Audio
Cuisinart
Cakewalk’s Sonar XL
By David English
Cakewalk’s Sonar XL
By David English
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Summary:
Professional-quality
audio editing program lets you mix digital audio, MIDI, and beat-matched
loops with unlimited tracks Target Users: Audio producers Platforms: Windows 98/ME/2000 |
Think of Sonar XL as Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 on steroids. Rather than release Cakewalk Pro Audio 10, Cakewalk added some significant features to bring Pro Audio up a notch—hence the new name. The new features include a centralized track view that lets you record, edit and mix all your sounds within a single integrated window. Your tracks, auxiliary buses and main outputs are displayed within this one global view. In addition, you can save and recall the layout of the sub-windows in the track view. For example, you might set up one layout for a MIDI-emphasized commercial and another layout for a loop-emphasized radio project.
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Sonar does offer some real benefits for loop fans. It even has a few advantages over ACID Pro 3.0, including the ability to use odd meters, mix multiple loops onto a single track, preview multiple loops simultaneously and preview loops through any virtual main output, including effects. When you audition loops, you can route them through the same parameters and real-time effects as any other existing track. The loop explorer window lets you quickly find, audition and organize your loops, and the loop editor window offers automatic beat matching, time stretching and pitch shifting. The package includes hundreds of Sonar-compatible Power FX loops in mostly rock-oriented musical styles.
If you’re familiar with Cakewalk Audio Pro 9, you’ll be pleased to find that the core editing engine is significantly improved. The internal MIDI resolution is now 960 parts per quarter note (ppqn) for more precise recording, editing and synchronization (Cakewalk Pro Audio Pro 9 was only 480 ppqn). In a nod to Sonic Foundry’s Video Vegas, Sonar offers automatic crossfades when you overlap audio clips (you can turn this feature off, if you prefer). You can automatically monitor for incoming SMPTE time code with no wait mode. And you can size the tracks individually, which is especially helpful if you work with a smaller screen.
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Sonar is one of the first major audio editing programs to support DX Instruments (DXi), the new open standard for software synthesizer plug-ins based on Microsoft’s DirectX technology. You can control the synths in real-time using their internal interfaces or play them using external MIDI devices, such as a keyboard, guitar synthesizer or wind controller. They’re quite versatile within the Sonar environment. You can patch audio effects to the synth output, route the synth output through the program’s auxiliary sends, record the synth output to the program’s audio tracks, and save the synth settings within your Sonar project. The package includes the following software-based synthesizers: Tassman SE (basic edition) from Applied Acoustics Systems, DreamStation DXi from Audio Simulation, LiveSynth Pro DXi from LiveUpdate, and Virtual Sound Canvas DXi from EDIROL.
The program also supports the new Microsoft WDM drivers. Look for audio hardware manufacturers to introduce WDM drivers later in the year. When using WDM-compatible drivers, the DXi software synthesizers can play back with a very low latency. The drivers also let you use DirectX audio effects on live audio input, as well as playback. Your system has to be running Windows 98 SE, ME or 2000 in order to use the WDM drivers.
Other useful features in Sonar XL include 32-bit effects processing, full SMPTE/MTC sync for film and video, support for 24-bit/96 KHz audio, dual-monitor and multi-processor support, compatibility with the new MFX MIDI plug-ins (13 are included), and a collection of DirectX plug-ins (23 are included).
Although I was generally pleased with the performance of the program, I did run into a few quirks. Occasionally, I experienced gaps in the playback of the loops. Fortunately, I was always able to correct the gaps by saving the project, exiting the program, running the program again and reloading the project. I also ran into problems cutting and pasting MIDI notes while working in the Piano Roll view. Cakewalk is aware of the MIDI notes problem and plans to correct it with a software patch.
Despite the bugs and workarounds, Sonar XL is a worthwhile editing program for professionals working with digital audio, MIDI files and audio loops. Being able to freely mix all three types of audio makes this a powerful audio environment. If you don’t need all the extras, you can save some money and purchase Sonar ($479). It lacks the collections of audio loops and SoundFonts, as well as some of the DXi software synthesizers. Otherwise, it has the full functionality of Sonar XL.
David English is a freelance writer in Greensboro, North Carolina.
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