Posted on

New ProChannel Concrete Limiter coming NAMM 2012

Back in October 2011, we released SONAR X1 Producer Expanded which introduced ProChannel modularity. This included the ability to add new modules to the ProChannel. Since that time we have released two Cakewalk branded ProChannel modules, the PC4K S-Type Expander/Gate and the PC4K S-Type Channel Compressor. In addition, Softube has released the Softube Mix Bundle which includes VST and ProChannel versions of the popular Softube Mix Bundle.

So what’s next for the ProChannel? Well we received many requests for a limiter so we set out to create a great brick wall limiter that felt right at home on a channel or bus – perfect for mixing or mastering. Here’s a sneak peek at the new ProChannel Concrete Limiter. And you won’t have to wait long to buy it as it will be available for sale as a download at the Cakewalk Store in time for the start of NAMM 2012.

More information and sound examples will be released at NAMM 2012.

Posted on

Cakewalk's 11 big product releases of 2011

2011 was a big year for Cakewalk and featured some major product releases. Here’s a quick recap of some of the most popular product releases of 2011 with links to each, in case you missed it. We’d love to hear your feedback on which was your favorite by voting in our Facebook poll.

SONAR X1  Free Trial: For those of you that want to try it before you buy it, we released a free 30-day SONAR X1 Web trial. The SONAR X1 Web Trial is a fully functioning version of SONAR X1 that will work for up to 30 days if registered.

SONAR X1a update: The first free update to SONAR X1 includes fixes for Skylight, ProChannel and more.

SONAR X1b update: The second free update to SONAR includes control surface updates for the V-Studio 700, V-Studio, plus more fixes.

SONAR X1c update: The third free update includes is the current update as of today with all the updates and hotfixes included.

Music Creator 6: Music Creation just got even easier! Based on Cakewalk’s acclaimed professional studio software, Music Creator’s elegant design and drag and drop interface makes creating and sharing music fast, easy, and fun.

Z3TA+ 2.1: Nearly a decade after its initial release, Z3TA+ is back with a brand new version that builds on its already legendary status.  New filters, modulatable waveshapers, flexible effects, expressive control and a gorgeous new interface make Z3TA+ 2 one seriously powerful synth.

SONAR X1 Producer Expanded: SONAR X1 Producer Expanded takes SONAR X1 Producer even further with exciting new production tools and delivery options. ProChannel modularity, a new Softube Saturation Knob, MusicXML export, and SoundCloud are just a few of the new features.

PC4K S-Type Expander / Gate: When we introduced ProChannel modularity with SONAR X1 Producer Expanded, we also released a brand new ProChannel module. The PC4K S-Type Expander / Gate Module is expertly crafted by the Cakewalk DSP team and rounds out our legendary, vintage-style, ProChannel modeling.

PC4K S-Type Channel Compressor: The only thing left to complete the 4K modeling story was a channel compressor. In late 2011, we released the new PC4K S-Type Channel Compressor which provides full emulation of the classic, large-format, mixing consoles used by professional engineers to make hit records.

SONAR X1 Advanced Workshop with Craig Anderton: Craig Anderton and Cakewalk teamed up for the most unique SONAR tutorial ever created. SONAR X1 Advanced Workshop with Craig Anderton is a ground-breaking collection of advanced SONAR X1 techniques,and is also Cakewalk’s first official video tutorial.

SONAR X1 Advanced Workshop: The Next Level: Don’t call it a sequel. This is unlike any other video tutorial on the market today (even compared to his first, universally-acclaimed “Advanced Workshop” video) as Craig shows you amazing, one-of-a-kind techniques that truly take SONAR X1 to the next level.

Vote for your favorite product release in our Facebook Poll.

Posted on

Hollywood Undead: On the road and writing with SONAR X1 Expanded

It’s two weeks into the tour and Hollywood Undead’s guitarist/vocalist/music creator J-Dog is without his tour laminate.  “All the dates are on the back of the laminate,” he says in a calm voice and smiling, “so it looks like I won’t know where I’ll be heading for a while.”  It could be a good thing, because J-Dog doesn’t need any distractions as his mind is set on a few specific targets; gearing up [already] for the next record, and giving Hollywood Undead fans everything the band has to offer on this tour.

The band, who currently are working on SONAR X1 Expanded for their next record are fighting through what is known in the industry as the “Sophomore Slump,” and winning.  “You can’t let your guard down for a minute these days.  You have to keep on working and keep your head on straight in order to stay in the game,” J-Dog tells me in a candid conversation.  “Even though our new record is doing well and the touring is killer, we have to keep it moving to the next record.” Continue reading “Hollywood Undead: On the road and writing with SONAR X1 Expanded”

Posted on

Ron Cote and Pristine Productions Utilizing SONAR X1 with Chart-topping Rock Acts

When it comes to SONAR, many of us often just think of recording and creating music for one medium, but there are many people out there using it in other ways.  Pristine Productions is a company based out of Philadelphia that has been using SONAR for many years to record Major Label artists; only not in the traditional sense…

Week-in and week-out, Ron Cote and his crew are found working with some of the biggest names in the business such as Shinedown, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Staind, Avenged Sevenfold and most recently, the undeniable Adrenaline Mob who are currently making a huge mark in the rock world.  When I say “working with” I am talking about a platform beyond recorded music that extends into the depths of capturing the whole “concert experience” on video.  Ron is hired by Major Labels and directly by bands to go into the trenches and capture those moments that give us all goose-bumps; those moments where a guitar solo just sounds way better than it did on the studio version of the song; or those moments where the lead singer delivered an inspirational melody he/she should have put on the studio record. Continue reading “Ron Cote and Pristine Productions Utilizing SONAR X1 with Chart-topping Rock Acts”

Posted on

SONAR X1 Video – Linear & Non-linear Music Production

There are lots of ways to make music – from precise, deliberate composition to live performance and freeform improvisation. You might want traditional, linear multi-tracking or you might want to just experiment and jam. The good news is you don’t have to choose. Merging the realtime, experimental approach of loop and phrase based composition with traditional, linear multi-track style production, SONAR X1 is specifically designed to offer the best of both worlds.
Continue reading “SONAR X1 Video – Linear & Non-linear Music Production”

Posted on

Hollywood Undead Invites You To Mix-it-up

Enter the Hollywood Undead remix contest today

SONAR X1 user Hollywood Undead is one of the few modern bands that continue to sell records and play to sold out crowds around the world.  This hard working band is considered as one of the biggest and most unique rock acts in the industry today, and now with the help of Indaba, Cakewalk and Roland, they want your help in remixing two of their original songs.  That’s right folks, you could end up with actual credits on a record that is being released on A&M/Octone through this exclusive Cakewalk opportunity; and you never know where it could go from there…  You can enter this contest and win great prizes including cash, recording gear from Cakewalk and Roland, and the opportunity to be on their new remix EP.  Hollywood Undead rely on SONAR X1 and Cakewalk to keep their music original and creative, now they are reaching out to all their fellow SONAR X1 users.  If this sounds interesting to you, please visit here on the Indaba music site to learn more on how to enter. Good luck!

Posted on

Shawn Clement: On A [Quantum] Quest with Intense Music

Award winning SONAR user – composer/producer Shawn Clement is at an exciting point in his “intense” career: 

  • His credentials and track record have allowed him to open an office/SONAR studio at the heart of Paramount Pictures.
  • He just had a major successful event at The Kennedy Center in DC where his music was premiered during “A Tribute to the Wounded Warriors.”
  • On July 29th he will be hosting a score party at Paramount Pictures for his original music in “Quantum Quest, A Cassini Space Odyssey 3D.”

Little did he know, when in 1996 Shawn Clement took on a “gig,” that he would be stapling a movement to the universe’s musical bulletin-board.  “Reality TV – what’s that? Who’s going to take interest in that?” These were some of the questions flying around the conference rooms of major television networks back then.  Well it just so happens that still to this day 95% of us get sucked into the inevitable antics of The World’s Wildest… The World’s Scariest…  The World’s Most… You know, those shows that catch your eye when you’re flicking through the channels and catch a quick glimpse of a Corvette being severed in half by a semi-truck; and there it is – wham – a half hour later and you have neither moved from that channel, nor your seat for that matter. Continue reading “Shawn Clement: On A [Quantum] Quest with Intense Music”

Posted on

Cakewalk Artist Javier Colon Making His Mark on "The Voice"

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"”

Posted on

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"”

Posted on

Grammy Nominated Luigie Gonzalez on SONAR X1

Friday, May 13 – Los Angeles, CA

Luigie Gonzalez 1In 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”