Cakewalk Announces Cakewalk Pro Audio 8Includes support for 24-bit, 96 kHz digital
audio  September 11, 1998 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.
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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. For more information on Cakewalk Pro Audio 8, call 888-CAKEWALK or visit Cakewalk
on the World Wide Web at www.cakewalk.com.
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