Introducing Cakewalk Next and our new brand identity

[IgoRr]

Personally, I will not switch to any other DAW under any temptations, and not because I am a stupid fanatic, but because I came to Cakewalk (still the old Cakewalk Aduio 4) consciously in the process of trying different DAWs. I liked the versions of the X line, especially the latest releases, I liked the Platinum version the most, and when the brand was closed, I was not too upset, because I had in my hands the best DAV at that time! And now I'm absolutely not worried, because I have the current version of Cakewalk by Bandlab.

So, any one commercial or technical changes (except for deterioration), will change my admiration and pleasure to work with Cakewalk products! Thanks to all the people who took and take part in their development and bringing to perfection!

Edited June 6, 2023 by IgoRr

[sjoens]

39 minutes ago, Noel Borthwick said:

For those afraid of the software deactivating, there are models that allow you to purchase an annual (non-expiring) license. This is what we did in the SONAR days. An annual license is no different from buying the software outright.

Which means you can use it long after. It won't stop working once the year is up. You just won't get any updates. 

It will be just like it is now - older versions of Sonar can be installed and used without any outside interaction - as long as you have the serials & registration codes.

Just as they did with Sonar, people are confusing "subscriptions" with this.

[rfssongs]

7 hours ago, Carlos Iglesias said:

Won't they fall into the subscription error again? with Gibson it did not work.

I want to say it out loud, I am not interested in a subscription.

[ancjava]

The FAQ suggest a bit vaguely that the last (still to be relased) version of CbB will remain avalible. I would kindly ask the staff to clear few things here:
- won't this final version stay avalible forever and will not deactivate with no re activation avalible
- will the final version remain avalible to download from the cakewalk site or do we have to keep the installers?

[Bruno de Souza Lino]

3 minutes ago, sjoens said:

Just as they did with Sonar, people are confusing "subscriptions" with this.

There's no this yet, which means it could actually be subscription.

[Bruno de Souza Lino]

Another concern I'm seeing is...your current system requirements for both are quite high even in comparison to heavy hitters like Ableton Live, Bitwig and FL Studio. Let's hope they're not actually 8-core and 16 GB of RAM minimum.

[sjoens]

5 minutes ago, Bruno de Souza Lino said:

There's no this yet, which means it could actually be subscription.

They may offer one, but Noel's quote above indicates there will be options.

[Bruno de Souza Lino]

6 minutes ago, sjoens said:

They may offer one, but Noel's quote above indicates there will be options.

Personally, the sort of "we are still discussing pricing/payment options" coupled with asking what bothers people about subscription plans then citing one "advantage" of them is a good indicator that they'll either offer subscription plans for both with a perpetual option, only Next will be subscription based or both will be subscription based with no perpetual license option. Until more information is released about the pricing, I'm expecting the worst, followed by an endless barrage of excuses at to why it was a good thing because there are a lot of advantages in subscription plans...For whoever offers them.

I hope I am dead wrong on everything I'm saying but the whole statement, followed by the current lack of transparency makes me think otherwise.

Edited June 6, 2023 by Bruno de Souza Lino

[Misha]

Bruno, 

I agree, requirements are pretty steep for "average" machine.

A good and noble reason to maintain current CbB version available is... It is almost certain, many folks from less fortunate countries already adopted to it in the past several years, and since there are no compatibility issues with Win11, it should last for years "as is" with very minimal maintenance.  

 

P.S. Very curious if new versions will have classic "mercury" skin

 

 

 

 

 

[sjoens]

Looks like SI Suite has option to hide the Pattern Browser or has removed it:

[rfssongs]

1 hour ago, Noel Borthwick said:

We're still hashing out the details of pricing/payment models. What bothers you most about subscription? It's essentially a pay as you go lease model and is beneficial for those who can't justify putting down a lumpsum of cash at one time...
For those afraid of the software deactivating, there are models that allow you to purchase an annual (non-expiring) license. This is what we did in the SONAR days. An annual license is no different from buying the software outright.
 

I won't rent a house either.

[MarianoGF]

45 minutes ago, Bruno de Souza Lino said:

Next - Subscription based with all the stuff from SPlat. Or priced with the good old marketing strategy of diverting your attention away from that so you think you're actually saving money with the subscription.

I don't think so. I guess Next is a simple app to make music, with easy to use synths, libraries and good sound quality. So similar to BandLab app, that I still can't understand the meaning of its (upcoming) existance.

[Alastair Cardwell]

1 hour ago, Noel Borthwick said:

We're still hashing out the details of pricing/payment models. What bothers you most about subscription? 

I would be happy to pay a lump sum for the new version but have no interest in a subscription only model. The problem with subscriptions is that there comes a point where you just can't afford any more subscriptions! Or circumstances can change and you have to cut back on subscriptions. If it is the pay or loose access to your work model then you have a problem.

[gustabo]

24 minutes ago, Bruno de Souza Lino said:

Another concern I'm seeing is...your current system requirements for both are quite high even in comparison to heavy hitters like Ableton Live, Bitwig and FL Studio. Let's hope they're not actually 8-core and 16 GB of RAM minimum.

Suggested specs are the words I see used, not requirements

[MarianoGF]

In the website videos I see Next so similar to BandLab app, that I still can't understand the meaning of its (upcoming) existence. But maybe it's too early to take conclusions.

Edited June 6, 2023 by MarianoGF

[Bruno de Souza Lino]

3 minutes ago, gustabo said:

Suggested specs are the words I see used, not requirements

Suggested specs were also the words the people at TakeTwo used to describe the minimum requirements for KSP2 and you couldn't even run the game properly with a machine better than those.

Edited June 6, 2023 by Bruno de Souza Lino

[Herky Acuff]

Haha, I have bad luck. Purchased full Sonar a few months before it became free as Cakewalk By Bandlab. Now, maybe have to buy it again...

(Not bitter, it will most likely be worth it).

[Noel Borthwick]

53 minutes ago, Starship Krupa said:

I would like see CbB remain available as a way to check out some of the features in CS, as a fully-functioning demo.

Sonar itself will run as demo for a 15 day trial period.

[Noel Borthwick]

1 hour ago, Misha said:

Noel, 

Thank you for your reply!

Subscription is definitely something I am not interested in. While I own many great software titles, none are subscription.  I like to own my software. Personal preference. And for that matter most of musicians I know will not touch "subscription" model. 

"For those afraid of the software deactivating, there are models that allow you to purchase an annual (non-expiring) license. "

Noel, pretty please, small clarification.

"Annual" means no expiry / no deactivation after one year,   just no further free updates after the year, right?

P.S. I do believe in supporting good software that I like very much, and I am certain team will come up with reasonable non-subscription competitive  pricing. Just subscription in not my thing. "Waves" surely proved very recently that subscription only is not what their customers wanted

 

>>"Annual" means no expiry / no deactivation after one year,   just no further free updates after the year, right?

Exactly. We were one of the few companies offering this model even in the SONAR days. How it works is you either pay for 12 consecutive monthly subs OR you purchase a one year subscription upfront. In both scenarios the last months version is permanently unlocked for you and you own it.  This is essentially no different than buying an annual version of the software outright. Many people who dislike subscription are unaware that we always did this.

Also, an advantage of monthly subscription was that once you crossed the 12 month boundary you could continue consecutive monthly subs for however long as you want and you would always own the last version you paid for.

All subs are not bad and are actually better for some people who prefer paying in smaller increments. So definitely read the fine print.

Disclaimer: To be clear I'm not saying that this is going to be our model. We're still very much working out the details here. I was quoting how it was done in the SONAR days and saying not all subscription schemes are the same. 

 

[Misha]

Cool!