Cakewalk by Bandlab review
In the world of DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation), there are a lot of options to choose from. And without exception, each software forum you go to, there will be users claiming the one they use is the best. I am not going to claim in this article that Cakewalk by Bandlab is THE best, but I will make the claim that it is the best value for the money.....because it's free!
A brief history of Cakewalk software, which was previously owned by Roland, then by Gibson. In 2017 Gibson announced an end to development on the Cakewalk software. This left several thousand users stunned and saddened. Just when all seemed lost, enter Bandlab, who purchased the intellectual property rights for Cakewalk software and continued the course. The producer version of Cakewalk (Sonar at the time) was approximately $400 dollars. Bandlab made an announcement that they would not only be releasing regular updates and development with the software, they would make it FREE! Many of us couldn't believe this award winning professional recording software was going to be FREE!
Admittedly, I was skeptical. How could Bandlab continue development on Cakewalk software and pay their employees without charging anything? Well, by golly it is 2019 and they have done it up to this point. Bandlab has kept their promise and continued improving, updating and bug fixing the heck out of Cakewalk recording software.
I have used Cakewalk since 2007 and consider myself a heavy user of the program. I also use Pro Tools 11 HD, which costs me several thousand dollars. Comparing the two, Pro Tools HD has many great features, particularly for audio post production and recording live bands. But Cakewalk is an amazing piece of software with amazing stock plug ins and virtual instruments.
Cakewalk has always offered unlimited tracks (atleast since I have been using the program). There was never a need to buy the “HD” version with special hardware to unlock the extra track option (I'm looking at you AVID). They were very quick to adapt to 64 bit. Cakewalk plug in suite is amazing, From their EQ's to the console emulators to the reverbs and soft synths. I have several Wave's plug in suites but prefer to use stock Cakewalk plug ins often times.
MIDI/PRV/Staff view - Cakewalk has always been a great tool for MIDI work and orchestral mock ups. When they switched to Sonar X series there was an update in the editing tools, which caused me to slow down a bit. But after getting used to the tools, I was right back at it again. A weak point in the program has always been the staff view, but honestly, if you are working hot and heavy scores, you should probably invest in Sibelius or Finale, (feel free to argue that, but just know that I am right.)
Editing and mixing has always been a breeze in Cakewalk and has only gotten easier with updates to editing tools and track layers. Track routing and bussing is set up logically and easy to follow and conceptualize. I love track templates and demonstrate how they work in this article: http://www.homerecordingwizard.com/track-project-templates-sonar/ .
There are only two tasks I prefer to use Pro Tools over Cakewalk. The first is live tracking of bands, I find alternate takes easier to manage in Pro Tools. The second is any kind of post production and granualar audio editing. Pro Tools has tools and keybinds that Cakewalk does not for those specific tasks. Outside of those two scenarios, Cakewalk is my go-to software for writing, recording and mixing. Best of all, its FREE!
Here is a link to Bandlab's page where you can get Cakewalk for free. https://www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk
I am in no way affiliated or paid by Bandlab, I just want to pass on a fantastic software to my readers.
-Mike Lizotte