SONAR relaunches as ‘Cakewalk by BandLab’: Iconic DAW now free to download for everyone

• World-leading DAW SONAR, with the entire SONAR Platinum feature set, is relaunching as Cakewalk by BandLab
• Full authentication and unlimited feature-access will be available free
• Early access to Cakewalk by BandLab is available now on Windows

SINGAPORE, 4 APRIL 2018 — Today, BandLab Technologies launched early access to ‘Cakewalk by BandLab’ – replacing SONAR, the iconic DAW developed by Cakewalk Inc. This highly anticipated product release follows BandLab Technologies’ announcement just last month that it had acquired all of Cakewalk’s IP and certain assets from Gibson Brands.   

The new successor to the legendary DAW is available to download for free now at https://cakewalk.bandlab.com. The revived DAW includes all core premium features of SONAR Platinum such as the award-winning Skylight user interface, flexible ProChannel modules, and powerful end-to-end 64-bit mix engine.

CEO of BandLab Technologies, Meng Ru Kuok said, “We are excited to be able to continue development of SONAR in its new guise as Cakewalk by BandLab and have an aggressive feature development roadmap ahead. We are making the software completely free to use to ensure that anyone, regardless of their resources, technology or stage in their career, can have access to the highest level of professional music production tools. This is part of our ongoing effort to empower musicians to make and share their music around the world. Professional products like Cakewalk are essential to those who make their living in music production and the natural next step for musicians who use platforms like BandLab to simplify their creative and collaborative process. We are very excited by the potential of Cakewalk by BandLab and think that many creators will benefit from access to a professional DAW with a long history of empowering music makers.”

Cakewalk by BandLab will continue SONAR’s track record of world-leading innovation for creatives using Microsoft Windows. Pete Brown, from Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, said “We’re thrilled that Cakewalk has found a new home with a company that understands the musician community, and that cares sincerely about digital audio production. Cakewalk has been a great partner, working to make their DAW better for their customers by quickly adopting new Windows features like pen, Bluetooth MIDI, multi-touch, Dial, and more. We look forward to working closely with BandLab to continue this innovation.” Cakewalk by BandLab will support pen, touch and Surface Dial throughout the user interface.

The Windows version of Cakewalk by BandLab is available to download now. For more information visit https://cakewalk.bandlab.com.

Note to Editor

Cakewalk by BandLab is a streamlined version of SONAR Platinum – and certain third party products and content bundles will no longer be included. Existing users who have already purchased bundles or individual third party products and plug-ins can still use those products with Cakewalk by BandLab.

• The new installation of Cakewalk by BandLab via BandLab Assistant will not affect previous installations of SONAR.
• All users can download Cakewalk by BandLab and access the full feature set for free, without access limitations.
• Any bundled or independently purchased plug-ins or add-ons that worked with SONAR will integrate with Cakewalk by BandLab.

More detail on the feature offering can be found at https://cakewalk.bandlab.com.

About BandLab Technologies

BandLab Technologies is a collective of global music brands with a vision to connect the world of music.

Together, our brands share a passion. We’re driven by integrating the physical, digital and social supply chain, to enable better experiences, opportunities, and connections for all music lovers.

BandLab, the group’s flagship digital product, is a social music platform that enables creators to make music and share the creative process with other musicians and fans. Other notable brands within the portfolio include Rolling Stone, the world’s leading voice in pop culture and music since 1967, MONO, an award-winning music lifestyle product company, and Swee Lee, Asia’s leading online retailer and distributor of musical instruments and pro-audio brands.

Established in 2016, BandLab Technologies is headquartered in Singapore. For more information about BandLab by Cakewalk, visit https://cakewalk.bandlab.com.

In a game-changing collaboration, Tesla Motors and Serato have come together to bring you the world's first ever DJ-Drive system. No more cassettes, CDs, aux cords and broken Bluetooth interfaces. Just bangers mixed in the comfort of your car.

The release of the latest Tesla firmware update includes full Serato DJ Pro integration, free for all Tesla vehicles. This integration allows you to DJ literally anywhere you go. Your only restriction is your creativity.

As well as Serato DJ Pro utilising the fully functional Tesla touch-screen, drivers are now able to attach ergonomic Novation-slicers to the steering-wheel to trigger cue points, loops and flip tracks - full control on the go. Use Autopilot or switch to Scratch Live mode to DJ and drive at the same time.

Not stopping there, the engineers at Tesla and Serato have integrated Serato Video into the mix. Video file playback is controlled the same way as audio, so incorporating visual effects and transitions is super simple. Karaoke mode is built in, taking singing in the car to the next level.

You can now look forward to sitting in gridlock and perfectly mixing the latest Ibiza hits. Or cruising in comfort through picturesque landscapes while double dropping the heaviest, face-melting bangers in your arsenal.

Ludacris mode has had some upgrades too. You’ll need to turn it on to hear them...if you dare.

And as you guessed, this is April Fool's day annoucement.