Cakewalk Sonar X3 Producer Review – Your Editing And Mixing Companion

Design:
Features:
Performance:
Value:

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Cakewalk's Sonar is easily one of the most comprehensive DAWs for recording and editing music. The version we are looking at today, Cakewalk Sonar X3 Producer, build upon that reputation. However, it also signifies the new angle Cakewalk is going for. From what we can tell, it is working great.

Design

Sonar X3 Producer brings that all familiar user interface we have seen before. Their idea is that you shouldn't fix something if it's not broken, and it works. Actually, there are some minor tweaks here and there, but the core is still very much the same. However, there is one thing that is definitely different. You are now able to fully customize the interface, which what you'd expect to see in a DAW anyway. After years of getting used to Cakewalks preset interface, this new found freedom comes as a very pleasant surprise. Needless to say, the impact on work flow is overly positive. Only thing you need to keep in mind is that customization can lead to a bit of confusion at first. This might last for only a brief period of time until you figure things out and set the control bar the way you like it.

Features

Fortunately, the most important improvements are found under the surface. Cakewalk has included one new and incredibly powerful tool that will significantly help high frequency users. Saving mix scene option allows you to make a ‘screen shot' of your mix parameters and store it for later use. In other words, lets say that you want to mix a track and you remember that you've already done something similar which you really liked. All you have to do is recall that particular scene mix and use whatever parameters you want to. Then we have the new Melodyne integration which completely changes the way you record vocals. Automatic pitch recognition this module brings is priceless. Not only is it extremely accurate, but it allows you to pitch correct vocals in a very natural way. Aside from these upgrades, Cakewalk has included many more which we could spend days talking about.

Performance

The main vibe we are getting from Sonar X3 Producer, is more versatility. Cakewalk has really switched things up with this new offering of Sonar. Even with all of the additional features, Sonar X3 Producer works flawlessly even under heavier loads. The efficiency we have grew to love over the years is still there, along with consistency and stability. This new version comes across as a complete package. It is what Sonar was meant to be from the beginning. The only real downside we can find is old news. Sonar is unfortunately still a Windows exclusive package. Even though Apple users have a number of great DAWs at their disposal, Sonar will always be the one that got away. It really makes one wonder how much trouble would it be to port this awesome DAW to the Mac OS.

Conclusion

Cakewalk Sonar X3 Producer brings the levels of versatility and flexibility that vastly improve its performance. You can expect significant work flow improvement, as well as tangible efficiency thanks to new modules and upgraded modules. Sonar X3 Producer version represents what a true mixing and recording DAW should look like.

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