Cakewalk Sonar


Sonar was a digital audio workstation created by Cakewalk.

Notable features

Sonar's features included:
Sonar provided limited facilities for video, surround sound, and supported.avi,.mpeg,.wmv and.mov files. Sonar had the ability to show video as thumbnails contained in a separate track. With appropriate hardware, it was also possible to output the video to an external monitor screen via FireWire. Common SMPTE formats, frame sizes and frame rates were supported. It was possible to transfer audio loop files from other compatible software into Sonar and complete a final mixdown.
Various audio export options were AIFF, AU, CAF, FLAC, RAW, SD2, W64, and WAV.

Included plugins

SONAR X1

audio
The plugins in SONAR X1 were also available in SONAR X2, with the following changes
audio
Added
Removed
Added
Removed
The plugins in SONAR X2 were also available in SONAR X3, with the following changes
audio
Added
Removed
Added
Plugins available in X3 but no longer available in Sonar Platinum
Starting with version 6, Sonar could take advantage of 64-bit internal processing, a 64-bit audio engine, and a 64-bit mixer on 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Before introduction of Sonar X2 in October 2012, the entry-level Essential versions of Sonar were 32-bit only. With the release of Sonar X2, the full program family became native 64-bit.
Starting with Sonar Platinum, releases moved to a monthly cycle, with new features and demo products introduced with each update.

Discontinuation and Relaunch

On 17 November 2017, Gibson announced that it was ceasing active development and production of Cakewalk branded products, including all versions of SONAR. After 30 years, Cakewalk, Inc. ceased operation, with only the company's web forum and license authorization servers still being kept functional.
On 23 February 2018, Singapore-based BandLab Technologies announced its purchase of some of Cakewalk, Inc.’s assets and all of its intellectual property. BandLab's stated goal was continued development of the former company's flagship product, SONAR as part of its portfolio of freeware digital audio workstation software.