Cakewalk Music Software Launches MetroRelease of Metro 3.5 is "phase one" of Cakewalk's cross-platform product strategy August 19, 1997
Cakewalk Music Software today announced the release of Metro, the company's first product for the Macintosh platform. The release of Metro is Cakewalk's first phase of an aggressive cross-platform strategy to develop a comprehensive line of Macintosh music
software products. Cakewalk, the industry-leading provider of music and
sound creation software, will demonstrate Metro at the Developers Greenhouse
at the 1997 Macworld Expo Boston and begin shipping the $199 (Estimated Street Price) product to customers this week.
Metro - Professional MIDI Sequencing Software
Metro 3.5 is a professional-level, multi-track MIDI sequencer with powerful
features suitable for the most demanding musician. While its intuitive
interface makes it suitable for beginners, Metro's more advanced features
like SMPTE and QuickTime synchronization, assignable and groupable mixing
faders, and multiple loop points within tracks satisfy professional
requirements for a fast, creative music production environment. Metro also
offers unique features like the Rhythm Explorer and the Note Spray Paint tool
for creating and experimenting with musical themes in real time as the
building blocks of a composition.
Cakewalk provides native versions of Metro for PowerPC-based Mac OSTM systems
and older Motorola 68000-series Macintoshes, making Metro an effective and
affordable solution for almost any Macintosh user. "Most of us are familiar
with the Macintosh as a professional media production platform, but it's been
difficult to find well-designed, reliable software at reasonable prices,"
said Jim Rippie, Cakewalk's Macintosh product manager. "People are
pleasantly surprised at the power Metro brings to their project or
professional studio, without sacrificing ease of use. Metro proves powerful
software doesn't have to be needlessly complex or expensive."
True Compatibility with Digital Audio for Full Music Production
Metro is designed specifically to work in tandem with Macromedia's DECK IITM
multi-track digital audio software on a single Mac. Metro runs in tight
synchronization with DECK IITM users can quickly switch back and forth from
each program without affecting playback and recording of synchronized MIDI and audio files.
"Metro and Deck II users benefit from each program's strengths," Rippie said.
"It's as if you are using a single program, since transport controls like
Rewind and Playback are handled automatically. But you also get the
advantages of two specialized programs, each designed for what it does best."
"We're excited to see Cakewalk make such a strong commitment to the Mac
platform and its user community," said Bill Schulze, Product Manager of
Macromedia's Digital Audio Team. "Deck II and Metro work together
seamlessly, making the two a great solution for professional and
non-professional musicians alike. We look forward to building on the
existing technological integration. Together, Macromedia and Cakewalk
provide a comprehensive music production environment for a wide range of
customers."
Platform Independence: Freedom of Choice for the Customer
Metro's launch closely follows last month's announcement of Cakewalk's
cross-platform initiative to serve customers on all major platforms with high
quality music creation software. As the first phase of this strategy the
company acquired Metro and has hired Jeremy Sagan, Metro's developer.
"What this means to professional and amateur musicians is that Cakewalk is
committed to providing platform independence. No matter what a customer's
preferred platform, Cakewalk will provide the tools they need," said Tom
Cook, president of Cakewalk Music Software.
"Our next step is to invest in further developing this and other
technologies, and provide seamlessly integrated software packages for the
musician," added Cook. "Cakewalk is bringing key software developers like
Jeremy Sagan on-board to help execute the cross-platform strategy."
Cakewalk Music Software Enters the Mac Marketplace
"This is a welcome announcement," said Guerrino DeLuca, executive vice
president of worldwide marketing for Apple. "Cakewalk's commitment offers
testimony to the robust demand for quality music development tools for the
Mac, and the viability of the Mac OS for professional and amateur musicians.
We are proud to place Cakewalk on our roster of third-party solution
suppliers, many of whom are long-time staunch supporters of the Mac
platform." For more information, visit their web site at www.cakewalk.com. | 
