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FREE SONAR X2 Webinar – September 5th

Webinar

FREE SONAR X2 Webinar – September 5th (2pm Eastern / 11am Pacific)
Please join Brandon Ryan and Seth Perlstein of Cakewalk for the fourth installment of CakeTV Live, Cakewalk’s entirely live, bi-monthly webcast. This installment will take a close look at the new features and enhancements in SONAR X2 while focusing on recording, mixing and production of guitars, keyboards, and more. See how X2 will effect your workflow and get a head start on understanding all the new capabilities.

CakeTV Live is just that – entirely live. Ask questions in real-time and join in the chat with hundreds of other viewers from around the globe as Brandon and Seth discuss and demonstrate valuable tips and techniques.

Watch previous CakeTV Live webcasts:
Episode 1: SONAR X1 Music Production
Episode 2: SONAR X1 Music Production “Aike”
Episode 3: Larger than life drums in SONAR X1

What's new in SONAR X2 Producer

New features in SONAR X2 Producer include:

  • New enhancements and improvements
  • Improved low latency audio engine
  • Take lanes
  • Automation lanes and modes
  • Advanced Arpeggiator
  • Improved Smart Tool
  • Smart Grid
  • Improved Clips View
  • Improved Matrix View
  • BREVERB SONAR (VST and ProChannel versions)
  • R-MIX SONAR
  • Overloud TH2 Producer Amp Simulator
  • Modular ProChannel
  • ProChannel Console Emulator
  • ProChannel FX Chains
  • ProChannel Softube Saturation Knob
  • ProChannel QuadCurve EQ
  • Improved LP-64 mastering plugins
  • SoundCloud integration
  • MusicXML export
  • Windows® 8 support (patch coming later this year)
  • And much more

Visit the official SONAR X2 Preview page for more information

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Using Key Bindings in SONAR X1 – Free Map of SONAR X1 Key Bindings

SONAR X1 ProducerOur friends at Roland Australia are big fans of SONAR X1.  They asked us to share the post below on how to improve your workflow by knowing your Key Bindings.

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Using Key Bindings can totally transform how you interact with your SONAR X1. There are hundreds of commands that can literally be placed at your fingertips that can help you navigate or perform a number of editing routines in your SONAR X1 session. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to explore this very powerful feature. To help you on your way, we have put together a PDF Doc that maps out all the default Key Bindings. Use the rows and columns as co-ordinates to identify the QWERTY key / modifier combination for the Key Binding.

Download this map of the default SONAR X1 Key Bindings

Not only will it help you to memorize the default settings, you can also use the spreadsheet to plan out and record your own custom Key Binding commands.  If you identify the commands you wish to use in the Keyboard Shortcut list in SONAR X1’s Preferences, then you can add their descriptions to the vacant cells. If you do make changes, make sure you save a copy of your Key Bindings with a new name by using the EXPORT Button on Key bindings Window.

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SONAR X2 Sneak Preview

Seamless. Genius.
From getting great tone to releasing a final mix, today’s musicians must master every element of the music production process. SONAR X2 Producer is there every step of the way, and the revolutionary Skylight interface lets you move seamlessly among the elements, instantly going from recording to editing to mixing and back again. Dial up the perfect synth sound with Rapture or a searing guitar tone with TH2 Producer. Record it, tighten it, chop it, and drop it in the Matrix for realtime triggering. Shape it with the ProChannel. Warm it with the Console Emulator. And do it all with a single Smart Tool. It’s genius.

Get a sneak preview of SONAR X2 Producer

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Improve your SONAR X1 chops – Save 50% off all SONAR X1 video tutorials

SONAR X1 videos

Save 50% off all SONAR X1 video tutorials
Now is the perfect time to improve your SONAR X1 chops. Through August 31st, you can download any SONAR X1 video tutorial and save 50% off the regular price. The Cakewalk Store features the very best learning resources for users of all skill levels. Don’t miss out on this special offer!

SONAR X1 Advanced Workshop with Craig Anderton
Our best selling SONAR video of all time! If you don’t have it yet, this is one not to miss.

SONAR X1 Advanced Workshop: The Next Level with Craig Anderton
Craig Anderton does not disappoint with his second installment. The Next Level includes 30 never-before-seen video tutorials that will blow away even the most veteran SONAR user.

SONAR X1 Explained by Groove 3
The first and most comprehensive (A-Z) SONAR X1 video tutorial available. A great way to get comfortable with the workflow improvements of the new Skylight interface.

SONAR X1 Tips & Tricks by Groove 3
More great tips and shortcuts for intermediate and advanced SONAR X1 users from DAW master Eli Krantzberg.

Mixing with SONAR X1 by Groove 3
The latest SONAR X1 video from Groove 3 walking you through the entire mixing process in real time. You’ll see the mix unfold, from beginning to end, with no stones unturned.

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Buy SONAR X1, get SONAR X2 for free

SONAR X2 - coming this fall

From getting great tone to releasing a final mix, today’s musicians must master every element of the music production process. SONAR X2 Producer is there every step of the way, and the revolutionary Skylight interface lets you move seamlessly among the elements, instantly going from recording to editing to mixing and back again. Dial up the perfect synth sound with Rapture or a searing guitar tone with TH2 Producer. Record it, tighten it, chop it, and drop it in the Matrix for realtime triggering. Shape it with the ProChannel. Warm it with the Console Emulator. And do it all with a single Smart Tool. It’s genius. Continue reading “Buy SONAR X1, get SONAR X2 for free”

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Six new drum kits for Session Drummer 3 from Platinum Samples

Platinum Samples

World famous engineers bring new drum sounds to Session Drummer 3
Platinum Samples is one of the leading providers of high-quality drum content on the planet today. They have made a name for themselves with unbelievable and precisely recorded drum samples, including the Andy Johns Kit for Session Drummer 3. Now they are back with 6 new collections, custom created for SONAR’s Session Drummer 3. Each of these collections is now available for only $39.95 at the Cakewalk Store. Continue reading “Six new drum kits for Session Drummer 3 from Platinum Samples”

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How Tim Wynn used SONAR X1 to Create the Music for THE DARKNESS II

SONAR X1 user Tim Wynn is the Quintessential modern day composer/producer, and a rising Hollywood name whose diverse portfolio includes feature films, television series, documentaries and video games for major clients such as ABC, Activision, Electronic Arts, Fox, Fuji, Marvel, Sony, THQ, Universal and Warner Bros.

With several globally successful franchises already to his credit ranging from blockbuster video games such as Command & Conquer, Dungeon Siege, GUN, The Punisher, Red Faction, The Simpsons and Warhawk to adding to the sound of the hit television series Supernatural, Tim Wynn is gaining international recognition as a leader in a new generation of highly talented and versatile composers.  His recent releases include Fox Digital’s debut release, the comedy-horror web series Wolfpack of Reseda; the world’s first 3D television series Tokyo Control; the hit drama series Lucky Seven for Fuji TV, and 2K’s The Darkness II, the action-horror video game based on the best-selling Top Cow comics.

The Darkness II is the sequel to the critically acclaimed 2007 release The Darkness. Inspired by the popular comic book series produced by Top Cow Productions, Inc., The Darkness II is an intense first person shooter that puts you in the role of Jackie Estacado, don of a New York crime family and wielder of an ancient force of chaos known as The Darkness. Continue reading “How Tim Wynn used SONAR X1 to Create the Music for THE DARKNESS II”

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Back for a limited time: The Softube Mix Bundle (VSTs and ProChannel Modules)

Softube Mix Bundle

Back by popular demand: Save 40% off the Softube Mix Bundle
This past February, we featured the Softube Mix Bundle at the Cakewalk Store for only $179 (40% off the regular price). Since that time, we have been asked by many users to bring it back. Through a special arrangement with Softube, we are happy to announce that this special is back for a limited-time. Through July 31st, you can save 40% off this special bundle that includes both VST and ProChannel versions.

The Softube Mix Bundle is a collection of five essential tools that give you full control over the key elements of building a mix—compression, equalization, and reverb. These plug-ins are the same great Softube plug-ins professional recording musicians rely on daily, so you can mix with confidence, knowing that the FET Compressor you put on your vocal track is the same one used on hit records around the globe. If you missed out last February, this is your opportunity to download this very special bundle at an unbeatable price!

Purchase the Softube Mix Bundle exclusively from the Cakewalk Store for only $179/£125/€149 – save 40% off the regular price of $299.

Highlights:

Download it today

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Take a closer look at what's in SONAR X1 Studio

What's In SONAR X1 Studio

With the First-class Upgrade promotion extended through July, it’s a good time to review the amazing value you get with SONAR X1 Studio. Whether you are upgrading or looking for a new digital audio workstation (DAW), SONAR X1 Studio gives you hundreds of dollars in professional grade tools, instruments, and effects that only Cakewalk can offer musicians, producers, and engineers.

SONAR X1 Studio includes:

  • The brand new Skylight interface
  • Unlimited audio and MIDI tracks
  • Support for 32 and 64-bit operating systems
  • Critically-acclaimed instruments like Rapture LE and Z3TA+ 1.5
  • V-Vocal 1.5 for perfect vocals – on pitch and in time
  • Matrix View for non-linear music composition and remixing
  • Step Sequencer 2.0 for easy beat creation
  • Smart Tool for seamless audio and MIDI editing
  • AudioSnap 2.0 for fixing audio timing issues
  • Surround sound mixing
  • More effects and instruments
  • Plus: Free SONAR X1d update (now available) Continue reading “Take a closer look at what's in SONAR X1 Studio”
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CakeTV Live – Larger Than Life Drums

For your pleasure and edification the latest CakeTV Live webinar is now available for viewing on CakeTV. In this latest installment of CakeTV Live Brandon Ryan and I walk through the process of taking recorded, live drums from sounding, ‘meh’, to ‘larger than life’ using SONAR X1.

We explain everything from how to setup and organize a project to mixing, rout tracks to buses, fix timing with AudioSnap, setup and use parallel compression with the ProChannel, and much, much more.

Continue reading “CakeTV Live – Larger Than Life Drums”