Overview
Frequently Asked Questions for SONAR, pricing, and updates.
Introduction to SONAR
SONAR is Cakewalk’s[www.cakewalk.com] Digital Audio Workstation.
Over the last few years we’ve had the pleasure to work closely with Valve Software to bring our flagship product and other Pro Audio tools to the Steam digital marketplace.
Due to certain features inherent to the STEAM platform, SONAR is offered in a different format from that of our Direct Store.
Your SONAR Purchase
STEAM users who own SONAR have the same core application that they’d receive direct from Cakewalk or through musical instrument retailers.
As a SONAR owner on STEAM, you’ll get a range of updates from the Season Pass(es) you own.
- 2016 Passes include updates from 12.2015 to 12.2016
- 2017 Passes include updates from 12.2016 to 12.2017
- 2018 Passes include updates from 12.2017 to 12.2018
SONAR on STEAM also includes Valve related content not otherwise available.
SONAR Never Expires
As a SONAR owner, if you choose not to grab a new Season Pass, don’t worry — SONAR never expires. Period. You can keep enjoying it as you have been – you just won’t receive anymore feature updates.
Stay current with SONAR
After your SONAR Season Pass expires, you can buy an additional pass of updates for at least 50% off the regular price of your SONAR version.
Users are free to skip a year or two of passes since SONAR doesn’t expire. Passes will also be available in Steam seasonal sales events.
50% off Season Pass pricing starts May 1, 2017.
Upgrading SONAR to a more advanced edition
Starting May 1, 2017, if you want to upgrade your copy of SONAR to a more advanced edition, you simply pay the difference in the current price.
- If you own SONAR Home Studio, upgrade to Professional or Platinum for $49.99 off the regular price.
- If you own SONAR Steam Edition 2016, upgrade to SONAR Professional or Platinum for $99.99 off the regular price.
- If you own SONAR Professional, upgrade to SONAR Platinum for $199.99 off the regular price
As was started on STEAM in December 2016, we no longer offer discounts for any other editions of SONAR or from other Cakewalk products.
SONAR Lifetime Passes
For a limited time between June 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 users were able to purchase SONAR Platinum Lifetime Passes. There is no plan to offer this again in the future.
The first update was delivered January 2017 and will continue in perpetuity.
SONAR Activation & DRM
Initial registration will take place on first launch through the STEAM client.
A valid E-mail is required for activating SONAR and obtaining Cakewalk Technical Support.[www.cakewalk.com]
If you are not seeing a registration dialog box, see our troubleshooting guide: [link]
3rd Party Keys & DRM
This is optional, however users cannot use these features otherwise.