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- CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER FULL VERSION
- CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER MOD
- CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER UPDATE
- CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER UPGRADE
- CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER SOFTWARE
However, 8.5 - a 'mere' point update - is overflowing with new goodies that will not only improve your workflow, but offer inspiration as well. In our Sonar 8 review, we concluded that that version was focused primarily on optimising what was already there. We can't blame Cakewalk, however, as it's clearly dependent on third parties for these technologies to be implemented for 64-bit operating systems. One caveat is that, when using the 64-bit version, certain features and functionality (eg, MPEX timestretching, ReWire to 32-bit apps, QuickTime support) are absent. Furthermore, we had no trouble running Sonar on machines that fell well below the recommended spec.
CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER SOFTWARE
As has typically been our experience with Cakewalk, the software is reassuringly stable (we were running the 8.5.2 update, which should be out by the time you read this).
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Overall, the new tools in 8.5 work well and the effects sound terrific.
CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER MOD
There's also a mod filter, a retro phaser, a chorus/flanger, another delay (stereo, natch), the self-explanatory Stereo Compressor/Gate and a rather nice, CPU-friendly parametric EQ. There's a particularly nice filter/bit-crusher in the shape of Alias Factor, and we were also pleased with HF Factor, an exciter designed to be used as an overall sweetener, adding high-end harmonic content to make the signal brighter and give it increased presence. Joining these channel strips are several individual effects taken from Cakewalk's Project 5 DAW.
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As a bonus, there are dozens of presets for each, covering a wide range of needs.
CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER UPGRADE
They both sound the business and could easily retail for the upgrade price on their own.
CAKEWALK SONAR 8 PRODUCER FULL VERSION
The 11 new effects bundled with Sonar 8.5 constitute yet another pleasant surprise, as this kind of stuff is usually reserved for full version updates. There's REX file support, audio engine tweaks, hardware hotswap capability, tabs to flip the mixer on the lower half of the display to show the Synth Rack or revised Media Browser (formerly Loop Explorer)… the list goes on and on. We've covered the headline additions, but suffice to say that enhancements and refinements abound. There's now a dedicated tool that enables you to drag and snap individual transients into position, and tempo detection and audio rendering quality have been improved, among other things. The palette has been reworked to improve workflow, and it certainly makes much more sense to us than previously. The AudioSnap audio quantisation system is now at version 2. Your real-time performances can also be recorded for further editing. Loops can start playing immediately or at the next bar or beat division (down to a 64th-note), and can be retriggered, latched, controlled via MIDI and more. If Groove Clips are used, your loops will lock to the current tempo. "Some of the most fun to be had with Sonar 8.5 comes courtesy of the Matrix View, which is a performance environment for audio and MIDI loops." Splayed out across these rows are an unlimited number of cells, into which you can drag a single MIDI or audio clip - only one cell per row can be active at once, but you can pile on as many tracks/rows as you like. The interface consists of a grid, in which each row is assigned to any track in your project. Some of the most fun to be had with Sonar 8.5 comes courtesy of the Matrix View, which is a performance environment for audio and MIDI loops à la Live's Session View and, indeed, the Groove Matrix in Cakewalk's own Project 5 (although it's not a port -it's brand new code). You still can't use Sonar's MIDI effects on Instrument channels, though. Now, though, there's a powerful arpeggiator built into each and every MIDI and instrument track, featuring hundreds of preset patterns, designed for drums, guitars, electric pianos and more. In our Sonar 8 review, we complained that it wasn't possible to use Cakewalk's Arpeggiator MIDI FX plug-in on Sonar's instrument tracks. You can bring your own samples and patterns in, too. This version presents a slightly gimmicky animated interface and a selection of sampled electronic and acoustic drum kits, and MIDI patterns suitable for a variety of styles.Īmongst the acoustic and mixed drums are some astonishingly realistic combos that certainly had our toes a-tapping. Beat merchants will be pleased to learn that the third incarnation of Session Drummer is vastly improved.