CSistine

IMHO they only update the plugin manager, not most plugins anymore! What a farce!

Frankly, I was aware of this before. But I assume that the re-activation for the new Free Sonar is the same as it has been for CbB in the last months, i.e. re-activation each month. But I don't know if there is still an offline (re-)activation available as with CbB.

As far as I have seen, in the beginning of this deal there were more exceptions, but they have dropped some!

Sadly they have also taken away the possibility to download installers by yourself. Frankly, I still prefer to install manually, especially if there is no information in the Installation Manager what has changed on a plugin! There are so many PA updates that I could skip, because they only effect Mac, Apple, other daws or trivialities. But YMMV. By the way most of the time I just had to download 1 single installer. Now the IM has to update itself, I have to search after the appropriate plugin and the IM has to download and install. Also, it misses a configurable download path.

I think nowadays there are so many warnings and nag screens that almost no one (not only fools!) reads them all. Be honest, have you always read all of them (nag screens, EULAs, terms of service ...)? By the way it's the same with those modern European cars with 1000 warning sounds: Almost no one will take them seriously! Sometimes less is more!

But in this case there is no automatic re-activation as someone mentioned above. IMO the offline re-activation is quite cumbersome (if it still exists at all) to do each month on 2 systems (in the past when it had been after half a year I accomplished it though).

Note: This is only true if you are always online! I don't think that the majority of users are always online or can always guarantee that a connection is possible all the time (whether it's on their end, at the internet provider, somewhere in the internet access path or at the provider (BandLab) side).

IMHO that's a misconception that subs go to updates and fixes that the users really want. But it is true that it supports the developers, but they are free to use it for whatever they want (fancy ideas), i.e. they don't have to follow the customer demands. It is like with state organisations, mostly it leads to dissipation, they get lazy in this way. I think it is better if a developer has perpetual major versions and then the customer has to pay again for a next major version. With this concept the customer has the last word whether the new version is worth it, i.e. the developer has to implement asked requirements to get new payments. Also the customers have more control over their budget. But YMMV.

This is exactly the point that many don't understand! Especially re-activation is a PITA! I've had a lot of software turning suddenly to non-authorized, even if I did not install any new hardware! I am a fan of the old authorization way (like Sonar X3) as some probably have understood. 😆 IMHO it's the only fair way to the customer. But nowadays there are many companies that try to enslave their users using some kind of obscure, murky online authorization and installation to manipulate them, to snatch their money and to force them updates. This is even true for so called "free" software. Just look how many don't clarify on their sites how authorization is managed, nor what is going on behind the scene! This is also the reason why I prefer iLok over online authorization, it is definitely more transparent and clearly only used for authorization!

I like it. It seems to be something similar like DeEdger of Tokyo Dawn Labs. Though if you don't like iLok authorization (Sonnox Soften), then DeEdger is for you, because with this one you get a simple authorization file (it can be used without internet connection! 👍). By the way DeEdger is currently on sale at AudioDeluxe ($29.00).

I advise everyone to ditch the new Sonar exactly because of such reasons. It is very risky, especially if you want to use projects in a longer term. But YMMV, use it to your own risk!

Strange, that never happened to me for Sonnox plugins neither in offline nor in online usage.

That's what I meant with "innovative". But your're right my wording is a bit overdone. 😆

At last, a really innovative new idea for a plugin! This is very rare, as most plugin providers redo the plugins we have since 15+ years! I am very excited to test it. I have seen a lot of issues with transient detection in plugins and daws, particularly on non percussion stuff. I hope they do better!

What I have noticed: Some companies have implemented some kind of iLok authorization "help" that is online and IMHO it is not of help at all (UAD is a very bad example)! But in most cases you can avoid that this code performs by doing the iLok authorization first with the iLok manager (either on a dongle or on the machine), i.e. before you scan the plugin. By the way, sometimes there are issues with other authorization types, too. E.g. since United Plugins use the Melda authorization code (by the way both use a good file authorization), I had several times the DAW process hanging. I think it has some dependence on the windows and popups coming up, i.e. when I was not patient enough (oh, it took sooo long), it hijacked the process. 😒

I have reverted from CbB to Sonar Platinum a year ago. So far all my old projects did open without issues, as I had never used new features like the Arranger or Articulation Map (this was intuition!). I even opened some projects in X3 with success. The only thing is a warning coming up when the project is loaded.

By the way, I had an MGB GT once (1995), when it was discontinued a long time ago. But it was no problem, I could drive with it without issues!

No problem for Windowers, but you are right for Macies and alike!

I have the feeling that they want to have an apology for stopping development of Sonar. It's kind of strange how they do all to get rid of their users! I guess in the last 2 years the exodus from Sonar has been minimum so bad like after the Gibson thing. But I have no numbers really, it's just my impression reading on different forums.

There are many products on the market that appeared 15 or more years ago. And if I look at cars, then I even claim their quality was better than today, but YMMV. Back to plugins: I noticed that most providers haven't done any real changes in the last 5 years, except compatibility to macOS + Apple Silicon (e.g. PA). Frankly, why do a lot of people always expect improvement for things that are already quite perfect? I would rather await new plugins in areas that are not or almost not covered. I would have several ideas/requirements.

I compared it(iLok) to CR = challenge response based authorization. For the customer that one is the most "dangerous" one, because it totally depends on the company (either insolvency or product drop). It's especially risky if a product requires periodical re-authorization (like CbB, Sonar).

I have purchased the Oxford DeClicker, because I have the DrumGate and that one is an extraordinary plugin. IMHO Sonnox is a superior plugin company and with iLok authorization you have a kind of guaranty that plugin usage is guaranteed, contrary to CR where you rely on the mercy of the company and its existance. CR is ***** of the customer, because he never knows whether or how long he can use what he has paid for! Frankly, nowadays I am reluctant to use CR plugins in projects that are important for me for more than a year (it's all caused by the experience with some developers)!

I guess I have it not yet installed on my 3rd machine that is W11. But I am quite sure it runs without issues. The other 2 pcs, where I have installed it, are W10.

Yes, when BandLab increased the re-authorization cycle to 4 weeks, I dropped CbB and now I use Platinum and Reaper. (I use 3 systems, 2 of them offline and the re-auth takes not some seconds as someone pretended above. For all 3 it takes minimum 1 hour and it is a hassle; one pc is in another building). By the way I also installed Sonar X3 and I wondered that there is not a lot I am missing!

Very early in the beginning of CbB I remarked that the re-activation of a "free" DAW is very suspicious. The top developer told me then that it is only to collect some information about usage ... What a mean lie! I think this kind of "free" is just a trial with undefined duration! Not usable if you want to do some serious work with it IMHO, but YMMV!