Cakewalk caught up with Darkly composer Justin Lassen at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, CA. Lassen was one of many who stopped by the Cakewalk booth to get a glimpse of the new SONAR V-Studio 700 system in action. When asked what he thought about the new VStudio 700 system, this was his reply:
For over ten years, Justin Lassen has remixed, composed and produced music for video games, TV, film and commercial projects. In fact, Cakewalk featured one of Lassen’s works in SONAR 8!
Mix Magazine recently met up with SONAR user, Shawn Clement, to ask him about his career in music production. A composer for TV, film and video games, Shawn Clement, is gearing up for his next big project. He will be producing the soundtrack to Quantum Quest, a sci-fi /live animation feature length film, set to release in the fall. Shawn explains in his interview how he got his ‘big break’ and gives advice for those interested in the same career path. Go to Mix Online to see what Shawn had to say.
Here’s an excerpt from Cakewalk CTO Noel Borthwick’s report on the new features that exist in Cakewalk’s SONAR 8.3 and SONAR V-Studio 700 1.1 updates. To view the entire discussion, Visit the Cakewalk Forums.
We’re happy to see so many of you enjoying SONAR 8.3. I know some of you enjoy the trivia that goes into a release so here is the unabridged version of what went into SONAR 8.3 aka “the making of SONAR 8.3” aka the 8.3 fine print. If details aren’t what you like wading through, just go ahead and enjoy using the product and skip this – what you don’t know wont hurt you 🙂
Disclaimer: This text is not an official Cakewalk endorsement of any features in 8.3 and has not been officially proof checked for accuracy, so I reserve the right to edit the content at will. The sole purpose is to provide more detail on the depth of some of the features in 8.3 that some of you have requested and to hopefully answer some common questions.
8.3 was a particularly intense point release for us and everyone involved spent a lot of long hours and effort to make this happen. Special thanks go out to our beta testers on this who spent long hours trying out all the new risky stuff. Posts from beta testers and Cakewalk engineers going into the wee hours of the morning attest to some of the dedication in this cycle.
As most who have been our customers awhile may know, the typical Cakewalk product lifecycle goes somewhat like this:
– We work on a major release
– Post release we typically do a quick minor point release to address any immediate or urgent issues that might arise
– We then hibernate a bit and do a major point release that makes some feature improvements and addresses any old or new issues that are common customer complaints.
– The cycle repeats
This time around when it was time to do our point release we wanted to continue working on the optimization theme we started in S8, but also revisit some common complaints and workflow issues with some of our existing features that needed some TLC. So we identified the following broad areas that we needed to work on in 8.3:
1. External Insert Improvements
2. Optimization and multi-core enhancements
3. VS-700 updates
4. New/Enhanced Features
5. Bug fixes
6. New content
Read Noel’s Fine Print In Full at Cakewalk.com
Cakewalk today announces free updates for SONAR 8 Producer, SONAR 8 Studio, and SONAR V-Studio 7.
The updates, for Windows XP and native Vista (32bit and 64bit), are available as FREE downloads to registered SONAR 8 and SONAR V-Studio 700 customers.
The SONAR 8.3 update adds classic Roland sample content for Dimension Pro and Dimension LE, drum kits for Session Drummer 2 and new usability enhancements and engine optimizations. The SONAR 8.3 update also addresses performance issues reported by customers after the initial release of SONAR 8.
Sound On Sound highlights a few of the latest improvements to SONAR 8 including Snap Presets, an External Insert facility and new content for Dimension Pro and Session Drummer 2.
Additionally, since the initial Winter NAMM update announcement, numerous enhancements are now included in a version 1.1 software update for SONAR V-Studio 700 and a firmware update for its onboard Fantom VS hardware synthesizer.
Click on the following links to download the SONAR 8.3 Update and SONAR V-Studio 700 1.1 updates.
Stokes Audio, Recording & Post mixed the soundtrack to BET’s latest TV-to-film release, Nite Tales (as seen on BET Halloween) with SONAR. Hosted by Flavor Flav, it’s a ‘shockingly twisted’ double feature horror flick, reminiscent of the Tales from the Crypt series. Nite Tales is now available on DVD.
Stokes Audio is currently working on remixing the soundtrack for the documentary, Why We Laugh, shows at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Why We Laugh, directed by Robert Townsend, is a ‘sweeping account’ of the ebb and flow of black comedy in America.
Stokes Audio: The Independent Filmmakers Best Friend
Internationally acclaimed organist Tony Monaco and his powerhouse Toronto Trio released a new album, “Live at the Orbit Room” on Chicken Coup Records. Recorded LIVE in Toronto in 2007, this release is the ‘ultimate jam’ between Tony Monaco (organ), Ted Quinlan (guitar), and Vito Rezza (drums)- a 73 minute Jazz torrent. Listen to tracks from the album at http://www.b3monaco.com/cd_orbit.htm
StreamWorks Audio Offers Complete SONAR 8 Video Tutorial
Whether you are a beginner, just learning the ropes, or a more seasoned veteran of SONAR, this video tutorial leaves nothing out and offers lots of valuable information to get you up and running quickly.
You will learn how to setup your computer for optimal performance, master SONAR’s new user interface & advanced recording and editing techniques, use effects, dial in software instruments, mix down tips & techniques, and much more!
StreamWorks’s SONAR 8 Tutorial: Now Available in HD
SONAR 8 Power! by Scott Garrigus
SONAR 8 Power! is the ideal reading companion for SONAR 8, featuring detailed information that even the most experienced user will benefit from. New users will start from the beginning and learn everything they need to know to use SONAR 8 for recording, editing, producing, mixing, and bringing their music to the masses. Upgraders will learn all about the new features in SONAR 8 as well as enhancements made to existing features that may affect their current production workflow.
Learn how to use AudioSnap, Session Drummer 2, and V-Vocal
Carmen Rizzo’s new electronic band, Lal Meri, released their self-entitled debut album through Six Degrees Records on February 17th. The release features 11 tracks, including two remixes by Carmen Rizzo and Morgan Page. Carmen, Rosey Kaye and Ireesh Laal, found early success with the new album, as their track “Sweet Love” has earned two placements on primetime TV, on the CBS show “Shark” and the ABC show “Samantha Who”.
Carmen Rizzo uses Cakewalk’s soft-synths Rapture and Dimension Pro to produce his projects.
See his Artist Spotlight feature here.
EMusician.com gives SONAR 8 Producer high marks in their upcoming March review, stating that “version 8 is one of the most compelling SONAR upgrades in years.”
Critic Allan Metts gives props to SONAR 8’s programming and performance enhancements, including its compatibility with Microsoft VISTA and WASAPI (Windows audio-driver platform) support. Metts also commends the addition of four new plugins (TL64 Tube Leveler, Channel Tools, TS64 Transient Shaper, N.I.’s Guitar Rig 3) and three new virtual instruments (Beatscape, DImension Pro, True Pianos:Amber Module).
With more words to say than room, EMusician posted an exclusive online bonus article, in which Metts calls SONAR 8 “better at the core”.
From time to time, Engineer and Owner of Scadge Productions, Trev Wilkins, gives us a brief update from his travels on the road and in studio. Here’s the latest:
“After several weeks of hard work, we’ve now got the audio for the DVD of Albert Lee and Hogan’s Heroes- Live in Rome, all mixed and mastered and ready to go on to the video.
The whole process was done in SONAR 8 and involved much automation and editing as the show was recorded completely live using regular ‘stage’ mics. None of it was set up specifically for recording and I just took the signals from Direct Outs on the live console. Hopefully, the DVD will be available soon so I’ll post an update when I know that it’s on sale.
We took a few photos to mark the occasion. Back left, is Gerry Hogan (pedal steel player) with Brian Hodgson (bassist) from the band, who mixed the sound with me. They’re just about to start their tour and with Albert receiving another Grammy award they’re heading for another great year.
After working solidly for weeks now, I’m hoping to get this weekend off. Our next project is with Neil Innes as we help him prepare for his tour of the USA.”
To read all of Trev’s updates, visit: https://noelborthwick.com/cakewalk/tag/scadge-productions/.
