Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer

Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer driver#
Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer pro#
Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer software#
Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer series#
Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer tv#

There are five key elements to the Skylight interface: by default there's the Control Bar at the top, the Track view in the centre, the Inspector to the left, the Browser to the right, and the MultiDock at the bottom. The only time when you realise MDI is still lurking is if you have multiple projects open simultaneously. Skylight largely eschews MDI and streamlines Sonar's user interface, presenting aВ modular approach where different Views can be docked and organised together within aВ single window. The onus was always on the user to clean up the mess. Even Microsoft abandoned MDI in more recent versions of Word, while an application like Sonar could easily become cluttered with so many different Views and windows open simultaneously. This doubleвЂ‘glazed, windowвЂ‘withinвЂ‘aвЂ‘window approach was originally designed for applications like Microsoft Word, where you would have multiple 'documents' open within aВ single application window. There was the main Sonar application window, and all the other Views - such as the Track, Piano Roll, or Console Views - appeared in soвЂ‘called 'child' windows within the main window.

Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer software#

The original Sonar, like most other music software on the Windows platform, employed what's known as the Multiple Document Interface, or MDI.

Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer pro#

The result is aВ cleaner, crisperвЂ‘looking interface that's clearly taken some inspiration from recent updates to Logic and Pro Tools, which is no bad thing. As has become de rigueur in modern music software design, everything appears aВ little darker but beyond aesthetic adjustment, Cakewalk have also rethought the organisation and presentation of nearly every aspect of the program. But after some initial scepticism, IВ realised that the word 'improvement' really doesn't do justice to the superiority of this new interface framework, at least compared to its previous incarnation.

Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer tv#

Initially, IВ thought Skylight sounded more like an apocalyptic TV science-fiction show. So it's both particularly welcome and perhaps no surprise that the most significant new feature of Sonar X1 is aВ completely revamped user interface, dubbed Skylight. I'm sure it was great for acclimatised users - in much the same way evolution has made extreme weather tolerable for polar bears - but the combination of an oldвЂ‘school Windows interface with an ugly sea of cryptic icons made the program less than inviting to the uninitiated. Without wishing to be rude, I've always found Sonar's user interface - especially in recent years - to be somewhat malefic to the musicвЂ‘making process. So while the main focus of this review is to discuss what's new in Sonar X1, it's also written with the nonвЂ‘Sonar devotee in mind: for someone who might be familiar with similar products but wants to learn what this new version of Sonar might have to offer. We've exchanged numbers aВ few times, sure but neither Sonar or myself were somehow able to return each other's calls.

There are new editing features, new mixing and automation features, and aВ new browser that makes it easy to drag and drop effects, instruments and audio files into your project.Д«efore continuing with this review, IВ should mention that while IВ have, on occasion, dipped my toe in the Sonar waters over the years, our relationship has never achieved the same level of intimacy I've shared with other music software. Released in December, Sonar X1 is aВ re-imagined version of Cakewalk's flagship application that takes the existing technology and features of Sonar 8.5 as aВ foundation and builds on top aВ new user interface and workflow. Cakewalk also introduced the DirectX Instrument (DXi) plugвЂ‘in format as aВ WindowsвЂ‘only answer to Steinberg's crossвЂ‘platform VST (a technology decision that arguably makes even less sense in hindsight).ДЄt this year's Winter NAMM show, Cakewalk were showing aВ completely new Sonar: Sonar X1.

Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer driver#

Amongst aВ host of other features, Sonar sported a new user interface, and support for both Microsoft's thenвЂ‘new WDM audio driver technology and DirectX 8, which finally allowed effects parameters to be automated.

Cakewalk sonar x1 producer versus sonar 7 producer series#

Ten years ago last January, Cakewalk introduced the 'next generationвЂќ successor to their eponymously named Pro Audio series of music production software for Windows. Here you can see the five main components: the Control Bar at the top, the Track View in the middle, the Inspector to the left, the Browser to the right, and the MultiDock at the bottom. Sonar X1 introduces aВ slick new interface framework called Skylight. Can Cakewalk's radical rethink of the DAW user interface tempt users of competing products into the Sonar fold - without alienating existing fans?