Don't be embarrassed, i was confused by the price model as well. Tbh, it is confusing in itself, in contrast to a one time payment for a software license, which is pretty straight forward. With a subscription model, you always have to fear hidden, or clouded costs, and the real price is never clear, which is a shame.GeorgK wrote: I was obviously confused by the information on the Cakewalk homepage. Therefore my general comments on the prices are incorrect. Sorry.
Introducing the new SONAR: New lineup, new features, plus membership
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- KVRAF
- 35671 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
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- KVRist
- 120 posts since 13 Sep, 2007 from Austria
Sorry for spreading wrong information.
Especially the "starting as low as" phrase which somehow indicates that this would be the minimum annual costs, is quite misleading. I see that there was also some confusion in the cakewalk forum.
Prices look more reasonable now, although still on the heavy side.
In general, the "membership" model does not make much sense. I guess Sonar is still NFR, which can be a cost factor.
G.
Especially the "starting as low as" phrase which somehow indicates that this would be the minimum annual costs, is quite misleading. I see that there was also some confusion in the cakewalk forum.
Prices look more reasonable now, although still on the heavy side.
In general, the "membership" model does not make much sense. I guess Sonar is still NFR, which can be a cost factor.
G.
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- KVRAF
- 35671 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
Does anyone know what that "Starting as low as" is supposed to mean? Really sounds like as if there were different payment models within the different... payment models actually. Also judging if the prices are reasonable or not would be dependent on how often Cakewalk used to bring out a new version of Sonar. If they usually brought out a new version every year, the pricing would be reasonable, if they brought out a new version every 2 years, you'd kind of pay double with the subscription model, and so on. Although that might be wrong too, if they totally scratch the "version" thing. All in all, i must say that i really dislike these subscription models. It's confusing, and you never know if you have achieved a good deal, or if you've been ripped off.
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- KVRAF
- 3389 posts since 7 Aug, 2008
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- KVRAF
- 6159 posts since 4 Dec, 2004
No biggie George. I mean, I don't work for Cakewalk and have never purchased any of their products so no skin off my back. I've seen similar things all over the place even though the pricing grid there is clearly laid out and legible and there's nothing all that confusing about it imo.
Change. It always causes mucho drama.
I just briefly read some of the Sonar forums and no matter how many times people post the link to the pricing page people keep asking wacky questions based on incorrect pricing.
"So... I gotta pay $50 a month to keep using Sonar!?!?"
It's a little batshit nuts over there.
Change. It always causes mucho drama.
I just briefly read some of the Sonar forums and no matter how many times people post the link to the pricing page people keep asking wacky questions based on incorrect pricing. "So... I gotta pay $50 a month to keep using Sonar!?!?"
It's a little batshit nuts over there.
Last edited by LawrenceF on Wed Jan 14, 2015 9:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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- KVRAF
- 3389 posts since 7 Aug, 2008
I think the subscription model helps grab those folks who (a) want the product now and (b) are unlikely to truly save for it over in order to buy it. (i.e. "What!? It's $99? I'll never be able to buy that. Oh...wait, you mean I can get it now and only have to pay $10 today. Okay, I'm in!") It psychologically "feels" cheaper to "just" pay $10 a month. Of course, though, it's cheaper to buy the full deal at once, but somehow I think it's easier for people to justify the monthly payment model.
It likely also provides consistent revenue throughout the year rather than concentrated on a few periods of time in a year.
My general Cakewalk rule: Let others be the first ones in the water.
It likely also provides consistent revenue throughout the year rather than concentrated on a few periods of time in a year.
My general Cakewalk rule: Let others be the first ones in the water.
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- KVRAF
- 35671 posts since 11 Apr, 2010 from Germany
Good point, but are you sure you can keep it for a 1 month subscription? Maybe it requires a 12-month subscription minimum to be able to keep it. So many constellations possible, which haven't at all been covered by the info on their site yet unfortunately.jsp1979 wrote:I think the subscription model helps grab those folks who (a) want the product now and (b) are unlikely to truly save for it over in order to buy it. (i.e. "What!? It's $99? I'll never be able to buy that. Oh...wait, you mean I can get it now and only have to pay $10 today. Okay, I'm in!") It psychologically "feels" cheaper to "just" pay $10 a month. Of course, though, it's cheaper to buy the full deal at once, but somehow I think it's easier for people to justify the monthly payment model.
Ok, maybe should read the info myself a bit better...
So, yep, a 12-month membership required to be able to keep the software. Fair enough of course, would be stupid to be able to keep it after a 10$ one time payment.Best of all, after 12 months of SONAR membership you get to keep everything you've received - even if you choose not to renew.
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- KVRAF
- 6159 posts since 4 Dec, 2004
It's all in the FAQ on the website. All the same questions people keep asking over and over. Scroll down the page linked below, it's all there in the FAQ, the "What happens if I ...?" questions.
Like users manuals, nobody really reads it.
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Membership
Cakewalk should pay me.
Like users manuals, nobody really reads it.
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Membership
Cakewalk should pay me.
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- KVRian
- 1160 posts since 14 Oct, 2006 from france
My general cakewalk steinberg presonus ableton... hermm... daw rule : let others be the first ones in the water.jsp1979 wrote: My general Cakewalk rule: Let others be the first ones in the water.
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- KVRist
- 312 posts since 29 Dec, 2007
Same thinking here instantly.bosone wrote:New membership scheme could mean that we will never see special upgrades prices!!
I'm still on sonar 8.5p and I received a 70$oder for x3. But I did not upgrades cause I thought it would be better to wait for x4... Now probably I will never have the same opportunity at such a low price! :-/
I could kinda like the new model, but will we ever see holiday price yet? It was something making me close to decision last month, now I probably decide to wait for it to jump in if ever.
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- KVRist
- 397 posts since 22 Dec, 2009
All I know is their "single signon" is a mess! I switched over a few weeks ago and it appears to have completely lost my account! The "Lost My Password" says it sent me a new email and it's neither in my inbox nor my spam blocker. I have a copy of everything but I hope my licenses didn't just go POOF!
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- KVRist
- 397 posts since 22 Dec, 2009
As for the annuity pricing... no thanks. I like to pay and be done with it. I know they don't cut off if you stop paying but I'm not confident that they won't in the future and I wouldn't want to contribute to anything that would encourage that behavior!