CW, here to stay, or going away

[SloHand Solo]

I see these articles every few days on DAW shootouts and new releases.  Some of the ones who dare to mention the vastly superior, Cakewalk, say that it's going to be discontinued or will be changing to a paid version.  But it always seems to be BS.

This article says, "The best free DAWs are Waveform Free and Cakewalk by BandLab. Unfortunately, Cakewalk will soon be discontinued."

That's not true, right

Review...

[Byron Dickens]

Not again!

There's only about 500 threads on this.

[user905133]

1 hour ago, SloHand Solo said:

I see these articles every few days on DAW shootouts and new releases.  Some of the ones who dare to mention the vastly superior, Cakewalk, say that it's going to be discontinued or will be changing to a paid version.  But it always seems to be BS.

This article says, "The best free DAWs are Waveform Free and Cakewalk by BandLab. Unfortunately, Cakewalk will soon be discontinued."

That's not true, right

The bottom line, "It will be replaced by a new version of SONAR and will no longer be freeware" is partially true.  Cakewalk by Bandlab (CbB) (which is rooted in SONAR) is in the process of being discontinued.  It still works.  We can still use it.  Bandlab has announced two new products will be coming out Cakewalk Next and Cakewalk Sonar.

There is plenty of information (and discussion) of this. Some things are known to the public, but since Cakewalk Next and Cakewalk Sonar have not yet been released as purchasable products, we will have to wait until information / details are released (such as about when and how much).

40 minutes ago, Byron Dickens said:

Not again!

I agree that we don't need yet another thread.

@SloHand Solo  You can read the discussions and points raised in other threads.  As a long-time user of Cakewalk/SONAR software I am confident that when there's news about pricing and availability, it will be announced. 

Edited November 2, 2023 by User 905133
edit

[DeeringAmps]

20 hours ago, Byron Dickens said:

Not again!

Yup!

Hey, look on the bright side; we’re in before the lock!

?

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[Starship Krupa]

Forum search function, missing or just invisible?

BPB are 

21 hours ago, SloHand Solo said:

This article says, "The best free DAWs are Waveform Free and Cakewalk by BandLab. Unfortunately, Cakewalk will soon be discontinued."

That's not true, right

I can't speak to the part about Waveform, but Cakewalk, as a free program, is being discontinued.

It will be replaced in BandLab's portfolio by Cakewalk Sonar (mixed case), which will be a paid product. So the only thing incorrect about BPB's article is the punctuation of Sonar.

People who are looking for free DAW software because they don't have the budget for it should stay away from Cakewalk by BandLab for that reason. I'd consider CbB at this stage to be a free demo for Sonar. We don't yet know what the license fees will be for Sonar.

[whoisp]

So what about the current Cakewalk, will it still work? But basically one day when we update windows or load a new plug its will stop working or something along those lines 

[Promidi]

I am so glad I can hide threads on here.

[Will.]

Anyone  with a key, PLEASE use this one. 

 

[John Vere]

The thing I find odd is people ask these questions and all they needed to do is Google it and get an instant response. Here’s what I got by asking “Is Cakewalk Obsolete?”
 

[Byron Dickens]

Or take a peek at any of the 13,562 other threads on it....

[Jimbobalewski]

So with the new version will I have to pay for it? How much will it cost? How do I activate the older versions? Will it still work in Windows 10?  Will I have to buy a new computer? What kind of computer should I buy? Why haven't I ever found any bugs?

[John Vere]

We are not allowed to discuss this topic. There are at least 100 pages already here you can read at your leisure.  

[Magic Russ]

55 minutes ago, John Vere said:

We are not allowed to discuss this topic. There are at least 100 pages already here you can read at your leisure.  

Most of which contain no useful information because they have turned into food fights over payment plans.

[jfrommichigan]

On 11/3/2023 at 10:09 AM, Starship Krupa said:

I'd consider CbB at this stage to be a free demo for Sonar.

That's a really good way of putting it !

[chuckebaby]

Whatever this company decides for its future, It has already paid it forward. This DAW has been free for 5 years with continuous updates.

I'm not sure how BPB has Traction #1 on that list. Cakewalk by Bandlab has way more features. I've been pleasantly surprised in the direction Cakewalk has taken. Anything they have offered the past 5 years was a free extra. It's been great.

[Mark Morgon-Shaw]

I am ready for New Sonar...................your move Bandlab