All Sonar 8.5 purchases come with a Sonar 8 disc with a free update download of Sonar 8.5. Cakewalk will be shipping Sonar 8.5 discs with their products in late October. Boxes will remain the same with the Sonar 8 logo.

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. And 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.

With unlimited tracks, amazing creative tools, inspiring 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, award-winning SONAR Producer is your best choice in a digital audio workstation.

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.

Other Features:

Record

• 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

• 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

Instruments

• DimensionPro (with Garritan Pocket Orchestra)—real instruments and advanced synthesis
• Beatscape—beat/loop construction tool
• TruePianos Amber—Piano based virtual instruments
• Rapture LE—modern synthesized sounds
• Z3TA+—incredible analog-style sound shaping capibilities
• DropZone—drag & drop sampler and REX loop Editor.
• Pentagon I —vintage analog sounds
• PSYN II—full-featured subtractive synthesis
• RXP—REX player groove box
• Session Drummer 2—virtual drum instrument
• Roland TTS-1—GM2 Roland® synthesizer
• Roland GrooveSynth—Genuine groove box and synthesizer sounds
• SFZ—SoundFont sampler
• Cyclone—Groove sampler

Audio Effects

• LP-64 EQ—linear phase mastering EQ
• LP-64 Multiband—linear phase multiband limiter/compressor
• Boost 11 —peak limiter
• VC-64 Vintage Channel—channel strip and dynamics processor (now with side-chaining) powered by Kjaerhus Audio
• Roland V-Vocal 1.5—vocal processor (now with pitch to MIDI conversion)
• Perfect Space—Convolution Reverb powered by Voxengo
• Sonitus:fx series—suite of studio-quality effects
• Compressor (now with sidechaining)
• Gate (now with sidechaining)
• Modulator
• Multiband
• Phase
• Surround
• Surround Compressor
• Wahwah
• Lexicon Pantheon—the legendary Lexicon found in pro studios
• Analyst—spectrum analyzer
• BitMeter—monitor digital activity of audio
• Amp Sim—classic and modern guitar tones
• Tape Sim—simulate the warm sound of tape
• Time/Pitch Processor—shift time and pitch audio
• DSP-FX series—classic Cakewalk effects
• Compressor
• Delay
• Equalizer
• Flange
• Reverb
• And more...

MIDI Effects

• Arpeggiator
• Quantize
• Echo/Delay
• Transpose
• Velocity
• Event Filter
• Chord Analyzer

System Requirements:

Minimum

Operating System: Windows XP (32-bit)
Processor Speed: Intel® Pentium® 4 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon™ XP 1500+ or higher
RAM: 512 MB
Hard Disk Space: 200 MB for core program

Recommended

Operating System: Windows XP/Vista (32 and 64-bit), can be run on Mac OS X with Boot Camp
Processor Speed: Intel® Pentium® 4 2.8 GHz [EM64T] - AMD Athlon™ XP 2800+ or higher
RAM: 1 GB or higher
Hard Disk Space: 30 GB for program and content