Misha

In the scope of that particular statement, as I've mentioned: "people who solely depend on every day DAW use to make a living. " - A particular DAW, regardless of their age. It has nothing to do with how "professional" one can perform / record. I will miss a few things in latest CWBL, that my 2017 doesn't have, but unless BL comes up with normal licensing options, I will surely migrate to another DAW in the next 1-2 years. We are fortunate to have so many untethered to sub choices. So true.

To be clear of where I am coming from: April 12, 2018 in official letter BL said: "We hope that you, the dedicated core of long-term SONAR users, will be able to keep creating music with your preferred workflow for decades to come" False as of 2025. ------------- 2025 Cakewalk.com FAQ: "Does Cakewalk Sonar's free license expire? Cakewalk Sonar's free license is currently indefinite" I have deep reservations about this statement basing on what was said earlier. Unlocking, selling perpetual license or keeping CWBL alive = honoring original promise.

You mean like most DAWs do? ---------- Bristol is a nice guy, I don't believe he had mean intentions.

But you are not in your teens or twenties. Younger generation has a very different take (for the most part) on music recording. Sure, "garage bands" exist, but likely a tiny fraction of what it was 20-30 years back. I don't rent tethered software that could be unplugged at oracle's will at any time they decide suits them. Same way as I don't rent socks I wear. I still prefer Cakewalk/Sonar, but no longer have desire to play the game they offer. Once/if they roll out normal licenses, I am in, unless that "process" takes prolonged amount of time. Same reason that I suspected 7 years back. They are pulling a plug on "free" software, forcefully taking it away, instead of showing their confidence in the future and simply unlocking it. Or unlocking CWBL with 1 full price of a year of subscription to new Sonar. Fair? To me, current move is heartless. I blame my laziness of not getting into alternative DAW sooner. But hey, thankfully there are choices, and who knows maybe BL will change their direction soon. The ball was always in their court. If current arrangement works for you, that is great.

In my humble opinion, there are only 5-10% of professional DAW users at any DAW world. Meaning, people who solely depend on every day DAW use to make a living. Wonder how many of those would enter a subscription model environment? Remaining 90% of DAW users, in my view, are mainly hobbyists, tinkerers, or use DAW in rare instances to complete a certain gig that requires particular software for the task. It will be interesting to get statistics on how many of non full time DAW users will give up DAWs altogether in exchange for AI generated / assisted alternatives in the next few short years. I have no plans to enter the new tethered "free", or subscription BL offerings. Pre 2018 Cakewalk version does most of I need from a DAW. Plugins fill most of what is missing. On top of that I've purchased a license to another DAW that I've started learning as a future alternative if BL doesn't squeeze untethered licensing options within next year or two. P.S. Mark said it right.

Did Bandlab gave me an option to keep using Cakewalk by bandlab, if for any reason I dislike Sonar? Nope. That is exactly what makes me think they will do it again. Unless proper license is introduced and normal USER-IN-CONTROL of activation / transfer( to another computer) etc. Like 95% of other software I use. In any case, I am happy to still have 2017 Gibson version, so my 200+ projects that I worked on for 2 decades are relatively safe for a few years regardless of what happens to bandlab.

The only thing John, you forgot to mention that they can disable Sonar free and Sonar subscription as they wish, just as they will do with Cakewalk by bandlab. Issue #1 is not gone, and now there is proof they can pull the plug at any time they wish, which doesn't happen with other companies.

but from Wukie's post from my other thread/question that he decided to lock... It will still deactivate from time to time. If for example Band Lab decides to change "something" in the software, I doubt you will have a choice of sticking to a prior version, or ability to backup/preserve particular build. Likely it's a non-issue for many, but to me it is. Unless I am wrong... Maybe team can clarify.

Does free version of Sonar disables itself after a while and/or forces updates like CWBL, or its one time activate and done, with user in charge whether update or not to next patch? Thanks.

SirWilly, Thank you! Going with your suggestion, I found even simpler method. Click on a track, Edit>Select All, Hold Ctrl, rt click over FX > delete all. Same for busses. This is easier in my case, as I wanted all FX gone from all tracks to re-do mix from scratch.

I have a project that I want to remix completely from scratch, maybe even do a couple of variants. Currently I have dozens of FX on it. I was wondering if there is a way to delete all VSTs fx from tracks and busses in bulk? Thank you.

Sure, that's why ~1/2 DAWs have subscription models aside from perpetual. But that (subscription) mainly has to do with number of plugins and content that is available to users. Cloud and all that bologna. I sincerely doubt that good % of people are just renting core program. Recently Ashwin offered a straw of hope, mentioning that number of plugins are being worked on and maybe they will squeeze perpetual licenses when they have some new bells and whistles ready. Hopefully, instability of global markets will turn some gears in BL world to come up with licenses sooner than later, while people still have some money to spend. Hill62, I am very interested how your tone would change if lets say price goes up to something that you are not comfortable with or something will change in the program itself that will completely make it unacceptable to you, or company exchanges hands and shuts brand down. What happens to your projects, time and money you had invested in renting?

Wookiee mentions Adobe, but not the other.... 95% of similar software., where at least, as rightfully mentioned you are able to keep last version that you paid for. Adobe Audition is about 2% of global DAW users. Same goes for Cakewalk/Sonar. - about 2%. That's what internets say. A median, "optimistic" guestimate, both combined - 5% of all DAW users. Some of us still have hope, that BL will hear users that refuse to rent....

What is not definite is the activation that is being held hostage. You would think that after the release of new product they would be confident enough to finally stop tethered activations (and collecting data) and permanently unlock outgoing product.

Read reply by Ashwin. It seems they are in the process of forging some things. While I have almost no use for stock plugins, my hope is the new "toys" will finally trigger a process of perpetual licenses, which is given as possible reason by Ashwin. I guess we shall see where this is all going in the next few months.