For the past month, we’ve been ‘tweeting’ about the new features found in the next version of SONAR. Well, the wait is finally over! Cakewalk today announces a feature packed upgrade for SONAR Producer and SONAR Studio.
SONAR 8.5 continues to innovate with new capabilities including enhanced beat creation and arrangement tools, a new drum instrument loaded with stellar kits and patterns, an enhanced audio timing toolset, new multi-stage effect plug-ins for drums, percussion sounds and vocal tracks, engine optimizations and stability improvements, and many additional workflow and technological advances -notably Windows 7 compatibility.
Plus… for the first time ever… We’re offering it as a download!
New Features & Workflow Enhancements:
· Matrix View—simple and flexible cell-based, non-linear audio and MIDI arranging with live triggering capability.
· Step Sequencer 2.0—the most powerful step sequencing capability in any DAW.
· Integrated Arpeggiator—trigger arpeggiations on MIDI or instrument tracks with in-depth control over all arp parameters. Includes hundreds of presets.
· Session Drummer 3—latest version of Cakewalk’s virtual instrument for easy and fast creation of drum tracks with a new UI, stellar sounding kits and patterns from top sound designers and drummers, more.
· AudioSnap 2.0—updated audio quantizing and time shifting technology with new look and refinements to all the core controls, significantly improving workflow, plus improved offline rendering.
· Media Browser—a new hub for content access in SONAR; supports multiple formats to preview and import your loops, grooves, and MIDI patterns; features presets to grab content from your favorite locations.
· 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 Support—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-in compatibility improvements.
· Native REX Loop support featured in Track View, Media Browser, and Matrix View.
· BitBridge XR—run 32-bit plug-ins in 64-bit environments, with memory access now extended up to 128 GB RAM.
Read the SONAR 8.5 press release here
Visit the SONAR 8.5 web pages for exclusive specs, images and more
Here’s the first SONAR 8.5 feature video on Session Drummer 3 to get your creative juices flowing: