The Assistant won’t nag you to purchase or install anything else, but it will showcase some of the online services offered by BandLab. You will also need to sign up for a free BandLab user account. Since Cakewalk was acquired by BandLab, you will need to install the BandLab Assistant software first in order to download the free version of Cakewalk. Sounds too good to be true? Well, there’s a catch, kind of, but it’s not a deal breaker. So, what you’re getting for free here is a flagship digital audio workstation which used to cost $499 (with lifetime updates), minus the bundled loops and add-ons.

See also: Best FREE Digital Audio Workstations For Windows & macOS! In addition, all previously purchased plugins or add-ons that worked with SONAR will work with the new freeware version. All the core features of SONAR Platinum are included, from its analog console-like mixer to the powerful ProChannel effect modules and advanced functionality like multi-touch support, Bluetooth MIDI, etc. It is, essentially, SONAR Platinum without bundled plugins and add-on tools such as the Rapture synthesizer, Melodyne pitch-correction software, and others. BandLab has announced the release of Cakewalk by BandLab, a freeware digital audio workstation based on the previously discontinued SONAR Platinum music production software.Ĭakewalk by Bandlab is almost identical to the flagship SONAR Platinum digital audio workstation, except for not including any third-party add-0ns.

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