There's 3 major announcements Cakewalk have revealed for Sonar: It's coming to Mac OS X, lifetime upgrades and an expanded focus on performance and stability. Read more about all three below.
Boston, MA, (June 1, 2016) – Cakewalk, dedicated to powerful and thoughtfully designed software for modern musicians, announces a limited time offer of Lifetime Updates for SONAR Platinum, a public OS X alpha test phase for SONAR, and an expanded commitment to creating the most stable software program available.
SONAR OS X Alpha
This Fall, a free Alpha version of SONAR OS X—which comes with a set of Cakewalk plug-ins and ProChannel modules, works with any Core Audio interface, and includes features like the award-winning Skylight User Interface and critically acclaimed ProChannel customizable channel strip—will become available to gauge the interest of doing a full Mac port.
The SONAR Mac prototype was discontinued, but was working, albeit in a limited capacity when compared to the standard Windows version. It was working well in and of itself at the time we were experimenting with it, however it lacks the ability to work with external AU/VST plugins. Good news if you've been wanting to use Sonar on the Mac, then, but there's potentially something even better for PC users this summer. Cakewalk has also revealed that anyone who purchases or upgrades to Sonar Platinum between now and 31 August 2016 will get free lifetime updates of any future core features, enhancements and fixes.
“Ever since SONAR appeared, Apple users have been asking for a Mac version,” states Cakewalk CTO Noel Borthwick. “We’re excited to explore SONAR for OS X, and open up our award-winning Windows software to a brand new audience of music creators.” Along with this free download, a dedicated forum will solicit feedback on the program and provide support.
Get lifetime updates for free with Sonar Platinum.
SONAR Platinum with Lifetime Updates
From June 1 through August 31 2016, purchasing or upgrading to SONAR Platinum will give the buyer free, lifetime updates of any future core features, enhancements, and fixes. Customers who purchase SONAR Platinum with Lifetime Updates will never again need to pay for another renewal of the Rolling Updates plan.
An Expanded Focus on Performance and Stability
Building on last year’s program optimizations, Cakewalk’s development team is focusing on a curated list of longstanding issues and requests from the SONAR community. Slated enhancements include a new ripple editing function, “load balancing” to allow loading more plug-ins without sacrificing speed, and updated comping and take management. With SONAR Analytics now engaged and a new feedback portal on its way, the tools are in place for SONAR to raise the bar for performance and stability.
Availability
SONAR OS X Alpha will be a free download and available officially only at www.cakewalk.com.
Sonar Machine For Sale
SONAR Platinum with Lifetime Updates is available globally through music and sound retailers, and also at the Cakewalk Store http://www.shop.cakewalk.com/. Please visit www.cakewalk.com for complete version details and localized pricing/availability options from our distribution partners.
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In November, Gibson publicly killed Cakewalk. Then, three months later, BandLab Technologies announced they would be bringing it back, having acquired the DAW-maker's intellectual property. Today, though, they’ve done something even more unexpected. BandLab Technologies have relaunched Sonar, with the entire Sonar Platinum feature set and made it completely free, under the new title of ‘Cakewalk by BandLab’.
This makes sense of comments by BandLab Technologies CEO Meng Ru Kuok who had previously stated that current Sonar users 'will not need to spend any money to cross-over/cross-grade to the future flagship product.'
Cakewalk by BandLab includes the core premium features found in the very capable Sonar Platinum (which used to cost £399$499), including the Skylight user interface, flexible ProChannel modules, ARA integration and an end-to-end 64-bit mix engine.
It’s worth noting that third-party products that used to be bundled with Sonar Platinum, such as Melodyne Essential, Addictive Drums and a few others are not currently included with Cakewalk by BandLab. However, users who previously bought these products as part of a Sonar Platinum bundle will continue to be able to use them in the new DAW, as will those who have independent licences.
BandLab Technologies CEO Meng Ru Kuok describes an “aggressive feature development roadmap ahead” for Cakewalk by BandLab and this new version already sports some previously unreleased features such as integration with BandLab Assistant (which replaces Sonar’s Command Centre) for dragging and dropping loop content to Cakewalk from Assistant. Also, it adds the ability to replace Track Templates and adds a theme-capable Piano Roll View meaning you can choose a darker look for late-night music-making.
As you’d expect from Cakewalk, Windows integration is as strong as ever and the new DAW will support recent Windows advancements including pen, touch and Surface Dial throughout the user interface. BandLab Technologies already develop BandLab, a social music platform featuring a 12-track collaborative DAW that’s freely available for web browser, iOS and Android. The free distribution of Cakewalk by BandLab fits with the company’s mission of bringing professional music production tools to the masses, regardless of their means. And while it remains to be seen whether Cakewalk for BandLab will become to Windows what GarageBand is to Mac, this could be the catalyst for making it an even more popular DAW than it is already.
Cakewalk Sonar For Mac Download
There's yet to be any public announcement regarding a Mac version, but Windows users can download Cakewalk by BandLab now, for free. All you need to do is sign up for a free BandLab account.
If you're a current Sonar user and want more info on how this will affect you, read the latest Cakewalk forum post from BandLab Technologies CEO, here.