Now shipping, Cakewalk Sonar X1, the re-envisioned DAW offers Smart Tools and a whole new workspace with a minimal, single-window design.

At the heart of this new version of Sonar is that redesigned workspace called Skylight, which speeds up workflow by eliminating unnecessary floating windows, layout clutter, and so forth. Check out its features below:


• Takes full advantage of today's high-resolution displays and multi-monitor setups
• Hide, dock, collapse or expand any of Sonar X1's views instantly
• Dock any view top, bottom, left or right
• Dock any or all views into the powerful MultiDock
• Float any view and maximize to multiple monitors -- even the MultiDock itself
• See through stacked windows and work directly on underlying objects with X-Ray
• Access all tool functions instantly and ergonomically with the floating tool HUD
• Recall any window configuration instantly, just the way you left it

The four main components of the Skylight interface are Inspector (see all vital track and clip information in one location), Browser (organize all content in one managed place with full drag and drop functionality), Control Bar (access crucial functions quickly and clearly -- collapse it, rearrange it, move it around the workspace, and so forth), and MultiDock (dock and instantly access any number of Sonar’s views into one combined area). In a nutshell, the new Skylight interface makes it easier to view and organize anything in your workspace.

In addition to Skylight, Sonar X1 makes good use of Smart Tools, revamped tools that allow most functions to be performed with a single implement that switches automatically based on context. This capability dramatically speeds up editing and arranging by reducing the need to constantly switch tools.

Sonar X1's other main features include the Edit Filter function, which lets you see and work on only the data you want; new Key Clusters, or keyboard shortcuts, that organize all key commands around a single "alpha" key for simple access; redesigned menus; a unified preferences view; and fresh content, includingnew Track Templates, patterns, and 1.2 GB of new loops and one-shots.

Available exclusively in Sonar X1 Producer, ProChannel expands the software's console with bigger, pro-studio sound built in to every channel. With ProChannel, you get channel and bus compression, smooth and clear Gloss EQ, variable tube stage, flexible routing options, preset save and load functions, real-time visual feedback when ProChannel is collapsed, 64-bit double-precision audio resolution, Native x64 operation for modern computer workstations, and more.

Sonar X1 comes in three versions (Street prices are shown here): Sonar X1 Essential ($99), Sonar X1 Studio ($199), and Sonar X1 Producer ($399). Visit Cakewalk's Web site to view complete features for each one.

Registered Sonar 8.5 Producer and Sonar 8.5 Studio customers can download the Sonar X1 upgrade for $99 and Sonar Home Studio customers can download the Sonar X1 Essential upgrade for $59.

For more information about Sonar X1 and upgrades to it, visit cakewalk.com.