Life happens. No more Cakewalk updates. Sucks, but I can live with that. My current version of SPlat works just fine for my needs. All I want is the ability to re-install my lifetime license software without having to phone home to a server that may or may not be running when/if I need it.

Wow - I just read the news a few minutes ago.
 
First of all - I hope everything will go well with all the people that worked at Cakewalk/Sonar. I really wish all the best for them.
 
Sonar gone. Well - Not yet completely, but without new developments and especially updates the DAW will only work well until a Windows update breaks something. Still - It can be even years for that is the case. I still have Project 5 running on an older Windows 8 computer, so that can indeed take a long time. But let's be realistic, without updates and new stuff Sonar will die a slow death.
 
And that's sad after being a Sonar user for a long time (but still far less than some other real "old timers" here). I started using Sonar when it was included in a soundcard package I bought (I seem to remember it was Sonar LE 4 with an EMU 404 pci card). It did not take long before I started to love the program, and upgraded to Sonar Home 6 XL, Sonar 8 studio and finally 8.5 Pro. After that I did every update until the latest version of X1 (with prochannel and all that stuff). After being a while "out of the loop" (I concentrated on graphical art projects mostly). I got "back home" and started with a Platinum prescription.
 
Only this year I had to cut down on prescriptions (I also have some prescriptions for graphical programs, and all that monthly money combined adds up very, very fast), and so I had to make a choice between keep updating Cubase (I own the full version) or keep paying the monthly fee on Sonar Platinum. That was a hard choice, but at the end I choose Cubase, simply because it's cheaper for me to do a modest expensive yearly update in stead of a more expensive yearly prescription. Sometimes choices are not easy to make.
 
I still have Sonar Platinum installed on my computer (now without updates since April this year), because I have a lot of projects that have to be "converted" to Cubase. And, of course, I still own Z3TA 2, Rapture (with some sound packs) and Dimension Pro that I use even on the Cubase platform.
 
I really hope the install files for Platinum Pro and all the other stuff I bought from Cakewalk will keep being available. Because - let's be fair. I payed more than two years for Platinum, so I own the program according to the prescription model. I want to be able to download and install the stuff I payed for. It would be a good thing if the registration method would be rolled back to the good old Serial/Registration model, so we do not longer need a server to activate our stuff. I hope it will become a bit more clear how this will be addressed very soon.
 
Anyway - It's sad to see Sonar go. I have worked more than 10 years with this program, and I think it did not deserved to end like this. I knew Gibson was in financial trouble. That was hard not to miss. But I did not expected they would drop Cakewalk this fast. There is maybe still a chance Sonar will find a new "home", but to be honest, I am not very optimistic. 

promidi
I would not be surprised if one of the bakers has the most recent Sonar source code on a hard drive somewhere in their basement.... just in case.. And by recent , I mean the Beta versions that may be months ahead of 2017.10

All developers have copy of the source code on their local machines but it's Cakewalk/Gibson's property and they may not utilize it by any means without permission.

Should we make a petition page to ask Microsoft rescue Sonar and make it like a Office system? They could even make it as a bundle to the large Surface Studio. I know I have said it was a bad idea before but when I think of it. This is the only solution. I have sent the Norwegian Microsoft Facebook page a message. But if we make a official petition we could ld gather some signations in it... We should also take a little time to write a good info of the petition and maybe some Cakewalk user reviews.

There's also the potential issue of non-compete clauses which could prevent the Bakers from pulling a Bitwig.

Scott Reams

singerNow
Pro tools has been in business only 19 years
 

Pro Tools was released in 1989. Check your math. :)

I was going to say. I remember using Sound Tools (predecessor of Pro Tools) by Dididesign in the early 90's anyway. Looks like 1989 (when Sound Tools was released, the name Pro Tools was first used in 1991, and the in-house app in 1993) was not even zero hour:
http://www.musicradar.com...ry-of-pro-tools-452963

+1 to sell to a buyer who cares.
 
Been here since S2 and for my money SP is still one of the best all round producers DAWs out there. To the CW staff, I deeply appreciate your work and help over the years. For me, as I'm professional, I will have to now seriously consider moving to a different solution (NOT PTs!). What a shame. I sincerely hope a good solution can be found. 
 
One point about brand presence: hoping that a good buyer is found, they need to take marketing and profile-raising seriously as Sonar *still* fails to appear on a huge number of third-party compatibility lists!!!
 
Sad day.
 
G

Jarsve
Should we make a petition page to ask Microsoft rescue Sonar and make it like a Office system? They could even make it as a bundle to the large Surface Studio.

I've already contacted Microsoft via the Surface page on Facebook asking them to seriously consider saving a brand which stood by Microsoft through thick and thin while others fled to the trendy Mac. Surface would be the perfect companion piece to Sonar. Microsoft should SERIOUSLY consider a buyout, lifetime subscriptions and all. Let's face it, they've got the money to do it.

OK ... Now, I'm thinking what would be the best DAW to transition to from here ... it's a matter of time before the plug is totally pulled, I'm sure.  I wrote application software many years ago and when and event as this takes place, the software is tagged as "a mature product" and what that really means is ... it's going to die and you better start looking elsewhere for options whether it be employment or as an end-user.  So, I'll repeat myself ... what is the best software to transition to, keeping in mind, I'd prefer this to not happen again ... so a stable company preferably!  I'm so sorry for everybody impacted by this announcement ... whether it be gainful employment or a major home studio setback.  I personally feel "very cheated" after the "one-pay" for lifetime updates ... sure wasn't a lifetime of updates in my book.

Well it's always better option tbh. And Behringer have been very solid company latelly :)