Cakewalk Guitar Studio 2 Review

(Cakewalk | Posted 2001-07-25)

Never in the history of computer software has so much attention been paid to the recording guitarist. Sure, there have been the associated G-VOX and guitar lesson related software packages, but not until now have guitarists enjoyed their day in the software limelight. Guitar Studio 2 from Cakewalk in Cambridge, Massachusetts is "the" tool for the recording guitarist. The successor to the original Guitar Studio package, Guitar Studio 2 features many enhancements and additions that will let you work on your song projects and CD-quality recordings right in the comfort of your own home. Cakewalk Guitar Studio 2 includes key features like a Multi-track recorder capable of 16 digital audio and 256 MIDI tracks, guitar tablature functionality, a built-in chromatic tuner, and new MIDI and audio plug-ins. Since the first version of Guitar Studio, Cakewalk has been busy on some new additions as well!

Some of the new features that Cakewalk lists for Guitar Studio 2 are:

Record and play back up to 16 tracks of digital audio along with MIDI tracks. Great for recording multiple takes of guitar, or for producing your band's next CD.
Run up to 16 simultaneous real-time effects on your audio tracks. Combine chorus, echo, reverb, amp simulation and any other DirectX-compatible effect to create the perfect sound.
Edit and print guitar tablature along with standard notation. Enter notes with your PC mouse or keyboard, or transcribe a performance from MIDI guitar or any other MIDI instrument.
Create professional drum tracks for your projects with the new Session Drummer™ MIDI FX plug-in. The Session Drummer works in real-time as a virtual drum machine, and also lets you save your drum arrangements as part of your Guitar Studio project file.
Add vintage amplifier simulation to dry digital audio tracks with the AmpSim Lite audio plug-in. The easiest way to get that vintage sound, without having to purchase and maintain expensive gear!
Import and synchronize digital video to your music and sound projects. Great for creating desktop music videos!
Draw volume and panning data to individual audio tracks using new vector-based automation.

Now that you know what Cakewalk claims as Guitar Studio 2’s features, you probably would like to know how it performs. Right? I only need one word to describe it – Awesome! Ever since the package arrived, I’ve been burning CD quality versions of songs I’ve been working on in Guitar Studio 2 with various friends. Creativity is unleashed with the flexibility that I need in this package.

A typical session usually includes setting up a rhythm track with the session drummer. You can easily pick from several different styles of rhythm, from alternative and dance to hard rock and rap. There’s also a nice selection of Jazz, Latin, and other worldly rhythm types. Once you’ve selected a style, setting up the track is as easy as drag and drop. Choose from various combinations of drum beats and measure lengths and you’re on your way!

Once the rhythm track is setup, I usually will throw an acoustic track in, layer some overdriven leads on top of it, and top it off by recording the bass line. Finally, I’ll punch in some vocals and then layer some chorus vocals or harmonies on top of them. The great thing about all of this is that Guitar Studio 2 will let you record digital audio tracks from instruments and microphones that have effects applied to them already, or you can record all of your tracks dry and mix and match effects to your liking in the program – in real time.

You can cut and paste, mix-down, and layer up to 16 tracks of digital audio in all. There’s also 256 tracks available for all of you MIDI maniacs out there! Once my project is complete, though, I usually find myself mixing everything down to two stereo tracks and exporting the WAV file so that I can burn it to CD.

Bottom Line:

I’m still exploring the many features available in Cakewalk Guitar Studio 2. I’ve used other programs, like CuBase, but have yet to find anything that offers the performance and features that are geared exclusively to the needs of today’s guitarist. You’ll find all of that and more in Guitar Studio 2. I would highly recommend this package to anyone looking to do some home recording without a huge dollar investment.

Cakewalk Guitar Studio 2 Review

$310

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