MusicRadar

Sonar 5 is loaded with new features.

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• Review

Unlike many upgrades, the fifth version of Sonar packs some serious power. Cakewalk seem hellbent on giving their users everything they could ever need in one package, and they’ve managed to include some new toys that will have their competitors scrabbling to catch up.

Cakewalk’s flagship application, Sonar is a fully featured, professional audio and MIDI environment for Windows that can host VST and DirectX instruments and effects plug-ins. It offers flexible MIDI and audio file editing, surround mixing (in the Producer Edition) and loads of killer instruments and effects right out of the box.

Long-time Sonar users will notice a change as soon as they open version 5. This comes in the form of a nag screen informing you that you need to register online if you want to use the software for more than 30 days. It’s a shame that Cakewalk have been forced to adopt a slightly stricter approach to copy protection, but the process is quick and relatively hassle-free.

You need only email or call with your serial number to receive the authorisation code. There’s no messing about with machine ID numbers or challenge/response systems, and there are no dongles involved either.

New synthesizers

You’ll also notice from the outset that it’s no longer necessary to run a separate program in order to use your arsenal of VST instruments and effects. The Cakewalk Adapter application is now fully integrated into Sonar, and it scans for VST plug-ins when you first open Sonar 5. It still looks pretty much the same as before, but it feels more like a built-in part of Sonar now.

Was it a necessary change? Not really, but it demonstrates that Cakewalk listen to the complaints and wishes of their users, some of whom have been irked by the fact that they’ve had to use a second program to scan and wrap their VST plug-ins.

Sonar’s own compliment of instruments has grown with each new version of the program, so it’s no surprise to find that version 5 comes loaded with a selection of new synths, samplers and more. Project5 users will recognise the PSYN II subtractive synthesizer. This is a fully-featured hybrid synth that offers all the control you could ever want. It also comes with a healthy selection of presets for those moments when you want a quick sonic fix.

PSYN II isn’t the only device to migrate over from Project5. Roland’s GrooveSynth has also found a home in the Sonar 5 Synth Rack and comes bursting with sounds from Roland’s legendary beatboxes. The GrooveSynth joins the Roland TTS-1 General MIDI synthesizer, which debuted in Sonar 4. rgc:audio are also responsible for producing the popular SFZ SoundFont player.

Although Sonar 5 doesn’t include a fully-fledged sampler, SFZ enables the user to avail themselves of the wealth of free and commercial SoundFonts that can be found online.

Sonar has always been ahead of the game when it comes to loop support. It was the first of the major sequencers to offer ACID-style loop handling – in the form of Groove Clips and the stellar Cyclone DXi – and Cakewalk have now added RXP, a REX file player. This simple instrument can play back not just REX2 files, but also SF2 loops.