The Cakewalk 2016.10 update includes the following:

• Softube Console 1 Support
• CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier Is Currently Free
• Z3TA+ 2 Updates
• Fixes and Enhancements

How to Download the SONAR 2016.10 Update

1. Open Cakewalk Command Center. If you don’t have the latest installer, Command Center will prompt you to download and install it. Cakewalk highly recommends that you do this. (Also remember that you can always download the latest version from the Cakewalk Command Center page.)
2. Update SONAR Core by selecting SONAR Platinum/Professional/Artist, then clicking Install.
3. The SONAR Theme Editor will be listed as a separate item in Cakewalk Command Center. Select it and click Install

Softube Console 1 Support

Artist, Professional, Platinum

Softube’s Console 1 takes a different approach from conventional control surfaces, which typically emphasize multi-track control with traditional faders, or moving faders on more expensive models. Instead, Softube has modelled an SSL 4000 E console in software (endorsed by SSL for its accuracy), with the Console 1 providing hands-on control over a sophisticated channel strip that incorporates gate, EQ, compressor, high and low cut filters, and emulated analog console non-linearities. And just for kicks, there’s Softube’s Transient Shaper that was not part of the SSL 4000 E. Furthermore, Softube offers optional-at-extra-cost software packs for other consoles, like the SSL XL 9000 K-Series and the British Class A console.

The basic workflow is you select a track and then tweak the channel strip’s controls, while your monitor displays a graphic representation of those tweaks. It’s all pretty fluid, and the controls are laid out in a way that’s both ergonomic and logical.

Although Console 1 has been compatible with all major DAWs since its introduction, now Softube and Cakewalk have collaborated to bring an additional level of control where Console 1 hardware can control vital SONAR functions. These include:

Track and Bus Selection 

The new Console 1 software has bi-directional track selection that both reflects SONAR’s track or bus selection in Console 1, and Console 1’s track or bus selection in SONAR. 

Track Names

The Console 1 control surface UI displays track names when selected.

Volume and Pan 

In addition to the Console 1 Output Volume and Pan knobs controlling the corresponding settings in the Console 1 software, they can now be switched over to control the pan knob and volume fader on the selected track.

Solo and Mute 

You can switch the Solo and Mute buttons to control the selected track, as well as control these settings in the Console 1 software.

Send Levels 

Hold Shift to control the selected track’s send levels directly from the Console 1 hardware.

Real-Time SONAR Updating

When you edit Vol, Pan, Mute, Solo, or Send gain via the Console 1 hardware, SONAR will update in the values in real time.

(Please note that as of this writing Softube is still making some tweaks at their end, so the new Console 1 software might not be available when this eZine hits the world; the anticipated release date is early November. However in any event, SONAR is ready for it.)

Z3TA+ 2 Updates

VST2, VST3, AU, AAX

In instrument-land, it’s not just Rapture Pro/Session that’s getting some cross-platform love. There’s been an improvement to the authorization process for both Mac and Windows computers that are on slower connections, so now the Cakewalk Command Center will pass the authorization process (regardless of the connection speed) to avoid timeouts.

What’s more, you’ll find bug fixes for MIDI files with long arpeggios, and now when you pick a controller in the modulation matrix, you can rest assured you’ll get the one you expected.

CA-2A T-Type Leveling Amplifier Is Currently Free

(Get it Before We Change Our Minds)

Artist, Professional, Platinum

Windows and MacOS, VST3, VST2, AAX and (SONAR only) ProChannel module

The audio cognoscenti know that Cakewalk’s cross-platform CA-2A is one of the finest emulations available for the classic compressor/limiter that has been a mainstay of hit recordings for over half a century. Even SONAR users who have lots of other compressor plug-ins, including other emulations of the same compressor/limiter, choose the CA-2A over anything else.

Why? Because the CA-2A is one of those plug-ins that seems to have a special mojo all its own. It does something downright magical with vocals, not to mention bass and other instruments. Part of this is, of course, due to the original circuit’s use of opto-isolators instead of VCAs or other active electronics to provide the needed dynamics control. But the other element is Cakewalk’s DSP expertise (as evidenced in the QuadCurve, Concrete Limiter, and many other plug-ins), which has modeled this audio classic in all its detail and definition. What’s more, there’s sidechain capability, and the controls are blissfully simple to use—important when you want to dial in a superb sound fast while in the heat of creativity.

Here are a few of the highlights:

• Zero latency for real-time tracking and mixing
• Up to 40dB of gain reduction
• Frequency dependent compression
• Program dependent attack/release
• Fully modeled "R37" HF Pre-Emphasis control
• Dual photocell reset modes (Classic and Fast Reset)
• Use side-chain compression for ducking, pumping, and more

For more information on the details behind the CA-2A, click here—and when you’re ready to get your free plug-in, click here. And there’s even a cool video on CakeTV.

You know you want it…but you better hurry, because we might change our minds any day now. You’ve been warned.

System Requirements

• Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8, or Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit); Mac OSX 10.8 (64-bit only) or later
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo or newer processor (32-bit processors not supported)
• Memory: Minimum 1 GB RAM
• Disk space: 100 MB
• Screen Resolution: 1280 x 800 minimum resolution, 32-bit color
• Formats: VST3, VST2, AAX (for those still who still use Pro Tools), and ProChannel module for SONAR Professional and Platinum

Fixes and Enhancements

Artist, Professional, Platinum

This month’s update fixes the following issues:

• Possible crash when removing Saturation Knob from a bus
• Move Tool was not accessible when a Take Lane was at minimum height
• Possible startup crash related to SQLLite
• Possible crash when adjusting fade-ins for multiple audio clips simultaneously
• UpSampling didn’t work correctly in some cases when the project sample rate was 88.2 kHz
• Disabling “Follow Host Tempo” could yield unexpected results, like volcanoes and plagues of locusts
• “Follow Host Tempo” could go out of sync on Melodyne clips that were trimmed
• [SHIFT]+[CTRL] dragging a clip horizontally inside Take Lanes didn’t anchor correctly
• Several labels in the Plugin Manager were cut off in Brazilian / Portuguese
• Switching the Matrix View’s active MIDI cell after at least one loop would stop playback until triggered
• Dragging clips out of the Matrix View to the timeline could result in incorrectly placed clips
• The Number Pad didn’t work as expected when the Step Record dialog was open
• Full Screen Mode Icon did not display in some projects