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Instead we have a new, shiny, sleek interface, with a Track Control Manager above the track strips that lets you access the various modes. The Edit Filter on each track allows you to filter and display only the item you wish to edit, such as clips, automation curves, or audio transients. Note editing replaces transient editing for MIDI tracks. The ProChannel that is built into each audio channel offers an option to expand, in the Inspector, where it features a really nice 6-band eq, analogue-style saturation and compression. You can switch between

pure, vintage or modern characteristics, with knobs for frequency, Q, and levels. The compressor has two modes. First is the PC76, with five ratios (including an infinite option) and attack, release, input and output knobs. For the second, flick the virtual switch and call up the PC4K option. This also sports attack, release, fully adjustable ratio and gain. Last on the strip is a tube saturation emulator. There are two modes—one that affects all frequencies evenly and one that does less with the high end—and the parameters are simple: input, output and drive. The sound is terrific, and allows for some nice subtle sweetening. At the bottom of ProChannel is the routing strip; this in essence allows you to select the order of the three modules. You also can

place ProChannel before or after the track’s insert effects bin. Speaking of routing and effects, SONAR X1 now allows you to chain multiple effects together and treat that as a single FX Chain and store it for later retrieval; this applies to audio effects alone, not MIDI effects or virtual instruments. Commands and shortcuts have been grouped together in a logical sense (this is where the “welcome materials” come in handy); for instance, all the looping commands are available via the L key, and are accessible via standard modifiers (Alt/Ctrl/Shift). So how did X1 perform on my test systems? In my August 2010 review of SONAR 8.5 PE, I noted a huge performance increase from my old SONAR 5 install. And true to form, SONAR X1 has done it again, with even more efficient performance, despite all the new features! It may simply be that more resources are available, due to the significantly reduced GUI overhead, but X1 even performed rock-solid when I opened a project that had brought Version 8.5 to its knees on my dual-core AMD 2.4 GHz PC with 4 GB RAM, which is slightly below Cakewalk’s recommended specs. I was shocked and pleased... all this power and workflow efficiency without a hit to my system capabilities, in fact quite the opposite! What’s in it for me? The included virtual instruments and effects alone make SONAR X1 worth the asking price; a short list includes Dimension Pro 1.5, Z3ta+ 1.5, Rapture LE, True Pianos Amber, Session Drummer 3, Guitar Rig 4 LE, a multitude of reverbs, delays, choruses, V-Vocal, PX-64 Percussion Strip, VX-64 Vocal Strip, VC-64 Vintage Channel—and the list goes on to include a convolution reverb. What you get with the Studio and Essential versions will be different, of course; see Cakewalk’s website for a rundown of the differences (including a 2-page PDF comparison chart), so you can decide which features you want for how much cash. To sum things up, SONAR X1 will help you get what’s in your head out and thumping through your speakers. The tools and options are designed for nearly everyone under the sun; add a new creative flow thanks to Skylight, and the possibilities are endless. A few real stick-in-the-mud old users might grumble at the new user interface, but I’m not looking back, that’s for sure. MSRP: Producer edition (as reviewed), $399; Studio Edition, $199; Essential Edition, $99 More from: Cakewalk, www.cakewalk.com. Allen Goodman (goodman@recordingmag .com) is a guitarist, keyboardist, and sound designer in Phoenix, AZ. He’s currently putting together his first solo album in SONAR X1, and he enjoys taunting his Editors with offers of killer barbecue from 1000 miles away.

The old vs. the new: Track View in SONAR 8.5 (above) vs. the new Track View layout of SONAR X1 (below).

RECORDING APRIL 2011

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Recording - April 2011

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