I have registered an account with BandLab and installed their version of Cakewalk on a secondary PC (not my studio) to do some testing.

While installing, the downloaded files went in "Downloads folder" and could be copied somewhere else so I could do an offline test later on another PC.

The offline test succeeded for the installation but worked in DEMO mode and even after I reconnected to Internet, I was unable to register it with my BandLab Assistant account. Not sure why but I didn't waste much time on it and uninstalled it right away. (Note that you have the choice to chose the path of the VST folder while installing from the downloaded files)

And for those who worried about not having the choice to chose the path while installing, all this is changeable from the preferences once installed as in the previous versions (Project folder, content folder, VST folder(s)...).

The online PC results show a true Platinum version of SONAR but without all the goodies. All the rest is stripped out:

• No soft synths besides the legacy TTS-1 and the old four Studio Instruments (E-piano, Strings, Bass and Drum)
• No Fx Plugins besides the legacy Sonitus ones and Overloud TH3
  
• No Melodyne
• No V-Vocal
• No Drum Replacer
• No audio content (only a few midi clips)
• Only a few ProChanel FX
  
• No presets or very few in the different categories
  
• etc...
• Oh ! And no documentation

Once installed, it took the parameters of my previously installed Sonar version but had to scan through the VST plugins.

Both version reside well without interfering to one another.

I have tried a few existing projects and they are working as expected and the remaining of the functionalities tested so far seems to be as it was left by GIBSON.

To summarize, I will keep using my full Platinum version but I will be ready for the next BandLab move and see how the project evolves now that I have my free registered version sitting beside.

If you guys have had different experiences, please share your comments.

I will try to update my personal experiences as I test other features and report back.

Thanks !

 

Last edited: Apr 8, 2018

Oh! I forgot to mention that once the product is activated, you don't have to be connected. You can work offline, no problemo. As soon as the installation/activation was done I pulled out the cable.

The connection is needed only to activate the first time.

 

Take her easy, it's the beginning.

 

I can confirm that if one just tries reinstalling from the downloaded .exe's the app won't be authorized and will be in demo mode as safran5020 had mentioned. The only way to reauthorize was to login to your Bandlab Assistant account and remove Cakewalk though it and then reinstall through it. It will then successfully authorize.

 

Last edited: Apr 8, 2018

Update

Testing further I realized that if you had the full blown version of Sonar Platinum previously installed, the new Cakewalk by BandLab will see and recognize the Region Fx from its menu in Track view

• Vocal Sync
• Melodyne
• V-Vocal
• Drum Replacer

You also have all the ProChanel Fx available from your previous installation.

That's good news !

Another observation, Platinum opens much quicker than BandLab. Probably the later calls home on launch and since I am disconnected it hangs a few more seconds (10 sec more aprox).

 

So, if I understand, this bandlab version do not bring anything interesting compared to the last shared Sonar?

 

It is the last version where Gibson left plus two more updates :

• Track Template replace
• Darker theme for Piano Roll View (when Tungsten theme is selected)

Plus, it's now free but without the goodies but if you already had a "full" version installed previously, you will have everything merged inside this version.

I am actually using it since yesterday (instead of Platinum) as opposed to what I mentioned in my original post, and I am very satisfied so far. It is as if nothing ever changed. It's just good to know, Cakewalk is back !

So if you want a legit license for free, why not install it. It installs side by side whether version you already had.

 

Last edited: Apr 9, 2018

I comes with only Dimension Pro, The SI instruments, and the Sonitus plugins and a few other bits and pieces.
It's Cakewalk Pro and as said above, not Sonar Pro.
For free I guess it does not get a lot better unless something not free that is pirated, but to repeat as Safran said, it does not have all the goodies of a full Sonar Platinum installation.

 

Thanks for your review and updates. One thing I did noticed in my client's rig was that Cakewalk by BandLab uses a third of CPU power that Studio One does.

 

sshhh dont say this! S1 guys absolutly dont like it, if you speak out what a cpu hog S1 still is ...

 

No dimension pro in my experience bro.

 

Depends on if you consider free, legal and will be updated interesting or not really.

 

The engine can be a pain in the ass for people who work on toasters, but even a cheap inspiron with a i7 7700hq can handle heavy projects pretty well. Although S1 engine definitely could be better and I'd love to see improvements in that regard, and taking example from Reaper.

 

Sonar is next in line to Reaper for great CPU handling >>> BandLab or not its a great DAW \m/

 

True? If so, I didn't know. Great hint, thanks!

 

Thank you for answering my doubt. So If I understand, I can have all the goodies of platinum (if I have it installed already) with a legit bandlab license?

 

it is True... Samplitude is good too on CPU>>> but Sonar holds up longer without cracks and pops on my system ... Im a Heavy Acustica Audio Nebula user too so ;) Sonar has a feature called CPU Core balancing >>> its not on by default but in Settings check the box for Core Balancing ... its good on CPU even without this feature on >>> but this Feature spreads CPU usage even across all cores/threads>>> and like Reaper it keeps heavy loads on one channel or buses from maxing out one single core or thread...

 

That's right sir. That is exactly what I have been experiencing during the weekend and all the projects I have opened so far are working perfectly well in Cakewalk BandLab. Of course, don't forget to scan for your VST folder(s) first when you'll launch your new "freeware".

I have also manually copied some presets files, themes and other stuff from Platinum. For most of the rest, you can point your folders to the right placed from within the preferences window.

 

That's great so... !!! I wonder what will they be selling through this...