SONAR 8 Producer gives you what you need for recording, composing, editing, mixing, and mastering. Get innovations that matter, from exclusive features to ignite creativity and perfect your tracks, to groundbreaking technologies that always keep you in control, all backed by the industry’s leading 64-bit audio quality. SONAR 8 Producer delivers the "go to" production tools you want with the best collection of virtual instruments, mixing, and mastering effects found in any DAW.
The award-winning SONAR Producer gives you unlimited tracks, amazing creative tools, incredible virtual instruments, the freedom to work with any audio interface or control surface, and the most complete delivery capability for collaboration with users of other DAWS.
Create
SONAR 8 is the only DAW that offers one-of-a-kind music creation tools that actually help in the songwriting process. Whether you are searching for new ideas or looking to add musical parts to existing songs, SONAR 8 can help you break through those creative blocks.
Start producing quickly with over 400 track and project templates that instantly load your favorite sounds
- Includes templates for audio tracks, virtual instruments, and entire projects
- Save your own template to recall at any time
Make beats and synth lines with a dedicated Step Sequencer
- Sequence up to 16 steps per beat with 64 beats per pattern
- Supports odd time signatures (non 4/4 meters)
- Features a powerful "Fit Pattern to Quarters" control that fits patterns into lengths of any number of quarter notes for creation of polyrhythmic parts (5 against 4 rhythms, hemiolas, septuplets, etc.)
- Control velocity offset and scale values in an entire row all at once
- MIDI controller automation drawing
- More: step ties; monophonic/polyphonic toggle switch; global portamento toggle switch with time control; swing and articulation controls
Includes a critically-acclaimed suite of 14 virtual instruments
- Use input quantize to record in perfect time
- Instrument Tracks optimized for mono or stereo virtual synths simplifies the process of working with virtual instruments
- Multi-track method of using virtual instruments employed by previous versions of SONAR still supported
- Split and combine instrument tracks to/from discrete audio/MIDI tracks
Add cinematic themes with the Hollywood Edge sound FX library for Dimension Pro
Dimension Pro 1.2 now includes the Digital Sound Factory Vol. 2 Classic Keys pack
Build audio and MIDI tracks fast using Groove Clips and the redesigned Loop Explorer
- Perfect for building backing tracks for your songs
- Browse and preview audio and MIDI groove clips and patterns
- Quickly drag and drop loops and patterns into the track view
- MIDI groove clips and patterns can be previewed with the virtual instrument of your choice
Support for VST, DXi and ReWire instruments and application
Record
SONAR 8 provides the most comprehensive recording features of any DAW on the market today. It's designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding professional—whether recording a solo performance, a band, or even an orchestra.
Recording without limits—unlimited tracks of audio and MIDI, unlimited simultaneous inputs, loop recording, and the ability to record for hours without stopping means you'll be able to capture all your ideas, no matter how big.
Guitar Rig 3 LE allows you to plug-in to the latest award-winning guitar amp modeler from Native Instruments. It includes 3 amps & cabinets, 11 effects, tuner, metronome, and over 50 presets.
Stay inspired with a new Dynamic Transport offering true rewind, fast forward, and pause; improved jog, shuttle, and scrub; audition and anytime recording for on the fly arming/unarming of tracks.
Session Drummer 2 is the fastest and most fun way to create realistic and vital drum tracks. It works great when you want the sound and feel of a real drummer to play along with.
Track Templates make it easy to get your project started. SONAR includes a variety of templates for audio, virtual instrument tracks, and even entire projects. Save your own templates any recall them instantly any time you need that sound.
Pure power—SONAR pioneered support for multicore and multiprocessor computers, Windows Vista, and x64 processing, now in version 8 we've optimized for high track count/low latency performance and a more responsive user experience.
- Capture all of your ideas with unlimited tracks of audio and MIDI
- Edit audio and MIDI fast and inline right in the track view
- Record at virtually any bit depth/sample rate up to 24-bit/384 kHz
- Record an entire performance at once with support for multichannel audio interfaces
- Faster I/O Assignment provides a quick way to set a series of consecutive inputs/outputs, set selected tracks to same input/output, and assign multiple bus outputs to same main
- Connect any Windows-compatible MIDI devices, control surfaces, and WDM or ASIO audio interfaces
- Experience high track counts with low latency performance
- ASIO latency compensation to keep new recordings in perfect sync with your project
- Stereo and mono hardware outputs for flexible routing options
- Live Effects and Soft Synth Recording—play and record effects and soft synths into audio tracks in realtime using SONAR's live bounce feature
- Anytime Recording—while the SONAR transport is running or looping, arm/unarm audio and MIDI tracks, punch in, punch out, and toggle between play and record
- New responsive Transport for on-the-fly recording
- Get more out of your PC with industry-pioneering multi-core/multi-processor support
- Record longer projects with support for 2+ GB Sony Wave-64 files—SONAR has also been optimized for high-bandwidth multitrack recording
- File Recovery mode—while not a substitute for good backup practices, File Recovery Mode may be able to open damaged projects with minimal data loss, preserving your valuable data
Edit
SONAR 8 offers precision editing tools you won't find in any other DAW. Whether you're editing audio or MIDI, it's easy to make pinpoint edits and fix issues you didn't think were possible.
- AudioSnap allows you to non-destructively fix audio timing, make instant tempo changes to an entire project—even quantize audio like you would MIDI.
- Roland V-Vocal editor lets you achieve perfect vocals tracks and is integrated right inside SONAR. It includes pitch correction, phrasing, dynamics, vibrato, and Pitch to MIDI conversion.
- Comping in SONAR is a breeze with powerful tools that take the headache out of getting the perfect take. Easily select the best performance from multiple takes and piece it together to sound like one flawless track.
- Smart MIDI Tools revolutionize MIDI editing by providing you with a powerful and customizable workflow innovation. Three tools can each be configured to perform multiple operations, saving you valuable time.
Perfect your vocal tracks with Roland® V-Vocal VariPhrase processor
- Based on Roland VariPhrase technology
- A unique technology that allows you to control the tempo and pitch of audio phrases in real time with virtually no degradation of sound quality
- Powerful vocal processing: automatic pitch correction, vibrato, and more
- Adjust the phrasing or timing of vocals
- Control the dynamics of vocals
- Create harmonies by copying vocal clips, then applying V-Vocal pitch shifting to copied audio
- Pitch to MIDI conversion allows you to create new synth parts based on monophonic audio
- Completely non-destructive processing
Manipulate the timing and feel of audio, just like MIDI, with AudioSnap
- Quantize and fix audio timing without slicing up or destructively editing your audio
- Quantize one part at a time or even an entire project at once
- Quantize an out-of-time track to follow an in-time track
- Convert audio beats to MIDI Groove and quantize MIDI notes with audio rhythms or even extract rhythmic MIDI information from audio and paste it into a track
- Slip Stretch and non-destructively time compress or expand your audio's duration.
- Elastic Tempo allows you to change the tempo or draw in changes from the Tempo View with all selected audio tracks following the project tempo
- Assemble the perfect take from Track Layers using powerful comping and editing tools
- Clip Group Editing—edit multiple tracks at once across multiple tracks or folders
- Clip Selection Groups—groups clips together across tracks after each recording pass—perfect for comping any multitrack ensemble performance—especially drum takes
- Aim Assist Cursor—visual guide to assist in lining up multiple tracks for precision editing
- Split and Mute Tools can now edit multiple clips simultaneously
- Free Edit Tool for allows you to edit by clips or by time without the need of a modifier key
- Streamline your workflow and project organization with Track Folders
- Use the Navigator Pane to get a birds eye view of your project, quickly zoom in and out to make quick edits, and scroll through your project with ease
- Freeze audio and instrument tracks for optimal performance; frozen audio data can be edited for added convenience
- Streamline your workflow and project organization with Track Folders
- Use X-Ray to temporarily make plug-ins and views in SONAR transparent
Fast Zoom
- Use your mouse wheel or shortcut keys to jump from a birds-eye view of your project to a high magnification instantly
- Quickly jump back to previous views without losing your place
Mouse Wheel
- Use your mouse wheel to scroll and zoom horizontally and vertically in the Track View or Piano Roll
- Adjust any of SONAR's controls
Clip-based effects and editing
- Audio and MIDI clips contain full-featured FX bins with automatic delay compensation
- Copy effects from clip to clip, clip to track, or track to track
- Apply fades and effect automation to selected audio clips—specify the fade duration and curve type
- Clips can lock to time (including SMPTE), and can even be slip-stretched to a new length
Nudge
- Vertically and horizontally within the Track and Piano Roll views
- Customize nudge with multiple configurable resolutions and shortcut key
Quickly edit MIDI with state of the art Smart MIDI Tools
- Perform multiple MIDI operations without the need to switch tools, expediting your editing session
- Includes three preconfigured Smart MIDI Tools; the default tool can be used to draw, select, erase, and edit notes and controllers.
- Create your own Smart MIDI Tool presets by selecting from 20 different mouse actions and assigning them to edit functions such as slip-editing and transposition
- New MIDI editing features including split, glue, event mute, and drag quantize
- Control specific edit behaviors: change the way draw and erase works, it's all user-definable
- Custom Smart MIDI Tool assignments can be saved as presets and apply to both the Piano Roll View and the Inline Piano Roll
- Smart MIDI tools feature presets that match MIDI operations in applications such as Logic, Cubase, and Digital Performer
MIDI Magnifier
- Work with MIDI in-place, even when zoomed out
- MIDI Magnifier allows you to quickly zoom in on isolated areas and make edits without changing the overall zoom level of the view in which you are working
Velocity Colorizer
- Provides improved visual feedback to the user
- Notes are tinted depending on velocities for easier identification
MIDI Meters
- Standard MIDI Meters in the Track and Console view respond to MIDI velocity information
- MIDI activity indicators respond any MIDI activity
Multiple Controller Lanes
- Multiple MIDI parameters can be displayed simultaneously within the Piano Roll View (PRV) in a multi-lane format
- Easier than ever to edit and view MIDI data such as velocity, modulation, pitch bend and CCs
- Controller data can also be moved and copied across lanes
- Make precise comparisons and edits of multiple controller types by assigning controllers to the same lane
MIDI Input Quantize
- Time-align MIDI input as it is recorded to a track, and hear and see the effect of the quantization as soon as the track is looped or played back
- Per-track quantize settings with presets makes recording MIDI parts easier
Snap to Scale
- Quickly make MIDI tracks conform to the pitches of a specified scale
- Many modes, altered scales, pentatonic, and non-western scales available
Drag Quantize
- Select notes then drag up to quantize them closer to the grid
- Drag down to move them away from the grid
New MIDI Edit Functions
- Split Notes, Glue Notes, Event Mute, Drag Quantize, and Repeat have been added to the MIDI tool palette
Control
SONAR 8 gives you deep control over virtual instruments, mixing, and more with innovative breakthroughs like Active Controller Technology.
Active Controller Technology
- Get total control of virtual instruments, effects, and mixing from MIDI controllers and control surfaces
- ACT eliminates the common workflow bottleneck of constantly remapping parameters by re-mapping to whichever plugin you have open
- Use preset mappings or create your own custom mappings
- SONAR 8 includes new updated ACT presets mappings for popular MIDI devices and controllers
- Support for Control Surfaces and MIDI Controllers made by popular manufacturer's like Edirol, Mackie, Euphonix, Frontier Design, and more
- Transport Updates including True Rewind, Fast Forward and Pause Buttons; Audition Button
- Anytime Recording—while the SONAR transport is running or looping, arm/unarm audio and MIDI tracks, punch in, punch out, and toggle between play and record
- Automatically sync visible/hidden tracks between the Track View and Console View
Synth Rack
- Control the instruments in your project from one easy to manage window.
- Find instruments quickly with customizable Synth Icons
- Display customized controls for each instrument, putting the most needed controls right at your fingertips for easy adjustment and automation
- Access parameters of all instruments loaded in the rack without having to expand individual plug-in windows
- Achieve creative and dynamic sound design by linking controls of multiple synths together with SONAR's advanced grouping options
- Quickly toggle through presets to find the right sound
- Mute, solo, arm, and automate your instruments
- Freeze synths to conserve CPU resources
- Insert and delete instruments dynamically during playback, with undo/redo capability
Create custom toolbars with all the features you need immediate access to
Configurable Track View Controls
- Make the best use of your workspace by re-organizing or hiding Track View controls
- Call up different control configurations by simply clicking on customizable tabs
- Configurable Track Inspector gives you detailed information and control of any selected track
- Display multiple time rulers simultaneously; Options include Measure:Beat:Tick, Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames, Samples, Milliseconds
- Change the names of your audio and MIDI inputs and outputs for easy organization
- Customize all of SONAR's menus; hide items you never use; rename menu items; create different layouts
- Organize your plug-in menu to make finding the right plug-ins easier
- User-customizable color schemes let you adjust virtually every aspect of the interface
Mix
SONAR 8 offers the perfect mixing environment for any professional engineer. SONAR's industry-first, end-to-end, 64-bit double precision floating point mix engine allows you to mix with sonic clarity using a suite of versatile effects, powerful mixing tools, and endless routing possibilities.
Retain every nuance of your mix with the industry's leading 64-bit audio engine
- SONAR achieves this unmatched level of audio quality by providing spacious amounts of headroom and footroom through extended dynamic range
- Realize more definition in your mix through the improved summing and pristine digital signal path provided by 64-bit mixing
- SONAR's unique mix engine maintains the 64-bit signal path from track to plug-in to bus, making it possible to retain absolute integrity of your audio throughout the production process, even when passing information to and from plug-ins
- Features native support for 64-bit floating point audio files, allowing you to import, stream, and render tracks and mixes at the highest quality available in the industry
- SONAR's 64-bit mix engine is seamless and accessible even on 32-bit computers
Mix with a versatile Console view that looks and acts just like hardware
- The Console View controls, metering, and layout make mixing fast and enjoyable
- Parametric EQ is available on every track and bus, and each EQ can be controlled directly from its track strip
- See the EQ state of every track with integrated EQ plot displays
- Show or hide tracks, busses or mains with simple controls
- Copy EQ settings across tracks via a simple drag and drop of EQ plots
- Choose from a suite of 42 professional grade audio effects and 7 MIDI FX
- Integrate DX & VST effects with Automatic Delay Compensation
External Hardware support
- Easily integrate external hardware effects and MIDI instruments with Automatic Delay Compensation
- Latencies for external hardware will automatically be measured and compensated through SONAR's plug-in delay compensation (PDC)
- External Insert plug-in for outboard gear appears in SONAR's plug in menu where it can be inserted into the audio FX bin on any track or bus
- Use Track Icons to visually organize your mix
- Get precise visual feedback from user-configurable meters with adjustable ballistics
Take advantage of SONAR's infinitely flexible Universal Bus Architecture
- Unlimited sends and busses, and limitless routing possibilities, make organizing, grouping and mixing your projects simpler
- Quick Groups provide you with on-the-fly grouping of track or bus controls with a simple click of a selector on each track/bus you want to group
- Bus Inputs QuickGroup Command automatically groups all source tracks feeding a selected bus
Internal sidechaining
- More flexibility and control over mix processes and creative options for key-triggered sound effects
- Effectively avoid the clashing of multiple instruments occurring in the same frequency range
- Common uses include "Ducking" which is a technique used in radio broadcast
- Sidechain the Sonitus:fx Compressor, Sonitus:fx Gate, VC-64 Vintage Channel, and all sidechain compliant VST processors such as those available from Voxengo and Sonalksis
- Dim Solo mode isolates soloed tracks by applying a configurable -6, -12, or -18 dB dim to non-soloed tracks instead of a complete mute
- New Exclusive Solo Mode with Solo Override forces soloing to one track/bus at a time and prevents tracks and buses from being muted when other tracks/buses are soloed
Analyst plug-in
- Real-time spectrum analyzer with a number of display options, including spectrum color bars, cumulative averages, minimums and maximums, and a built-in Sonograph mode
- Analyst can create automation envelopes based on the average levels of four frequency ranges
BitMeter plug-in
- See the benefits of SONAR's 64-bit audio engine in action
- Monitor the digital activity of your audio stream and view output word length, dynamic range, signal peaks, and more to analyze the quality of your digital signal
Envelope Automation
- Get complete, sample accurate control over all aspects of your mix, effect, and instrument parameters with Tempo Synced envelope automation
- Drawing options include freehand and multiple curve types—get virtually any sound you can imagine
Mix in surround
- Over 30 supported surround configurations
- Built-in surround panner
- Sonitus:fx Surround Compressor
- Use stereo plug-ins via SurroundBridge technology
- Use Control Surfaces and even MIDI controllers to get hands on control of your mix—use Active Controller Technology to automatically map or remember custom settings
- Exclusive Solo mode with Solo Override forces soloing to one track/bus at a time and prevents tracks and buses from being muted when other tracks/buses are soloed
- Use Dim Solo Mode to isolate soloed tracks by applying a configurable -6, -12, or -18 dB dim to non-soloed tracks instead of a complete mute
- Mono hardware outputs allow for easy assigning of tracks and buses to individual hardware outputs in addition to stereo pairs
- Insert Send Assistant provides a fast and easy way to create effect busses and insert sends to new or existing busses
- Find and correct mix problems as they occur with Bus Waveform Preview
Master
SONAR 8 allows you to deliver the final polish to your tracks with high-end effects that were designed specifically for the task of mastering.
LP-64 EQ
- Offers flexibility in editing by offering both traditional parametric editing with graphical control points representing filter components that control frequency, gain, and Q
- Graphical curve editing mode for more intuitive editing where control points rest directly on the equalization curve, and provide smooth means for curve manipulation
- Up to 20 control points can be added to an EQ graph and both modes of operation produce the same superior-quality, linear-phase output.
- Two modes of operation: traditional parametric and graphical curve
- Create deep notches, resonant peaks, and steep roll offs
- HUD (heads-up display) provides constant and detailed control point information
- +/- 24 dB gain change range per control point
- 64-bit double precision signal path
- Up to 192 kHz resolution
- Optimized for low CPU usage
- Full VST functionality for access from dedicated audio editors
LP-64 Multiband
- Operation modes are user selectable or PDR (Program Dependent Release) that automatically minimizes pumping (audible fluctuations of the volume) and maximizes loudness
- 'Auto-Q' feature automatically adjusts the linear-phase filters to maintain ideal overlap - whether dialing in broad, subtle crossovers, or tight notches and boosts
- +/- 18 dB gain change range per control point
- Up to 192 kHz resolution
- 64-bit double precision signal path
- Mono and stereo operation
- Optimized for low CPU usage
- Full VST functionality for access from dedicated audio editors
Boost 11 Peak Limiter
- Look-ahead peak detection to prevent clipping
- Program Dependent Release to minimize pumping
- Dynamic waveform displays of input vs. output
- Stereo peak and RMS input/output meters
- Operation at sampling rates up to 192 kHz
- 64-bit double precision signal path
- VST Automation
TL-64 Tube Leveler
- Powered by StudioDevil (Gallo Engineering) known for their ultra-high-quality analog tube amplifier emulation
- Provides intuitive controls to determine the level and character of analog tube saturation, from subtle "warming" to hard-driving saturation
- Features a unique selectable Dynamic Response Filter control that when engaged employs a dynamic (versus static) tube model algorithm
- Bass Compensation control compensates for any reduction in bass material as a result of low-shelf filtering and the filter allows you to reduce clipping in the bass bands while still maintaining a flat output response
- Several instances of the TL-64 plug-ins can also be combined in effects chains, along with other processors, EQ, and compressors, to create a limitless palette of virtual analog effects
- Dynamic and static tube model algorithms
- High quality signal processing algorithms
- Switchable oversampling option defeats high-frequency aliasing/quantization noise
Smooth, zipperless output
- Automatable parameters
- Library of presets
- Full VST functionality for access from dedicated audio editors
Collaborate & Deliver
SONAR 8 offers various options for collaborating with other studios as well as delivering to virtually any format including CD, video, surround, and even the web.
Collaborate with other studios using DAWs like Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase and more
- Export files to OMF
- Export files to Broadcast WAV
- Import/export Sony Wave-64, AIF, CAF, FLAC, SD2 (Sound Designer II)
- Digital video import/export—support for the latest QuickTime 7 codecs, including H.264 and AAC audio; Windows Media Video (WMV) including Windows Media Pro; and AVI
- Right-click at cursor to import audio/MIDI data
- Use presets in the Export options section to deliver files in virtually any format: stems, mixes, bounces, and more
- Deliver in surround using the 14-day SurCode unlimited trial Dolby encoders for Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic II
- Ensure pristine quality with POW-r dithering and Windowed Sinc sample rate conversion
- Enhanced Sample Rate Conversion now employs the same fast convolution engine as the LP-64 series 64-bit mastering plug-ins
- Integrated CD Ripping and Burning—import audio from CD directly into a SONAR project and burn multiple tracks to audio CDs right from within the application
Integrated Cakewalk Publisher presents an innovative new tool to publish and present your music online
- Simply drag files into Publisher to quickly create playlists
- Build custom Flash-based audio players with choice of colors, size, layout, etc to match your web design
- Support for album art: choose an image and URL for each song in your playlist
- Includes FTP client to upload music and players directly to your website
- XML generation to embed customized players on many websites (Myspace, etc.)
What's New in Version 8
New features, optimizations, and workflow enhancements include:
- Loop Explorer 2.0—view provides browse and preview of audio and MIDI groove clips and patterns; quickly drag and drop loops and patterns into the track view; MIDI groove clips and patterns can be previewed with the virtual instrument of your choice.
- Dedicated Instrument Track—single track optimized for mono or stereo virtual synths which simplifies the process of working with virtual instruments. In the pursuit of offering users options in how they want to work, the multi-track method of using virtual instruments employed by previous versions of SONAR is still supported. In addition users can split and combine instrument tracks to/from discrete audio/MIDI tracks.
- SONAR Performance Optimizations—with focus on functionality including improved performance at high track counts and low latencies, faster launch time, and the ability to change audio devices without restarting; streamlined communication with VST plug-ins and Improved ASIO performance with output latency compensation.
- User Interface optimizations—smoother display when resizing windows and panes, optimized metering, more responsive zoom and scroll.
Editing Enhancements:
- Clip Selection Groups—Furthering SONAR's multitrack recording and take management capability, SONAR now automatically groups clips together across tracks after each recording pass — perfect for comping any multitrack ensemble performance, especially drum takes.
- Aim Assist Cursor—Visual guide to assist in lining up tracks for precision editing.
- Split and Mute Tools—can now edit multiple clips simultaneously.
- Free Edit Tool—for performing edits by clips or by time without the need of a modifier key.
Recording Enhancements:
- Live Effects and Soft Synth Recording—play and record effect and soft synth output into audio tracks in realtime using SONAR's live bounce feature.
- Anytime Recording—while the SONAR transport is running or looping users can now arm/unarm audio and MIDI tracks, punch in, punch out, and toggle between play and record.
Mixing Enhancements:
- Exclusive Solo Mode with Solo Override—New solo mode forces soloing to one track/bus at a time and prevents tracks and buses from being muted when other tracks/buses are soloed.
- Bus Inputs QuickGroup Command—automatically groups all source tracks feeding a selected bus.
- Mono hardware outputs—for easy assignment of tracks and buses to individual hardware outputs in addition to stereo pairs.
Control Enhancements:
- Transport Updates—True Rewind, Fast Forward and Pause Buttons; Audition Button; Improved Jog/Shuttle Heuristics; optimizations for control surfaces and scrub performance.
- Control Surface Enhancements—Show/Hide Tracks from Surface can follow either the Track View or Console View, obeying visible/hidden tracks, Control Surfaces MIDI port assignments retained/stored in SONAR, Real-World VST Parameter Values are now displayed. - Track View and Console View Sync now automatically syncs visible/hidden tracks between the Track View and Console View channels.
Additional Enhancements:
- Enhanced Sample Rate Conversion — now employs the same fast convolution engine as the LP-64 series 64-bit mastering plug-ins.
- Vista Audio — WASAPI support, which is compatible with any Vista audio device, including WaveRT PCI and motherboard audio, USB, and FireWire devices.
- QuickTime 7 Import/Export —support for the latest QuickTime 7 codecs, including H.264 and AAC audio.
Workflow Enhancements include:
- Insert Send Assistant—provides a fast and easy way to create effect buses and insert sends to new or existing buses.
- Updated ACT Presets —mappings for popular plug-ins and controllers.
- Templates — over 400 new production ready Track Templates and Project Templates.
- Drum Maps & Presets — Updated Drum Maps and Plug-in Presets enhancing our most popular plug-ins.
- Patterns — New collection of drum pattern presets for the integrated Step Sequencer.
New Instruments Include:
Beatscape loop performance instrument - Beatscape, the latest instrument by Cakewalk's premier synthesis architect René Ceballos takes loop manipulation and realtime triggering/performance to new heights. Beatscape provides 16-pads to load and trigger loops or samples for sequencing your productions and beats. Each pad features a full powered REX player, Rapture-style step generator, multiple effect processors, and sophisticated groove slicing and dicing tools powered by Cakewalk's own AudioSnap slicing technology.
Drag and drop audio directly from SONAR onto the Beatscape pads and it's sync'd and ready to go. Use the built in browser to quickly load clips and loops from your collection of previously recorded material, or choose from the massive 4GB REX library of included beats, breaks and phrases in a multitude of genres ranging from house, drum n' bass, hip hop, techno, glitch, latin, reggaeton, and more from the pros at Heatseekers and X-MiX.
Beatscape is the ultimate remixing instrument. Combine audio clips from multiple recording sessions and use the 16 pads to sequence them live or into a SONAR track. Easily load key clips or loops from two separate projects, blend them together, and trigger one shot samples—all on the fly from Beatscape's up-front interface.
Features include:
- Load loops and trigger/mangle them on the fly.
- Rearrange loop slices using the 'timber reorder' slice arranger in Beatscape's Loop Editor window to make new loops or variations of loops.
- Built in Step Generator allows users to quickly and visually draw per-step changes in amplitude, panning, pitch, or LP filter with resonance on individual loops or samples.
- Make your loops sound the way you want with 17 built in high quality effects.
- With 3 effect inserts per pad, Beatscape can handle 48 effects at once.
- Slices from each loop are mapped to their corresponding MIDI channel for pattern programming.
- Easy MIDI mapping lets you simultaneously trigger entire loops and individual slices.
- 4 gigabytes of outstanding content arranged as construction kits, broken down into separate layers such as kicks, hats, percussion, snares, synths, and more.
Dimension Pro - SONAR now includes a full version of the acclaimed synthesizer that combines real instruments with advanced synthesis for endless sound possibilities. The underpinnings of Dimension Pro's creative possibilities is the powerful Cakewalk's Expression Engine providing several types of synthesis including multi-sample rendering, wavetable synthesis, waveguide synthesis, and REX playback and manipulation.
Included Content for Dimension Pro:
- Over 7 GB of content for Dimension Pro including Strings, Bass, Brass, Ethnic Instruments, Evolving Ambient Textures and more.
- Garritan Pocket Orchestra for Dimension Pro provides a complete set of orchestral instrumentation.
- Digital Sound Factory Classic Keys Expansion Pack for Dimension Pro—about 1GB of classic electric piano sounds, created by the sound designer for the original E-MU Proteus 2000.
- Hollywood Edge Sound Effects sample library with over 100 MBs of film score ready samples and sound FX.
TruePianos Amber VSTi Module - One of four modules that currently ship with the full version of TruePianos VSTi, the TruePianos Amber Module will provide SONAR users with world-class, playable piano sounds through its combination sampling, modeling, and synthesis sound design. TruePianos sounds and feels great, just like a real acoustic piano, with all the important characteristics: sympathetic resonance, inter-string harmonics, repedalling and more.
- Designed to blend transparently with the musician's hands through its unique capabilities of matching to the players own playing style (and characteristics of his/her MIDI keyboard) with the help of intuitive controls.
- Optimized for real-time performance, with low CPU usage even at 96khz host sampling rates and advanced polyphony levels.
New Effect Processors Include:
TS 64 Transient Shaper - a powerful tool for sculpting the transient dynamics of any percussive based source material such as drums or guitars. The TS 64 Transient Shaper employs powerful envelope/transient-detection, linear-phase filtering, and gain-shaping to control the dynamics of individual transients of any sound with amplitude variation over time.
The TS 64 Transient Shaper utilizes the same superior linear-phase technology found in SONAR's LP-64 EQ and LP-64 Multiband where the frequency spectrum is split into bands and then summed back together while maintaining the integrity of all processed audio across all frequencies. This provides clear precise control of the timbre of each detected transient without introducing coloration, phase errors, cancellations, comb filtering, or muddy sound.
- Multi-stage, linear-phase filter algorithm provides frequency dependent gain-adjustment.
- Level-independent shaping of envelopes allowing for transient sustain to be shortened or extended.
- Shape audio signal attack phase independently of the decay/sustain phase.
- Powerful envelope/transient-detection.
- Great for drum loops and percussion, taming unruly electric guitars, and for improving the attack or fullness of an acoustic guitar or piano.
- Automatable parameters.
- Smooth, zipperless output.
- Full VST functionality for access from dedicated audio editors.
TL-64 Tube Leveler - a line driver/leveling processor that employs advanced analog vacuum-tube circuit modeling algorithms to add the unique qualities of tube color and warmth found in classic recordings to whatever source material it is applied.
TL-64 provides intuitive controls to determine the level and character of analog tube saturation, from subtle "warming" to hard-driving saturation. The TL-64 plug-in features a unique selectable Dynamic Response Filter control that when engaged employs a dynamic (versus static) tube model algorithm. The dynamic tube model behaves more like a real vacuum tube in that its characteristics change over time depending on the input signal. There is also a Bass Compensation control that compensates for any reduction in bass material as a result of low-shelf filtering. The Bass Compensation filter allows you to reduce clipping in the bass bands while still maintaining a flat output response.
- Powered by StudioDevil (Gallo Engineering) known for their ultra-high-quality analog tube amplifier emulation.
- Several instances of the TL-64 plug-ins can also be combined in effects chains, along with other processors, EQ, and compressors, to create a limitless palette of virtual analog effects.
- Dynamic and static tube model algorithms.
- High quality signal processing algorithms.
- Switchable oversampling option defeats high-frequency aliasing/quantization noise.
- Smooth, zipperless output.
- Automatable parameters.
- Library of presets.
- Full VST functionality for access from dedicated audio editors.
Channel Tools - provides easy and powerful zero-latency channel processing for adjusting L/R channel placement, gain, pan/width, and phase; sample delay for precision timing adjustment of L/R channels in recordings; Automatic Mid-Side decoding of imported Mid-Side recorded material. Channel Tools can also provide a widening or narrowing effect to stereo recordings through adjustments to mid-side gain.
- Intuitive control over individual placement of the left and right channels anywhere in the stereo field.
- Automatically decode Mid-Side channel recordings.
- Fine-tune the timing of recordings by delaying the left and/or right channel by a specific number of samples or milliseconds.
- Full VST functionality for access from dedicated audio editors.
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE —built on the latest award-winning guitar amp modeler from Native Instruments; 3 amps and cabinets, 11 effects, tuner, metronome, and over 50 presets.
Included Instruments
SONAR 8 Producer includes the best collection of included virtual instruments found in any DAW. Whether you're looking for acoustic or electric instrument sounds, emulations of classic gear, modern synthesized tones, drums, or a groovebox, you need to look no further than SONAR 8. You may be surprised to find that some of these included plug-ins would cost hundreds of dollars if purchased separately.
Beatscape - New to SONAR 8
- 16-pad looping/performance instrument
- Great for layering and triggering audio clips and creating beats and grooves
- 4 GB of custom-designed loop construction kits
TruePianos Amber - New to SONAR 8
- Award-winning piano model designed to transparently integrate with your hands and playing style for even more realism
- 7 model variations
- Reverb and velocity controls
Dimension Pro - New to SONAR 8
- Wavetable based synthesizer
- Electric pianos, organs, basses, orchestral, strings, woodwinds, brass, ethnic, pads/layers, and other real-world instruments
- Over 1500 patch presets, 8 GB of content
Rapture LE
- LE version based on the award-winning Rapture wavetable synthesizer
- Searing synthesized sounds, leads, basses, pads, sequences, and more
- Nearly 200 patch presets, expandable
Session Drummer 2
- Drum and Percussion Sequencer
- Programming multi-layered, realistic drum parts either a la carte or using included patterns
- 4 kits with over 55 drum presets in varying styles: Rock, Swing, Shuffle, Reggae, more
Z3TA+
- Waveshaping synthesizer
- Analog synth modeling, leads, basses, synths, pads, and more—even use it as an FX
- 6 banks, with 750+ patches
Cyclone
- 16-pad groove sampler
- Perfect for drums and other loop-based music
- Load, edit, and trigger your own Groove Clips and ACID®-format loops
Roland TTS-1
- 16 channel multi-timbral GM2 instrument
- Keys, horns, strings, guitars, drums, more
- 256 patch presets, 9 drum kits
Pentagon I
- Vintage analog sounds
- Sound design, all the controls you need to replicate virtually any analog synth
- 6 banks, with 550+ patches
PSYN II
- Subtractive synthesizer
- Bass, leads, pads, more
- 8 banks with 550+ patches
RXP
- REX loops/sample player
- Programming and sampling drums and other pattern/groove based content
- Over 250 MB of REX loops included
SFZ
- SFZ SoundFont sampler
- High Quality band limiting sample-playback engine for SF2 files
- 256 voices of polyphony, unlimited layers per voice
Roland GrooveSynth
- Groove synthesizer
- Genuine Roland® synths and beat boxes including the legendary 808 and 909 sounds
- 30 different instrument categories
DropZone
- Drag and Drop Sampler, REX editor
- Bass, piano, pads, drums, vocals, REX-format loops, and more
- Nearly 300 MB of programs, REX files, and multisamples
Included Effects
SONAR 8 Producer provides an extensive array of audio effects. We pride ourselves on giving our customers serious processors and sound sculpting tools that you will really use, rather than padding the plug-in count with useless effects. In many cases you'll find more than one choice for a desired effect, giving you options when mixing or designing a sound.
Amp, Tape & Tube Simulation
- Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE
- Amp Sim
- Tape Sim
Dynamics Processing
- Sonitus:Compressor (sidechaining)
- Sonitus:Gate (sidechaining)
- Sonitus:Multiband
- Sonitus:Surround Compressor
- DSP-FX Compressor
Channel Strips, Stereo & Panning
- VC-64 Vintage Channel 1.5 (sidechaining) powered by Kjaerhus Audio
- Channel Tools L/R—sample delay and Panwidth control, MS Decoding
- Sonitus:Surround
Delays & Modulation
- Sonitus:Delay
- Sonitus:Modulator
- Sonitus:Phase
- DSP-FX Delay
- DSP-FX Flanger
EQ
- Sonitus:Equalizer
- DSP-FX Equalizer
Mastering
- LP-64 EQ linear phase mastering EQ
- LP-64 Multiband linear phase multiband limiter/compressor
- Boost 11 peak limiter
- TL-64 Tube Leveler
Reverbs
- Lexicon Pantheon (Studio includes SE version)
- Perfect Space Convolution Reverb powered by Voxengo
- Sonitus:Reverb
- DSP-FX Reverb
Signal Analysis
- Analyst—spectrum analyzer
- BitMeter—monitor digital activity of audio
Synth & Specialty Effects
- TS-64 Transient Shaper
- Z3TA+ FX (synth that can be used as a multi FX unit)
- Roland V-Vocal 1.5
- MPEX Time/Pitch Processor
- Pentagon I (synth that can be used as a vocoder)
- SurroundBridge™ enables any effect as a surround effect
More
- 42 additional effects
Available in French - please enter "French Version" in the comments if you wish to receive the French version.
What is the difference between Sonar Studio and Sonar Producer Edition?
Have a question? Our tech specialists are here to help you and
usually respond on the same business day!
Want answers now? Try our on-line chat, or
call 1-800-510-4385. (Our average hold time is less than 15 seconds!)
Already own this product?
Get tech support.
Frequently Asked Questions about Academic/Theological Pricing
| Single User Academic (includes Sonar Music Projects) - Buy |
Our price: $399.00
|
| Lab Pack 5 - Buy |
Our price: $1,199.00
|
| Site License (per computer, 20+) - Buy |
Our price: $200.00
|
Notes on academic/theological versions:
Academic version includes SONAR Music Projects, a set of materials aimed at secondary school Music classes up to GCSE. The 10 projects introduce some of SONAR's easy-to-use features and help students develop a range of musical and technical skills. Each project contains teacher notes and student project sheets in PDF format, along with SONAR files. A SONAR Skills Guide provides easy reference to the program features used in the projects. The SONAR Music Projects CD-ROM also includes a "starter" set of audio clips to inspire ideas. |
|
PC
|
Mac
|
|
- Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP2 (32 and 64-bit), or Windows 7 (32 and 64-bit)
- Minimum: Intel Pentium 4 2.8 GHz [EMT64] or AMD Athlon XP 2800+ or higher
- Recommended: Intel Core 2 Quad Core Q8400 Yorkfield 2.66GHz or AMD Phenom Quad Core 9750 2.4GHz or higher
- RAM Minimum: 1 GB
- RAM Recommended: 4 GB
- Graphics Minimum: 1024 x 768, 16-bit color
- Graphics: Recommended: 1280 x 960, 24-bit color or higher
- Hard Disk Space Minimum: 200 MB (Minimal Installation) or higher
- Hard Disk Space Recommended: 50 GB (Full Installation) or higher
- Hard Disk Type Minimum: Any
- Hard Disk Recommended: EIDE / Ultra DMA (7200 RPM) or SATA
- MIDI Interface** Windows-compatible
- Audio Interface*** Windows-compatible
- Media Drive**** Dual Layer DVD-ROM, DVD+/- R, OR DVD+/-RW for installation/ CD-R OR CD-RW capability required for CD audio disc burning
- Web Server Access***** Minumum: Any
- Web Server Access*****Recommended: Available web server space with FTP access privileges
*SONAR does not officially support Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP x64 or pre-release (RTM) versions of Windows7
**Required to connect external MIDI devices
***Required for audio playback.
****SONAR is presented on DVD media. DVD-ROM, DVD+/-R, or DVD+/-RW Drive required for installation
*****Cakewalk Publisher requires you to have available web server space with FTP access privileges. An internet connection is require for music uploading. A broadband connection is recommended.
|
- can be run on Mac OS X with Boot Camp
|
Sequencing & Multi-track Recording
