The Missing Link for Guitar Players? Cakewalk's V-Studio 20

VS20 TOP ViewGuitar Products Reviewer for DV247.com, Rob Sandall, was one of the first to lay eyes on the V-Studio 20 at Musikmesse 2010. At first, he thought it was just a foot pedal but quickly realized that the V-Studio 20 is so much more than what he expected.

Combining an audio interface and control surface with built-in stereo microphone, the V-Studio 20 is not just a means to control your guitar-playing but an all-in-one recording solution whether on the road or in a studio setting. With the V-Studio 20, guitar players and singer-songwriters can easily record their riffs to a computer via XLR or Hi-Z input, add EQ and other effects to their tracks in real time, and take advantage of its “gigantic suite of sounds” with genuine BOSS COSM DSP processing.

As Rob exclaims, “this compact unit feels like a real missing link between guitarist and producer.”

Discover the V-Studio 20 through a series of mini-reviews on the DV247.com blog.

Video: V-Studio 20 Launch at Musikmesse 2010

The folks at Harmony Central were on hand at Musikmesse 2010 to film the debut of Cakewalk’s V-Studio 20, the portable recording studio for guitarists and singer-songwriters. Their video captures a live demo by Robin Kelly and accomplished guitar player, Gundy Keller, exploring the interface’s included DAW, Effects Editor and it’s many incredible tones:

For more information on the V-Studio 20, visit our website.

Songwriter Raul Midon Produces Music with Cake-Talking Technology

raul modinNew 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:

Find Your Inspiration at ASCAP's "I Create Music" Expo 2010

Do you write your own music? Propel your songwriting career into new heights at ASCAP’s fifth annual, I Create Music Expo. Launched in 2006, the ‘I Create Music’ Expo is the first and ONLY national conference dedicated to songwriting and composing.

From April 22 to April 24 at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, attendees are invited to join in on celebrity Q&A’s, songwriting and composing workshops, publisher and business panels, DIY career building workshops, song feedback panels and state-of-the-art technology demos by leading music industry exhibitors. Over 200 panelists and performing artists are slated to attend, including keynote speakers: Quincy Jones, Ludacris, Justin Timberlake, Bill Withers and John Mayer!

Don’t miss the Cakewalk-sponsored session:

“Capturing the Moment”
with Recording Engineer and Producer TC (aka Spitfire)
Saturday April 23, 2010 at 11:10am (Runyon Room)

When you’re inspired, it’s critical that you capture the moment before it passes. Getting down an idea for a song is one thing, but wouldn’t it be amazing if what you captured were usable tracks, that sounded great and retained the energy of that first moment of inspiration?

As a recording engineer, producer, and remixer for demanding artists like Madonna, Paul Oakenfold, Michael Jackson, Shifty, and Sergio Mendes, TC aka Spitfire has made a name for himself by having what it takes to work fast and get killer results. In this special session, sponsored by Cakewalk, TC will provide practical advice on working with powerful, yet cost effective tools that you can use to capture the moment as it happens.

Video: Sound On Sound's Fast Facts on the V-Studio 20

One of the world’s top publications for music recording and technology, Sound on Sound, visited the Cakewalk booth at Musikmesse 2010 to get a close look at the V-Studio 20. Watch the video below to get the facts on Cakewalk’s new portable, USB recording device for Guitar players and Singer-Songwriters:

Cakewalk's Portable Recording Solution for Guitarists & Singer-Songwriters

Every year at this time, Cakewalk travels to Frankfurt, Germany to attend Europe’s largest music trade show event, Musikmesse. This year, we are pleased to launch the V-Studio 20 from the show floor.

As the third product in the V-Studio line of integrated hardware and software by Cakewalk and Roland, the V-Studio 20 is an affordable, all-in-one option for recording musicians. The V-Studio 20 is designed for guitarists and singer-songwriters who want a simple way to make music on the computer with professional results. The V-Studio 20 lets users easily plug in a guitar or microphone and record their tracks to the computer with legendary BOSS effects.


Introducing: V-Studio 20 for Guitarists & Singer-Songwriters

With the V-Studio 20, you can:

– Connect your instrument to the V-Studio 20 hardware
– Dial up the perfect guitar or vocal tone using genuine BOSS effects
– Choose a backing track, hit record, and play your part
– Use the V-Studio 20 as a control surface for mixing and playback
– Master a song and then burn a CD or share your mp3 online

Click on over to our V-Studio Products page for more information on this exciting new product.

Cakewalk Launches Holiday Gift Guide for Musicians

GiftGuideIt’s that time of the year again! Time to show family and friends just how much they mean to you with a gift from the heart. This year, you don’t have to go far to find the perfect present for the music lover in your life. We’ve created our own Holiday Gift Guide to make the process of gift shopping much easier.

Visit Cakewalk.com today to see our list of recommended products for singer-songwriters, DJs, record collectors and Guitar Hero fanatics. Plus, reward yourself with a treat and check out our Holiday upgrade bundles for existing Cakewalk customers.

Voting Now Open for Cakewalk's 'Your Music Anytime, Anyplace' Songwriting Contest

OurStage_420x229Inspiration can happen anytime, anyplace and we want to make it easier for you to capture those ideas as they happen. Cakewalk has come together with Intel  to provide some of the best songwriters and producers on the Ourstage circuit with an ultimate mobile studio!

Now through November 21, 2009,  log on to Ourstage.com and submit your original music to enter. The Top 20 submissions in the Rock and Urban genres will be selected by music fans. Out of those 20, six winners (three in each genre) will be chosen by our panel of industry professionals and will receive a complete mobile music production studio worth over $3,000 including:

• Intel Core i7 Mobile processor-powered laptop
• Cakewalk’s V-Studio 100 portable recording solution
• SONAR 8.5 Producer digital audio workstation
• Rapture virtual instrument
• Cakewalk MA-15D studio monitors

Continue reading “Voting Now Open for Cakewalk's 'Your Music Anytime, Anyplace' Songwriting Contest”

HowToGeek.com Produces High Quality Recordings with Guitar Tracks Pro USB

GTP4-Studio-Instruments-ScrDid you know that 3 out of 4 Cakewalk employees play guitar? Many of which also compose, edit and mix their own music? Just a few reasons why we take so much pride in the development of our software for recording musicians.

The latest version of our software for guitarists and singer-songwriters, Guitar Tracks Pro USB, includes all the tools you need to take your music from riff to hit (without the confusion of learning of whole new DAW). Based on our award-winning SONAR engine, you get a virtual guitar amp, a backing band of virtual instruments, precise editing tools, mixing console, numerous effects, an online music publisher and more – all for less than the cost of a few hours of studio time.

Recently, the Mystic Geek (of HowtoGeek.com) spent some time with GT Pro USB in his home studio. He tested the installation process using Windows 7, hooked up his guitar with the included USB audio interface, and took the new built-in effects for a spin. Stop by HowToGeek.com to see the full review.

Artist Impression: Singer-Songwriter Cori Yarckin On the Road With V-Studio 100

One of Rolling Stones ‘Top 5 Up and Coming Female Artists’ and Cherry Lane Music Publishing Singer-Songwriter, Cori Yarckin, recently released her debut album, featuring the edgy new single, ‘Everything You Said’. Watch the video below to hear everything she had to say about writing and recording on the road with the SONAR V-Studio 100.