Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???

Subject: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Apr 18 - 09:33 PM

This is seriously good news, imho easily the best specified free DAW software for Windows...

https://www.soundonsound.com/news/sonar-now-free-renamed-cakewalk-bandlab


"Sonar now free, renamed ‘Cakewalk by BandLab’
Published 4/4/18
Windows DAW free to download with Sonar Platinum feature set...

In November, Gibson publicly killed Cakewalk. Then, three months later, BandLab Technologies announced they would be bringing it back, having acquired the DAW-maker's intellectual property. Today, though, they’ve done something even more unexpected. BandLab Technologies have relaunched Sonar, with the entire Sonar Platinum feature set and made it completely free, under the new title of ‘Cakewalk by BandLab’.

This makes sense of comments by BandLab Technologies CEO Meng Ru Kuok who had previously stated that current Sonar users "will not need to spend any money to cross-over/cross-grade to the future flagship product."

Cakewalk by BandLab includes the core premium features found in the very capable Sonar Platinum (which used to cost £399), including the Skylight user interface, flexible ProChannel modules, ARA integration and an end-to-end 64-bit mix engine....


...The free distribution of Cakewalk by BandLab fits with the company’s mission of bringing professional music production tools to the masses, regardless of their means. And while it remains to be seen whether Cakewalk for BandLab will become to Windows what GarageBand is to Mac, this could be the catalyst for making it an even more popular DAW than it is already.

There's yet to be any public announcement regarding a Mac version, but Windows users can download Cakewalk by BandLab now, for free. All you need to do is sign up for a free BandLab account."

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Apr 18 - 09:59 PM

https://cakewalk.bandlab.com/


Ok.. I know here at mudcat there will probably be murmurs of..

"Too good to be true / Audacity has been plenty good enough since I started out in the 1920s when computers were powered by coal /
electricity is the Devil's work / etc..etc..."


But in this instance this really does look like a genuinely excellent freebie...!!!

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: Jeri
Date: 09 Apr 18 - 10:14 PM

I had an old version of Cakewalk (thanks, Jon Freeman), and I used to write midis with it. That computer died, and I bought the upgraded version of it. If it had some way to stick musical notes on a bar, I couldn't find it. So many things were more usable (for me, anyway) before they got all tarted up and fancy. I'm guessing the free version won't have that feature either, but it least it won't cost anything to see.
Thanks, PFR!

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Apr 18 - 10:52 PM

Jeri - here's a FAQ https://blog.bandlab.com/cakewalk-announcement-faq/


It's too late at night for me to read too deeply, but I'd presume it has full midi capabilities and piano roll...???

eg "Capture inspired performances with pristine quality and unlimited audio and MIDI tracks"

Back when I was properly active a decade and more ago, Sonar was my favourite DAW.
But I couldn't afford the 'pro' versions...

It looks like this new development puts such high powered software within the reach of everybody..


... and legally too, no need for dodgy 'try before buy' downloads...

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 09 Apr 18 - 11:02 PM

So the install and sign up procedure is a fairly simple process used by many software developers...

Click to download a small installer program
1 - When your download is complete, click on the installer
2 - Install the BandLab Assistant desktop app
3 - Signup or login to your BandLab account
4 - Install Cakewalk and ROCK! [ or for mudcatters - FOLK !]

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Apr 18 - 11:54 PM

Minimum system requirements

    Windows 7 or higher (64-bit only)
    Multi-core Intel or AMD CPU
    4GB RAM
    3GB free disk space
    1280x800 screen resolution
    ASIO compatible hardware is recommended

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: GUEST,John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 02:48 PM

My PC won't let me run the installer Says it contains something that could harm my computer!

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 02:55 PM

I'd 99% presume a false positive...

But still best to google if others have experienced similar...???

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: michaelr
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 03:18 PM

What is ASIO compatible hardware?

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 03:26 PM

I've got Sonar Home Studio and tried downloading the newly free version of Sonar (now called Cakewalk). I had an installation issue which I couldn't resolve but decided not to try again as I am waiting for them to allow you to do a custom install as I want to put samples etc on my data drive. However the installer programme does cause an issue for some anti virus including Windows Defender. There is an option to let it through Defender and it is safe but with some AVs you have to suspend them to let it through. For those interested I'll post a link to the Sonar forums where there is loads of info. I post there frequently and it's a really helpful place.

Rest assured this is a great deal but probably worth waiting until initial glitches are resolved

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 03:29 PM

http://forum.cakewalk.com/

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 10 Apr 18 - 03:32 PM

ASIO compatible hardware is a sound device eg a sound card or USB sound module. I use my onboard sound though with a free software programme ASIO4All. Obviously quality isn't as good using onboard sound but fine for me as a hobbyist

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 07:15 AM

Jeri, looking around a bit, I think that was Cakewalk 3.01. It was pretty much a straight MIDI sequencer in those days. I’d think for my use which didn’t involve audio as well (and I think your usage was similar), it remains the most intuitive software I’ve tried.

I don’t know where you could find a copy or whether it would run on current versions of Windows.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 02:09 PM

Well, I downloaded it onto my computer, but haven't been able to figure out how to make it work. I've mastered Audacity and Noteworthy Composer, but not Finale and a number of other music and sound programs. -Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 11 Apr 18 - 02:36 PM

Out of curiosity, I just googled "best midi only sequencer"...

There may not be an ideal software, but worth a read...

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 10:32 AM

Joe - start here :-) Sonar Tutorial

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: Joe Offer
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 04:13 PM

Oh, gee, Joe, do you mean I have to read the INSTRUCTIONS? I remember thirty years ago, when RTFM was the answer to most technical questions. In recent years, software has become far more intuitive, and I have gotten used to being lazy.

But I really don't mind having to Read The Fucking Manual on occasion. I actually enjoy good tutorials. Thanks for pointing it out. Have others had success with this free version of Cakewalk?

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: GUEST,Joe G
Date: 12 Apr 18 - 04:38 PM

Afraid so Joe! Even then it's a steep learning curve but worth it. The guys at the forum link I posted earlier are really helpful though if you get stuck.

Subject: RE: Tech: Best FREE musician software ever !!!???
From: BTMP
Date: 13 Apr 18 - 08:44 PM

I still use Cakewalk Guitar Tracks 2.0 on my very old XP computer, but I am going to move up (hopefully) to the Sonar based stuff on my more modern computer.