Sporting an updated workspace layout and new tools for audio production, Cakewalk Sonar X1 keeps the Sonar platform at the forefront of the DAW class. The new, free update to version X1A fixes many of the bugs from the initial release, but with a caveat.

On the Sonar X1A features list page, right at the top, is this proviso:

"Warning: Some users have reported that X1A does not behave correctly with all ASIO devices. The SONAR development team is working around the clock to address this issue however in the meantime we recommend that if you are using an audio interface from Lynx Studio Technology that you do not install this update until we can correct the issue."

The assumption here is that if you use any non-Lynx hardware, feel free to update.

The majority of the components of the Sonar X1A patch fall under the stability and bug-fix rubrics, while a separate, second update — called X1B — is upcoming, the availability of which will be announced sometime early in 2011. This second update will "address a number of additional issues based largely on customer feedback."

A complete list of the fixes and updates included in Sonar X1A is available here.