Cakewalk Announces Version 7 of Sequencing Software

Cakewalk has announced Cakewalk Pro Audio 7, Cakewalk Professional 7 and Cakewalk Home Studio 7, a new generation of the world's most popular software for recording, editing, and mixing digital audio and MIDI.

In an unprecedented move, Cakewalk supports real-time audio effects in all three products, marking the first time that real-time effects are available to users in software priced less than $99 (U.S.). The new version also includes an on-screen mixing console for recording and mixing MIDI and digital audio from a single window, plus an updated user interface with customizable tool bars.

"We're making professional audio effects available to every level of user in a way that is easy to understand and use," said Greg Hendershott, chairman and chief technology officer at Cakewalk. "Everyone needs effects like pitch shifting to create harmonies or fix off-pitch recordings, but these features have only been available in high-end products, until today."

The new Pro Audio 7, Professional 7 and Home Studio 7 products include enhancements that apply to the entire product line, offering new capabilities to every level of user at every price point. These enhancements include:

Real-Time Audio Effects

In a first for the industry, Cakewalk breaks price barriers and redefines the music software market by providing real-time, 32-bit, floating-point audio processing effects to every level of user. The effects include reverb, chorus, delay, pitch shifting, and time stretching.

New Mixing Console

This all-new mixing console enables users to record and mix an entire MIDI and digital audio project from one convenient window. Smooth, accurate faders; pan and volume automation; and fader grouping with spot editing provide the user with precise control over the process. It also includes track arming with full input metering; and patch points for applying effects to tracks and the final mix. Plus, the user can customize and save different console layouts, recalling them for future projects.

Enhanced Notation Editing and Printing

New enhancements to notation editing and printing include improved layout, spacing, and control. The zoom control allows for the adjustment of the on-screen notation display to show more staves and measures at one time. Flexible assignment of tracks to music staves and automatic engraver spacing enable parts to be grouped together for higher-quality printed notation. The new enhancements supplement existing capabilities for standard and single line percussion clef notation, guitar chord grids, lyrics, expression text, dynamic markings, pedal marking and composer name and title.

New User Interface

A refined user interface has many aesthetic and ergonomic improvements that allow users to work more efficiently. Enhancements include improved transport controls, customizable tool bars, 3-D buttons and sliders, and short-cut icons for opening different editing windows quickly. In addition, a new Settings property panel consolidates many program options into one central location.

The ultimate in flexibility, users now have the ability to open several projects at once and cut, copy and paste material among different projects.

Pricing and Availability

The estimated street prices for these products are: Cakewalk Pro Audio 7 $299 (U.S.); Cakewalk Professional 7 $199 (U.S.); and Cakewalk Home Studio 7 $99 (U.S.). All three products will be available in the second quarter of 1998.

Customers who purchase Cakewalk Home Studio 6, Professional 6, and Pro Audio 6 between January 29th, 1998 and May 1st, 1998 will receive free upgrades to version 7.