The most complete Digital Audio Workstation for Windows (Cakewalk Sonar 8 Producer Edition)

Member Name: cognition

Product:	Cakewalk Sonar 8 Producer Edition
Date:	08/12/08 (929 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Performance enhancements, Dimension Pro, vast array of tools, effects, instruments

Disadvantages: Basic functionality is easy to tap into. The more advanced features require more effort

Although Cakewalk have been releasing Digital Audio Workstation software since 1991, when they were known as Twelve Tone Systems, they never seemed to get the sort of recognition Pro Tools, Cubase and Logic got. This seemed to gradually change once the Sonar line was introduced: an extremely intuitive interface with tools that encouraged an efficient work flow and an array of high quality effects and virtual instruments. Sonar was the first sequencer to innovate on 64-bit double precision audio quality!

The main emphasis in version 8 of Sonar was optimizing the audio engine, basically making sure you can utilize more audio tracks and more effects in your audio projects with less latency issues (basically the time from you hit a note on your MIDI keyboard until you hear the digitally processed sound coming out of your speakers) and with less drain on the CPU. Basically, a project that was too intensive for my computer in Sonar 7, I can open up and work with in Sonar 8, and this I have experienced myself! Just as I thought I had to upgrade my computer, this software update showed me I could squeeze even more juice out of my current setup.

Besides updating the audio engine, there have not been as many new features in Sonar 8 as users have come to expect with each new release. There is, however, quite an impressive array of new tasty effects and virtual instruments, like:
*Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3LE - a light version of this guitar amplifier emulator, including 3 amplifier emulations
*A Transient Shaper (for changing the timbre of percussive sounds like drum hits)
*A Tube Lever (emulating the analogue warmth of tubes)
*A brand new 4gb beat / drum loop instrument called Beatscape
*TruePianos Amber, which is a realistic sounding piano
*Dimension Pro, Cakewalk's flagship virtual instrument, which includes more than 1500 realistic instrument sounds (including Garritan Pocket Orchestra)

Let's not forget the synths you get that have been included with earlier version of sonar:
*Z3ta+ (amazing for trance and techno sounds)
*Rapture LE (a light version of yet a techno synth)
*Dropzone (highly user friendly sample player. I've made my own Didgeridoo and Recorder patches using this. Drag and drop any .wav file on this plugin, and it will automatically be set up as an instrument for you!)
*Roland Groove Synth, featuring the original sounds of classics like TR-909 and TR-808.
...and many more!

Also included in Sonar 8 is the mastering plugins which were introduced in Sonar 7:
*LP-64 Linear Phase Mastering EQ
*LP-64 Multiband Linear Phrase Mastering Compressor
*Boost 11 Peak Limiter.
Basically, with these tools you can make your finished track balanced, loud and ready for CD or Radio release.

Boost11 is one of my favourite tools, and an instance of this plugin goes on almost every track in my projects. Through a visual representation of the wave file, it is extremely intuitive and easy to see how much you are limiting the peaks of the waveform. This tool works wonders when working on a tricky mix! Basically, this tool will cut down on the absolute peaks in your recordings so you can make the entire track more balanced in volume. How much you cut down on the peaks is entirely up to you.

Another favourite that was introduced in Sonar 7 is the Step Sequencer. With this tool, similar to what you will see in applications like Fruity Loops, you will be able to program drum loops in seconds. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of step sequencing, you could download a freeware program called Hammerhead Rhythm Station. Then imagine being able to use that concept with MIDI to trigger any sound you can access from Sonar.

Roland V-Vocal also comes bundled. This is a pitch correction plugin, most obviously used to get slightly out of tune singing right on pitch, although it can also be a fun tool to play around with, let's say if you want the vocal sound from Cher's "Believe"! Of course no one is forcing you to restrict yourself to vocals, either. You can take any sound and force it into any pitch, using a user friendly interface featuring a graphical representation of the sound on a frequency graph, with an option to automatically correct to set scales, or using a pencil tool to draw out the desires pitches. Anything you want to do, the option is there!

I could go on and on... I've just scratched the surface. The point is: Sonar 8 offers a vast array of powerful tools and amazing virtual instruments in an intuitive package. Sonar is extremely easy to use and extremely inspiring! This is a tool that actually inspires! Sonar makes sense straight out of the box, but has a deep set of powerful tools, meaning that you never will get bored! If you want to record, mix and master at professional quality, all you need is right here! However, Sonar has the content to inspire creation! Something far more valuable than only being able to get the job done! Also, the performance optimization in this version of Sonar really shines through!

On a final note: Cakewalk has a great support network. Any questions you have, you can ask in the Cakewalk forum on their web site. In my experience, Edirol, the Cakewalk representatives in the UK, have answered my queries hastily and in a polite manner.

A new version of Sonar comes out every year. With Sonar 7 I wanted to say that the ultimate version of Sonar was out and that anyone would be happy with that version for years to come. I still stand by that statement, but I'd like to say the same thing about Sonar 8. The performance enhancements are a blessing, and Dimension Pro is a real power house of impressive sounds suitable for all types of projects.

Sonar retails for around £350. Once you're a registered Sonar user you can get updates to the latest version at a discount. It's also possible to get discounts if you're a student or if you're a user of competing sequencing software (such as Cubase or Logic). Enquirers can be made to Edirol in the UK.

Summary: The ultimate Digital Audio Workstation for Windows users

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