A little over a month ago we featured Javier Colon on our blog the day before “The Voice” premiered. I don’t think anyone had a doubt that he would be anything less than stellar on the show, but I don’t think anyone realized the impact he would have on viewers around the world. If you have seen the show you know what I am talking about; Javier’s voice is undeniable, and combining that with his first-class demeanor and composure has authentically gained him millions of fans around the world. Since the premier, Javier has been on a whirlwind ride and we have been fortunate enough to keep in touch with him even though his schedule has changed… just a bit;) Continue reading “Cakewalk Artist Javier Colon Making His Mark on "The Voice"”
Cakewalk's own Dan Kaplan on the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch"
SONAR has always been the “working man’s DAW.” From inception, it was built on the foundational theory that musicians should not be held back or creatively limited. From electronic beat-wizards to the most authentic acoustic musicians, SONAR has always been a DAW that creative musicians turn to for empowerment.
With the financial troubles of the Major Labels, a common trend is showing more and more very credible artists representing various genres who have the DNA to be on a major label, but successfully continue other career paths while keeping music on the forefront. Between the troubled economy and the state of the recorded music industry, many people are turning to SONAR to record “major label” sounding tracks on their own to tap into the licensing market, which has enormous potential not just in terms of making money, but also with obtaining national and international exposure. Continue reading “Cakewalk's own Dan Kaplan on the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch"”
Grammy Nominated Luigie Gonzalez on SONAR X1
Friday, May 13 – Los Angeles, CA
In the Cakewalk Artist Relations Department we have the honor of working with many producers, songwriters, mixing engineers, composers and musicians on a daily basis. As we all know (or we should all know), the beauty of SONAR is that not only does it stand out as the premier top-notch Digital Audio Workstation, but it’s also an inspirational and creative workhorse. Many recording artists and producers looking for a more creative environment turn to SONAR and never look back. The ability to customize just about anything you want, combined with a complete sonic package of content, plugins, virtual synths and other instrumentation really gives SONAR its award winning edge. Continue reading “Grammy Nominated Luigie Gonzalez on SONAR X1”
SONAR X1 User Javier Colon to Appear on NBC’s “The Voice”
Tuesday, April 26 – New York, NY
If you are making music I think you will agree with me when I say for better or for worse “What an interesting time it is for the recorded music industry.” There are a few elements that really make it “interesting;”
Music creators now have options such as SONAR X1 to create finished masters without having to pay for studios, therefore having the luxury of time to hone in on perfecting the art of making great recordings.- It’s a fact that music consumption is at a record high, but at the same time the money (in dollars) flowing into the industry as a whole is at a record low.
- Major Labels are no longer developing artists.
- Labels have lost the revenue of the “full length” record due to the fact that consumers can purchase singles for next to nothing now and bypassing those “throwaway” tracks.
- One can click a mouse and literally “distribute” a song to thousands of people at once.
…add in a few money making American Idols along with the astronomical amount of money it takes to be heard on CHR radio, and there you have it; an industry that is really tough to figure out right now.
With all that being said, modern technology including the internet has brought one thing to the table for sure; “the truth.” If you’ve really got something going on and the talent to back it up, cyber-authenticity kicks into high gear and recognition follows. The internet has created an upward filtering platform where people gravitate towards the entertainment by which they really want to be engaged. Javier Colon is absolutely a pioneer of this revolution and is about as authentic and talented as they come, which has landed him an audition on the new highly anticipated NBC television show “The Voice” airing Tuesday, April 26th.
Continue reading “SONAR X1 User Javier Colon to Appear on NBC’s “The Voice””
There's Been a Murder (FM) on SONAR X1
Friday, April 8 – Dallas, TX
“Deep in the Heart of Texas,” a song you most likely will not hear at a Murder FM show, but it is a location where you will find the band pounding out amazing material using SONAR X1. In terms of work ethic and sheer determination, one will rarely find a band more in tune with what it takes to be a successful organization.
Based out of Dallas, TX, Murder FM (comprised of Norman Matthew, J6, Matt X3r0, and Brandon Arpin) has been performing sold out shows from coast to coast in the The United States while sharing the stage with some other notable bands such as Korn, The Used, Dope, Sick Puppies, Cavo, Red, Domain, 69 Eyes, The Birthday Massacre and Trapt amongst others. Lead singer/guitarist (and producer) Norman Mathew has been relentless in the past recent years setting up and maintaining the bands success. 
“It’s a real balancing act nowadays,” Norman says. “It’s a lot different than it used to be where you could just work on your music and let things fall into place. Now it’s a matter of working on your music just as hard, but on top of that you have to be on your promotional and business game as well. That’s why I have been so stoked on SONAR for my career because it really allows me to zoom in quickly and efficiently on my creativity.” Continue reading “There's Been a Murder (FM) on SONAR X1”
TC, and Paul Oakenfold’s Team on SONAR X1
Thursday, February 24th – Hollywood, CA
On a recent trip to Los Angeles, I had the privilege of spending some time with an X1 pro user who really exemplifies the modern day musician on all fronts. His name is TC (born Anthony Crawford) and he is also known by some in the producing underground as “Spitfire”. “TC,” as we will refer to him today, is employed by Paul Oakenfold as his main music producer, co-writer, mixing engineer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist. Working in that capacity, on a daily basis TC will mesh with artists such as B.O.B., Usher, Madonna, Lloyd and Rico Love just to name a recent few. Continue reading “TC, and Paul Oakenfold’s Team on SONAR X1”
EMI Music Publishing US Headquarters Chooses SONAR X1, V-Studio 100 and PC Audio Labs for In-house Recording Room
New York City, NY – January 25th, 2011
Unlike the recorded music sector of the music industry, the publishing world is still thriving for those who have been able to adapt to the changes. Known as the largest music publisher in the world, EMI Music Publishing is indeed one of those companies and still a well oiled conglomerate dead set on the success of its affiliated writers. Nestled in one of the hippest neighborhoods in New York City (The Meat Packing District), EMI Music Publishing boasts a catalogue and current roster of some of the most successful artists, songwriters and producers in the game. A walk down the maze of halls in this 20,000sf facility may lead you to nodding heads and a quick hello to a range of diverse multi-platinum music icons such as Billy Joel, The Fray, Pink, and James Blunt to name just a few. Continue reading “EMI Music Publishing US Headquarters Chooses SONAR X1, V-Studio 100 and PC Audio Labs for In-house Recording Room”
I Can See for Miles: The Journey of Universal/Decca Artist Raul Midon
SONAR user Raul Midon likes to take chances to find that next new thing that will inspire him, make him complete, to drive him in a new direction; as an artist, it’s simply what he does. Taking chances has paid off as you can see here with his amazing performance on The David Letterman Show. Today, on a beautiful day in Boston’s Faneuil Hall, he took a chance on the suggested oyster appetizer and it paid off. “Man, that’s Rock and Roll!” he said after the seasonings kicked in. After all, uncooked seafood is always a crap shoot even in the best and cleanest eateries, but to Raul Midon, taking chances is a way of life that has paid off on many levels.
Continue reading “I Can See for Miles: The Journey of Universal/Decca Artist Raul Midon”
Cakewalk Artist Notes
Gedeon Luke Instills Some Soul And Good Vibes Into The Lower East Side -NYC
Gedeon Luke, a former American Idol semifinalist and Dimension Pro/Rapture user is creating quite a stir in the NYC Lower East Side music scene. His record which is being released at the end of October is “chock full of keys that utilized Rapture and Dimension Pro” stated producer/songwriter Marc Swersky of Gravitas Entertainment. Gedeon Luke will be at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC on October 14th at 9pm and you can see and hear more at www.myspace.com/gedeonluke.
Where’s Norman?
SONAR manipulator (and madman) Norman Mathew is in LA this week at Airlane Studios working/writing with producer Nick Page (Fuel/The Darkness) on a new project called Valor and Vengeance. His band Murder FM also just released ANOTHER record title “Patchwork Promises” and they will be back on the road soon with Otep and The Birthday Massacre. Click here for more info on Murder FM.
Chuck Carr is lost in some Twisted Metal
Producer/composer/musician Chuck Carr is hard at work on the Soundtrack for the new AAA title, “Twisted Metal X” where he is using SONAR for the entire score. “I am constantly figuring out ways to use SONAR differently to come up with unique sounds. Just yesterday I was using AudioSnap on vocals to create ‘static’ effect.” Chuck Carr has depended on SONAR as a composer/songwriter to deliver the music for many notable works such as GameDay, GameBreaker, NHL Hockey, NBA, ATV Off-Road Fury, SuperCross Circuit, CoolBoarders 2001, and many others.
The AristoTrax on SONAR
The setting is your typical California day; the type you see on TV all the time. The sun, the cars, the people and the sand leading to the famous Santa Monica Boulevard which is filled with a plethora of interesting characters. Just another typical day? Really? Not for R1CKONE; actually there is no such thing as a “typical day” for R1CKONE. On this California day, a Wednesday, R1CKONE starts off as he usually does with a trip out of Santa Monica to one of the many studios he works out of to engage in what he does best, make beats and produce music. Today he happens to be working with credit-worthy producer Alex Cantrall where he will proceed to walk into a studio, again, and shock everyone with what he calls his “Hit Box Mobile”. Now you might ask, “what the H&!! is a Hit Box Mobile?” His production partner Lance Jones who is part of the AristoTrax with R1CKONE will tell you: “These are boxes [computers] I built for me and R1CKONE, and they are basically packed in with the best software and hardware utilizing SONAR 8.5 and Intel Core i7 technology at the helm. We can take these anywhere and plug them into any studio and it’s off to the races. As music creators, SONAR really gives us an edge when we work with other producers and artists. The workflow is ridiculous and it has the tools in the box which allow us to take our music away from the norm.” (See video for more on the Hit Box Mobile.)