CSistine

I don't prefer everything in Reaper, but it has a lot of very strong features! Just some things I like: Simple authorization that works without issues (you get an authorization file that can be used totally offline) Portable installation (=install into a single folder, even on an usb drive) Installation/update of a new version goes just some seconds!!! (installation size about 210 MB only, installer is about 15 MB only) The fastest plugin rescan (for new ones) that I know! Great export functionality (like Sonar or even better) Extensive batch functionality (conversions, plugin chains ....) Super stable and fast, also with plugins Excellent time stretching and audio quantizing functionality There's almost nothing (that other daws can do) you can't do with it ....

IMHO the best DAW would be ReaOnar! 😆 But there is not much hope for it!

YMMV! I still prefer the old tempo map and export dialog (very clearly arranged). Also, even in CbB I still use the old plugin manager (separate exe). But I really would miss e.g. the visual clip gain adjustment and the plugin replace, maybe more ...

Can X3 be authorized completely offline? It would be great to know since I still have my serial inclusive the installer files! Sure I would miss a couple of bug fixes and maybe about 2 new features, but I could really live without the other newer stuff!

I found out the following problem: Create a new project Insert an audio track Set the interleave to Mono Add PSP InfiniStrip Mono (VST3) Cakewalk terminates immediately without message In Sonar Platinum and in the other DAWs that I own it works without issue on mono tracks! In CbB it only works if the interleave is stereo. I am still working with CbB 2022.11 (built 021). As soon as the offline installation is available I will also test this in the current CbB version (2023.09). Can anyone else confirm the issue?

Frankly, for me this does not sound promising! Especially if I consider my experiences with Cakewalk the last 7 years!

Phew, it was difficult to find in all those long threads! It took me minimum a quarter of an hour! Here is short the important quote, Noel said: "The only reason it's being kept active for now (CbB) is to provide users time to transition to the upcoming (paid) Sonar product." IMHO this implies a more or less short time, even if no exact period is mentioned! But I guess it won't be years that they provide to make the transition!

Hell, I paid too much! 😄

In the newest version of Reaper (I don't know if before) you can open "Help > About Reaper > Tab=Purchase"! There you can see how long your license is valid ("Valid through").

The only question is what discontinued really means? I hope your optimism turns out to be right! 😉 Why did they emphasize discontinuation if they already had stated that development goes to Sonar?

AFAIK if you have the previous installer (2022.11) saved and its activation is not run out (the old one), you can install that version and it runs! But as soon as the old activation is over, you cannot run it anymore.

In the release notes they wrote: "CbB will eventually be discontinued as future development and support will transition to the upcoming Cakewalk Sonar release.". And there are other hints that say we will have enough time to prepare/choose the paid version that fits us! These are obvious signs that the time for using CbB is soon over. But hey, I like that there are people like you that are optimistic regardless! 😄

Yes and no, 'cos it is now more like a trial! You are able to use it as long as they allow you to re-authorize (and they mentioned it will not be for long)!

This is exactly why I hate all those online/login authorization products! In the end you realize that you have bought a cheat package, because you never know how long you can use them even if you have a compatible computer system! God save Reaper, Mixbus, Klanghelm, Toneboosters, AudioThing, Black Rooster, Acon Digital, Audiority, Boz Digital, ... and all the free plugins! 😄

I'm still waiting for offline activation! 😉 Hope it will come before my CbB versions require re-activation!

I have quite some rewards now, but it's always difficult for me to find something in the APD shop! Too much cinematic and atmospheric stuff, or still too expensive!

It's nice that you know what I need! 😄 No, seriously mono tracks makes sense with the use of plugins! Even if you can set VST3 plugins to use only one channel this is a PITA to set it for each plugin and you cannot do it for VST2 plugins. And the overhead of stereo (if you really don't need it) is essential with some plugins. Sometimes it blows up the interface needlessly!

The feature I have been waiting for in Reaper, is still not there: Mono tracks! For me this is the biggest shortage of Reaper! But probably this is never being realized!

This reminds me of the 80s where I invested all available money in a Tascam 38 recorder (8-track, 1/2"). Today I could never afford it! 😄 I feel empathy for him! There is some truth in it! But you are right, the quality of digital is surely much better, especially for small studios! But I liked recording with tape or digital hardware recorders, because IMO it was/is easier to focus on the music (recording). With computers it's easy to wander off, to get focused on something else! 😄 That's also the reason why I prefer to have no internet on music computers! Also with computer recording I usually make too many takes ('cos it just takes some disk space). This causes a lot of time wasted to choose the right ones! 😆

Nonetheless the best recordings were made with tape and not with a computer IMHO!

The only difference with tapes was that you had almost no bugs and no software hassles (updates...). It was more straight forward. Though I agree that it was really expensive and with less functionality! 😄

A lot of subs!

I could get for about $50 in 2021 at everyplugin. I had to wait a long time, 'cos it was rarely on sale and that had been a very special opportunity! I like it, it is a very great, exceptional plugin!

Especially with code "group"!

Somehow you are right! On the other hand I regret that I have choosen Cakewalk! I have invested years in learning how to use it and generally I like its workflow and features. But all these up and downs, where I was in doubt whether I still are able to use it in the future (like now)! It resulted in hours and hours where I did something else than music (e.g. compare daws), lost time, was frustrated! That's what I like with Reaper, you have the certainty that you can use your license as long as a version runs on any of your existing or new computers! Thus you're able to edit/finish your projects. Based on my experience this is an important aspect that has to be considered when choosing a daw! But YMMV.