Cakewalk Ups Pro Audio to Version 9Features Encoding to MP3, AudioX Support,
Guitar Features, MIDI Enhancements, Streamlined User Interface
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Cakewalk Pro Audio 9 Console
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AudioX Control for the Yamaha DSP Factory
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September 20, 1999
Cakewalk has announced Cakewalk Pro Audio 9, a new version of the high-end
multitrack recording software for sound professionals. This significant upgrade
includes features such as WavePipe technology, AudioX support, MIDI enhancements,
guitar features and MP3 encoding functions. Now users have increased responsiveness
and control when recording, editing, mixing and delivering music on the PC or
via the Internet.
"This is a major step forward for the feature set of Pro Audio,"
said Damian Allen, multimedia specialist, Toshiba TAMS Multimedia Division. "The
only thing missing from the new release is latency! This thing turns on a dime,
smiles at your stereo tracks and has enough new shortcuts to keep you working
creatively instead of spending hours on tedious edits. There is no going back."
"What struck me the most was the rock solid performance of the program,
the higher track count and audio playback latency so low as to allow real-time
adjustment of effects and mixing," said D. Glen Cardenas, Floating Point
Productions. "Truly what-you-hear-is-what-you-get."
Audio Enhancements
- WavePipe Technology delivers instantaneous audio processing performance
by providing direct communication to wave compatible sound cards. It also provides
professional caliber response to mixing, muting, solo, record, effects parameters,
and other real time audio functions. Unlike software products that deliver low
latency only with a soundcard whose manufacturer has developed a special driver,
WavePipe enables all users with a wave-compatible sound card to see performance
gains. Users can choose from a wider variety of sound cards, without the quality
concerns associated with independently developed drivers;
- AudioX support delivers direct control over advanced features in audio
hardware such as DSP effects, SMPTE options, low latency mixing, and busses and
patching, with support for the Yamaha DSP Factory, Sonorus Studi/o, and others;
- Performance Indicators have new system meters, which provide real
time visual feedback over CPU and disk activity to monitor system capabilities;
- Stereo Track Support features audio clips, which support stereo data,
providing easy editing and improved efficiency. Stereo clips can be used in any
track, and audio tracks can even combine stereo and mono clips;
- Smooth Audio Scrubbing makes it easy to locate specific events in audio
clips by scrolling through the clip while monitoring playback;
- Enhanced Mixdown Options provides additional control for bouncing tracks,
or over the final mix, such as the ability to mixdown to stereo, mono, or dual
mono (independent left and right) wave files. In addition, you can specify whether
or not to apply controller automation, volume and pan envelopes, and track effects,
master effects, and aux returns.
Internet Delivery
- MP3, RealSystem G2, and Windows Media support allows users mixdown and encode
to the most popular compression formats for distribution over the internet. Pro
Audio 9 uses the patented Fraunhofer encoding technology for MP3 compression,
providing pro-quality encoding at rates up to 320 kbps with complete control over
all encoding parameters.
New Guitar Features
- Tuner enhancements offer direct access to a chromatic tuner for tuning
guitars and other instruments through the sound card;
- Amp Simulation is a DirectX effect that provides a realistic amplified
sound to guitar tracks, with selection of amplifier model, cabinet enclosure,
tremolo, EQ, presence, and overdrive;
- Fretboard Display provides real time display of MIDI tracks on a customizable
guitar fretboard;
- Deglitch Filter allows MIDI guitarists to filter out unintended notes
with pitch, velocity, and duration controls;
- Tablature Display and Editing converts MIDI guitar tracks to tablature
display, with complete control over guitar type, finger span, and tuning. Tablature
is synchronized with staff and other MIDI events, providing seamless editing and
display. In addition, tablature generated in Pro Audio 9 can be exported as an
ASCII text file for distribution.
New MIDI features
- Mulitrack Piano View is the most flexible and intuitive multitrack
piano view available, this feature provides the ability to display, select, and
edit multiple MIDI tracks simultaneously through a "Piano Roll" interface.
You have complete control over which tracks should be displayed, which tracks
should be shown in front or behind others, and which tracks should be active for
selection, editing, or playback;
- Style Enhancer MIDI FX Plug-in uses performance modeling to
give MIDI recordings a "human" feel. Provides performance models for
over thirty types of instruments and styles, including guitar leads and strumming,
slap and fretless bass lines, saxophone leads, horn sections, fiddles, flutes,
and more;
- Session Drummer MIDI FX Plug-in allows drum tracks and sequences to
be created quickly. You can select from a broad selection of styles, including
multiple variations of jazz, country, alternative, hip-hop, latin, dance, R&B
and more. For each style a complete range of drum patterns is provided, such as
intros, fills, main beats, and endings. These styles can be quickly combined to
form complete drum parts in real time for playback, or saved offline for further
editing.
Streamlined User Interface
- Console Interface is completely updated for visual feedback during mixing;
- Enhanced Patch Browser gives instant searching and sorting for MIDI patches;
- Envelope Tooltips provide visual cues for level and pan settings;
- Over thirty other usability enhancements, such as global mute/solo/record,
access for commonly used functions from audio, track, and console views, drag
and drop enhancements, MIDI channel and track selection, clip display options,
tempo control, and MIDI and audio effects presets are featured.
Pricing and Availability
Cafkewalk Pro Audio 9 has a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of
$429 US ($399 estimated street price) and will ship in early October 1999.
Customers who purchase Pro Audio 8 between September 1, 1999 and November
30, 1999, qualify for a free upgrade to Pro Audio 9. Interested customers can
call 888-CAKEWALK for details. Other registered users can upgrade to Pro Audio
9 for as low as $79 US.
For more information, visit Cakewalk's web site at www.cakewalk.com.
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