Music software with a mix of recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering tools for even better results.

If you own Cakewalk SONAR 1-8, whether it be the Studio or Producer edition, you’ve experienced some of the exceptional features that have made it one of the most popular DAWs out there. Now, with this special upgrade offer, you can get SONAR 8.5 Studio and enjoy the enhancements and additions the Cakewalk team has developed to make it even better than before.

SONAR 8.5 Studio Software
SONAR 8 Studio gives you what you need for recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering. Get innovations that matter, from exclusive features to ignite creativity and perfect your tracks, to groundbreaking technologies that always keep you in control, all backed by 64-bit audio quality. And SONAR 8 Studio provides the go-to music production tools you want with an excellent collection of virtual instruments, mixing, and mastering effects found in any digital audio workstation.

Now with version 8.5, SONAR Studio continues to innovate on all fronts. New-to-the-series features including beat creation and arrangement tools, a drum instrument loaded with stellar kits and patterns, enhanced audio quantizing, multistage effect plug-ins for vocals and percussion, and more combine together to make SONAR the most complete, most professional, and best-sounding DAW to deliver your audio productions.

Step Sequencer 2.0
SONAR’s integrated Step Sequencer view is known for being one of the most advanced and comprehensive available in any DAW today. SONAR 8.5′s Step Sequencer 2.0 takes this power to a new level with the depth of control over sound. Step Sequencer 2.0 was built with 3 goals in mind: to clean up and simplify the workflow and interface, to design a set of useful and powerful per-lane controls, and to provide control over finer per-step adjustments to create an elegant and musical workflow.

To launch and start programming step sequencer patterns just click the Step Sequencer button found on the toolbar of any virtual instrument UI and then simply drag and drop patterns from the Media Browser.

A redesigned dynamic controller pane provides simple per-lane controls over swing, time offset, duration, and velocity offset, as well as the timing of the flam feature. In addition, each lane can be easily routed to any instrument in SONAR’s Synth Rack. Drilling down deeper, the controller pane offers per-step editing for velocity level, time offset, and the new-to-the-series Probability feature.

This exclusive Per Step Probability feature solves the age-old problem of step-sequenced grooves sounding repetitive by giving users control over the probability that a step will be triggered. Use it to create automatic variations (make some steps only play occasionally) to keep step sequencer patterns sounding fresh.

Parameter values are now displayed as bars, drawn underneath the steps in the controller pane, making editing per step parameters such as Velocity, Step Offset, Probability, & other MIDI articulations quick and easy.

AudioSnap 2
AudioSnap introduced the world to powerful, nondestructive, multitrack control over audio and MIDI timing. Sonar 8.5′s AudioSnap 2 provides a refreshing look and refinements to all the core controls from previous versions, significantly improving workflow. Some of the new-to-the-series features include a simplified UI, dedicated transient tool, a proportional stretching mode, and multitrack stretch and quantization that maintains accurate phase relationships. Proportional stretching can be used both to correct unwanted timing fluctuations without hard quantizing, and to make smooth and gradual timing adjustments across several transients. Audio fidelity is enhanced with Radius Mix Advance Mode that provides new controls over the phase and pitch of the Izotope Radius timestretching algorithm, for more natural sounding vocals, reed, and brass instruments.

Enhanced fidelity with Radius Mix Advanced mode The new Radius Mix settings includes two new sliders for adjusting pitch coherence and phase coherence. Pitch coherence preserves naturalness of timbre for pitched solo voices, such as human speech, vocals or reed and brass instruments, while avoiding smearing, or phasiness, and the audio artifacts present with the use of traditional vocoders and pitch correction algorithms. The application of higher values of pitch coherence or smoothness produces a higher audio quality output of processed source material, especially, polyphonic material. The phase coherence slider affects the processing of stereo audio and works to preserve the phase relationship between channels.

Media Browser
SONAR 8.5 Studio has an updated and expanded Loop Explorer View. In its new form, Media Browser is the hub for SONAR content. Step Sequencer Patterns, REX Loops, and Project5 MIDI PTN files can all be previewed in Media Browser and easily drag and dropped into any track. As well, video files can be viewed in Media Browser and easily drag and dropped into a Video Thumbnail Track. Users’ content folders can be stored and recalled as handy Media Browser presets. SONAR 8.5 ships with out-of-the-box presets that point directly to Beatscape REX Loops, Session Drummer 3 MIDI Drum Loops, Step Sequencer Patterns, RXP REX Loops, PTN MIDI Patterns, and MIDI Groove Clips.

Integrated Arpeggiator
Each MIDI and Instrument track in SONAR 8.5 now has a built-in arpeggiator which allows you to turn even the simplest of patterns into exciting new sound textures. The SONAR Arpeggiator is a perfect tool for adding variety to any audio or MIDI track such as chord progression that repeats a number of times in a song, or for creating new complimentary parts using other instrument sounds that follow your chord progression. The SONAR Arpeggiator includes hundreds of patterns and classic algorithms, and provides not only powerful controls over the rate, octave range, latch, swing, flam, velocity, duration, and pitch offset of the arpegiation, but also control over mix, channel input, and shape. It includes hundreds of presets.

Engine optimizations and leading technology innovations
Engine Work
A Cakewalk SONAR update wouldn’t be complete without under-the-hood enhancements. Topping the list is the ability to hotswap Audio and MIDI Devices, including Control Surfaces, without restarting SONAR. Audio Interfaces, MIDI Interfaces, and Control Surfaces can now be disconnected and reconnected again while SONAR is running. This is particularly useful for plugging in a new MIDI controller while inspired to lay down a piano part, or in the event an audio interface needs to be power-cycled. SONAR 8.5 also includes optimizations and stability improvements for recording audio, and while looping.

Open Support
Cakewalk has been, and will continue to be, a proponent of open standards in software and hardware. SONAR 8.5 brings a variety of compatibility improvements for VST plug-ins, as well as for Cakewalk’s BitBridge technology, which hosts classic 32-bit “x86″ VST plug-ins in a 64-bit “x64″ environment. SONAR Studio customers can take advantage of the new BitBridgeXR, which automatically hosts up to 32 BitBridge servers, each capable of using up to 4GB of RAM, for a total of 128GB. And last, but not least, SONAR now provides native REX loop support, via the Track View, updated Media Browser, and Matrix View.

Windows 7 Ready
SONAR 8.5 Studio is ready for Windows 7 right from the get-go. Cakewalk has been testing SONAR 8.5 with Windows 7 Beta and Release Candidates, and is pleased to recommended Windows 7 as a platform for SONAR 8.5. Additionally, SONAR 8.5 was evaluated at an independent Microsoft application compatibility lab and officially passed the rigorous Win7 compatibility testing.

Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 Studio Upgrade from SONAR 1-8 Studio/Producer Features:

• AudioSnap 2.0 audio quantize tools
• AudioSnap Palette presents all commands and options in one easy-to-read toolbar
• Simplified transient marker appearance reduces visual clutter and enhances focus on relevant information
• Transient Tool allows for dragging or snapping of transients without having to worry about inadvertently moving an audio clip; lasso selection allows for grouped transient edits
• The Merge and Lock transients command is great for editing, stretching, and quantizing multitrack drums while keeping audio in phase
• Grouped proportional stretching allows for the easy correction of fluctuations in the tempo of a performance without losing feel
• Tab to Transients available from the Track and Piano Roll Views, follows Audio, Groove, Step Sequencer, and MIDI Groove Clips
• Tempo detection, tempo mapping, and tempo syncing audio
• New tempo detection algorithm auto-detects the tempo of all audio in SONAR and the Clip Tempo Map feature allows for easy manual tempo mapping of non-rhythmic, non-constant, or atypical audio
• Enhanced fidelity with Radius Mix Advanced Mode: new Radius Mix settings improve pitch coherence, which preserves the naturalness of timbre in human speech, vocals, reed and brass instrumentsStep Sequencer 2.0
• Add Flam to any step by simply double clicking it (then use the flam time knob to adjust timing)
• Easily load/save patterns from the Options button or drag and drop patterns from the Media Browser
• New Auto-populate feature provides shortcuts to fill a lanes every 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 steps
• Redesigned Controller Pane for per row articulations and controls, including Volume, Pan, Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Portamento
• Per step parameter controls for Velocity, Time Offset, Probability, Lane-based MIDI articulations, Filter Cut and Filter Res
• Parameter values are now displayed as bars underneath steps in the controller pane, making editing per step parameters such as Velocity, Step Offset, Probability, and other MIDI articulations quick and easy
• Exclusive Per Step Probability provides control over the probability of how often a step will be triggered. Use it to create automatic variations (make some steps only play occasionally) to keep repetitive patterns sounding fresh
• All this is combined with the functionality from Step Sequencer 1.0 including: Step Recording, the Velocity Multiplier, Fit to Quarters capabilities, and moreIncluded virtual instruments: 12
• Included effects: 51
• Arpeggiator
• New-to-the-series Media Browser
• Active Controller Technology
• Video thumbnail track
• Simple instrument tracks
• New-to-the series Media Browser
• V-Vocal Vocal processor
• Mastering Features: Boost 11, Windowed Sinc Sample Rate Conversion
• Track comping tools
• External hardware inserts
• Dimension Synthesizer LE
• 64-bit version for Vista 64, more RAM access, 64-bit processing
• Smart MIDI tools
• Per-clip effects
• User-customizable interface
• Internal Sidechaining
• Cakewalk Publisher
• Integrated CD ripping & burning

Take advantage of this software upgrade offer today and save big! Order now!

The full SONAR DAW setup with more effects, instruments, and workflow enhancements.

While your Cakewalk SONAR 7 or 8 Producer editions are excellent DAW packages in their own right, there’s always room for more, and this upgrade offer to SONAR 8.5 Producer will give you just that—more instruments, more effects, and more innovative workflow concepts that make it even easier and fun to create music on your computer. The Step Sequencer and Session Drummer have been updated with new features, and there’s a brand new-to-the-series Matrix View that makes arranging a simple, drag-and-drop procedure.

SONAR 8.5 Producer Music Production Software
Cakewalk SONAR 8 Producer gives you what you need for recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering. Get innovations that matter, from exclusive features to ignite creativity and perfect your tracks, to groundbreaking technologies that always keep you in control, all backed by 64-bit audio quality. And SONAR 8 Producer software provides the go-to audio production tools you want with an excellent collection of virtual instruments, mixing, and mastering effects found in any digital audio workstation.

Now with version 8.5, SONAR continues to innovate on all fronts. New-to-the-series features including beat creation and arrangement tools, a drum instrument loaded with stellar kits and patterns, enhanced audio quantizing, multi-stage effect plug-ins for vocals and percussion, and more combine together to make SONAR the most complete, most professional, and best-sounding DAW to deliver your music productions.

Matrix view
This exciting view in SONAR 8.5 provides a simple and flexible arranging tool for any musician. Its cell-based, non-linear arrangement format makes it excel at groove (beat) creation for contemporary music production. However, its potential use and creative possibilities are well beyond just drum arranging because of how easy it is to use. Getting started is as easy as opening the Matrix View and dragging one or many ACID or REX loops, WAV files, Step Sequencer MIDI patterns, PTN MIDI patterns, or MIDI Groove Clips from the Media Brower or desktop into the Matrix. Upon doing so, an audio track is simultaneously created in SONAR’s Track View, routed, and ready for instant playback. Drag in any number of audio loops from the Media Browser, trigger them to start looping, and then record guitar parts into SONAR. Put entire song sections together by triggering an entire column of cells at a time. Experiment by mixing and matching different sounds and patterns, and then capture the entire Matrix “performance” into the SONAR Track View for further editing and mixing by clicking the Capture button (the icon looks like a roll of film) and rolling the SONAR transport. It’s that easy.

Remix a SONAR project by dragging audio clips from the Track View into the Matrix and trigger them with complete control to create a new arrangement. Browse through hundreds of available MIDI patterns and Step Sequencer patterns, drag your favorites into the Matrix, and build up new sonic layers using any virtual instrument loaded in the SONAR Synth Rack.

For electronic and hip-hop music, the Matrix provides a comfortable, trigger-anything-anytime-anyway looping environment, using the four trigger modes and advanced MIDI controls. Beat juggling, one-shots, audio loops, Step Sequencer patterns — the Matrix can handle almost anything you throw at it.

Step Sequencer 2.0
SONAR software’s integrated Step Sequencer view is known for being one of the most advanced and comprehensive available in any DAW today. SONAR 8.5′s Step Sequencer 2.0 takes this power to a new level with the depth of control over sound. Step Sequencer 2.0 was built with 3 goals in mind: to clean up and simplify the workflow and interface, to design a set of useful and powerful per-lane controls, and to provide control over finer per-step adjustments to create an elegant and musical workflow.

To launch and start programming step sequencer patterns — just click the new Step Sequencer button found on the toolbar of any virtual instrument UI and then simply drag and drop patterns from the Media Browser.

A redesigned dynamic controller pane provides simple per-lane controls over swing, time offset, duration, and velocity offset, as well as the timing of the flam feature. In addition, each lane can be easily routed to any instrument in SONAR’s Synth Rack. Drilling down deeper, the controller pane offers per-step audio editing for velocity level, time offset, and the new-to-the-series Probability feature.

This exclusive Per Step Probability feature solves the age-old problem of step-sequenced grooves sounding repetitive by giving users control over the probability that a step will be triggered. Use it to create automatic variations (make some steps only play occasionally) to keep step sequencer patterns sounding fresh.

Parameter values are now displayed as bars, drawn underneath the steps in the controller pane, making editing per step parameters such as Velocity, Step Offset, Probability, & other MIDI articulations quick and easy.

Session Drummer 3
Session Drummer has been a mainstay in Cakewalk SONAR for easy-and -fast creation of realistic sounding drum tracks. Now, Session Drummer 3 hits the stage with an all new look, sporting a sleek photorealistic 3D drum kit, along with routing improvements, plus 12 new kits and over 700 new patterns added to the selection of high-quality drums sounds and grooves available.

AudioSnap 2
AudioSnap introduced the world to powerful, nondestructive, multitrack control over audio and MIDI timing. Sonar 8.5′s AudioSnap 2 provides a refreshing new look and refinements to all the core controls from previous versions, significantly improving workflow. Some of the new-to-the-series features include a simplified UI, dedicated transient tool, a new proportional stretching mode, and multitrack stretch and quantization that maintains accurate phase relationships. Proportional stretching can be used both to correct unwanted timing fluctuations without hard quantizing, and to make smooth and gradual timing adjustments across several transients. Audio fidelity is enhanced with Radius Mix Advance Mode that provides new controls over the phase and pitch of the Izotope Radius timestretching algorithm, for more natural sounding vocals, reed, and brass instruments.

Enhanced fidelity with Radius Mix Advanced mode
The new Radius Mix settings includes two new sliders for adjusting pitch coherence and phase coherence. Pitch coherence preserves naturalness of timbre for pitched solo voices, such as human speech, vocals or reed and brass instruments, while avoiding smearing, or phasiness, and the audio artifacts present with the use of traditional vocoders and pitch correction algorithms. The application of higher values of pitch coherence or smoothness produces a higher audio quality output of processed source material, especially, polyphonic material. The phase coherence slider affects the processing of stereo audio and works to preserve the phase relationship between channels.

Media Browser
SONAR 8.5 has an updated and expanded Loop Explorer View. In its new form, Media Browser is the hub for SONAR content. Step Sequencer Patterns, REX Loops, and Project5 MIDI PTN files can all be previewed in Media Browser and easily drag and dropped into any track. As well, video files can be viewed in Media Browser and easily drag and dropped into a Video Thumbnail Track. Users’ content folders can be stored and recalled as handy Media Browser presets. SONAR 8.5 ships with out-of-the-box presets that point directly to Beatscape REX Loops, Session Drummer 3 MIDI Drum Loops, Step Sequencer Patterns, RXP REX Loops, PTN MIDI Patterns, and MIDI Groove Clips.

Integrated Arpeggiator
Each MIDI and Instrument track in SONAR 8.5 now has a built-in arpeggiator which allows you to turn even the simplest of patterns into exciting new sound textures. The SONAR Arpeggiator is a perfect tool for adding variety to any audio or MIDI track such as chord progression that repeats a number of times in a song, or for creating new complimentary parts using other instrument sounds that follow your chord progression. The SONAR Arpeggiator includes hundreds of patterns and classic algorithms, and provides not only powerful controls over the rate, octave range, latch, swing, flam, velocity, duration, and pitch offset of the arpegiation, but also control over mix, channel input, and shape. It includes hundreds of presets.

Engine optimizations and leading technology innovations
Engine Work
A SONAR update wouldn’t be complete without under-the-hood enhancements. Topping the list is the ability to hotswap Audio and MIDI Devices, including Control Surfaces, without restarting SONAR. Audio Interfaces, MIDI Interfaces, and Control Surfaces can now be disconnected and reconnected again while SONAR is running. This is particularly useful for plugging in a new MIDI controller while inspired to lay down a piano part, or in the event an audio interface needs to be power-cycled. SONAR 8.5 also includes optimizations and stability improvements for recording audio, and while looping.

Open Support
Cakewalk has been, and will continue to be, a proponent of open standards in software and hardware. SONAR 8.5 brings a variety of compatibility improvements for VST plug-ins, as well as for Cakewalk’s BitBridge technology, which hosts classic 32-bit “x86″ VST plug-ins in a 64-bit “x64″ environment. SONAR Producer customers can take advantage of the new BitBridgeXR, which automatically hosts up to 32 BitBridge servers, each capable of using up to 4GB of RAM, for a total of 128GB! And last, but not least, SONAR now provides native REX loop support, via the Track View, updated Media Browser, and new Matrix View.

Windows 7 Ready
SONAR 8.5 is ready for Windows 7 right from the get-go. Cakewalk has been testing SONAR 8.5 with Windows 7 Beta and Release Candidates, and is pleased to recommended Windows 7 as a platform for SONAR 8.5. Additionally, SONAR 8.5 was evaluated at an independent Microsoft application compatibility lab and officially passed the rigorous Win7 compatibility testing.

VX-64 Vocal Strip VX-64 Vocal Strip is a seven-stage processor designed specifically for shaping and sculpting incredible sounding vocal tracks. Each of the VX-64′s stages have been fine-tuned to be vocal-specific, taking the work out of loading an entire chain of vocal processors. The VX-64 features a new Cakewalk technology that employs phase-coherent, multi-band saturation to avoid unwanted distortion; unique filtering to avoid harsh artifacts at extreme high and low frequencies; and an auto-leveling circuit that prevents the tube saturation from sounding too harsh when high-gain transients are processed by it. VX-64 also employs a new de-essing algorithm designed with Cakewalk’s LP64 linear phase effect filtering technology to remove sibilance without creating any frequency smearing.

The VX-64 includes 64 go-to presets and click and drag reordering of processing stage routing, making it fast and easy to get high-quality vocals in seconds. Its processing stages include:
•Input: simulates a tube pre amp
•De-esser: removes sibilance without smearing
•Compander: vocal compressor with an expander to reduce unwanted background noise
•Tube EQ: for adding character, ranging from subtle warmth to intense heat to the vocal
•Doubler: advanced doubling effect providing the quality of actual re-tracking
•Delay: preset delays useful for vocal tracks with tempo sync
•Output: provide saturation control with a built in soft-clipping filter
•Order of processor stages is user definable with click & drag reordering
•Input: simulates a tube pre amp

PX-64
PX-64 Percussion Strip is a seven-stage processor designed specifically for use with drums and percussion. Like the VX-64 Vocal Strip, the PX-64 Percussion Strip employs Cakewalk’s exclusive tube saturation algorithms with unique filtering and auto-leveling circuitry technologies. Combining transient shaping, compression, expansion, equalization, delay, and tube saturation in one convenient plug-in, the PX-64 Percussion Strip includes 70 go-to presets along with click & drag reordering of processing stage routing, making it fast and easy to enhance any drum or percussion track in seconds. The PX-64 Percussion Strip signal flow is divided into seven stages, including five effect processer modules that can be re ordered with a simple click & drag operation. Processing stages include:

•Input: The Input/Gain stage simulates a tube pre amp
•Transient Shaper: lets you shape the audio signal’s attack phase independently of the decay/sustain phase
•Compressor: Balance the overall signal level and limit the dynamic range
•Expander: Control the dynamic range of the audio signal by using the expander to reduce levels that fall beneath a specified threshold
•Contour EQ: 4-band EQ optimized for drums and percussion usage
•Delay: Adds space and rhythm to the signal; tempo sync to host option
•Output: Output gain stage and specialized saturation control containing a built in soft-clipping filter

Session Drummer 3: drum and percussion sequencer Dimension Pro: wavetable based synthesizer TruePianos Amber: Award-winning piano model designed to transparently integrate with your hands and playing style for even more realism Z3TA+: Waveshaping synthesizer Rapture LE: LE version based on the award-winning Rapture wavetable synthesizer Roland TTS-1: 16-channel multi-timbral GM2 instrument DropZone: Drag-and-drop sampler, REX editor Pentagon I: warm, retro analog sounds PSYN II: subtractive synthesizer Roland GrooveSynth: groove synthesizer RXP: REX loops/sample player SFZ: SFZ SoundFont sampler Beatscape: 16-pad looping/performance instrument Cyclone: 16-pad groove sampler DreamStation DXi: Classic Analog modelling

Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 Producer Upgrade from SONAR 7-8 Producer Features:

• New-to-the-series features and workflow enhancements:
• Matrix View provides simple and flexible cell-based, non-linear audio, and MIDI arranging with live triggering capability
• Step Sequencer 2.0 provides the powerful step sequencing capability
• Session Drummer 3 for easy-and-fast creation of drum tracks with stellar sounding kits and patterns from top sound designers and drummers
• AudioSnap 2.0 audio quantizing and time-shifting technology with new look and refinements to all the core controls, significantly improving workflow, plus improved offline rendering
• Integrated Arpeggiator on each track, which allows you to trigger live or from recorded material with in-depth control over all arp parameters Includes hundreds of presets
• Media Browser: the new hub for SONAR content supports multiple formats so you can access all your loops, grooves, and MIDI patterns; features presets for quick access
• PX-64 Percussion Strip: seven-stage processor designed specifically for use with drums and percussion
• VX-64 Vocal Strip: seven-stage processor optimized for shaping and sculpting vocal tracks
• Windows 7 tested, ready, and recommended for use
• Engine optimizations and stability improvements for recording audio, and while looping
• Hotswap audio and MIDI devices, including control surfaces, without restarting SONAR
• VST plug-ins compatibility improvements
• Native REX loop support featured in Track View, updated Media Browser, and new Matrix View
• BitBridgeXR allows you to run 32-bit plug-ins in 64-bit environments and now access up to 128GB of RAMMatrix features
• Cell-based, non-linear arrangement view, and live triggering
• Sync to SONAR Transport / Track View
• One-step capture Matrix “performances” to Track View for more precise editing
• Drag-drop any audio (multiple files at once) and MIDI content from the Track View or the Media Browser into the Matrix
• Four triggering modes:
• Triggering resolutions include Measure, Beat, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32
• Per-cell alternate triggering resolution option
• Cells can retrigger while playing, or be toggled off
• Trigger one cell per-row, or an entire column of cells at a timePlay Styles:
• Global and Per-Cell modes for Looping and Latching
• Cells can be set to always trigger from the beginning, or offset from the
• SONAR Now TimeRouting:
• Each row in the Matrix routes to a track in SONAR
• Multiple rows can be routed to the same track
• Each row has mute and exclusive solo buttonsCompletely MIDI controllable:
• Cells can be easily MIDI-learned for ultimate control and playability
• Learnable MIDI Modifiers to change cell trigger behaviors on-the-fly
• Global MIDI channel selectorNew in Step Sequencer 2.0
• Enhanced SONAR integration: now every virtual instrument in SONAR includes a Step Sequencer button to easily launch and configure a Step Sequencer to work with that instrument
• Add Flam to any step by simply double clicking it (just double click any step to activate flam, then use the flam time knob to adjust its timing)
• Quickly change the output port and channel of any row to match anything in SONAR’s Synth Rack to trigger sounds across multiple instruments
• Easily load/save patterns from the Options button
• Drag & drop patterns from the SONAR Media Browser
• New Shortcuts to automatically fill a lane with every 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 steps
• Redesigned Controller Pane allows simple and powerful per row articulations and controls, including Volume, Pan, Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Portamento, Per step parameter controls for Velocity, Time Offset, Probability, Lane-based MIDI articulations, Filter Cut, and Filter ResFrom Step Sequencer 1.0:
• Step Recording
• Velocity Multiplier
• Fit to Quarters capabilities
• MoreSession Drummer 3
• Features
• Amazing interactive photorealistic drum kit page to load kits, programs, patterns, and tweak mappings
• Dedicated Mixer page for fine-tuning your drum kits with enhanced control over mix, 12 channels each with volume, pan, width, and tuning controls.
• MIX & MATCH kit components: All kit pieces are broken down into mix and match-able components for ultimate flexibility with 12 components per kit Ships with well over 200 different drum sounds across 20+ kits.
• Drag-and-drop drum components: It’s as easy as dragging any WAV or ogg file from the desktop onto a pad
• Provides unlimited creative possibilities in the creation of custom kits using any sound source
• Comprehensive collection of presets and MIDI-based loop files providing that creative jump-start
• Flexible MIDI pattern playback.
• 12 pads/12 outputsContent
• 10 new super high-quality kits from renowned Sonic Reality ready to play in any track along with
• 1 coupon for a free download of one Ocean Way Drums drum kit.
• 2 ultra polished kits from Steven Slate Drums, fine tuned and tweaked to sound amazing in any mix
• Newly re-mapped for Session Drummer 3 are the genre-defining original samples of the classic Roland TR-707, TR-727, TR-808, and TR-909 drum synthesizers, along with kits from Sequential Circuits Drumtraks and Linn Electronics LinnDrum
• 2 Organic kits with hundreds of MIDI patterns from Smart Loops.
• Over 700 new MIDI patterns from Steven Slate Drums and Groove Monkee
• Over 2.5 GB of Drum sample contentAudioSnap 2 features and workflow enhancements include:
• AudioSnap Palette presents all AudioSnap commands and options in one easy-to-read toolbar graphic
• Simplified transient marker appearance reduces clutter and enhancing focus on relevant information
• Transient Tool allows for dragging or snapping of transients without having to worry about inadvertently moving an audio clip; lasso selection for grouping transient edit
• The Merge and Lock transients command in the Transient Tool context menu is great for editing, stretching, and quantizing multi-track drums while keeping your audio in phase
• Grouped proportional stretching allows for the easy correction of fluctuations in a performance’s tempo without losing feel
• Tab to Transients is always available from Track View and Piano Roll View; follows Audio Clips, Groove Clips, Step Sequencer Clips, and MIDI Groove Clip
• Tempo detection, tempo mapping, and tempo syncing audio
• New tempo detection algorithm auto-detects the tempo of all audio in SONAR and the Clip Tempo Map feature allows for easy manual tempo mapping of non-rhythmic, non-constant or atypical audi
• Enhanced fidelity with Radius Mix Advanced modeAdditional miscellaneous new enhancements and “featurettes”
• Convenient Freeze and Archive buttons on each track
• Updated Insert Send Assistant, with matching track gain/pan while creating sends
• Solo Button on all effects plug-in windows, to quickly solo and focus on the track being processed
• New Track View grid lines options to present grid lines behind or in front of clips
• New option to automatically lock scrolling during playback when initiating an edit
• The Now Time cursor can be dragged to a new position during playback
• DC Offset meter in the Cakewalk Analyst plug-in
• SONAR 8.5 now includes the Project5 “Half-Rack” Tempo-Sync’d Effects, including the Alias Factor Bit Decimator, Classic Phaser, Compressor/Gate, HF Exciter, Mod Filter, Chorus/Flanger, Para-Q, StudioVerb II, and Tempo Delay
• Installation has been simplified with an easy one-click install option that accepts all default settings and locations and installs the entire SONAR application, as well as plug-ins and content data

See how much has changed, and been improved with this upgrade offer. Order yours today!

The full SONAR DAW setup with more effects, instruments, workflow improvements, and more.

Upgrade from Cakewalk’s flagship DAW, SONAR 8 Studio, to this full, enhanced SONAR 8.5 Producer software package to hear and see just how much more it brings to your music production.

SONAR 8.5 Producer Music Software
SONAR 8 Producer is a complete music production software that gives you what you need for recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering. Get innovations that matter, from exclusive features to ignite creativity and perfect your tracks, to groundbreaking technologies that always keep you in control, all backed by 64-bit audio quality. And SONAR 8 Producer provides go to production tools you want with an excellent collection of virtual instruments, mixing, and mastering effects found in any digital audio workstation.

Now with version 8.5, SONAR continues to innovate on all fronts. New-to-the-series features including beat creation and arrangement tools, a drum instrument loaded with stellar kits and patterns, enhanced audio quantizing, multi-stage effect plug-ins for vocals and percussion, and more combine together to make Cakewalk SONAR the most complete, most professional, and best-sounding DAW to deliver your music productions.

Matrix view
This exciting view in Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 provides a simple and flexible arranging tool for any musician. Its cell-based, non-linear arrangement format makes it excel at groove (beat) creation for contemporary music production. However, its potential use and creative possibilities are well beyond just drum arranging because of how easy it is to use. Getting started is as easy as opening the Matrix View and dragging one or many ACID or REX loops, WAV files, Step Sequencer MIDI patterns, PTN MIDI patterns, or MIDI Groove Clips from the Media Brower or desktop into the Matrix. Upon doing so, an audio track is simultaneously created in SONAR’s Track View, routed, and ready for instant playback. Drag in any number of audio loops from the Media Browser, trigger them to start looping, and then record guitar parts into SONAR. Put entire song sections together by triggering an entire column of cells at a time. Experiment by mixing and matching different sounds and patterns, and then capture the entire Matrix “performance” into the SONAR Track View for further editing and mixing by clicking the Capture button (the icon looks like a roll of film) and rolling the SONAR transport. It’s that easy.

Remix a Cakewalk SONAR project by dragging audio clips from the Track View into the Matrix and trigger them with complete control to create a new arrangement. Browse through hundreds of available MIDI patterns and Step Sequencer patterns, drag your favorites into the Matrix, and build up new sonic layers using any virtual instrument loaded in the SONAR Synth Rack.

For electronic and hip-hop music, the Matrix provides a comfortable, trigger-anything-anytime-anyway looping environment, using the four trigger modes and advanced MIDI controls. Beat juggling, one-shots, audio loops, Step Sequencer patterns — the Matrix can handle almost anything you throw at it.

Step Sequencer 2.0
SONAR’s integrated Step Sequencer view is known for being one of the most advanced and comprehensive available in any DAW today. SONAR 8.5′s Step Sequencer 2.0 takes this power to a new level with the depth of control over sound. Step Sequencer 2.0 was built with 3 goals in mind: to clean up and simplify the workflow and interface, to design a set of useful and powerful per-lane controls, and to provide control over finer per-step adjustments to create an elegant and musical workflow.

To launch and start programming step sequencer patterns — just click the new Step Sequencer button found on the toolbar of any virtual instrument UI and then simply drag and drop patterns from the Media Browser.

The music software’s redesigned dynamic controller pane provides simple per-lane controls over swing, time offset, duration, and velocity offset, as well as the timing of the new flam feature. In addition, each lane can be easily routed to any instrument in SONAR’s Synth Rack. Drilling down deeper, the controller pane offers per-step audio editing for velocity level, time offset, and the new-to-the-series Probability feature.

This exclusive Per Step Probability feature solves the age-old problem of step-sequenced grooves sounding repetitive by giving users control over the probability that a step will be triggered. Use it to create automatic variations (make some steps only play occasionally) to keep step sequencer patterns sounding fresh.

Parameter values are now displayed as bars, drawn underneath the steps in the controller pane, making editing per step parameters such as Velocity, Step Offset, Probability, & other MIDI articulations quick and easy.

Session Drummer 3
Session Drummer has been a mainstay in SONAR for easy-and -fast creation of realistic sounding drum tracks. Now, Session Drummer 3 hits the stage with an all new look, sporting a sleek photorealistic 3D drum kit, along with routing improvements, plus 12 new kits and over 700 new patterns added to the selection of high-quality drums sounds and grooves available.

AudioSnap 2
AudioSnap introduced the world to powerful, nondestructive, multitrack control over audio and MIDI timing. Sonar 8.5′s AudioSnap 2 provides a refreshing new look and refinements to all the core controls from previous versions, significantly improving workflow. Some of the new-to-the-series features include a simplified UI, dedicated transient tool, a new proportional stretching mode, and multitrack stretch and quantization that maintains accurate phase relationships. Proportional stretching can be used both to correct unwanted timing fluctuations without hard quantizing, and to make smooth and gradual timing adjustments across several transients. Audio fidelity is enhanced with Radius Mix Advance Mode that provides new controls over the phase and pitch of the Izotope Radius timestretching algorithm, for more natural sounding vocals, reed, and brass instruments.

Enhanced fidelity with Radius Mix Advanced mode
The Radius Mix settings includes two new sliders for adjusting pitch coherence and phase coherence. Pitch coherence preserves naturalness of timbre for pitched solo voices, such as human speech, vocals or reed and brass instruments, while avoiding smearing, or phasiness, and the audio artifacts present with the use of traditional vocoders and pitch correction algorithms. The application of higher values of pitch coherence or smoothness produces a higher audio quality output of processed source material, especially, polyphonic material. The phase coherence slider affects the processing of stereo audio and works to preserve the phase relationship between channels.

Media Browser
Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 has an updated and expanded Loop Explorer View. In its new form, Media Browser is the hub for SONAR content. Step Sequencer Patterns, REX Loops, and Project5 MIDI PTN files can all be previewed in Media Browser and easily drag and dropped into any track. As well, video files can be viewed in Media Browser and easily drag and dropped into a Video Thumbnail Track. Users’ content folders can be stored and recalled as handy Media Browser presets. The audio software ships with out-of-the-box presets that point directly to Beatscape REX Loops, Session Drummer 3 MIDI Drum Loops, Step Sequencer Patterns, RXP REX Loops, PTN MIDI Patterns, and MIDI Groove Clips.

Integrated Arpeggiator
Each MIDI and Instrument track in SONAR 8.5 now has a built-in arpeggiator which allows you to turn even the simplest of patterns into exciting new sound textures. The SONAR Arpeggiator is a perfect tool for adding variety to any audio or MIDI track such as chord progression that repeats a number of times in a song, or for creating new complimentary parts using other instrument sounds that follow your chord progression. The SONAR Arpeggiator includes hundreds of patterns and classic algorithms, and provides not only powerful controls over the rate, octave range, latch, swing, flam, velocity, duration, and pitch offset of the arpegiation, but also control over mix, channel input, and shape. It includes hundreds of presets.

Engine optimizations and leading technology innovations
Engine Work
A SONAR software update wouldn’t be complete without under-the-hood enhancements. Topping the list is the ability to hotswap Audio and MIDI Devices, including Control Surfaces, without restarting SONAR. Audio Interfaces, MIDI Interfaces, and Control Surfaces can now be disconnected and reconnected again while SONAR is running. This is particularly useful for plugging in a new MIDI controller while inspired to lay down a piano part, or in the event an audio interface needs to be power-cycled. SONAR 8.5 also includes optimizations and stability improvements for recording audio, and while looping.

Open Support
Cakewalk has been, and will continue to be, a proponent of open standards in software and hardware. SONAR 8.5 brings a variety of compatibility improvements for VST plug-ins, as well as for Cakewalk’s BitBridge technology, which hosts classic 32-bit “x86″ VST plug-ins in a 64-bit “x64″ environment. SONAR Producer customers can take advantage of the new BitBridgeXR, which automatically hosts up to 32 BitBridge servers, each capable of using up to 4GB of RAM, for a total of 128GB! And last, but not least, SONAR now provides native REX loop support, via the Track View, updated Media Browser, and new Matrix View.

Windows 7 Ready
SONAR 8.5 is ready for Windows 7 right from the get-go. Cakewalk has been testing SONAR 8.5 with Windows 7 Beta and Release Candidates, and is pleased to recommended Windows 7 as a platform for SONAR 8.5. Additionally, SONAR 8.5 was evaluated at an independent Microsoft application compatibility lab and officially passed the rigorous Win7 compatibility testing.

VX-64 Vocal Strip VX-64 Vocal Strip is a seven-stage processor designed specifically for shaping and sculpting incredible sounding vocal tracks. Each of the VX-64′s stages have been fine-tuned to be vocal-specific, taking the work out of loading an entire chain of vocal processors. The VX-64 features a new Cakewalk technology that employs phase-coherent, multi-band saturation to avoid unwanted distortion; unique filtering to avoid harsh artifacts at extreme high and low frequencies; and an auto-leveling circuit that prevents the tube saturation from sounding too harsh when high-gain transients are processed by it. VX-64 also employs a new de-essing algorithm designed with Cakewalk’s LP64 linear phase effect filtering technology to remove sibilance without creating any frequency smearing.

The VX-64 includes 64 go-to presets and click and drag reordering of processing stage routing, making it fast and easy to get high-quality vocals in seconds. Its processing stages include:
•Input: simulates a tube pre amp
•De-esser: removes sibilance without smearing
•Compander: vocal compressor with an expander to reduce unwanted background noise
•Tube EQ: for adding character, ranging from subtle warmth to intense heat to the vocal
•Doubler: advanced doubling effect providing the quality of actual re-tracking
•Delay: preset delays useful for vocal tracks with tempo sync
•Output: provide saturation control with a built in soft-clipping filter
•Order of processor stages is user definable with click & drag reordering
•Input: simulates a tube pre amp

PX-64
PX-64 Percussion Strip is a seven-stage processor designed specifically for use with drums and percussion. Like the VX-64 Vocal Strip, the PX-64 Percussion Strip employs Cakewalk’s exclusive tube saturation algorithms with unique filtering and auto-leveling circuitry technologies. Combining transient shaping, compression, expansion, equalization, delay, and tube saturation in one convenient plug-in, the PX-64 Percussion Strip includes 70 go-to presets along with click & drag reordering of processing stage routing, making it fast and easy to enhance any drum or percussion track in seconds. The PX-64 Percussion Strip signal flow is divided into seven stages, including five effect processer modules that can be re ordered with a simple click & drag operation. Processing stages include:

•Input: The Input/Gain stage simulates a tube pre amp
•Transient Shaper: lets you shape the audio signal’s attack phase independently of the decay/sustain phase
•Compressor: Balance the overall signal level and limit the dynamic range
•Expander: Control the dynamic range of the audio signal by using the expander to reduce levels that fall beneath a specified threshold
•Contour EQ: 4-band EQ optimized for drums and percussion usage
•Delay: Adds space and rhythm to the signal; tempo sync to host option
•Output: Output gain stage and specialized saturation control containing a built in soft-clipping filter

Session Drummer 3: drum and percussion sequencer Dimension Pro: wavetable based synthesizer TruePianos Amber: Award-winning piano model designed to transparently integrate with your hands and playing style for even more realism Z3TA+: Waveshaping synthesizer Rapture LE: LE version based on the award-winning Rapture wavetable synthesizer Roland TTS-1: 16-channel multi-timbral GM2 instrument DropZone: Drag-and-drop sampler, REX editor Pentagon I: warm, retro analog sounds PSYN II: subtractive synthesizer Roland GrooveSynth: groove synthesizer RXP: REX loops/sample player SFZ: SFZ SoundFont sampler Beatscape: 16-pad looping/performance instrument Cyclone: 16-pad groove sampler DreamStation DXi: Classic Analog modelling

Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 Producer Upgrade from SONAR 8 Studio Features:

• New-to-the-series features and workflow enhancements:
• Matrix View provides simple and flexible cell-based, non-linear audio, and MIDI arranging with live triggering capability
• Step Sequencer 2.0 provides the powerful step sequencing capability
• Session Drummer 3 for easy-and-fast creation of drum tracks with stellar sounding kits and patterns from top sound designers and drummers
• AudioSnap 2.0 audio quantizing and time-shifting technology with new look and refinements to all the core controls, significantly improving workflow, plus improved offline rendering
• Integrated Arpeggiator on each track, which allows you to trigger live or from recorded material with in-depth control over all arp parameters Includes hundreds of presets
• Media Browser: the new hub for SONAR content supports multiple formats so you can access all your loops, grooves, and MIDI patterns; features presets for quick access
• PX-64 Percussion Strip: seven-stage processor designed specifically for use with drums and percussion
• VX-64 Vocal Strip: seven-stage processor optimized for shaping and sculpting vocal tracks
• Windows 7 tested, ready, and recommended for use
• Engine optimizations and stability improvements for recording audio, and while looping
• Hotswap audio and MIDI devices, including control surfaces, without restarting SONAR
• VST plug-ins compatibility improvements
• Native REX loop support featured in Track View, updated Media Browser, and new Matrix View
• BitBridgeXR allows you to run 32-bit plug-ins in 64-bit environments and now access up to 128GB of RAMMatrix features
• Cell-based, non-linear arrangement view, and live triggering
• Sync to SONAR Transport / Track View
• One-step capture Matrix “performances” to Track View for more precise editing
• Drag-drop any audio (multiple files at once) and MIDI content from the Track View or the Media Browser into the Matrix
• Four triggering modes:
• Triggering resolutions include Measure, Beat, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32
• Per-cell alternate triggering resolution option
• Cells can retrigger while playing, or be toggled off
• Trigger one cell per-row, or an entire column of cells at a timePlay Styles:
• Global and Per-Cell modes for Looping and Latching
• Cells can be set to always trigger from the beginning, or offset from the
• SONAR Now TimeRouting:
• Each row in the Matrix routes to a track in SONAR
• Multiple rows can be routed to the same track
• Each row has mute and exclusive solo buttonsCompletely MIDI controllable:
• Cells can be easily MIDI-learned for ultimate control and playability
• Learnable MIDI Modifiers to change cell trigger behaviors on-the-fly
• Global MIDI channel selectorNew in Step Sequencer 2.0
• Enhanced SONAR integration: now every virtual instrument in SONAR includes a Step Sequencer button to easily launch and configure a Step Sequencer to work with that instrument
• Add Flam to any step by simply double clicking it (just double click any step to activate flam, then use the flam time knob to adjust its timing)
• Quickly change the output port and channel of any row to match anything in SONAR’s Synth Rack to trigger sounds across multiple instruments
• Easily load/save patterns from the Options button
• Drag & drop patterns from the SONAR Media Browser
• New Shortcuts to automatically fill a lane with every 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 steps
• Redesigned Controller Pane allows simple and powerful per row articulations and controls, including Volume, Pan, Pitch Bend, Mod Wheel, Portamento, Per step parameter controls for Velocity, Time Offset, Probability, Lane-based MIDI articulations, Filter Cut, and Filter ResFrom Step Sequencer 1.0:
• Step Recording
• Velocity Multiplier
• Fit to Quarters capabilities
• MoreSession Drummer 3
• Features
• Amazing interactive photorealistic drum kit page to load kits, programs, patterns, and tweak mappings
• Dedicated Mixer page for fine-tuning your drum kits with enhanced control over mix, 12 channels each with volume, pan, width, and tuning controls.
• MIX & MATCH kit components: All kit pieces are broken down into mix and match-able components for ultimate flexibility with 12 components per kit Ships with well over 200 different drum sounds across 20+ kits.
• Drag-and-drop drum components: It’s as easy as dragging any WAV or ogg file from the desktop onto a pad
• Provides unlimited creative possibilities in the creation of custom kits using any sound source
• Comprehensive collection of presets and MIDI-based loop files providing that creative jump-start
• Flexible MIDI pattern playback.
• 12 pads/12 outputsContent
• 10 new super high-quality kits from renowned Sonic Reality ready to play in any track along with
• 1 coupon for a free download of one Ocean Way Drums drum kit.
• 2 ultra polished kits from Steven Slate Drums, fine tuned and tweaked to sound amazing in any mix
• Newly re-mapped for Session Drummer 3 are the genre-defining original samples of the classic Roland TR-707, TR-727, TR-808, and TR-909 drum synthesizers, along with kits from Sequential Circuits Drumtraks and Linn Electronics LinnDrum
• 2 Organic kits with hundreds of MIDI patterns from Smart Loops.
• Over 700 new MIDI patterns from Steven Slate Drums and Groove Monkee
• Over 2.5 GB of Drum sample contentAudioSnap 2 features and workflow enhancements include:
• AudioSnap Palette presents all AudioSnap commands and options in one easy-to-read toolbar graphic
• Simplified transient marker appearance reduces clutter and enhancing focus on relevant information
• Transient Tool allows for dragging or snapping of transients without having to worry about inadvertently moving an audio clip; lasso selection for grouping transient edit
• The Merge and Lock transients command in the Transient Tool context menu is great for editing, stretching, and quantizing multi-track drums while keeping your audio in phase
• Grouped proportional stretching allows for the easy correction of fluctuations in a performance’s tempo without losing feel
• Tab to Transients is always available from Track View and Piano Roll View; follows Audio Clips, Groove Clips, Step Sequencer Clips, and MIDI Groove Clip
• Tempo detection, tempo mapping, and tempo syncing audio
• New tempo detection algorithm auto-detects the tempo of all audio in SONAR and the Clip Tempo Map feature allows for easy manual tempo mapping of non-rhythmic, non-constant or atypical audi
• Enhanced fidelity with Radius Mix Advanced modeAdditional miscellaneous new enhancements and “featurettes”
• Convenient Freeze and Archive buttons on each track
• Updated Insert Send Assistant, with matching track gain/pan while creating sends
• Solo Button on all effects plug-in windows, to quickly solo and focus on the track being processed
• New Track View grid lines options to present grid lines behind or in front of clips
• New option to automatically lock scrolling during playback when initiating an edit
• The Now Time cursor can be dragged to a new position during playback
• DC Offset meter in the Cakewalk Analyst plug-in
• SONAR 8.5 now includes the Project5 “Half-Rack” Tempo-Sync’d Effects, including the Alias Factor Bit Decimator, Classic Phaser, Compressor/Gate, HF Exciter, Mod Filter, Chorus/Flanger, Para-Q, StudioVerb II, and Tempo Delay
• Installation has been simplified with an easy one-click install option that accepts all default settings and locations and installs the entire SONAR application, as well as plug-ins and content data

Get the last pieces of the puzzle for the full SONAR 8.5 experience. Order the upgrade today!

Get them prepared for the DAW world with this all-encompassing package.

The academic edition of Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 means that despite tight budgets, you can still get great DAW software with all the bells and whistles for your students. Music instructors save $100 on SONAR 8.5 Producer Academic Edition with this special offer.

SONAR 8.5 Producer gives you the software you need for recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering. From exclusive features to ignite creativity and perfect your tracks, to groundbreaking technologies that always keep you in control—it’s all backed by 64-bit audio quality. And SONAR 8.5 Producer delivers the go-to music production tools you want with a great collection of virtual instruments, and mixing and mastering effects for your DAW.

With unlimited tracks, amazing creative tools, incredible virtual instruments, the freedom to work with any audio interface or control surface, and the a complete delivery capability for collaboration with users of other DAWS, SONAR 8.5 Producer is an excellent choice for your main digital audio workstation.

Create and Record
•Start producing quickly with track templates that instantly load your favorite sounds
•Make beats and synth lines with a dedicated Step Sequencer •Get inspired with a suite of critically acclaimed virtual instruments, now easier to use with new Instrument Tracks
•Plug-in direct to access fresh and versatile tones using Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE and 41 other effects
•Build audio and MIDI tracks fast using Groove Clips and the redesigned Loop Explorer

Record
•Capture all of your ideas with unlimited tracks of audio and MIDI
•Record at virtually any bit depth/sample rate up to 24-bit/384kHz
•Record an entire performance at once with support for multichannel audio interfaces
•New responsive Transport for on-the-fly recording
•Experience high track counts with low latency performance
•Get more out of your PC with industry-pioneering multi-core/multi-processor support

Edit
•Perfect your vocal tracks with Roland V-Vocal VariPhrase processor
•Manipulate the timing and feel of audio, just like MIDI, with AudioSnap
•Assemble the perfect take from Track Layers using powerful comping and editing tools
•Quickly edit MIDI with state-of-the-art Smart MIDI Tools
•Streamline your workflow and project organization with Track Folders
•Edit multiple tracks at once with group editing
•Freeze audio and instrument tracks for optimal performance

Mix
•Retain every nuance of your mix with the 64-bit audio engine
•Get hands on control of your mix, instruments, and effects with Active Controller Technology
•Mix with a versatile Console view that looks and acts just like hardware
•Get sophisticated mixes with flexible routing options, unlimited submixes and sends, internal sidechaining, and over 30 surround configurations •Find and correct mix problems as they occur with Bus Waveform Preview
•Integrate DX & VST effects and external hardware with Automatic Delay Compensation

Mastering
•End-to-end 64-bit audio path: tracks, busses, effect inserts, file export provides pristine environment for mastering
•Put a professional sheen on your final mix with the LP-64 Linear Phase EQ
•Get dynamic mixes using the LP-64 Linear Phase Multiband Compressor
•Add maximum punch with the Boost 11 Peak Limiter
•Ensure superior quality when creating 16-bit audio for CD or MP3 from 24-bit master with POW-r Dithering

Collaborate and Deliver
•Collaborate with studios who use other DAWs including Pro Tools, Logic Studio, and others

Save time with flexible export options and faster than realtime rendering
•Import/export AIF, Broadcast WAV, FLAC, SD2 (Sound Designer II), QuickTime, and many other audio & video file formats
•Upload music directly from SONAR to the web using Cakewalk Publisher to create online streaming flash players
•Rip and burn CDs right from within SONAR 8.5

New features, optimizations, and enhancements include: Loop Explorer 2.0 gives you a view that provides browse and preview of audio and MIDI groove clips and patterns; quickly drag-and-drop loops and patterns into the track view; and MIDI groove clips and patterns can be previewed with the virtual instrument of your choice.

Dedicated Instrument Track is a single track optimized for mono or stereo virtual synths which simplifies the process of working with virtual instruments. In the pursuit of offering you options of how you want to work, the multitrack method of using virtual instruments employed by previous versions of SONAR is still supported. In addition, you can split and combine instrument tracks to/from discrete audio/MIDI tracks.

SONAR 8.5 performance optimizations focus on functionality, including improved performance at high track counts and low latencies, faster launch time, and the ability to change audio devices without restarting. Cakewalk has also streamlined communication with VST plug-ins and improved ASIO performance with output latency compensation.

User Interface optimizations include smoother display when resizing windows and panes, optimized metering, more responsive zoom and scroll.

Clip Selection Groups further SONAR 8.5 Producer’s multitrack recording and take management capability. Now SONAR 8.5 automatically groups clips together across tracks after each recording pass. This is perfect for comping any multitrack ensemble performance, especially drum takes.

The Aim Assist Cursor gives you a visual guide to assist in lining up tracks for precision editing.

Split and Mute Tools can now edit multiple clips simultaneously.

The free Edit Tool lets you perform edits by clips or by time without the need of a modifier key.

Live Effects and Soft Synth Recording make it so you can play and record effect and soft synth output into audio tracks in realtime using SONAR’s live bounce feature.

The Anytime Recording features means that while the SONAR 8.5 transport is running or looping, you can now arm/unarm audio and MIDI tracks, punch in, punch out, and toggle between play and record.

Exclusive Solo Mode with Solo Override is a new solo mode that forces soloing to one track/bus at a time and prevents tracks and buses from being muted when other tracks/buses are soloed.

The Bus Inputs QuickGroup Command automatically groups all source tracks feeding a selected bus.

Mono hardware outputs makes it easy to assign tracks and buses to individual hardware outputs in addition to stereo pairs.

Transport Updates include True Rewind, Fast Forward and Pause buttons; Audition button; improved Jog/Shuttle Heuristics; and optimizations for control surfaces and scrub performance.

With the Control Surface Enhancements you can now Show/Hide Tracks, Surface can follow either the Track View or Console View, obey visible/hidden tracks, control surfaces MIDI port assignments retained/stored in SONAR, real-world VST parameter values are now displayed.

Track View and Console View Sync now automatically syncs visible/hidden tracks between the Track View and Console View channels.

Enhanced Sample Rate Conversion now employs the same fast convolution engine as the LP-64 series 64-bit mastering plug-ins.

SONAR 8.5 now includes Vista Audio/WASAPI support, which is compatible with any Vista audio device, including WaveRT PCI and motherboard audio, USB, and FireWire devices. It also has QuickTime 7 Import/Export support for the latest QuickTime 7 codecs, including H.264 and AAC audio.

The Insert Send Assistant provides a fast and easy way to create effect buses and insert sends to new or existing buses.

Updated ACT Presets now have mappings for popular plug-ins and controllers.

Over 400 new production-ready Track Templates and Project Templates.

Updated Drum Maps and Plug-in Presets enhancing the most popular SONAR plug-ins. New collection of drum pattern presets for the integrated Step Sequencer.

Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 Producer Academic Features:

• SONAR 8 Producer Edition exclusives
• SONAR 8 Producer Edition includes over $1000 in additional tools, plug-ins, and FX:
• LP-64 EQ linear phase mastering
• LP-64 Multiband linear phase mastering compressor/limiter
• TS-64 Transient Shaper
• TL-64 Tube Leveler
• VC-64 Vintage Channel with sidechaining capabilities
• Roland V-Vocal 1.5 with Pitch to MIDI conversion
• Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE
• Perfect Space Convolution Reverb
• Lexicon Pantheon Reverb
• Sonitus Surround Compressor
• Dimension Pro 1.3 virtual synthesizer with Classic Keys Expansion Pack
• TruePianos Amber sound module
• Beatscape looping instrument
• Hollywood Edge Sound FX sample library
• Z3TA+ waveshaping synthesizer
• Surround mixing in over 30 formats
• SurroundBridge technology to use stereo FX in surround
• POW-r ditheringInstruments:
• Beatscape 16 part loop performance instrument with unique remixing capabilities
• Dimension Pro combines real & synthesized sounds for endless sonic possibilities
• Rapture LE modern electronic sounds for today’s music
• Z3TA+ 1.5, an award-winning Wavetable synthesizer with incredible sound shaping features
• TruePianos Amber Piano Module, which offers superb playability and acoustic-style responsiveness
• DropZone is an easy-to-use drag-n-drop sampler with REX support
• Roland GrooveSynth and TTS-1 with genuine Roland Sounds
• Session Drummer 2 for creating drum parts easily with a live feel and popular drum patterns to get started
• 14 total instruments includedEffects:
• Sonitus:fx Suite which includes Reverb, EQ, Delay, Compressor, WahWah, and more
• TS-64 Transient Shaper can dramatically sculpt the impact of percussive sounds
• TL-64 Tube Leveler adds edge to your tracks through advanced analog vacuum-tube circuit modeling
• VC-64 Vintage Channel is a channel strip, dynamics processor, EQ, and De-Esser that works magic on virtually any track
• Channel Tools an essential stereo enhancement, utilizing sample delay, MS Decoding, and independent left/right panning
• LP-64 mastering plug-ins includes a linear phase EQ and Multiband Compressor
• 3 different Reverbs, all the spatial coloring you’ll need from convolution-based live spaces to simulated legendary Lexicon hardware
• (full version)
• Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE which provides 3 amps and cabinets, as well as 11 effects for inspiring guitar tones
• 42 audio FX and 7 MIDI FX includedContent
• Content is important and that is why we only include the best inside SONAR content you can use to get immediate results
• 4 GB of custom REX loops from Heatseekers and XMiX for use with Beatscape
• Over 7 GB of content for Dimension Pro including Strings, Bass, Brass, Ethnic Instruments, Evolving Ambient Textures, and more
• Garritan Pocket Orchestra for Dimension Pro provides a complete set of orchestral instrumentation
• Digital Sound Factory Classic Keys Expansion Pack for Dimension Pro about 1GB of classic electric piano sounds, created by the sound designer for the original E-Mu Proteus 2000 and Vintage Keys modules
• Over 300 convolution reverb impulse responses
• Preset patterns for the Step Sequencer offering useful beats to get your productions started
• New and updated ACT mappings for popular control surfaces and MIDI controllers
• Hollywood Edge Sound Effects sample library
• New Project and Track Templates to get you set-up instantly
• Thousands of inspiring presets for the included instruments and effects
• 14-day SurCode unlimited trial Dolby encoders for Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II

Educators save $100 on this excellent DAW package. Order now.

Record, compose, edit, mix, and master music with SONAR 8 Studio.

Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 Studio offers an incredible amount of creative software tools within a powerful digital audio workstation at a great price. Built upon the same core feature set as SONAR 8 Producer, SONAR 8.5 Studio gives you the edge in your productions. Use Sonar 8.5 Studio for recording audio and MIDI, composing with virtual instruments, remixing with loops, mixing with professional effects or to deliver of a polished final track. All of your DAW projects will be backed by Sonar 8.5 Studio’s 64-bit audio quality.

Create and Record
Capture all of your musical ideas with unlimited tracks of audio and MIDI Start producing quickly with track templates that instantly load your favorite sounds Make beats and synth lines with a dedicated Step Sequencer Get inspired with a suite of critically acclaimed virtual instruments, now easier to use with Instrument Tracks Build audio and MIDI tracks fast using Groove Clips and the redesigned Loop Explorer Record at virtually any bit depth/sample rate up to 24-bit/384kHz Record an entire performance at once with support for multichannel audio interfaces New responsive Transport for on-the-fly recording Experience high track counts with low latency performance

Edit
Manipulate the timing and feel of audio, just like MIDI, with AudioSnap Assemble the perfect take from Track Layers using powerful comping and editing tools Quickly edit MIDI with state-of-the-art Smart MIDI Tools Streamline your workflow and project organization with Track Folders Edit multiple tracks at once with group editing Freeze audio and instrument tracks for optimal performance

Mix
Retain every nuance of your mix with the 64-bit audio engine Get hands-on control of your mix, instruments, and effects with Active Controller Technology Mix with a versatile Console view that looks and acts just like hardware Get sophisticated mixes with flexible routing options, unlimited submixes and sends, internal sidechaining Find and correct mix problems as they occur with Bus Waveform Preview Integrate DX & VST effects and external hardware with Automatic Delay Compensation Experience high track counts with low latency performance Get more out of your PC with superior multi-core/multi-processor support

Collaborate and Deliver
Add audio recording and other features to Reason and other ReWire-capable applications Collaborate with studios who use other DAWs including Pro Tools, Logic Studio, and others Save time with flexible export options and faster than real-time rendering Import/export AIF, Broadcast WAV, FLAC, SD2 (Sound Designer II), QuickTime, and many other audio & video file formats Upload music directly from SONAR to the web using Cakewalk Publisher to create online streaming flash players Rip and burn CDs right from within SONAR.5 Studio

Cakewalk SONAR 8.5 Studio Features:

• New features, optimizations, and enhancements include:
• Loop Explorer 2.0 gives you a view that provides browse and preview of audio and MIDI groove clips and patterns; quickly drag-and-drop loops and patterns into the track view; and MIDI groove clips and patterns can be previewed with the virtual instrument of your choice.Dedicated Instrument Track is a single track optimized for mono or stereo virtual synths which simplifies the process of working with virtual instruments. In the pursuit of offering you options of how you want to work, the multitrack method of using virtual instruments employed by previous versions of SONAR is still supported. In addition, you can split and combine instrument tracks to/from discrete audio/MIDI tracks.SONAR performance optimizations focus on functionality, including improved performance at high track counts and low latencies, faster launch time, and the ability to change audio devices without restarting. Cakewalk has also streamlined communication with VST plug-ins and improved ASIO performance with output latency compensation.User Interface optimizations include smoother display when resizing windows and panes, optimized metering, more responsive zoom and scroll.Clip Selection Groups further SONAR’s multitrack recording and take management capability. Now SONAR automatically groups clips together across tracks after each recording pass. This is perfect for comping any multitrack ensemble performance, especially drum takes.

  The Aim Assist Cursor gives you a visual guide to assist in lining up tracks for precision editing.

  Split and Mute Tools can now edit multiple clips simultaneously.

  The free Edit Tool lets you perform edits by clips or by time without the need of a modifier key.

  Live Effects and Soft Synth Recording make it so you can play and record effect and soft synth output into audio tracks in realtime using SONAR’s live bounce feature.

  The Anytime Recording features means that while the SONAR transport is running or looping, you can now arm/unarm audio and MIDI tracks, punch in, punch out, and toggle between play and record.

  Exclusive Solo Mode with Solo Override is a new solo mode that forces soloing to one track/bus at a time and prevents tracks and buses from being muted when other tracks/buses are soloed.

  The Bus Inputs QuickGroup Command automatically groups all source tracks feeding a selected bus.

  Mono hardware outputs makes it easy to assign tracks and buses to individual hardware outputs in addition to stereo pairs.

  Transport Updates include True Rewind, Fast Forward and Pause buttons; Audition button; improved Jog/Shuttle Heuristics; and optimizations for control surfaces and scrub performance.

  With the Control Surface Enhancements you can now Show/Hide Tracks, Surface can follow either the Track View or Console View, obey visible/hidden tracks, control surfaces MIDI port assignments retained/stored in SONAR, real-world VST parameter values are now displayed.

  Track View and Console View Sync now automatically syncs visible/hidden tracks between the Track View and Console View channels.

  Enhanced Sample Rate Conversion now employs the same fast convolution engine as the LP-64 series 64-bit mastering plug-ins.

  SONAR 8 now includes Vista Audio/WASAPI support, which is compatible with any Vista audio device, including WaveRT PCI and motherboard audio, USB, and FireWire devices. It also has QuickTime 7 Import/Export support for the latest QuickTime 7 codecs, including H.264 and AAC audio.

  The Insert Send Assistant provides a fast and easy way to create effect buses and insert sends to new or existing buses.

  Updated ACT Presets now have mappings for popular plug-ins and controllers.

  Over 400 new production-ready Track Templates and Project Templates.

  Updated Drum Maps and Plug-in Presets enhancing the most popular SONAR plug-ins. New collection of drum pattern presets for the integrated Step Sequencer.

  Instruments

• Dimension LE: a special version of this award-winning instrument that combines real & synthesized sounds
• Rapture LE: modern electronic sounds for today s music
• DropZone: easy-to-use drag-n-drop sampler with REX support
• PSYN II: full-featured subtractive synthesizer
• RXP: easy-to-use REX player/groove box
• Roland GrooveSynth and TTS-1 with genuine Roland Sounds
• Session Drummer 2: create drum parts easily with a live feel, and with included popular drum patterns to get you started
• 11 total instruments includedEffects
• Sonitus:fx Suite: Reverb, EQ, Delay, Compressor, WahWah, and more
• Boost 11 Peak Limiter for maximum punch from your final mix
• Channel Tools: essential stereo enhancement, utilizing sample delay, MS Decoding, and independent left/right panning
• Lexicon Pantheon SE Reverb based on legendary Lexicon hardware
• 33 audio FX and 7 MIDI FX includedContent
• Garritan Pocket Orchestra for Dimension LE provides a complete set of orchestral instrumentation
• Preset patterns for the Step Sequencer offering useful beats to get your productions started
• New and updated ACT mappings for popular control surfaces and MIDI controllers
• New Project and Track Templates to get you set-up instantly
• Thousands of inspiring presets for the included instruments and effects
• And much more

Make music that’ll land on the radar with SONAR 8 Producer. Order today!