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”
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”
Watch the V-Studio 20 Webinar Today
If you missed our live webinar on the V-Studio 20, we’ve posted it here for your viewing pleasure.
Hosted by Cakewalk’s Zac Kenney and featuring special guests, Charlie O’Neal and Craig Rawding of The Delta Generators, this exclusive presentation gives you a closer look at the brand new recording device for guitar players and singer-songwriters. We’ve also posted a script of the live Q&A session that followed to our forums. Want to learn more about the V-Studio 20? Visit our product pages on the Cakewalk website.
You're Invited to the V-Studio 20 Webinar
Don’t miss this exclusive event. Join us tonight at 7:00 pm (ET) for a virtual presentation on the V-Studio 20 to learn more about the brand new recording solution for guitar players and singer-songwriters. Since 3 out of 4 Cakewalk employees play guitar, we built the V-Studio 20 from the ground up (in conjuction with Roland and Boss) to create a better way for guitarists to capture their ideas and record them directly to the computer.
Cakewalk’s Zac Kenney will host the 30 minute webinar, featuring special guest appearances by Charlie O’Neal and Craig Rawding of The Delta Generators who will show off their new single and some of the amazing sounds in the V-Studio 20. Stay tuned for a Live Q&A after the presentation.
All attendees of the webinar will receive a free V-Studio 20 ebook by Craig Anderton, a 3-month subscription to Guitar Player, plus other special offers on the night of the webinar.
Shoot on over to the V-Studio 20 Webinar page on Cakewalk.com to register!
Austin's Next Big Thing
Austin, TX knows a thing or two about music.
The home of musical institutions from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Austin City Limits, SxSW to Stubbs BBQ and Antone’s, the central Texas town knows music. After all, they don’t call it the Live Music Capital of the World for nothing.
So when we tell you Alpha Rev is one of the most unique and important bands ever to come out of Austin, you can believe it. Last March, Alpha Rev was recognized by the Austin Chronicle as one of Austin’s best performing rock bands and in May they were named Austin’s best rock band by Rare Magazine in their annual “Rareist of them All” issue.
You can chalk up much of the acclaim to band frontman Casey McPherson. He’s well-known in these parts, having made an impression on the local scene with his previous band, Endochine. When Endochine dissolved in 2005, it had already made its bones in indie circles by sharing the stage with the likes of Pete Yorn and Bob Schneider, and national credibility by playing with more high-profile bands like Staind and Red Hot Chili Peppers. McPherson simply moved forward, assembling some of his former bandmates and mixing in some new blood and Alpha Rev was born.
Northeastern University Recognizes Young Composers
For a 7th year, the Music Technology program at Northeastern University held an electronic music composition contest for high school composers. Students from across the Northeast US compete to receive a cash reward, music production software including Cakewalk’s SONAR Producer and the opportunity to perform their work at a public concert held on the university’s campus in Boston. Along with recognizing local talent, this contest gives Northeastern a great way to promote their Music Tech program, which educates students on the techniques of MIDI sequencing, sound design, audio for video, digital audio mixing and mastering, and the latest methods of delivering music over the Internet.
Congratulations to this year’s budding composers:
Kanki Suzuki
Class of 2012
Greenwich High School, Greenwich, CT
Composition: Rainy Day
Michelle Garcia
Class of 2011
Bay Shore High School, Bay Shore, NY
Composition: Ambient Snow Fall
Graduation Gifts for Musicians
Looking for the perfect gift for the high-school or college graduate? Give them the gift of music with Cakewalk. Whether enrolling in a music school, starting a career in the industry or enjoying music as a hobby, Cakewalk’s Graduation Gift Guide offers a wide range of products for the performing and recording musician.
Check out these great products for making music in the dorm, on the road or wherever inspiration strikes.
Special Offer: Amazing Savings on SONAR at Guitar Center
Guitar Center’s Green Tag Savings Event is back! This weekend only, you can save $100 instantly on SONAR 8.5 Producer, plus receive an extra $50 off with coupon. Why should you upgrade to SONAR 8.5? The latest version of SONAR has all of the innovations, instruments and effects that were included in version 8 plus a host of new features including:
• Matrix View – simple and flexible cell-based, non-linear audio and MIDI arranging with live triggering capability
• Session Drummer 3 – Cakewalk’s virtual instrument for easy and fast creation of drum tracks with a new UI, stellar sounding kits and patterns from top sound designers and drummers
• PX-64 Percussion Strip – seven-stage processor designed specifically for use with drums and percussion
• VX-64 Vocal Strip – seven-stage processor optimized for shaping and sculpting vocal tracks
Don’t wait! Hurry on over to GuitarCenter.com to get unbelievable savings on all your music studio needs.
Songwriter Raul Midon Produces Music with Cake-Talking Technology
New York City singer-songwriter, Raul Midon celebrates the release of his latest album, Synthesis, which hits stores in the US today. Blinded as an infant, Raul was first introduced to music by his father, often listening to the uncomparable Beethoven, Mozart, John Cage, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. After studying music at a school for the blind and later graduating from the University of Miami’s prestigious jazz program, Raul was hired as a backup singer for Latin-music moguls including Julio and Enrique Inglesias, Shakira, and Ricky Martin. In 2002, Raul moved to the Big Apple to pursue a solo career, playing guitar and writing his own music. His debut album, State of Mind, was released in 2005 on Capitol Records and was produced by industry veteran, Arif Mardin.
Since then, Raul has recorded and produced demos in his SONAR-based home studio using Dancing Dot’s Cake-Talking assistive technology (scripts in JAWS for Windows). The program speaks SONAR settings or parameters to the user, making it easier for visually-impaired musicians to record their instruments, apply effects, and render high-quality, professional recordings. Watch the video below to see how Raul used Cake-Talking in the making of his sophomore album, Synthesis:
MusicTech Focus Dedicates Latest Issue to SONAR
Everything you ever wanted to know about SONAR is now encased in a 132-page full-color guidebook! From cover to cover, this exclusive magazine is the most comprehensive guide to SONAR in print (besides SONAR 8! Power) – a must have whether you’re a SONAR user, or thinking of becoming one!
Packed with 100% SONAR content, this magazine features exclusive interviews with A-list SONAR users – from Shawn Clement to the world famous Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee – highlighting how they using SONAR 8.5 everyday for work. From tracking to mastering, this magazine is teeming with tips and tricks on SONAR’s expansive set of features including 17 SONAR workshops on Beatscape, Step Sequencer 2.0, Session Drummer 3, Z3TA+, Media Browser, Using ACT with your favorite controllers, Film Scoring, Recording Vocals and more! There’s also a FREE DVD packed full of video tutorials, loops, demos and tutorials.
Don’t miss out on this exclusive help guide!