Cakewalk
Audio & music gear
List of user reviews
Cakewalk Audio & music gear
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Getting Started 
- Installing Cakewalk Sonar 4 Studio Edition was quick and easy. When I was originally looking to get a digital audio workspace like this one, I decided to try a few and see which one I liked best. Sonar had no compatibility issues with my machine and the general configuration and interface of the software is user friendly and easy to follow. The manual is thorough and helpful when learning how to use this software.
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Suitability/Performance
- I was running Cakewalk Sonar 4 on a PC Hewlett Packard lap top that had a 3 Ghz processor and 2 GB of RAM. I was able to run and record a good number of tracks at once - I believe the most I ever needed to record at once with this was eight, and I had no problems doing it. Running a high number of tracks with effects was stable, although this probably has more to do with the machine you are running it on than the software itself. This being said, if you have a decent computer to run this on, you probably won't have any stability issues.
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Overall Opinion
- I first used Cakewalk Sonar 4 Studio Edition about four years ago or so. Like I said before, I got it so I could shoot it out with a few other digital audio workstations, including Pro Tools and Cubase. While I decided that this was my least favorite of the three, it is still a powerful piece of software that can do most of what any other digital sequencer can do. The interface is clear and user friendly, but sometimes lacks in the in depths features that Pro Tools or Cubase SX has. The price is reasonable, and unlike Pro Tools you won't have to buy a separate audio interface, which is a huge plus for those who already own an audio interface. All in all, I would recommend those looking into getting a digital sequencer to look into a few of them that spark your interest and choose what works best for your needs!
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Getting Started
- Cakewalk Guitar Tracks was the first digital sequencer I got about nine years ago. I got it because it was real cheap and I was just looking to see what recording was all about. I used it on PC and didn't have any compatibility problems with my machine. It was easy to install and is pretty straightforward overall. I don't have a manual so I'm not sure how well it is constructed.
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Suitability/Performance
- I used this before I got my current recording rig, and was running it on an old Dell desktop PC. Since I was doing the bare bones with this software and using it just to get my feet wet with recording, it worked fine and I never really had any problems running this well. I was able to run a few tracks at once with effects on each.
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Overall Opinion
- I got Cakewalk Guitar Tracks about nine years ago and have since stopped using it because I have upgraded. For the time, this worked fine for me to record a few tracks and use some effects for my guitar, but looking back there are a lot of sequencers out there that are better, including Pro Tools, Cubase & Logic. The price of this was what drove me to buy it as it is dirt cheap. The guitar effects are okay, but definitley not all that professional sounding and not all that realistic. It is fine for demoing, but I would never use this on a real project as it simply doesn't have enough tracks or power to produce a real professional mix. Even being as cheap as it is, these days you can get a much more powerful sequencer than this for an incredibly cheap price. All in all, I probably wouldn't recommend this software because even though it does what is claims, there are other sequencers more powerful for a cheap price.
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Getting Started
- (Originally written by B7/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Very easy installation. I chose Sonar because it doesn't need any dongle (and for its price too).
I find the way tracks are presented a bit confusing. A project with several tracks requires some organization and the creation of folders otherwise it can quickly becomes a mess. Unlike other sequencers, Sonar opens dual tracks (Midi + audio) for each source. So you really have to be well-organized. Version 8 solves this problem and gives you the possibility to set a track in Rec mode while the song is being played back.
Very clear user's manual.
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Suitability/Performance
- The main problems start here... Sonar5 worked perfectly with the WDM drivers of my MIA sound card but now I have serious problems! ASIO compatibility doesn't seem to be quite finished yet and I don't think I'm the only user having this problem.
Midi functionality has been greatly enhanced from v5 to v7.
The effects provided are ok but I don't use them a lot since I also have an UAD DSP card.
The synths are a real plus considering the price, and their quality is good enough for demos. I don't use them because I own a lot of keyboards and sound generators.
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Overall Opinion
- To be honest I could get used to Sonar. I come from Logic Audio 5.5.1 and I still have problems with Sonar's shortcuts although they are freely configurable. The habit is too strong!
I'm waiting for the new v8 demo version to check if the ASIO compatibility is better. If it's not the case I will simply buy another sequencer. It makes me sick to think I will have to pay for bug fixes, or functions that have been already implemented in other products!
I tried out Tracktion's demo and even though Midi seems to be quite basic, I think it's great to have everything displayed on the screen and readily accessible, making work faster. I haven't had any system crashes but I don't compose any symphonies...
BTW the score function is very bad... when you come from Logic!
I also tested Samplitude and found it really good, but I don't want to buy a product when I know I'm only going to use 10% of its functions... And it's not the same price.
I wouldn't choose this sequencer again. I will test version 8 as soon as it comes out and if the ASIO problems are not solved yet (like on Tracktion and Samplitude) I will choose another brand.
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Getting Started
- It's got practically everything you need for audio & MIDI recording, includes some useful plugin effects.
Price paid: $400.00 USD
It's very useful, and fast to get ideas down, especially if you create some templates for your most common types of projects.
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Suitability/Performance
- I've only used Cakewalk for audio recording, so I have nothing to compare it to. I think the soundcard has quite a bit more bearing on the quality of audio, though. The included plugin effects seem very transparent, however.
I've only used this in my computer room, but it seems very solid. I think all of the trouble I've had has been due to other parts of my rig.
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Overall Opinion
- It seems intuitive to use. I don't get a sentimental feeling about it, though.
Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 3-, 2004)
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Getting Started
- I can't think of anything missing. There is a VST plug in converter, included DXi synths, ReWire functions, groove clipping and looping, video editing, MIDI. It can save your project in all sorts of formats, making it cross-compatible with even Pro Tools, while Pro Tools doesn't offer the same. It's got it all, and it isn't a headache to use. I switched over from Cubase SX 2 to SONAR 3 because my sound card didn't have ASIO support, and as it turns out I never looked back. Even when the ASIO drivers became available, I had no interest in leaving SONAR. I will strongly back this product under any circumstances, and in my opinion it kills its main competitor Cubase on every level, from aesthetics and appearance to functionality and quality.
Price paid: $300 USD or so
SONAR is incredibly easy to use. Any producer who is forced to abandon the DAW they are used to is going to be apprehensive. My apprehension disappeared in the opening minutes of my foray into SONAR. One of my favorite features is the window right next to each channel where you insert FX. It is as easy as right clicking and choosing an effect, and you are using any of your plug ins or VSTs real time. If you are new to the game, its very easy, and if you are making the switch from another DAW, its laughable. A perfect 10, beyond the shadow of a doubt.
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Suitability/Performance
- The sound quality is excellent. I've used everything from Cool Edit to Logic to Pro Tools to Cubase to DP, and I would buy SONAR over every one of them for the same price. If you have the audio card and hard drive space for it, it can go right up to 192kHz/24bit.
Quality-wise, it very rarely runs into problems or bugs, and hasn't lost any of my projects yet. I haven't had any problems with it that would detract from its grade, so I have to give it another 10.
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Overall Opinion
- I love this product. I realize I've given it straight 10's across the board, but I really think it deserves it. I can't think of any way its restricted or hindered me. It totally revitalized my interest in making and producing music. Its incredible in every way, it definitely compares to Logic and Pro Tools and is half the price. If you're a PC owner, skip PT, skip Cubase, go for SONAR. It really is a Cakewalk.
Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: XL83 ( 7-, 2005)
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Getting Started
- This version is as good as this line of product could be right now. Effects auditioning function could be improved. You can't change settings during live audition.
Price paid
$400+/-
Easy to use for anyone with basic audio knowledge. Good help section. Good shortcut keys. No one actually reads the manual because most questions can be answered through help.
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Suitability/Performance
- The overall sound quality is cleaner than every PC audio applictaion I've used. It's also a hotter sound. The MIDI sounds are not so good. It's typical General MIDI stuff, but you can get great sound fonts. Midi effects are better than before and better than average. Effects made by Cakewalk aren't too good.
Quality is ok. If you want to run a lot of tracks or multiple applications you need a lot of CPU power, memory etc. Audio can be saved automatically so that it won't be lost in a blackout or power failure, projects can be easily reassembled.
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Overall Opinion
- I think this is great for any project, home, or hip-hop studio. Get Reason and Rewire and you won't need ProTools for anything.
Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 1-, 2003)
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Getting Started
- Not bad for the price. My computer is about 6 years old, and i've run as many as 20 tracks simultaneously with no problems. Fair amount of effects and editing features, and some decent MIDI capabilities. The Timeworks CompressorX is a nice plus, and it's got great presets if you don't know what you're doing, or if you're just lazy (like me). If you do anything with vocals, i would highly reccomend picking up the Antares Autotune plugin. It's pricey, but worth it.
Price paid
$300
Very easy to get used to. The Help menu is actually relatively useful too.
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Suitability/Performance
- 24 bit is 24 bit. Get yourself a good soundcard and nice speakers and you'll be good to go.
Never had any problems, other than a few dropouts caused by using up too much DSP. If you have a fast enough computer, that should generally not cause any problems though.
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Overall Opinion
- Nothing can take the place of ProTools for me, but for a cheap DAW with some nice little features, it's a pretty good deal. I definitely like it better than anything else in its price range, and it beats a lot of gear 2 or 3 times its price. One piece of advide though, don't even waste your time with the Amp Sim unless you want a really cheesy guitar sound, or just want it to distort vocals, drums etc. You will NEVER get a good distorted guitar sound out of it.
Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown ( 3-, 2003)
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Getting Started
- Great Midi and audio capabilities - rewire, VST wrapper (built-in), and the ability to run many aux busses are great for flexibility and usefulness. The only thing that might be a hindrance is that VST instruemtns and effects must be converted to DXI using the included wrapper - but all workes perfect once it is converted. The 4.0 version has surround sound, but is truly useless for music (good for film), but 3.1 was truly the zenith of audio-only PC DAWs
Price paid
$300 crossgrade fom Cubase VST
Sonar 3.0 is very easy to use - although unless you are very aquainted with Cakewalk products, you have to read the manual. Once you understand the logic, you will not need to do anything but look throught the menus.
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Suitability/Performance
- The sound quality is excellent - light years ahead of Cubase VST and previous DAW iterations (old Cakewalk). The quality truly depends on your interface, but the program does not add any noise to a recoring that wasn't there ot begin with (transparent).
Never had any problems - everything works as it should.
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Overall Opinion
- The only reason I give it a "9" is due to the fact that with all DAWs, sometimes it hinders your creativity with too many menus and too much going on in the screen views.
Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Monkey Mouse ( 7-, 2005)
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Getting Started
- Extemely satisfied, absolutely gorgious interface, new audio engine is rock solid, superb over all design, very high quality effects plugins included, not to mention vsampler3.0 which is indeed sweet.
Price paid
$179 FOR UPGRADE FROM SONAR 2
with new audio engine editing can be done on the fly(very nice feature)
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Suitability/Performance
- Sound is as good as the audio card or capture.and it is compatible with quiet a few devices.
Cake Walk at least in my opinion has the absolute best tech support in the buissness, very prompt and extremely helpful, great people to work with.
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Overall Opinion
- I've been using cakewalk since pro audio 7, Professional quality software all the way.
Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Unknown (January 1-, 2003)
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Getting Started
- I hate the sound editor and the loop functions but the record functions are great. Its very easy to understand and has great tutorials. Its straight foward once you get used to it.
Price paid
$100
Its easy to use once you get used to it. I had to read the tutorials which is rare for me on most software programs.
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Suitability/Performance
- Its a DAW it gives what u put into it
It has crashed on me several times. I dont use with it no more because of that.
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Overall Opinion
- Its a cool little program but after months of use I wouldnt put all my gold into this pot. Its good but Ive seen other software do me much better.
Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Xabiton ( 4-, 2006)
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