SONAR X1 from Cakewalk Now Shipping

Cakewalk have emailed me to say that they are now shipping SONAR X1 - which they are labeling as "DAW 2.0".

They have made quite a lot of changes to the interface, with a new approach to managing your DAW desktop - key to these changes is Skylight:

• Takes full advantage of today's high-resolution displays and multi-monitor setups.
• Hide, dock, collapse or expand any of SONAR X1's views instantly.
• Dock any view top, bottom, left or right.
• Dock any or all views into the powerful MultiDock.
• Float any view and maximize to multiple monitors - even the MultiDock itself.
• See through stacked windows and work directly on underlying objects with X-Ray.
• Access all tool functions instantly and ergonomically with the floating tool HUD.
• Recall any window configuration instantly - just the way you left it.

Here's Cakewalk's introductory video:

The four main components of the Skylight interface:

I. Control Bar - Where you access crucial functions quickly and clearly with a new modular design.

• Vital controls front and center.
• Fully collapsible, expandable, dockable and floatable.
• Modules logically group related functions.
• Arrange the layout of modules to suit your desire - just drag and drop.
• Sensible layout lets you concentrate more on your music and less on finding things.
• Screensets one of the Control Bar modules, remembers every window position, size, and state. Screensets are user definable and ready-to go for just about any production scenario imaginable.

II. Browser - Where all content is organized in one, easily managed place with full drag and drop functionality. Fully resizable, collapsible, dockable, and floatable with user-definable preset locations. Finding just the right musical element has never been faster or easier.

Quickly view, organize and audition:

• VST and DX plug-in effects
• VST and DX virtual instruments
• MFX MIDI effects
• Custom plug-in layouts
• Rewire devices
• Video files
• FX Chains allow you to create combinations of multiple effects, including DSP-based fx that reside in one container and can be manipulated as a single effect; drag and drop from the Browser, drag and drop between tracks, and even drag to individual clips. FX Chains can even be mixed with other individual effects, preserving all the flexibility of SONAR's signal routing.

III. Inspector - Where you can view all vital track and clip information in one logical and quickly accessible location.

• All clip, track, and channel data - centralized and at your fingertips.
• A wealth of data in a small footprint.
• Shows full channel strip and related bus for ergonomic track view mixing.
• One-click display of entire ProChannel.
• Fully collapsible, expandable, dockable, and floatable.
• Simple control over track and clip properties including track notes, color, position, timing, automation, and advanced MIDI functions (Arpeggiator and Input Quantize).

IV. MultiDock - Where you can dock and instantly access any number of SONAR's views in one combined area. The Console View, Step Sequencer, Piano Roll - even instruments and effects can all be contained within one consolidated area. For ultimate flexibility, the MultiDock itself can be quickly collapsed or expanded and, can even be placed on an entirely separate monitor. Ideal for making the most of your workspace whether you are using a single, high-resolution display or a multiple monitor setup.

Pricing and Availability
SONAR X1 Producer has a street price of $399.00, SONAR X1 Studio $199.00, and SONAR X1 Essential $99.00 and are available at select music and sound retailers. Registered SONAR 8.5 Producer and SONAR 8.5 Studio customers can download the respective SONAR X1 upgrade for $99.00 and SONAR Home Studio customers can download the SONAR X1 Essential upgrade for $59.00 directly from Cakewalk.com.

A boxed option upgrade is also available for an additional nominal fee for those U.S. and International customers with slower connection speeds or who prefer physical media. Other upgrade paths are available. Detailed information on all available upgrade paths can be found here.

For more information go to SONAR X1: Reimagined.