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Description

Discover the possibilities of digital music creation with Cakewalk by BandLab, a powerful and intuitive DAW that caters to both novice musicians and seasoned producers. This robust software offers a comprehensive suite of tools for composing, recording, editing, mixing, and mastering your tracks, all under one virtual roof. With its user-friendly interface and seamless integration with BandLab’s cloud platform, Cakewalk provides a unique opportunity to collaborate with artists worldwide.

Cakewalk by BandLab boasts an impressive array of features, including unlimited audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks, and a full suite of editing tools that make it easy to sculpt your sound. The software's 64-bit mix engine ensures pristine audio quality, while advanced automation capabilities allow for meticulous control over every aspect of your project. Plus, with its support for VST3 instruments and effects, you can expand your sonic palette with a wide range of third-party plugins.

Whether you're laying down a simple demo or crafting a complex arrangement, Cakewalk by BandLab’s flexible workflow empowers you to bring your musical ideas to life. Its integration with BandLab’s social music platform opens up new avenues for sharing your work, getting feedback, and collaborating with a global community of musicians.

Key Features:

  • Unlimited audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks
  • 64-bit mix engine for high-quality audio production
  • Advanced automation capabilities
  • VST3 support for third-party instruments and effects
  • Integrated with BandLab’s cloud platform for collaboration and sharing
  • Comprehensive suite of editing tools for detailed sound sculpting

Product specs

Operating Systems Windows
Downloadable free
`Transverse Audio

`Transverse Audio

How To Use Cakewalk by Bandlab - Tutorial For Beginners (FREE DAW)

Video thumbnail for How To Use Cakewalk by Bandlab - Tutorial For Beginners (FREE DAW) by `Transverse Audio

How To Use Cakewalk by Bandlab - Tutorial For Beginners (FREE DAW)

`Transverse Audio

`Transverse Audio

Video thumbnail for Cakewalk - Tutorial for Beginners in 13 MINUTES!  [ COMPLETE ] by Skills Factory

Cakewalk - Tutorial for Beginners in 13 MINUTES! [ COMPLETE ]

Skills Factory

Skills Factory

Video thumbnail for How To Use Cakewalk by Bandlab -  Getting Started by Creative Sauce

How To Use Cakewalk by Bandlab - Getting Started

Creative Sauce

Creative Sauce

Video thumbnail for How To Use Cakewalk By Bandlab From Setup To Mixdown by Audio Tech TV

How To Use Cakewalk By Bandlab From Setup To Mixdown

Audio Tech TV

Audio Tech TV

Video thumbnail for Seriously Why Would You Need A Paid DAW | Cakewalk Review by Audio Tech TV

Seriously Why Would You Need A Paid DAW | Cakewalk Review

Audio Tech TV

Audio Tech TV

Video thumbnail for Cakewalk - Tutorial for Beginners in 11 MINUTES!  [ FULL GUIDE 2024 ] by Skills Factory

Cakewalk - Tutorial for Beginners in 11 MINUTES! [ FULL GUIDE 2024 ]

Skills Factory

Skills Factory

Reviews

PROS

  • Free DAW with extensive features comparable to paid versions

  • "Sound on Sound" recording mode enhances live instrument recording

  • Customizable interface with professional Pro Channel effects

  • Supports both 32-bit and 64-bit plugins seamlessly

  • WASAPI audio engine outperforms dedicated ASIO drivers

  • Unlimited MIDI and audio channels for extensive sessions

  • Includes powerful plugins like Addictive Drums 2 and Melodyne Essential

  • Ideal for recording and mixing with a professional channel strip

  • Highly intuitive for musicians, not just sound engineers

  • Lifetime upgrades offer long-term value

CONS

  • Intimidating and cluttered interface may require multiple monitors

  • Lacks ability to send RPNs to VSTs, limiting some MIDI capabilities

  • Occasional audio dropouts and choppy playback issues

  • Not the best choice for electronic music production

  • Graphic quality perceived as outdated by some users

Critic Reviews

Cakewalk by Bandlab

soundonsound.com

Cakewalk by BandLab breathes new life into the legacy of Sonar, offering a robust, free DAW experience packed with unique features like ProChannel modules and Loop Construction View. While it may lack some of Sonar Platinum's bundled plugins, the functionality remains strong, making it an appealing choice for both newcomers and seasoned pros. However, the user interface is dated, and the absence of certain third-party plugins may disappoint some users. Overall, Cakewalk is a powerful tool that successfully combines innovation with a familiar workflow, but it’s not without its shortcomings.

positive
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 27 Reviews and 107 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
oryanth

[deleted]

lukeepic

So true!

firak
firak

6782

My favorite DAW and why am i using it?

1 - Customizable interface 2 - Pro Channel (Studio quality effects, channel strip) (SSL compressor emulator and EQ, 1176 compressor Emulator, Tape Emulator, Console Emulator (SSL - NEVE - American Type), BREVERB 2, REmatrix SOLO) 3 - I can use my Cakewalk CA-2A in Pro Channel 4 - One knob effects in pro channel 5 - Sonitus FX Bundle 6 - TH3 for Cakewalk 7 - Studio Instruments 8 - Cakewalk TTS-1 Rompler 9 - 32 Bit and 64 Bit Plugin Support 10 - Cakewalk Channel Strip Plugins (PX-64 Percussion Strip, VX-64 Vocal Strip, TL-64 Tube Leveler, Boost 11 Limiter) 11 - Best of all its FREE (I bougth previous versionons)

Genres:
aquellex

My childhood DAW

Technically, I started with Cakewalk Pro Audio 9, but I do have my SONAR 8.5 installation files still. Still fantastic for working with old MIDI modules straight out of the box. As a DAW, it's still just as functional, though the lack of ability to send RPNs to VSTs is a major turnoff, given I use VSTs where their pitch bend ranges can only be changed with the use of RPNs. Also, missing out on additional timestrretch algorithms compared to its latest BandLab incarnation + REAPER is a bummer. :(

Version: Cakewalk SONAR 8
mauricioibanez

My impressions on Sonar Platinum.

I've been a long time Sonar user, starting with 8.5 Producer and eventually upgrading to X1 Producer, X3 Producer and now Platinum. With today's technology, where VST3 and 64bit plugins are the standard, the experience of working with this DAW is VASTLY superior to what it used to be 5 or 6 years ago. The WASAPI audio engine works even better than the dedicated ASIO drivers for my M-Audio ProjectMix which is amazing. Using WASAPI, I can also have a second audio interface (my Focusrite Scarlett 2i4) and use it along with the other one with no problems at all. In order to do that on Cockos Reaper, I had to use ASIO4ALL. As you would expect, the DAW would become really sluggish and unresponsive to the point of frustration. Not with Sonar Platinum. This DAW not only looks pretty, it's FAST, SMOOTH and can handle absolutely EVERYTHING you can think of in a session without even flinching. Too many tracks and too many plugins on a session? No problem. Sonar Platinum will handle it like a champ. It works even better than Cockos Reaper, which is the DAW I've been using for the past 4 years almost exclusively. I will be using Sonar Platinum from now on as my main DAW. You really have to give the Cakewalk guys a thumbs up for their LIFETIME UPGRADES deal recently. Plus, there's so much good content included on the package, it's just too good to pass by. I use this DAW with a powerful PC (mine is an 8 core 32GB machine with Windows 10) and it's just flies. I can imagine adding a SSD drive to really take it to the max. It's just awesome as it is already. Absolutely recommended.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR
solusash

Have used Cakewalk Products on and off Since Guitar Tracks 2.0

This'n's a winner. It does what it says on the tin. Most days, anyway. Sometimes you get weird distortion, audio dropouts, and just choppy playback. Not sure what the culprit is, as I've tried all the things online to "fix" it, including the BIOS fixes, the buffer fixes, and the driver/ASIO/MME fixes.

Ah well, it works pretty decent for the most part, and since it's free, who am I to complain about dropouts/choppy playback, eh?

mike_byrd

Awesome

Been using this DAW with dual display monitors , for the past 5 years in windows 7, it's a breeze to use and the ability to have unlimited midi channels and audio channels is a a welcome must . I haven't had to look elsewhere for a better DAW, it does the lot, a real keeper this one.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR
jimmarchi1

I had this running in xp as well as cubase sx way past their lifespans LOL

R
r3con

2926

Have it

I won this DAW (tnx Equipboard) and though it has amazing mastering, effects and synth plugins I find myself ignoring it more and more because of it's intimidating and quite messy interface. I honestly can't work with it because it fills up too much too fast. though I believe it's an amazing DAW which can help me create tons of ideas I'm just gonna let it be for now because I honestly think I need an extra monitor for it (a big one for that matter) and because I need to get my head around it.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR
jimmarchi1

a lot of programs like sonar and Cubase are better with 2 monitors

R
r3con

2926

I have no problems working on one monitor with Nuendo, Ableton and Cubase it's only Sonar which in my opinion get's too messy and filled up to work properly on 1 monitor but yeah I guess 2 monitors for Cubase and Nuendo would also improve my workflow a lot

ag54348autobahn

Too hard to operate

I tried cakewalk recently and I didn't quiet have the experience I wanted,first of all the graphic quality was bad and it had many features but it did not have the features I was looking for.

dibi

100% FREE

Best free DAW out there. Some people say that UI looks old. But tbh it's like logic Pro. You should give it a try because it's free won't cost you any penny

arossa2000

Versatile DAW

SONAR Platinum is one of the most versatile DAWs on the market today. It has all the tools you need to record and mix music in the box. I love the fact that it comes with so many handy plugins including Addictive Drums 2 and Melodyne Essential. My biggest areas of weakness are vocals and drums, and I don't think you can find a better DAW to give you an edge in those areas. Highly recommended for all Windows Users.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Four Tet uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Four Tet

Music Producer, DJ

...
Verified via Soundonsound

Pro Audio 9 is mentioned in this July 2003 Sound on Sound interview.

Hebden's main tool for creating and manipulating sounds is Ross Bencina's cult shareware program Audiomulch, an idiosyncratic modular virtual studio package for PC platforms which is downloadable from www.audiomulch.com. He also uses Syntrillium's Cool EditPro to chop up and trim audio, before assembling the results in Cakewalk's Pro Audio 9.

(...) "To get the right feel of the beat and to get the basic loop working right, I use Audiomulch loads, but then I transfer everything over into Cakewalk, and then I start chopping it up, and then I start making all the variations in the drums. I usually take a whole bar or so from a record, and then start to add other sounds to it to get the sound I want. If the bass drum's not quite right I might get that and I might add other sounds to that, or if there's a bit I don't like in the drum loop I might chop it out and replace it with something else. It's often the case that my drum loops may be a combination of two or three drum loops from something else."

See how Chromeo uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Chromeo

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Chromeo talk about the old Pentium 2 computer they use to run an early version of Cakewalk.

See how Craig Jones uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Craig Jones

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Slipknot

...
Verified via SlipknotIowa.com

Here’s what Craig has said about Cakewalk’s Sonar: Craig (#5) is one tough customer. As the man who creates digital media, sequences and samples to meet the heavy demands of his band Slipknot, he is faced with no easy task.

“I used Pro Audio for years on the road and in the studio, so the move to SONAR was inevitable. I needed a digital multitrack studio that could stand up to the abuse,” said Craig.” and SONAR is so powerful that its possibilities are frightening.”

Craig turned Slipknot DJ Sid (#0), guitarist James (#4), and percussionist Clown (#6) onto SONAR, and they have been working on new songs while on the road.

“We all have SONAR loaded on our laptops,” said Craig. “It makes it real easy to work on ideas when we get back to our hotel. I’m also getting a lot of use out of the VSampler. I like being able to trigger and manipulate a wide variety of samples right on my laptop.

“We also have a tour case with a rack mounted PC, mic preamps, a mixer, reference monitors, and some other gear. Before the shows we wheel the case into our dressing room and the whole band gets involved with the tracking in SONAR.”

See how Chris Broderick uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Chris Broderick

Guitarist

Megadeth

...
Verified via Cakewalk

"SONAR’s QuadCurve EQ and ProChannel are stellar. Out of all the EQ’s I have used, I truly believe SONAR’s sounds the most musical and useful to me in most cases."

See how Ilan Bluestone uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Ilan Bluestone

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

When asked why he uses Calkwalk, Ilan explains that it's what he's used for so long that he can't seem to switch. "I've been using Cakewalk ever since" at 1:55

See how Adventure Club uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Adventure Club

Music Producer

...
Verified via Photo

Adventure Club stated in an interview that they use SONAR producer by Cakewalk, "If you’re in the EDM scene you probably wouldn’t know about it. A lot of other producers will come up to us and be like “What do you use?” and we’ll say “Sonar Cakewalk” and they’ll just be like “What the FUCK is that?!” They’ll have the deer in the headlights look– no one really uses it for EDM, it’s mostly for band-oriented tracks, which is what we used to record on."

See how Dan Briggs uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Dan Briggs

Guitarist, Bassist

Between the Buried and Me

...
Verified via Reasonstudios

"... it was to use the ReDrum and I would import it into my session in Sonar."

See how Boyinaband uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Boyinaband

Rapper, Music Producer

You And What Army

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, David is using Sonar. In the top left corner, the window says "SONAR 8.5 Producer".

See how Susumu Hirasawa uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Susumu Hirasawa

Singer, Guitarist

P-model,?P-model

...
Verified via Ikebe-gakki

Susumu Hirasawa utilizes Cakewalk by BandLab as his DAW, as detailed in the report by Ikebe-gakki.

See how Samus Paulicelli uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Samus Paulicelli

Guitarist, Bassist

Goatwhore

...
Verified via YouTube

He's explaining how to use EZ Drummer and on 1:23 minute he's open the DAW on his computer.

See how Andrew W.K. uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Andrew W.K.

Singer, Guitarist

Wolf Eyes

...
Verified via Usesthis

" used to use a PC with Cakewalk, which I began recording the "I Get Wet" album on years ago, but since then I've changed over to a Macintosh - I actually don't know what type it is (probably a G4), but it's relatively old at this point and I've thought about upgrading more recently to a newer Mac. I use all the Glyph hard drives, those are really really good.

See how Fried By Fluoride uses Cakewalk by BandLab

Fried By Fluoride

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Spotify

Fried By Fluoride is confirmed to use Cakewalk by BandLab as their digital audio workstation (DAW), as evidenced by the Cakewalk logo visible on the bottom left of the second image of his "about" section in spotify.

Album Usage

The Cakewalk by BandLab has been featured on the following albums:

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Cakewalk by BandLab, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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