Cakewalk Pro Audio 8 Due Later This Month

Cakewalk, the leading provider of music and sound software, today announced Cakewalk Pro Audio 8, a new version of the world's leading software for recording, editing, and mixing MIDI and high-resolution digital audio. Key features new to Cakewalk Pro Audio 8 are 24-bit/96kHz audio, MIDI plug-ins, integrated video support, an enhanced 32-bit mix engine, and vector-based audio mixing.

"Audio professionals have an insatiable need for tools that deliver a higher quality result more efficiently," said Tom Cook, president and CEO, Cakewalk. "Pro Audio 8 offers the highest quality 24-bit audio, the non-destructive flexibility of real-time MIDI plug-ins, and a full-featured, integrated environment for managing MIDI, audio, and video."

Scheduled to ship in September 1998, Cakewalk Pro Audio 8 is another milestone in the company's history of technological firsts. Historically, Cakewalk Pro Audio was the first integrated MIDI and digital audio sequencer for Windows 95/NT.

Highest Audio Resolution Available

Cakewalk Pro Audio 8 is the first integrated MIDI and digital audio workstation for Windows to support the emerging 24-bit, 96 kHz standard for high-definition audio. 24-bit/96kHz audio is recognized as the highest-quality representation of digital audio available to professionals. Pro Audio 8 also supports 16, 18, 20 and 22-bit rates.

Real-time MIDI Plug-ins

In addition to audio innovations, Pro Audio 8 introduces a unique approach to real-time MIDI effects. This feature enables users to patch effects on MIDI tracks non-destructively in real-time, in the same manner as audio effects.

Applying MIDI effects in real-time saves users time by eliminating the cumbersome process of applying MIDI effects as off-line edits. Plus, using MIDI effects in real-time enables users to hear and adjust MIDI with a finer level of control for more accurate results.

The real-time MIDI effects included in Pro Audio 8 include Quantize, Delay/Echo, Filter, Transpose, Velocity Shift, Chord Analyzer and Arpeggiator.

(Click for a close-up)

Video Support

Another advance new to Pro Audio 8 is support for the most popular digital video formats * AVI, QuickTime, and MPEG. For the first time, users can open video files within Pro Audio to modify existing soundtracks or create new ones. The software includes sample-accurate synchronization of video to audio.

Key features include the ability to scrub audio tracks and video in sync; the ability to loop video along with audio and MIDI tracks; and the ability to save audio tracks back to a new video file.

Enhanced 32-bit Mix Engine

Pro Audio 8 has an enhanced 32-bit mix engine for improved audio streaming. The new mix engine enables users to play back more simultaneous audio tracks; apply more real-time effects; and achieve lower latency when applying pan, volume, and real-time effects changes.

Vector-based Audio Mixing, Synchronizing, and User Interface Enhancements

Pro Audio 8 includes vector-based audio mixing, which allows users to edit audio non-destructively by drawing automation data directly onto audio clips. Audio Anchor Points allow users to add sync points to individual audio events.

Other user-requested enhancements include a new Patch Browser which allows users to call up MIDI patches by typing keywords; system exclusive messages that can be echoed in real-time; lasso zooming; an event list display filter; and a tempo list.

Pro Audio 8 Deluxe Includes Musician's Toolbox III

Cakewalk Pro Audio 8 is also available as a Deluxe edition which includes Cakewalk's new Musician's Toolbox III * a two-CD collection of video clips; multimedia tutorials; audio and MIDI loops and grooves; and utilities designed to help users have the most rewarding experience possible.

Pricing and Availability

The estimated street price for Cakewalk Pro Audio 8 is $299 (U.S.), and the estimated street price of Cakewalk Pro Audio 8 Deluxe is $399 (U.S.). Prices are identical to the previous Pro Audio 7 version. Both products will be available in September, 1998.

Free upgrades, low-price upgrades, and $30 discounts

To reward current customers, Cakewalk has also announced a series of free and discounted upgrades to Pro Audio 8. Customers who purchase Pro Audio 7 on or after September 1, 1998 and register the software will receive a free upgrade to Pro Audio 8 automatically. Other registered users of Pro Audio 7 are entitled to upgrade to Pro Audio 8 for the discounted price of only $19 plus shipping & handling.

Further, registered users of Pro Audio 7 who upgrade will receive a $30 credit valid toward the purchase of any other product sold by Cakewalk, such as the new Audio FX 2 also announced today. Some restrictions apply.