Softube's Mix Bundle for SONAR X1 Producer Expanded's Pro Channel delivers the goods at NAMM

Softube’s new Mix Bundle for the Pro Channel in SONAR X1 Producer Expanded includes five awesome sounding modules that will make your mixes come alive!

In addition to three distinctly different EQs (Passive, Active and Softube’s own creation the Focusing EQ), the Mix Bundle has the TSAR-1R reverb and a great FET Compressor. I used these two modules for my demos at this year’s NAMM Show and I wanted to share my experience with them this week. Continue reading “Softube's Mix Bundle for SONAR X1 Producer Expanded's Pro Channel delivers the goods at NAMM”

From the Temples of Syrinx to your drum tracks, get the sound of Rush for Session Drummer 3!

 

Sonic Reality’s Neil Peart Drums SD3 for Cakewalk’s Session Drummer™ 3 features samples of the authentic Drum Workshop® Signature “Snakes and Arrows” kit of drum legend Neil Peart from the band Rush. Recorded by producer Nick Raskulinecz (Rush, Foo Fighters, Alice In Chains) this powerful stereo kit offers the ultimate high fidelity rock sound with incredible realism! Coming from the acclaimed Drum Masters 2 and Studio ProFile series Sonic Reality has now integrated this legendary kit into Cakewalk’s Session Drummer 3 format so users of SONAR X1 Producer can enjoy one of the finest sampled kits in the world. Continue reading “From the Temples of Syrinx to your drum tracks, get the sound of Rush for Session Drummer 3!”

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”

SONAR: Master Class on Drum Productions

SONAR 8.5 includes world-class tools, instruments, and effects that will allow you to achieve amazing drum tracks. We have put together a SONAR: Master Class video series that shows off these amazing features. This Master Class explores writing, arranging and mixing drums in SONAR. Spotlighted are production techniques and workflow using Session Drummer 3, Step Sequencer 2.0, and PX-64 Percussion Strip.

Watch the videos here.

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Special Offer: Dimension LE Virtual Instrument for $19.99

With over 400 sounds, Cakewalk’s Dimension LE virtual instrument for Mac and PC, packs a sonic punch. It’s classic synth sounds coupled with Garritan Pocket Orchestra (strings, bass, woodwinds, piano, and percussion) is everything you need to create one-of-a-kind compositions. Powered by Cakewalk’s Expression Engine, Dimension LE supports multi-sample rendering, wavetable synthesis, waveguide synthesis, REX playback / manipulation, and includes an extensive DSP library of effects.

Don’t settle for the same old sounds. Purchase Dimension LE through April 30, 2010 at the Cakewalk E-Store for only $19.99!

Using Multiple MIDI Controllers in SONAR

cakewalk_tips-sm1Managing input from multiple MIDI devices, such as keyboard controllers and drum pads, through your DAW can be frustrating. Staying on top of all the cabling, routing and software settings is enough to make you throw in the towel and go back to point and click.

However, with SONAR, you can choose individual MIDI input ports and channels for each of your MIDI tracks. This means that you can use several different MIDI controllers simultaneously, each triggering its own synth or controller parameters. You can also choose to trigger several different synths, each on its own track, with just one MIDI controller.

The following tech tip will walk you through these common multi-controller scenarios using SONAR.

Cakewalk's V-Studio 100 Tops 'Sound Guys' Holiday Wishlist

V-Studio 100The Ask A Sound Guy bloggers, Ben and Sanjay, were first introduced to Cakewalk’s V-Studio series last winter at the NAMM Show. The smaller of the two units, the V-Studio 100, impressed them so much that they included the unit in their 2009 Holiday Wishlist.

When they later got hold of a unit to review, they put the portable music studio through its paces. Ben began by recording vocals and electric guitar remotely using the V-Studio 100’s built-in XLR inputs (with phantom power). “The preamps were exactly what you would be looking for in an interface like this,” he exclaimed. “They’re quiet, transparent, and boost the signal accordingly.”

To track the project live, Ben used the V-Studio 100’s on-board EQ and Compression. And to edit and mix the project, Ben integrated the V-Studio 100 with his own DAW. “I set it up to be used inside Logic and Live, and it worked well both times. The 100mm touch-sensitive motorized fader was a really nice feature to have. It’s probably more of a personal thing, but I enjoy seeing a fader move when its reading back automation inside my DAW of choice.”

Lastly, in hopes of pushing the envelope of the V-Studio 100, Ben recorded a full band (drums, bass, guitar and vocals) in a rehearsal space situation. He placed “two mics on the drums, a SM57 on the guitar cab, condenser on the bass cab, and vocals directly into the V-Studio.” Although it was live and “sloppy rock and roll,” Ben reported that the band was pleased with the final recording.

In all, Ben recommends the V-Studio 100 to producers, engineers and musicians on a budget, looking for an “all in one” solution for music production.

Visit Ask A Sound Guy to read the full review.

Win An Online Song Production Package at Studiotraxx.com

StudioTrazz ContestThink you’ve got rock solid pipes and raw talent? Submit your original recordings to Studiotraxx.com and you could win a professional Online Song Production package from major label industry pros! Cakewalk is pleased to announce that it has teamed up with StudioTraxx.com and some of today’s most sought after major label studio musicians to bring you this unprecedented opportunity! Led by world-renowned percussionist, Bashiri Johnson (Michael Jackson, Sting, Whitney Houston), this contest represents true music “give back.” These veteran studio musicians come together to provide one outstanding musician with an extensive online production, marketing, and distribution campaign:

• Sheldon Goode / Guitar, Drums, Bass / Elton John, Patti Labelle
• Jerry Barnes / Bass / CHIC
• Ira Siegel / Guitars / Bacon Bros
• Larry Saltzman / Guitar / Paul Simon
• Shawn Pelton / Drums / Saturday Nite Live
• Raymond Angry / Keyboards / Joss Stone
• Darren Moore / Head Engineer / Manhattan Center Studios

Continue reading “Win An Online Song Production Package at Studiotraxx.com”

An Affordable & Comprehensive DAW: SONAR 8.5

sonar85_asIn the Autumn issue, Computer Music magazine gets to the bottom of the new point release for Cakewalk’s flagship DAW, SONAR 8.5. As stated in the article, chock full of new features and engine optimizations SONAR 8.5 is ‘far from just a collection of under-the-hood tweaks.’

The new version packs a wealth of plug-ins including two seven-stage processors for treating drums and vocals, a non-linear cell based Matrix view and a fully-loaded Arpeggiator (based off of tools in the now extinct Project5) plus a Media Browser that supports a variety of files (REX, anyone?) which can be used natively in SONAR’s track view. Also available in SONAR 8.5 is a tool called Bitbridge, allowing SONAR to use 32-bit plug ins in a 64-bit environment and guaranteed compatibility with Windows 7 (release date: Oct 22, 2009).

SONAR 8.5 is available for purchase as a download and as a boxed copy with a variety of pricing and upgrades options to fit every musician’s budget.

Pick up the latest issue of Computer Music to see the news article