While they are not reviews per se, these articles should still give you a good idea of what these features do. We've already done three Sonar workshops on new features in 8.5: the PX64 'drum strip' (October 2009: /sos/oct09/articles/sonarworkshop_1009.htm), VX64 'vocal strip' (November 2009: /sos/nov09/articles/sonarworkshop_1109.htm), and Matrix View loop‑based sequencing window (December 2009: /sos/dec09/articles/sonarworkshop_1209.htm). The result is a mature version of Sonar 8.5 that greatly expands on version 8.0. That was followed up by 8.5.2, which added a considerable number of useful features to the Matrix View. In typical Cakewalk fashion, they were quick out of the gate with version 8.5.1 to address several small fixes. Well, if Propellerheads could name Reason after a program in a Douglas Adams book, then maybe some Fellini fan at Cakewalk really liked the movie 8½ and thought it would make a good name for a software update.Īnyway, in retrospect, its release toward the end of September was perhaps premature there were some issues with the AudioSnap update, and the Matrix View - while a highly valuable addition - needed some useability tweaks. Other Sonar users scratched their heads, feeling that the new version justified a 9.0 designation and wondering why Cakewalk didn't just call it 9.0. Some Cakewalk fans felt betrayed, but cooler heads prevailed once people realised that they were getting serious value for money. So, of course, Sonarians were expecting that version 9.0 would appear at the 2009 AES, with the usual upgrade price from whatever version they were using.īut Cakewalk threw a curveball, instead introducing a 'point' upgrade at a reduced price ($99 for 8.0 owners). Like clockwork, every AES Convention brought a new version of Sonar Producer Edition and Sonar Studio Edition. Note how loops triggered in the Matrix view can be recorded (in real time, as you work in the Matrix view) into the Track view as Groove Clips.

The Matrix view is being used to test out different combinations of loops to see what works well together.

It's not touted as version 9, but the list of improvements certainly makes this year's upgrade to Cakewalk's Sonar DAW a big deal.

Sonar 8.5 session drummer 3