Update 9 is now available!

This month's release for SONAR Platinum, Professional, and Steam Edition brings enhancements to some key elements of SONAR. CPU Meter Modes, Plug-in Load Balancing, Quick Group Freeze, and much more have all been added this month’s rolling updates.

New Features
• Plug-in load balancing (Platinum only)
  Now Platinum owners can run more plug-ins, with fewer dropouts, greater efficiency, and more even distribution of CPU loading to processing cores. Recommended for systems with four or more cores, this update can improve plug-in performance at buffer settings of 256 and above.
  
• CPU meter modes
  This update to the Control Bar’s Performance module extends the ability to monitor what’s happening with your CPU—including monitoring the global CPU consumption across all cores for all aspects of the OS, audio processing load, and a single meter for SONAR’s total CPU utilization.
  
• Quick Group Freeze
  Quick Group Freeze is now available for Instruments. You can Quick Groups to freeze or thaw multiple tracks at once. Not only that, but with the new metering options, you can see exactly how much difference it makes.
  
• Full Screen Toggle Button
  When you want the maximum amount of screen “real estate” to see as many elements as possible within SONAR, the new full screen toggle supplements the existing menu option and function key shortcuts with a button that’s suitable for both touch and mouse clicks.
  
• Softube Saturation Knob update (Platinum and Professional only)
  This workhorse ProChannel module, based on Softube’s FET compressor with added saturation, has been updated with stability and compatibility improvements.
  
  
  Fixes:
  Take Management/Comping:
• It was not possible to drag a clip to a different lane in another track if the target track was below the source track.
  
• Speed Comping could create unexpected extra clips.
  
• In some cases, Speed Comping would fail to mute/unmute clips.
  
• Paste of clip always ended up on Take Lane original to source clip.
  
• Dragging a comp clip to a Take Lane produced unexpected results.
  
• In some cases, attempting to cross-crop two adjacent clips in different lanes would only affect a single clip.
  
  
  Plug-ins:
• Various VST 3 Host Bypass fixes.
  
• Plug-in upsampling did not operate properly in some cases.
  
• Quick-Group insert FX could fail if the selected tracks contained different numbers of plug-ins.
  
• Customizing FX Chains could cause SONAR to hang.
  
• FX Chains could cause crash when used in a playlist.
  
• Changing VST3 presets from the plug-in property page sometimes resulted in inconsistent behavior.
  
• Assignable controls for Waves plug-ins could send to incorrect parameter.
  
  
  Region FX:
• Pro Channel would disappears on all tracks/buses after Melodyne bounce-to-clips, followed by right-clicking another clip.
  
• Undo of a copied Melodyne clip did not update the Melodyne GUI.
  
• Deleted tracks that contained Melodyne Region FX clips were still displayed in Melodyne's track header.
  
  
  Browser:
• Crash on startup related to SQLLite.
  
• The Plug-in Browser could display empty category folders.
  
• The Plug-in Browser could display an empty "Uncategorized" folder in the Instruments tab.
  
• SONAR could crash upon launch if the Plug-in Browser library database was corrupt.
  
• In the Plug-in Browser, it was not possible to revert DirectX Plug-ins to their original name.
  
• Renaming/categorizing plug-ins in the Plug-in Browser would close all expanded folders.
  
• Renaming/categorizing plug-ins in the Plug-in Browser could result in temporary freeze if performed on Windows Basic/Classic theme.
  
• Changing friendly plug-in name did not initially update existing instances in FX Racks.
  
• The Plug-in Browser did not hide folders for VST2s with identical plug-in names.
  
• Cakewalk TTS-1 did not display a friendly name in the Set Categories dialog box.
  
• Plug-in Browser category was named "General Midi" instead of "General MIDI".
  
• When not showing plug-in categories, the Plug-in Browser would create a new folder for any loose VST3 plug-ins that were installed in the Common Files\VST3 root folder.
  
• Closing a project with the Synth Rack open could result in a crash.
  
• Insert Synth menu would fail to open if there were more than 255 VSTi plug-ins available.
  
  
  Matrix:
• Matrix could skip first note in MIDI clips when playback started.
  
• It was not possible to scroll in the Matrix with the mouse wheel if the mouse was over track strips.
  
• Undoing a Matrix performance recording could result in a crash.
  
  
  ProChannel:
• Saturation Knob could cause SONAR to crash.
  
  
  Misc.:
• Selecting the last Automation Lane could cause a crash.
  
• It was not possible to rename bus Automation Lanes.
  
• It was not possible to use the Crop tool on the right side of a crossfade unless you selected the clip.
  
• Selecting the left clip in a crossfade would obscure the right clip's fade in.
  
• Cropping multiple clips simultaneously would fail in some case when Snap to Grid was enabled.
  
• Adjusting crossfade on multiple selected tracks did not produce correct results.
  
• Auto Crossfades did not work properly with clip selection groups.
  
• 'Select Track Envelopes with Clips' did not function properly when moving grouped clips.
  
• Modified clip colors in the Inspector didn't show immediately.
  
• Unexpected behavior when adjusting clip length from the Clip Properties inspector if the format was MBT.
  
• Superfluous snap offset was created after stretching audio clip.
  
• Scroll bar thumb was difficult to see while being dragged.
  
• Clicking rapidly in the scroll bar did not always advance the timeline.
  
• Under rare circumstances, a crash could occur when deleting buses.
  
• 'Follow Host Tempo' did not behave as expected.
  
• The About screen showed mixed version information.
  
  
  Help:
• Help Module would not show text for the time ruler or Clips pane.
  
• Help button for Preferences > File - Audio Data did not open help topic.
  
• Help button for Preferences > Project - Surround did not open help topic.
  
  
  Localization:
• Multiple Brazilian-Portuguese UI fixes (applies to Steam users of SONAR Brazilian Portuguese 2016.08)
  
• [Russian] Several list items in Edit > Preferences > Customization - Colors were cut off.
  
• [Russian] Some values in the Groove Quantize dialog box were cut off.

For more information about this update please visit the Rolling Updates page and click Learn More:
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Rolling-Updates#2016.09

Release Ezine: http://static.cakewalk.com/cakewalk/products/sonar/release_notes/Welcome_to_the_SONAR_2016.09_Update.pdf

Fixes:
Resolved a potential crash on launch of SONAR 2016.08

This month Cakewalk’s 2016.08 release for SONAR Platinum, Professional, and STEAM Edition brings enhancements to many of the unsung features of the SONAR interface. Comping, Take Management, Plug-in Browsing, Quick Groups, and much more have been improved to make your experience faster and more efficient than ever before.

With update 8 comes our first pass at Brazilian-Portuguese Localization! Localization is limited to the following parts of the application right now.

• Main User Interface
  
• Plugin Manager
  
• VST Scanner
  
• Registration Applet
  
• Start Page
  
• Readme

The Comping and Take Management Improvements for the latest SONAR release address many editing, usability, and visual feedback concerns reported by the user community. Copy & Paste, Automation Lanes, Crossfades, and much more have been tweaked to create a better experience for the modern engineer.



Streamlining your workflow has always been a factor in the design of SONAR’s features. With the latest enhancements to the Plug-in Browser, Cakewalk has upgraded the most important part of your workflow: finding your plugins. Sort by Category, Sort by Type, Sort by Manufacturer and much more are now seamless additions to your plug-in browsing experience.



Quick Grouping now improves even more aspects of your mixing workflow by allowing you to insert a plugin across all selected tracks with a simple CTRL + Click.



Completing the integration that Cakewalk started in its initial launch, SONAR Theme Editor now ships with all languages that SONAR localizes. This includes Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish.



This month, Cakewalk has brought a number of Fixes and Enhancements to SONAR. Process Audio commands have been optimized for multiple clips, Nudging MIDI notes in the PRV no longer cause clips to disappear, Stop at Project End no longer causes unexpected behavior, and much more. Download the latest update for SONAR Platinum, Professional and Artist in your Cakewalk Command Center today.

2016.08 eZine

http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Rolling-Updates#2016.08

The Theme Editor allows users to modify and customize .png and .bmp images in SONAR's interface. Replace a background, modify a knob, change your metering or completely overhaul your favorite view. With the Theme Editor, you're only limited by your imagination.

Make SONAR your own with the Theme Editor, an integrated utility that gives you total control over your DAW’s look with any photo editing application. Create beautiful alterations of either the Tungsten and Mercury Themes or expand on our Theme Editor Toolkit of ready-to-use assets that ship with the app. Themes are compact and easy to load, so attaching your theme to an email and sending it to your friends is easy. SONAR Platinum users now have access.

More info here: http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Theme-Editor

We're very excited to announce #SONAR4LIFE is coming to STEAM!

The 'SONAR Platinum - 2016' new user and 'SONAR Platinum - 2016 Upgrade from STEAM Edition/Professional' offerings on the store will be replaced with new bundles that also include the 'Lifetime Pass' DLC.

Anyone who has purchased and registered SONAR Platinum 2016 between June 1, 2016 and 12PM EST August 1st, 2016 will be eligible to receive a Steam redemption code good for the 'SONAR Platinum - Lifetime Pass' DLC.

If a user purchases Platinum after June 1st, but does not register before the August 1st cutoff date, they will need to contact support to receive their redemption code.

We'll also be offering the 'Lifetime Pass' DLC separately for users who were already on Platinum before June 1st or were grandfathered from 2015.

The current 2016 Season Pass of rolling updates will still be delivered till 12/31/16 for all users.

Redemption code delivery will begin starting in early August. Make sure your latest e-mail is on file and your current registration is tied to it.

www.cakewalk.com/my-account/

If you have any questions, please stop by our discussion thread here.

We're happy to announce that the SONAR 2016.07 update is now available. Please allow Steam to update before attempting to launch.

Note: SONAR Theme Editor is coming soon for STEAM users. We're still in the process of taking a few fixes internally for STEAM configurations.

New Features:

• Smart Swipe now disables on returning to the original strip control for simpler & more intuitive swiping
  
• Horizontal drag of Sends in the Console view is now possible using Smart Swipe

New Views with Smart Swipe Swipe:

• Piano Roll
  
• Staff
  
• Step Sequencer

Fixes:

• Mouse cursor changes after Smart Swiping the “Bypass” control on FX Bins
  
• Smart Swipe now handles swiping across track folders properly
  
• Smart Swipe now works with grouped controls
  
• Smart Swipe of Mains controls in the Console View now works properly
  
• Hidden Tracks are now handled properly by Smart Swipe

New Features:

• LP MB: Now features sidechaining
  
• LP MB: Non-linear mode now features phase compensated crossover

Enhancements:

• LP EQ/MB: Display mono meters on both Left & Right
  
• LP MB: Selecting bands in Solo Mode now fades from one band to the other
  
• LP MB: Holding [Alt] + Drag vertically displays gain value in plot
  
• LP MB: Separating bands makes enough room for another band.
  
• LP MB: Range setting goes to 30 dB instead of 29.9 dB.
  
• LP EQ: Freq. display shows same value as knob (previously off by 1 or 2 Hz)

Fixes:

• LP EQ/MB: UI contrast between text and background is improved for better readability.
  
• LP EQ/MB: Preset name now persists when loading 2 presets in both A & B

• Resolved a long delay for Global Un-Solo when working with larger projects
  
• Improved error handling with track references when loading a project
  
• Fixed an issue where adjusting a crossfade on multiple tracks caused improper result
  
• The Add Track “Record Enable” option for “MIDI Only” track now enables record properly
  
• Resolved an issue where some VST3 plugin would not resize properly (HALion 5)

2016.7 eZine

More Info: http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/SONAR/Rolling-Updates#2016.07

Hi Everyone,

We've updated our Steamworks delivery of the .NET redistributable framework from 4.5.1 to 4.6 for anticipated changes in the SONAR 2016.07 update.

Some users will see a 80mb download of the Redistributables, but if it's already installed it'll be a transparent change.

Cakewalk is happy to announce our Japanese localization is now available on Steam!

This localization covers:

• SONAR UI
  
• SONAR Start Page
  
• SONAR Local Help
  
• SONAR Readme
  
• Help Module
  
• Classic LP EQ/Compressor Local Help
  
• Cakewalk Publisher Local Help

Users who have already installed SONAR and would like to switch languages can do the following:

• Right-Click on SONAR in your Steam Library
  
• Go to Properties
  
• Go to the 'Language' Tab
  
• Select your preferred language
  
• Switch to the 'Local Data' Tab
  
• Click the [Verify Integrity of Application Cache...] button.
  
• Allow Steam to finish the process, then launch SONAR.

This update applies to SONAR Steam Edition, Professional, and Platinum

Update 6 is now available!

The new features for this release are as follows:


With update 6 comes our first pass at Russian Localization! Localization is limited to the following parts of the application right now.

• Main User Interface
  
• Plugin Manager
  
• VST Scanner
  
• Registration Applet
  
• Start Page
  
• Readme

SONAR is a large application and the localization process can be quite daunting. A few things to take note of:

• The Help Module will still display in English at this time. This is similar to a few of our other localization options (Italian etc)
  
• As the user base expands in these regions, we'll expand the scope and completeness of localization.
  
• If you see any issues in the translation/display of the Russian localization, please let us know in the Technical Support Forum!

• With a single click and swipe, you can now engage or disengage multiple track controls across multiple tracks in one gesture. Solo or mute an entire drum set, all your guitars, or all your background vocals. With Smart Swipe you can quickly enable/disable controls on multiple tracks by simply clicking a button in one track, then dragging across adjacent tracks without releasing the mouse button. Only buttons that match the clicked button’s state will change. This is possible in both the Track and Console view using a variety of controls including lanes.

• 4x faster plugin loading time
  
• Sound chain overview panel for easier navigation
  
• Midi Learn functionality now works properly
  
• Cabinet IR in now included
  
• VST3 Category is now assigned properly

• Tungsten: Track view & Console view track name labels text were different colors
  
• Tungsten: Track view drag move indicator didn't match theme
  
• Tungsten: TV meter label & tick mark colors improved
  
• Tungsten: Video pane UI updated
  
• Tungsten: Navigator pane scroll buttons updated
  
• Tungsten: Step Sequencer UI updated
  
• Tungsten: PRV Track Pane Text/Focus match the rest of theme
  
• Tungsten: Fixed drawing artifacts at bottom of ProChannel
  
• Tungsten: "X" to close view tabs in multi-doc are nearly invisible
  
• Tungsten: Pro Channel FX Chain UI updated
  
• Tungsten: MSR button handling improved when archived
  
• Mercury: Tabs in Track view and Console view UI improved
  
• Fixed unreadable menu items on systems customized in X3.

• Resolved crash adding Instrument Tracks in projects that contain large amounts of edits
  
• Resolved issue where Global Solo/Unsolo breaks signal flow with Patch Point Routings
  
• Fixed Nowtime placement not follow snap settings (or Aim Assist) in automation lanes
  
• Bounce to track settings now persist correctly
  
• Fixed drawing artifacts when moving Console View separator
  
• Resolved issue where WAI was stuck in Console view
  
• Fixed broken documentation link with "MIDI Device Failure" dialog
  
• Resolved a possible crash when deleting Take Lane

We've just re-released 3 of our premium ProChannel modules. Owners who previously purchased them under X3 should see them in the new ProChannel standalone app.

If you're seeing any issue, please post in the discussion forum and I'll respond.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/363370
http://store.steampowered.com/app/352391
http://store.steampowered.com/app/352390

Make sure you launch the ProChannel App at least once after the new modules download. This finalizes installation.

Re: CA-2A - We still plan for this to return to Steam. Though we want to take a binary fix first, to improve the user experience.

NOTE: There is no 'new release' offer on these items at this time, but if you're interested in them, make sure to add them to your Wishlist.

Steam Summer Events are right around the corner. . .