Introducing the Transform Tool
SONAR’s new Transform Tool gives you full sculpting power to create more feel and expression in your MIDI instruments — a SONAR Platinum exclusive.
Continue reading “SONAR 2017.04 Update: MIDI Transformed”
SONAR 2017.03: MIDI, Back to the Future
Cakewalk reaches back to its MIDI sequencing roots to optimize SONAR’s core MIDI editing for today’s generation of virtual instruments.
Virtual instrument developers have added more controllers than ever to make them more “playable,” to sound more natural and evocative. As a result, one tends to do more MIDI editing and tweaking to take advantage of these emerging sonic capabilities.
When you’re working with as many as 100 MIDI tracks, workflow becomes critical to your creative process – you need to quickly find the tracks you’re looking for, easily bring those tracks in and out of focus for viewing and editing, and effortlessly toggle between a variety of controller data for precision edits.
Cakewalk has addressed these modern MIDI music production needs in the SONAR 2017.03 update through a redesign of the Piano Roll View (PRV) Track Pane and the Controller Pane. From efficient, simple controller editing to clean and focused MIDI track selection, SONAR has transformed MIDI editing from tedious to transparent.
5 Awesome Virtual Instrument Tips in SONAR
With thousands of features, workflows, and settings, even the most hardcore user can miss out on something awesome buried in SONAR. It happens to the best of us. So we’ve put together 5 quick and easy features that can improve your workflow as well as your creativity with Virtual Instruments and Synths. Check out the video here:
Converting and Recording MIDI into Audio
MIDI files function like sheet music. Sheet music contains all the information an instrumentalist needs to make music. If the instrumentalist does not play what’s written on the sheet music, you hear nothing. Like sheet music, MIDI does not transmit audio signals (digital or analog). Meaning, if you were to plug your MIDI cable into a loudspeaker or audio device, you wouldn’t hear anything.
Therefore, you need to convert a MIDI file into an audio file in order to hear what it really sounds like. There are several ways you can playback MIDI in Cakewalk and several ways you can convert or record MIDI to audio. Follow the link to Cakewalk’s support pages for more information.
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!
'How to Make A Noise' Using Z3TA+
Simon Cann, author of the book, Cakewalk Synthesizers: From Presets to Power User, releases a new update to How to Make A Noise, a comprehensive guide to synthesizer programming.
The new update will be available as a free download and for purchase in print on Amazon. The new edition offers more content, more graphics and more sounds, featuring over 300 different patches. Pick up the book to get in-depth tutorials on how to program sounds using Cakewalk’s Z3TA+; create and control your sounds with envelopes, modulation, the arpeggiator, step generator, and other playback tools. Cann also shows you how to build patches for various instruments including keys, bass, drums and more.
For more information visit SImon Cann’s website.
Special Offer: Summer of Synth 2009
Through Thursday July 23, registered Cakewalk customers can save BIG on our most popular virtual instruments. Whether you’re looking to increase your sonic arsenal, freshen up some tired sounds, or simply up your soft-synth game, the Summer of Synth promotion is a great way to do just that and save big at the same time.
Visit our online store to see how much you could save on sounds this summer with Cakewalk!
Altsounds.com: SONAR 8 is 'an Audio Mechanics Dream'
Chris Maguire, record producer and owner of Altsounds.com, recently re-wired his studio to run SONAR 8 Producer. After using SONAR to record various session work, Maguire published an extensive review of the new upgrade, giving major props to the DAW’s versatility and sound quality.
“SONAR 8 Producer is intuitive and makes complete sense straight out of the box but is MUCH deeper than meets the eye and holds gems for users as their skills progress.”
“There is so much packed into SONAR 8 in fact that even a seasoned user such as myself never really touches the surface of what it can do…”
“LP-64 Multiband – Excellent Multiband Compressor that will allow even novices to get mastered mixes at levels expected.”
“TL-64 Tube Leveler – Awesome for adding Tube Warmth to your mixes or two individual entities in a mix.”
Macguire also compliments SONAR’s new workflow enhancements including the improved transport controls, the audio engine optimizations (arm/disarm tracks, ability to change audio settings without restart) and the endless array of VSTs and effects hosted in one package.
“(It’s) a mechanics toolbox worth of useful tools, fx and instruments. It’s an audio mechanics dream.”
Create & Share Your Music Fast with Music Creator 5
Cakewalk introduces Music Creator 5, the newest version of our leading home music-making software. With its brand new look and feel, Music Creator 5 is everything you need to start making music fast – offering a host of new features and a streamlined user interface. Simple recording, editing, mixing, great-sounding instruments, and tons of effects – it’s all here in one package… all for less than the price of four CDs!
New Features Include:
•A simplified user interface that puts the controls at your fingertips. All you have to do is focus on making music
•Active Controller Technology (ACT)™ – connect a MIDI keyboard to your PC and automatically control your mix, effects or virtual instruments with its knobs and sliders
•Cakewalk Sound Center™ – an exclusive, easy-to-use tool that combines 150 different instrument sounds from our award-winning professional instruments, Rapture & Dimension Pro
•IK Multimedia’s AmpliTube X-GEAR™ – a built-in virtual guitar amp, plug directly into your computer for great sounding guitar parts
•Add your own soundtrack to your home movies and other digital video files – including .MOV, .WMV, .MPEG – before you upload it to YouTube, MySpace and Facebook
•Burn CDs with Music Creator’s integrated CD Burner and share your music online with Cakewalk Publisher
•And much more…
For More Information:
See the Music Creator 5 press release
ALSO please visit the Music Creator 5 web pages
EMusician.com: SONAR 8 is 'Better at the Core'
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”.