Sonar 8 Recording Software now Shipping
Roland / Cakewalk has announced
Sonar 8 software is now shipping. Here is a brief review of what to expect in this new software.
The top new features 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.
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.
They have also added a number of new instruments included, only in the top Sonar 8 Producer version:
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.
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.
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.
And a number of new audio processors, also exclusive to Sonar 8 Producer:
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.
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.
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE S
built on the latest award-winning guitar amp modeler from Native Instruments; 3 amps and cabinets, 11 effects, tuner, metronome, and over 50 presets.
In Conclusion:
Sonar software, especially the Producer version, has always come packed full of extra instrument and audio plug-ins and Sonar 8 is no exception. Sonar 8 Producer is excellent value for money and has the full capabilities to be the center of any PC based recording studio and is Revolution Audio's current choice for working in the Windows Vista 64 bit environment.
The full version of Sonar 8
Studio and
Producer and
upgrades from previous Sonar versions are available through Revolution Audio.
