CSistine

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!

It would be great if BandLab would do the same as Tracktion, i.e. make CbB, that is some kind of previous version, kompletely free (without re-activation requirement). This would be a really generous, token gesture! 😉

The license for usually 2 major versions is perpetual! But yes, you are right it is not for all major updates. 2nd: My license that I bought is still valid for updates after 5 years!!!

There are certain differences, too: You can buy a perpetual license for Reaper (it is totally offline!) for only $60 if you are an individual that makes no or not a lot of money from your music! The evaluation version is not sold as "free", it is meant to be for evaluation. If you want a real free capable daw, then you may use Tracktion.Waveform. The second newest version is always free (can also be installed totally offline). Sorry, forum guards that I infringed the rules here! But such comparisons above demand a response.

This is only half the truth! It is if you are always online!!! I have seen a lot of people having trouble with the required browser login since the developers introduced this in CbB! It's following the motto "if it's simple make it more complex"! 2. The complains about having no ThemeEditor anymore: Democrathy in the user - company relation is not modern anymore! Nowadays developers force a lot of things to their users, if they like it or not!

BandLab have changed the rules for CbB IMHO, as they altered the re-authorization interval from 6 months to some weeks (2 or 4). For me this was a crucial cut, because my major systems run offline usually and the new interval a) introduced to many chores and b) ruined my confidence in the company. I guess that BL will soon stop CbB with the introduction of the "free" SONAR. Again, this would be an essential shift for the people using CbB, because they would be forced to change their installations/habits/workflows. And besides the functionality is probably reduced in some areas.

For me a software is not really free if I have to re-authorize each month! Someone above said it correctly, essentially it is a free subscription and that means you can not trust in it IMO. You'll never know how long you can open and edit your projects that costed you hundreds of hours. That's too risky, especially if you have learned how open this company is actually! I have spent and lost so many hours to trust in them. No, I am healed! They can keep their pseudo-free stuff! I jumped the boat with an uncertain feeling. But now I am glad I did. Mixing the last album I used my new DAW for all but one song. Already now after less than a year I miss some functionality of my new daw in Sonar. I never expected that happen so quickly! No instabilities and performance issues any more!