The Musician's Digital Audio Workstation: SONAR 8.5

seth_kelloggIf you saw our ads for Guitar Tracks Pro 4, then you already know that 3 out of 4 Cakewalk employees are guitar players.  In fact, many Cakewalk employees are also full-time musicians, using Cakewalk products to record, mix and master their own projects.

When it came time to design the new features in SONAR 8.5, we focused on what we felt would be the absolute best enhancements to help us all be more creative and produce better sounding music. We added new beat creation and arrangement tools, a new drum instrument loaded with stellar sounding kits, enhanced audio quantizing, new multi-stage effects plug-ins, and much more.

To honor the new and improved version of SONAR,  we’ve added the Created by Musicians page to Cakewalk.com to share with you our own musical talents and favorite features in SONAR 8.5.

Huge Savings on Gifts for Musicians During Cakewalk's Holiday Sale

Kick off the holidays with enormous savings on popular products from Cakewalk, Native Instruments, IK Multimedia, and more. Get a heads start on your holiday shopping as these specials are available for a limited time only! Along with savings of over 80% on select products, you can also download free plug-ins, get special discounts on PCAudioLabs computers, and much more.

Holiday Banner-Cakewalk

Need some ideas for gift-giving this year? Click on over to Cakewalk’s Holiday Gift Guide to find the perfect gift for the music lovers in your life.

Shop and Save today at Cakewalk.com

SONAR 8.5 Leaves You Fully-Satisfied

stepsequencerImpressed with SONAR 8.5’s wealth of new tools and workflow enhancements, Music Radar gives the ‘half update’ 5 out 5 stars! Among the reviewer’s favorite additions were SONAR’s Matrix view, Arpeggiator and effects processors (VX-64 vocal strip and PX-64 percussion strip).

“Percussion and Vocal Strips rock! Step Sequencer is much more useful. Arpeggiator presets are a goldmine. Matrix View encourages spontaneity. Solid performance. The most comprehensive Windows DAW.”

In all, says Music Radar, SONAR 8.5 may be labeled a ‘half’ upgrade but it is well worth the price!

Cakewalk Offers Free Synths & FX Plugins

square1Yes, it’s true. Cakewalk is now offering our classic synths and effects processors for FREE Topping the list of the ’90s classics is the SFZ+ and Square I synths.  The Cakewalk Audio FX series of effects plug-ins are also now available for no charge via the Cakewalk online store.

SFZ+ is rgc:audio’s revolutionary SoundFont player sample-playback engine, packed in a professional VST/DXi instrument.  Outstanding sound quality, stereo built-in effects, adjustable CPU/quality settings to adjust it to your hardware, fully multitimbral operation, multiple stereo outputs, several loading modes including direct-from-disk streaming and a beautiful interface make sfz+ the perfect choice for SoundFont users and professional composers.

Square I offers the warmness and classic sound of the vintage analog synthesizers, combined with the fidelity and precision of a VST instrument.  A simple synthesizer, oriented to the serious music enthusiast. High quality sound with a warm and easy layout, perfect to learn synth programming: all controls in one panel for instant access, clear and distinctive sections. The built-in effects add depth to the sound and convenience to the sound programming.

Cakewalk Audio FX 1 is a series of real-time audio processing plug-ins. All Cakewalk Audio FX plug-ins are Microsoft DirectX- compatible, allowing you to use them with any digital audio software that supports DirectX – including Cakewalk SONAR and other Cakewalk applications.

Looking for a way to warmup your digital audio – but can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on vintage analog or tube gear?  Now you can with Cakewalk Audio FX 2.  Created by precise measurement and analysis, Audio FX 2 uses advanced processing algorithms to apply the classic sound and warmth of several different vintage guitar amplifiers and analog tape decks to your digital audio.

Now you can make audio tracks sound like they were recorded in almost any room you can imagine. Cakewalk Audio FX 3 SoundStage allows you to design acoustic environments in which to play back digital audio, resulting in unique, realistic reverb. Audio FX 3 Features Two Views: Performer’s View and Room View. To create the perfect room, just click and drag your mouse to move walls and change ceiling height. Choose from different microphones, and place them inside the room. Then assign each audio track to different “performer” positions to hear custom reverb on each track. When you’re finished, save your soundstage for other sessions, or use as a template for other designs. Audio FX 3 includes ready-to-use soundstages too.

Visit the Cakewalk Online Store for more hot deals this holiday season!

Recording Magazine Features USB Interfaces in Gift Guide

Recording Magazine, Dec 09 COVERIn a few days, Recording Magazine will release their annual ‘Holiday Gift Guide’ (December 2009) with 30+ reviews on today’s most desirable audio products. Cakewalk is honored to have made the list with our new line of affordable USB Interfaces.

Compact and versatile, these Audio & MIDI interfaces are perfect for those just starting out with home recording and those looking for another piece to add to their gig bag. Priced just under $100, these items feature a variety of I/O options, included software bundles and are Snow Leopard & Windows 7 ready!

Pick up Recording Magazine at your local bookstore (US only) or visit online at RecordingMag.com

Producing Live DVDs with SONAR

Trev-Wilkins--Scadge-ProducFrom time to time, Engineer and Owner of Scadge Productions, Trev Wilkins gives us a brief update on his travels on the road and in studio. Here’s the latest:

It’s been a long time since I updated the blog but (fortunately) that’s due to being very busy.

The Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes DVD, Live in Rome, should be on sale now (everywhere!) after being completely mixed and tweaked in SONAR.

There’s another live album still in progress for Neil Innes (the 7th Python) and his reformed band Fatso from their anniversary tour. It includes a wide range of material that I recorded during the tour including Monty Python and Rutles songs. Currently residing in a SONAR folder, it should be out early next year.

We’ve just finished part II of the Raymond Froggatt Live DVD which should be going to press very soon. The band liked our setup so much that they’ve purchased SONAR and will be recording some material for their next album in our studio.

Continue reading “Producing Live DVDs with SONAR”

Hits Keep Coming for Wendy Starland & the V-Studio 100

Wendy Starland, VH1’s Best Emerging Artist, has landed numerous songs on the Billboard charts and on primetime TV. She’s currently working on a new album and is using the V-Studio 100 to record and enhance her vocal tracks.

Wendy was recently honored by The Songwriter’s Hall Of Fame for her top 10 hit song, Dancing With The Sea, her self-written & produced single which was released in Europe alongside multi-platinum artists, Norah Jones, Feist, and Edie Brickell, just to name a few. Her song landed at #8 on the charts, giving her the opportunity to tour throughout Europe to thousands of fans. She is a featured lead vocalist on multi-platinum artist Mobys Grammy nominated album, Last Night, which went to #1 on the Billboard charts.

Her songs have been heard in hit TV shows, including Las Vegas and ABC’s Regis and Kelly. Fashion diva Donna Karan, celebrity clothing line Boy Meets Girl, Mobile Vision Player, Milestone Brand beverages, and skin care/ makeup line, Beauty Society, are all using her music and image in their ad campaigns on network TV (ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX) as well as in print (Teen Vogue, Teen People, Cosmo Girl, Elle Magazine, and The New York Times).

Her new single, Love Will Come To You, is being released on dPulse / Universal, along with 4 remixes, at The Verizon Wireless Amphitheater to an audience of 12,500 people.

Composing & Arranging with SONAR 8.5

The new version of Cakewalk’s digital audio workstation, SONAR 8.5, includes a wealth of features designed to help composers create the best possible productions.

Whether you’re composing hip-hop, rock, heavy metal or classical music, SONAR 8.5 offers all the tools you need with these fun and exciting new features. Check out the videos to see the Matrix View, Step Sequencer, Arpeggiator & Session Drummer in action:

Matrix View

Step Sequencer 2.0

Continue reading “Composing & Arranging with SONAR 8.5”

DJ Johnny Juice Joins Cakewalk V-Studio Tour

VS100_Artist_JuiceAs the Fall V-Studio Tour featuring SONAR 8.5 heats up, we are pleased to announce that Cakewalk artist, DJ Johnny Juice of Public Enemy fame will be on hand to partake in the V-Studio and SONAR 8.5 demos during tonight’s Guitar Center – Manhattan tour date.

Cakewalk Product Specialist Rich Curtis will be including DJ Johnny Juice in his demos as Juice talks about his long-standing relationship with Cakewalk and how he incorporates Cakewalk in his productions. Additionally, DJ Johnny Juice will be talking about his latest track “I am a king” featuring none other than hip hop legend DMC.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Guitar Center Manhattan
25 W. 14th Street
Manhattan, NY
(212) 463 – 7500
Time: 6:00 – 8:00PM

Plus: Tony Grund from IK Multimedia will be on hand to show off their latest mastering software, T-RackS 3 and how it works in conjunction with SONAR 8.5. All event attendees will receive a complimentary copy of IK Multimedia’s T-RackS EQ, plus if you purchase a V-Studio 700, or a V-Studio 100 the night of the event you will receive a $100 mail-in rebate.

Register for this and other V-Studio Tour  events today!

Hot Deals for SONAR 8.5 Customers

SONAR 8.5Though we do not normally post offers to the Cakewalk blog, we thought these special deals for SONAR 8.5 customers were worth the mention.

Due to the unprecedented success of the Elite Guitar Pack for SONAR 8.5 featuring Guitar Rig 4 Pro, we have renewed our agreement with Native Instruments and will offer this Elite Pack as a download for only $99 (while supplies last)! Visit the Cakewalk E-Store to see all of the Elite Pack deals for SONAR 8.5.

Looking to upgrade your computer? Now through November 30, SONAR 8.5 customers can save 20% off any Windows 7 computer in PC Audio Lab’s Rok Box Series OR take $300 off any PC Audio Lab’s Custom Shop audio computer. Click here to grab your PC Audio Lab’s redemption code from Cakewalk.