Extra! Extra! Cakewalk Releases Sonar 2!

(Cakewalk | Posted 2002-05-15)

Cakewalk, developer of the best-selling music and sound software for Windows, is now shipping SONAR 2.0, the latest version of its award-winning digital multitrack recording system. SONAR 2.0 provides the most advanced Windows technology available for recording, editing, and mixing digital audio and MIDI projects entirely on the PC. The company also began shipping SONAR 2.0 XL this week, a premium-edition of SONAR 2.0 that includes two 64-bit, fully-automatable DirectX 8 mastering effects plug-ins, and an advanced DXi soft synth drum sampler.

First introduced one year ago, SONAR has become the industry standard for Windows-based digital multitrack recording. SONAR offers unlimited digital audio and MIDI tracks; a centralized interface design for improved creative workflow; advanced audio looping and editing tools; DXi software synthesizer plug-ins; automatable DirectX 8 audio plug-ins; real-time MIDI FX plug-ins; and extensive audio loop and SoundFont libraries.

What's New in SONAR 2.0

Cyclone DXi(tm) Groove Sampler - This new DXi software synth picks up where simple phrase sampling has left off, providing users with a unique way to perform with SONAR groove clips or ACID-format loops. Cyclone DXi allows users to edit individual slices of Groove Clips and ACID loops; add effects; reorganize and combine with other loops; extract the rhythm of one loop and remap it to another; trigger grooves with MIDI events in a track, and export to create new variations of existing loops.

Key Cyclone DXi Features

* Trigger up to 16 different groove pads in real-time using a MIDI input device, PC keyboard or mouse, or sequenced MIDI track
* Import SONAR Groove Clips and ACID-format wave files
* Transpose loops in real-time
* Beat match multiple loops to play back at same tempo
* Support for multiple outputs

ReWire 2.0 Support

Users can now run any ReWire-compatible software synth from within SONAR. Route any ReWire channel into its own audio track inside SONAR. Choose channels by device. Launch ReWire devices from SONAR's new Synth Rack. Add loops or audio tracks to Reason projects. Supports Reason, ReBirth and other ReWire-compatible software synths.

Multi-port Graphical Drum Editor

Paint notes and polyphonic rhythm patterns with the click of the mouse, and create complex MIDI drum parts with ease; features include drag-and-drop drum grid, pattern-brush painting, auto-erase, editable velocity tails, multi-state note event toolbar, and additional display options. Users can re-map drum parts in real-time to multiple devices on multiple ports.

Advanced Project Management

Organize and retrieve audio data faster with per-project audio folders, enhanced asset sharing, track/clip/project-based file names, and other audio filing enhancements. Supports single audio data directories and provides new options to expand and consolidate project files. With networked media support, users can work on projects from multiple drives or over a network. Also supports file linking, which saves disk space by eliminating copies of regularly used loops, sound effects and other standard audio libraries.

Global MIDI Control Surface Support

SONAR 2.0 provides transparent, bi-directional support for any MIDI-compatible control surface hardware. It includes dedicated support for the CM MotorMix, TASCAM U-428 and U-224 controllers; it also includes a Global Controller Module with "learn" mode, and presets for dozens of other popular control surfaces. Dedicated support for additional control surfaces will follow throughout 2002, and will be available for download on the Cakewalk web site.

Support for Yamaha Open MIDI Plug-in Technology Panels

Real-time control of MIDI hardware devices from the SONAR software environment. Yamaha's new open plug-in technology allows for the seamless integration of MIDI controllers, advanced synthesizer parameter editing and other MIDI processing tools.

Improved Soft Synth Integration

SONAR 2.0 provides more flexible integration of DXi software synths using the new Synth Rack; provides Mute/Solo grouping, and easier synth-track set-up; DXi and ReWire synths can be patched directly to track inputs. DXi soft synth enhancements include support for multi-port soft synths and soft synth automation (multiple ports and automation must also be supported by the DXi soft synth).

ACID .WAV File Exporting

Users can export/save groove clips as ACID-format .WAV files, for use in other projects and ACID-compatible software products.

Additional Tools and Loops for SONAR 2.0

Providing an extensive production environment, SONAR includes many third-party DXi soft synths, DirectX 8 automatable effects, real-time MIDI FX plug-ins, as well as audio loops and SoundFont libraries including:

* Alien Connections' ReValver SE DXi guitar amp simulator
* Audio Simulations' DreamStation 2.0 DXi soft synth
* Edirol's Virtual Sound Canvas 1.5 DXi soft synth
* Power Technology's DirectX 8 automatable DSP FX plug-ins
* MusicLab and NTONYX MIDI FX plug-ins
* Smart Loops and X-MiX audio loop libraries (over 400 loops)
* Sonic Implants' SoundFont libraries SONAR 2.0 XL

Cakewalk is also shipping SONAR 2.0 XL, the premium-edition of SONAR that provides two new 64-bit DirectX 8 audio-mastering effects, and an advanced DXi drum sampler.

In addition to the tools and loop libraries provided in the standard SONAR 2.0 package, SONAR XL includes:

* FXpansion DR-008 Drum Sampler DXi - Advanced drum sampler synthesis, featuring 96 channels of pattern-based drum machine sequencing and editing, 128-way velocity splits, Vintage analog modeling; 32-bit sampling, Supports WAV and AIFF files, and bank files for LM-4, DR-005 and other drum kit formats

* Sonic Timeworks Mastering EQ - A high-end mastering EQ delivering true stereo 64-bit precision. Features clean and vintage EQ algorithms, 30-band spectrum analyzer, phase meter, standard and graphical editing modes, fully-automatable.

* Sonic Timeworks Compressor X - Versatile, 64-bit mastering-quality compression for the PC studio. Features warm analog sound with analog style metering, ultra-fast attack/release times, hard and soft knee compression, and no-clip brick wall style limiting, fully-automatable.

Pricing and Availability

SONAR 2.0 has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $479 U.S.; SONAR 2.0 XL is $599 U.S. (MSRP). Registered SONAR 1.0 customers can upgrade to SONAR 2.0 directly through Cakewalk for $79; SONAR 1.0 XL to SONAR 2.0 XL for $169.

For more information, visit Cakewalk on the web at www.cakewalk.com; or call 617-423-9004.

Extra! Extra! Cakewalk Releases Sonar 2!

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