SONAR relaunches as ‘Cakewalk by BandLab’: Iconic DAW now free to download for everyone

• World-leading DAW SONAR, with the entire SONAR Platinum feature set, is relaunching as Cakewalk by BandLab
• Full authentication and unlimited feature-access will be available free
• Early access to Cakewalk by BandLab is available now on Windows

SINGAPORE, 4 APRIL 2018 — Today, BandLab Technologies launched early access to ‘Cakewalk by BandLab’ – replacing SONAR, the iconic DAW developed by Cakewalk Inc. This highly anticipated product release follows BandLab Technologies’ announcement just last month that it had acquired all of Cakewalk’s IP and certain assets from Gibson Brands.

The new successor to the legendary DAW is available to download for free now at https://cakewalk.bandlab.com. The revived DAW includes all core premium features of SONAR Platinum such as the award-winning Skylight user interface, flexible ProChannel modules, and powerful end-to-end 64-bit mix engine.

CEO of BandLab Technologies, Meng Ru Kuok said, “We are excited to be able to continue development of SONAR in its new guise as Cakewalk by BandLab and have an aggressive feature development roadmap ahead. We are making the software completely free to use to ensure that anyone, regardless of their resources, technology or stage in their career, can have access to the highest level of professional music production tools. This is part of our ongoing effort to empower musicians to make and share their music around the world. Professional products like Cakewalk are essential to those who make their living in music production and the natural next step for musicians who use platforms like BandLab to simplify their creative and collaborative process. We are very excited by the potential of Cakewalk by BandLab and think that many creators will benefit from access to a professional DAW with a long history of empowering music makers.”

Cakewalk by BandLab will continue SONAR’s track record of world-leading innovation for creatives using Microsoft Windows. Pete Brown, from Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, said “We’re thrilled that Cakewalk has found a new home with a company that understands the musician community, and that cares sincerely about digital audio production. Cakewalk has been a great partner, working to make their DAW better for their customers by quickly adopting new Windows features like pen, Bluetooth MIDI, multi-touch, Dial, and more. We look forward to working closely with BandLab to continue this innovation.” Cakewalk by BandLab will support pen, touch and Surface Dial throughout the user interface.

The Windows version of Cakewalk by BandLab is available to download now. For more information visit https://cakewalk.bandlab.com.


Original post:
https://blog.bandlab.com/cakewalk-by-bandlab-press-release/

 

lol at the face to those who purchased a license, i think its not fair, how in the world will they continue the development, with what money?

 

It's called a loss leader, yo.

Get those still on a desktop (dying platform) to become familiar with the BandLab brand via a traditional and well-known DAW (Cakewalk). Then when people want to ditch the desktop mentality and/or expand to mobile, BandLab is on their radar.

I'm not saying that's definitely their plan, but my point is there are ways to monetize such things.

 

been a beta tester for cakewalk for many years. i forsee this will just be another end for cakewalk. first Roland, Gibson, now them.... its like cakewalk starts to become a product that is forever on life support like a coma patient

 

Great move.
Now no one have a motive to use a warezed DAW. Sonar is a great one, and only losers and douchebag will be complaining.
I'm greatfull for this gesture, and will download it today.

 

useless, cakewalk still cant solve the critical problem of sonar.

 

Thanks for that. Downloaded and tried, all seems good so far.

 

Hm, wonder what it means on the about screen it says "Membership valid through 04/10/2018"

 

What do you know: R2R might be out of business soon I guess.

 

I downloaded it, and about to install.. but there is an option to install, with additional stuff or cakewalk only... did anyone know what is the additional stuff is? coz i don't want to install an unused

 

Which is?

Anyway. I have to try this even if I will not easily leave Studio One... Downloading right now.

 

Last edited: Apr 4, 2018

Cakewalk by BandLab is a streamlined version of SONAR Platinum – and certain third party products and content bundles will no longer be included. Existing users who have already purchased bundles or individual third party products and plug-ins can still use those products with Cakewalk by BandLab.

• The new installation of Cakewalk by BandLab via BandLab Assistant will not affect previous installations of SONAR.
• All users can download Cakewalk by BandLab and access the full feature set for free, without access limitations.
• Any bundled or independently purchased plug-ins or add-ons that worked with SONAR will integrate with Cakewalk by BandLab.

 

So they want you to download "bandlab-assistant-windows-latest.exe"
Not sure if this will allow offline installation or not. Anyone who has downloaded it, does it look like offline installation would be an issue?

 

The Installing in Online, i'm downloading it right now

 

Not too cool: The download finished successfully but it's installing automatically in the C drive without asking anything...

EDIT: After checking, even in offline mode, the installer doesn't let you choose where to install and with which components. Definetely not a good start for me.

EDIT2: I want to give this thing a chance but so far it's being very unfriendly... or maybe it's because I'm using S1 for too long...

 

Last edited: Apr 4, 2018

I would like to download this as it is a DAW that I never tried, but my production computer is never online so I will have to wait for other means.

 

Guess you can't complain much since it's free now... but I'll continue on with what I have already for the time being. Unless anyone reports success installing offline.

 

i don't know if the installing have done or not... the app keep saying installing and i dont know what is happening..

 

Tells me I need an app to install this. Doesn't tell me what app though. If they can't use a straightforward installer then I don't trust it.

 

Installed it. Sadly no install path option. It is basically the sonar platinum installer. No sample based synth included. The additional content is the "Artist instrument series".

The new Version has probably some bug fixes. If you want to have the "bandlab version". Install the "simple" version and get the additional content form the sister site if you need it.

 

Last edited by a moderator: Apr 4, 2018