s time to cut the internet cord from the daw.

I felt like this would happen a while back when Roland sold to Gibson and the warning went out from a lot of users that Gibson had a reputation for buying companies that had good products and killing them off.  When the "Free Updates for Life" came out, it raised an eyebrow.  How can a company continue to exist on a product that has been purchased and won't need to be replaced or updated for a decade?  Where is the revenue going to come to keep the company afloat?  Well, it was great while it lasted.  I loved Sonar Platinum and will continue for a while with it.  But as Craig said, "at least Sonar will keep running until i get up to speed on something else".  That's what I'm going to do also.  Going to go to Cubase.
 
I was so impressed over the years at how good the tech support team was.  Fast response, courteous, helpful.  Never an attitude.  Gibson takes over and a after a while you can't call them and get someone.  I got an email from tech a little over a week ago.  They responded to a technical problem I requested almost 2 months earlier.  When I got the news today, I wasn't surprised.
 
And by the way, I never begrudged the money for updates to Sonar.  Was well worth the investment.
 
I hope the best for the Cakewalk team.  Hope they will get great jobs quick.
 

jpetersen
So it seems Gibson really did buy Philips consumer electronics.
 
http://www.gibson.com/News-Lifestyle/News/en-us/Gibson-Brands-to-Acquire-WOOX-Innovations.aspx
 
Hifi, home video, radios, batteries...
 
I fail to see any synergy at all. How totally bizarre.

Seems Gibson has been on a bottom-feeding acquisition strategy. Basically, buying brands and and financing them on the expectation that they can leverage lower paid employees and/or product costs. Its no wonder the money people downgraded them. Its hollowing out a business to pay for the business.
 

Totally shocked - a really sad day and the end of an era. I know many here have been with Cakewalk for 20+ years, myself included.
 
Nothing but the best of wishes for Noel and all of the Cakewalk staff. Its been quite a ride!
 
"In three words I can sum up everything I have learned about life: it goes on"
Robert Frost

Jarsve
Can we cakewalk users buy it? Can we bring that much money on the table?

Henry's price would be in the millions. What do you think?

Sad news. Very sad. Thanks bakers, and all the best to you all.

That being said, when I bought the lifetime subscription it was on the fact that sonar would keep working even if a regular subscriber decides to stop his subscription. Did not occurred to me that you still need the server up to activate it.

Again, what an idiot I can prove to be...

I' shocked, speechless, sad and mad all at the same time.  Can't believe this has happened. Not gonna buy any other DAW as long as Sonar keeps on working. Oh, well, this is the end of the music production industry as we know it.

I have been a Cakewalk user since the first version running on DOS.  This product and the team that I have know that have built this tool have changed my life, and the life of the students and clients I have worked with since the 1980's. 
 
Singularly the finest team and finest product.  Rarely in my life have I seen those two elements together.  My deepest respect and best wishes for everyone affected by this from a career interruption perspective.  You will always have a place to hang in Pittsburgh.  
 
End of watch
 
-Don Maue

November 21st, 2017: not a good day.
 
Sincere best of luck to all of our family members at Cakewalk.  Hopefully we will all see you on the flip side.
 
As for me, at the moment I can only quote Craig: "I feel kind of like I’ve been told guitar strings will no longer be made, so i should learn saxophone".