Cheers panup.
 

Hoping ROLI swoops in and buys Cakewalk.  Wishful thinking, I know.

Nothing Noel sez means that Gibson won't sell Cakewalk - that old dog still has value.  In fact, if they go bankrupt Gibson won't have a choice about selling what to whom.
 
However, a new company doesn't have to honor the lifetime updates.  Personally, I figured a life-time upgrade was a short pier to a name change for SONAR, just like fruityloops did.  I didn't think they close rather than be sold.  If Gibson is filing for bankruptcy, it could be a while.  I can't see Gibson sitting on value if they try to muddle through.

Once downloaded, where are the files stored?

I'm sad and angry at the same time.
 
Sad for me, for all other users, for the development team...
And angry at Gibson.
 
Now here's an idea. Make Sonar a free software. Leak the code to the community and for the first time ever, there could be a truly good and comprehensive free DAW out on the market, not some deep **** like Audacity.
 
Or at least please, release the latest install files and make code-free versions of Sonar, Rapture and other pieces of software so that we can keep on using them and installing them without getting blocked by unavailable servers (because that will happen at some point).

At least the announcement talks about 'leaving the lights on' as opposed to crashing and burning it all right away, so one presumes it's expected that a management buy out is very possible or an approach from a friendly suitor.  It's public knowledge that Gibson is strapped and needs to roll over $500m in bank loans next year so they are't in a strong position to quibble much over price.  In the meantime, I hope the key guys (M & F) at Cakewalk don't jump too soon to alternative jobs, because their knowledge is the main asset.

didd
Knock on the Microsoft's door they are more fit and uptodate in PC softwares than Gibson !

Yeah! Microsoft needs to step up to the plate as zApple did with zLogic!
 
Very sad news to start the day. As everyone else is already saying... I feel very badly for The Bakers with so many years of dedicated work too!
 
So many of us have been with them for decades and I for one has my life centered around Sonar and it's use.
 
I have used others and in time I too will be forced to move on to another DAW as situations evolve, but I will cling to Sonar for quite some time I'm sure!
 
The forum! I too would like to find some way to keep it alive, but as we all slowly move on, much of the topics will cease to apply commonly as migration continues...
 
I can't say I didn't see this coming... I once was a user/employee of Soundscape who made a direct2disk multitrack for PC before pc-audio interfaces were available.... They got sold to Mackie, and then to SSL where they were finally fully folded into the company and all Soundscape products cease to survive...
 
I felt this when Roland/Tascam/Gibson purchased/sold Cakewalk and deepened with the offering of Lifetime Updates.... I wondered when the other shoe would fall and hence, the axe! <sigh>
 
Here's hoping for some kind of last minute reprieve. There must be at least one of us who is wealthy enough to make it happen...
 
I am in shock anyway!
 
My gratitude to The Bakers! All the many both with us now and of earlier times. I have always considered you and the forum members to be an extension of my life. This feels much like a bomb wiping out a large number of close relations in one swift moment...
 
<sheesh>... thinking of the other DAW's out there I don't have one I will be crazy about. that much I'm certain.!
 
I will hold onto Sonar for as long as is remotely possible... It's current status has a few sore spots that will persist forever, but it still beats the competition in everything (except sales it seems?)
 
All my Love and Gratitude to all involved... I hope the future has good things in store for the Bakers and maybe they will all merge into another DAW helping raise it to the beauty of Sonar! <sigh>...
 
Keni
 
 

This is devastating news. I have been using Sonar since the dos days. I have always trusted this company. However, I started having concerns about the stability of the company after watching it get bought and sold multiple times. Also the lifetime offer led me to believe the company needed immediate cash flow to stay a float. However, it was after Craig announced his departure is when I saw the writing on the wall. I jumped in on the lifetime offer with hope. I just cannot believe this is actually coming to an end. Noel's announcement is the typical announcement you heard from other companies that closed their doors. However, history has shown that our product will at some point reach the end-of-life and we will be forced to switch to a new DAW.
 
I invested in Studio One Professional a few months ago and have been working hard between projects to get up too speed. I guess I need to move full speed ahead in light of this news. So disappointing news. I have invested so much money in this company and love Sonar. It does not make since for me to start any new projects in Sonar since I have Studio One.

Well said Keni.

Yes, sorry for the employees.