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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.

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 27 Reviews and 107 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
soundchick1983

Recording and Mastering

This is not something I have but something I want pretty bad. If you would like to know further details I will attach a link and you can see for yourself just how awesome this is. My dad has been with them since the beginning and I have had the privilege to see what all this can do and is capable of as far as a recording goes or/and mastering and all the cool tools and editing stuff it comes with. This is really complete for any one who wants to own their own studio without the take over of equipment everywhere. This is not only a space saver so that you can collect more awesome instruments and respectful music items but I am extremely impressed enough to where I would like to buy this version. It is the best yet. Here is a link for more info. http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Versions.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR
migzcortesmusic

Can't beat this

Fully featured and mature DAW with ARA 2 and a professional channel strip per track and buss channel. All this for FREE. Can't beat that

lightningbiker

Superb

Suited best for recordings rather than midi, which for a songwriter or band it is perfect, highly recommended and I will never swap to a different DAW!!!

mengxuen97

Great!

Suitable for anyone who wants a DAW but doesn't have the money to afford one

michele_occhionero

Cakewalk is dead. Long live Cakewalk!

I used Cakewalk software from 1994, and this version is really usable, cheap and full of possibilities. Sadly, it is no more updated, but a new version is developed by Bandlab, so we hope that the Cakewalk lineage will go on.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR
F

Exceptional DAW, Packed with many virtual instruments, effects, smart and logical workflow, etc. etc

From its inception into the marketplace, Sonar has continued to make leading edge advancements up to now that have culminated in a product that can be truly appreciated by any one just starting out to the seasoned musician. The workflow allows you to focus on what is important: Making Music. This is a remarkable DAW with many features, effects, virtual instruments, excellent mixing and production facilities, etc. etc.,... The monthly updates alone offer tremendous value for the money.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR
drruff

Used cakewalk for years. How do I enter Pro giveaway?

F

Hey drruff, As I understand it, just make an entry into Equipboard listing each piece of equipment you use for gigs, recording & mixing, jamming, etc. This is a database of musicians and the gear used in creating music. Use the search above to find your piece of equipment ie. morley wah pedal, the system will list it, you select it, rate it and then comment and save it. for every entry, you end up with a chance in the draw. Hope this is of some help, and best of luck to you.... Take care,

nielsjacob

Very average...

I wouldnt go deep on what the software do or not do. This is not the right choice for electronic music (although made by Roland...), but will be definitely the right soft for bands then it has a very good console emulation (tape saturation.. compression). A very good point is the plug ins that come with the software (Melodyne, Zeta 2 , Rapture and other good E-Piano emulators as well). Since i ve decided to do mainly electronic stuff, i m giving it up for the moment.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR X3
dsproductionz

Sonar Til I Die

I have been a Cakewalk user since 2000 and really love the software. I love all of the new features in Sonar Platinum, such as VocalSync, Melodyne, AudioSnap, The Channel Modules, ease of use and the fact the I really don't use any third party plugins anymore. I am truly ITB now. I would highly recommend Sonar to any serious music makers. The community is very helpful too.

Version: Cakewalk SONAR
kenricadam

Amazing!

I love this!! After exploring Ableton, protools, GarageBand and fruity loops, I think this is the best..

lukeepic

Best free audio workstation worldwide

Cakewalk by Bandlab is by far the best free digital audio workstation (DAW) in the world.

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

Decrepit Birth

...
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.

Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
2
Roland SC880
Roland SC880 Synthesizers
1
Antares Auto Tune 7 - Native
Antares Auto Tune 7 - Native Vocal Processing Plugins
1
Avid Pro Tools
Avid Pro Tools DAW Software
1
mindprint envoice II
mindprint envoice II Audio Interfaces
1
Event 20/20 V2
Event 20/20 V2 Active & Passive Monitors
1
Sony MDR-V6 Dynamic Stereo Headphones
Sony MDR-V6 Dynamic Stereo Headphones Headphones & In-Ear Monitors
1

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