The Cakewalk Blog

A couple of years ago we started SONAR University with a bang by releasing a fourty-plus minute long Master Class on drum production. Since then we’ve released two more Master Classes and dozens of Get Started and Go Deeper videos. And right now we’ve got one more Master Class video in the works.

Our first three master classes were released when YouTube had limits on video length. It started at ten minutes and eventually became fifteen minutes, but we were forced to break up our Master Classes into multi-part videos since they all were longer than fifteen minutes.

Thanks to YouTube now allowing videos of any length to live on their site, and in anticipation of the release of our next Master Class, we’ve decided to refresh our original three Master Classes as single, individual videos. Now you can watch them from start to finish with no interruption. Enjoy, and stay tuned for the release of the next Master Class.

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So you’ve purchased and installed SONAR X1 and now you’re ready to get in and start making music? Let us make it easy for you with free step by step videos that cover every step of the setup process for all versions of SONAR X1. Available any time you need it, the Get Started series on CakeTV is your on demand resource for the information you need presented in full HD. Watch as we show you everything from setting up your audio interface to recording a track, applying effects and everything in between!

Watch the full Get Started series here

Visit the Get Started with CakeTV page to watch individual videos on setting up your SONAR system.

Last week Brandon Ryan and I hosted our second CakeTV Live webinar on music production with SONAR X1. Broadcast live over the internet from Burbank, CA, this latest installment of CakeTV Live was every bit a success as the first CakeTV Live webinar. With a steady 240+ viewers this time from all over the world, we had a steady stream of great questions coming in throughout the demo.

Of course, we understand that many of you couldn’t make it to the live broadcast, so we’ve uploaded the video to YouTube for your viewing pleasure. This hefty video weighs in at one hour and forty minutes and is loaded with music production workflow techniques straight from Brandon Ryan’s bag of tricks.

 CakeTV Live: SONAR Music Production ‘Aike’

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You’ve got SONAR X1 Producer Expanded, now expand your ProChannel with the ProChannel Pack and get four of our awesome dynamics modules for only $179! By purchasing the bundle, you save $77 off the individual prices of the modules. (more…)

SONAR X1 brings a lot of significant changes from previous versions of SONAR; changes like the Unified Preferences View, ProChannel, Enhanced Automation, Key Clusters, the Skylight User Interface, and so much more. All of these changes are designed to enhance workflow, which means you can get more done in less time with SONAR X1.

The video below demonstrates SONAR X1′s enhancements versus previous versions, and I suspect most of them could apply to SONAR X1 versus other DAWs, as well.

SONAR X1 – Easier to Use

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Whether you’re mixing down or pulling individual tracks for use with a collaborator, SONAR’s flexible export options make the process fast and simple. (more…)

Survey: What content would you like to see more of in the future?
Since the release of SONAR X1, Cakewalk has stepped up its’ efforts to provide more free and paid content for SONAR X1 users. That started with the creation of CakeTV and SONAR U, and continues in 2012 with more blogging, videos, and content. It’s now time to capture your feedback on these valuable resources and see what you want more of (and less). Please take 5 minutes to fill out this special survey. The information you provide is confidential and will not be shared with any third parties. Thanks in advance!

Take the survey

Included in SONAR X1 Producer Expanded, the SoundCloud app gives you the ability to upload your mix directly from SONAR to your free SoundCloud account for the world to listen to! (more…)

To celebrate Marathon Monday here in Boston and our MARATHON Sale at the Cakewalk Store, here are 10 great reasons you should be running SONAR X1 Producer today.

1. Begin with Better Training: Cakewalk has prepared free SONAR X1 training videos for every skill level on the SONAR U channel of CakeTV. Learn everything you need to know to get running quickly.

2. Take Your Qualifying Trial: Don’t believe us that SONAR X1 Producer is ahead of the pack? Try the new Skylight interface and ProChannel free for 30 days. Download the SONAR X1 Producer Free Trial.

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In case you missed part one of this two-part series, Cakewalk’s Seth Perlstein shared his favorite SONAR X1 music production tips, tricks, and techniques like using the Mod Matrix in FX Chains 2.0, Groove Matching with AudioSnap, creating variations with the Loop Construction View, and much, much more.

Plus, he gave a sneak peak of the X1d patch, which is now free for all SONAR X1 users.

Watch entire video of the first SONAR X1 webcast. (more…)