Pricing and availability

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Elevate your music production with SONAR Professional, the comprehensive DAW software crafted for artists ready to turn their PC into a powerhouse studio. Cakewalk's SONAR is all about blending cutting-edge technology with a user-friendly experience. The Skylight interface—a hallmark of SONAR—offers seamless navigation with its customizable multi-touch support, allowing you to arrange your workspace just the way you like it. Dive into a world of sound with over 18 virtual instruments, including Z3TA+ Classic, and explore a rich library of effects to sculpt your sonic landscape.

With SONAR Professional, recording is limitless, offering you unrestricted audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks to capture every nuance of your performance. Its 64-bit/384kHz audio engine ensures that your recordings are pristine, while its intuitive tools like Speed Comping and Melodyne Essential make vocal editing a breeze. Guitarists and bassists will find joy in the TH3 Cakewalk amp simulator, delivering world-class tones directly within the software.

When it comes to mixing and mastering, SONAR Professional doesn't hold back. The ProChannel Console Strip, equipped with modules like QuadCurve EQ and REmatrix Solo, provides all the tools you need to refine your tracks to perfection. And when your masterpiece is ready, SONAR makes distribution effortless, with options to export directly to platforms like SoundCloud and YouTube, or even burn a CD.

Whether you're a seasoned producer or a budding musician, SONAR Professional is engineered to inspire and empower your creative journey.

Key Features:

  • Unlimited audio, MIDI, and instrument tracks
  • Skylight multi-touch interface for customizable workflow
  • Melodyne Essential and Speed Comping for vocal editing
  • TH3 Cakewalk amp simulator for authentic guitar tones
  • ProChannel Console Strip with QuadCurve EQ and REmatrix Solo
  • Direct export to SoundCloud, YouTube, and more
  • 18 virtual instruments including Z3TA+ Classic
  • 64-bit/384kHz audio engine for high-quality sound
  • Integrated mix recall for easy comparison of mix scenes

FAQs

Is Sonar Professional compatible with Windows 10?

Yes, Sonar Professional is fully compatible with Windows 10, as well as Windows 8 and 7.

What instruments and effects are included with Sonar Professional?

Sonar Professional comes with 19 instruments and 50 FX, including Addictive Drums 2, REmatrix Convolution Reverb, and the Overloud TH3 Cakewalk amp simulator.

Can I use Sonar Professional for mastering my tracks?

Yes, Sonar Professional includes mastering tools such as LP EQ, LP MB Linear Phase Mastering Plug-ins, and Boost 11 Peak Limiter to help you achieve high-quality mixes.

Does Sonar Professional support VST3 plugins?

Yes, Sonar Professional supports VST3, allowing you to use a wide range of third-party plugins for your music production.

What is the Mix Recall feature in Sonar Professional?

Mix Recall allows you to switch between different mixes quickly without leaving the project, making it easier to compare and choose the best version of your mix.

Adam Ironside

Adam Ironside

Sonar Professional First Look

Video thumbnail for Sonar Professional First Look by Adam Ironside

Sonar Professional First Look

Adam Ironside

Adam Ironside

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about sonar professional.

Software and compatibility

  • Legacy site provides access to older Sonar Professional versions, ensuring continued use and installation of past plugins.

    Source
  • Users report the ability to sync Cakewalk by BandLab with Sonar Professional to leverage features lacking in the newer version.

    Source
  • Users report that Cakewalk by BandLab, the successor to Sonar, lacks some third-party licensed plugins but includes ongoing bug fixes and new features.

    Source
  • Some users note that while Sonar is technically end-of-life, it still works well for most tasks, though older versions may require serial numbers for activation.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners appreciate the ability to activate and run Sonar Professional offline, maintaining functionality despite company changes.

    Source
  • Frequent project saving is necessary due to potential crashes in MIDI sequencing, similar to issues in Cakewalk Sonar X1.

    Source
  • Long-time users find Cakewalk by BandLab's workflow more comfortable than alternatives like Reaper and Studio One, showcasing its user-friendly design.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Advanced view in Sonar's Free Tier requires a paid membership, contrasting with the Basic view.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mike_byrd

comprehensive and logical

This daw revamp is extremely easy to learn and a dream to use it delivers professional results.its perfect for running outboard midi equipment and has a library of instrument definitions of just about every synth and drum machine on the market today from the past to the present day this makes patch selection and operation a breeze .I thought X3 studio was good but it suffered from bugs sonar professional seems to have ironed out all X3's problems and added great stability more plugin instruments, effects and a simpler way off downloading updates via its command centre with a improved screen interface and a much improved piano roll with copy an paste features. This Daws a dream to use. Nice one Cakewalk.

Genre Usage

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

More DAW Software

Avid Pro Tools

$225.00 - $599.00

# 1

Rank

Josh Homme Billie Joe Armstrong Paul McCartney
488 artists using
Ableton Live

$270.00 - $439.00

# 4

Rank

Kevin Parker Mac DeMarco Tyler Joseph
1382 artists using
Bitwig Studio

$99.00 - $399.99

# 5

Rank

Deadmau5 JPEGMAFIA The Glitch Mob
39 artists using
Avid Sibelius

$119.00 - $299.00

# 9

Rank

Pat Metheny Jacob Collier Björk
10 artists using
Steinberg Cubase

$209.00 - $329.99

# 10

Rank

Paul McCartney Robert Smith Toru Kitajima
431 artists using
SuperCollider

 

# 15

Rank

Aphex Twin Squarepusher Peter Gabriel
8 artists using
SoundSwitch

$235.00 - $368.20

# 20

Rank

 
Nanostudio

 

# 23

Rank

ECCO2K
1 artist using
LMMS

 

# 31

Rank

DidJaws LeftField Beats
2 artists using
See also: DAW Software

Accessories & Related Items

Artist usage

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    mike_byrd
    mike_byrd

    Gear IQ 773