Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 11, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Alongside many new functions, the SONAR 8 Producer and SONAR 8 Studio update to SONAR 8.3 includes optimizations for greater performance and usability, as well as numerous classic synthesizer and drum sounds.
For this update, Cakewalk’s developers again listened closely to SONAR users and integrated their requests into version 8.3. Thanks to general performance optimization, particularly on multiprocessor systems, SONAR 8.3 delivers another increase in performance.
The SONAR 8.3 Update Includes the Following New Features
Snap Presets
SONAR has always been known for its flexible handling of snap settings. SONAR 8.3 now provides user-defined “Snap Presets” that recall all settings with a single click. This fast, efficient operation allows a wide range of editing tasks to be integrated easily into users’ workflows.
External Inserts
This feature allows external effects to be integrated into projects with sample-accurate delay compensation. Synchronization has also been optimized in SONAR 8.3, ensuring smooth work with external hardware and other plug-ins requiring delay compensation. Multiple external inserts can be used in one project, and stability on multiprocessor computers has been improved further. The same applies to synchronization during looping. Thanks to the revised “ping” test, sample-accurate offsets are now determined without additional settings.
Optimized Multiprocessor Load Balancing
Improved multithreaded processing makes better use of the CPU, increasing overall performance.
Enhanced Aim Assistant
SONAR’s visual assistant for precise editing now also supports snap settings and automatic alignment with the beginning or end of clips.
Vintage Synth Sounds for Dimension Pro
Dimension Pro receives new sounds in the form of original samples from the legendary Roland SH-101, TB-303 and VP-330 synthesizers. Classic sounds from the ARP Odyssey, Moog Minimoog and Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 are also included.
Session Drummer 2 with Classic Drum Kits
Session Drummer 2 also receives new sounds. With original samples and kits from the classic Roland TR-707, TR-727, TR-808 and TR-909, as well as Sequential Circuits Drumtraks and Linn Electronics LinnDrum, Session Drummer is well equipped for electronic music.
Updated Guitar Rig 3 LE and TruePianos Amber Module
Both modules now support Windows Vista x64.
A comprehensive list of all new features and usability improvements is available on the Cakewalk website.
Availability
The SONAR 8.3 update for Windows XP and Vista (native 32-bit and 64-bit) will be available as a free download for all registered SONAR 8 users from February 2009 at http://www.cakewalk.com.
More information at http://www.cakewalk.com