Bandlab releases new entry-level DAW, Cakewalk Next

Bandlab has announced the release of two new DAWs, Cakewalk Next and Cakewalk Sonar.

Both pieces of music-making software had been in beta testing for many months before their official launch, with Next running on both macOS and Windows, while Sonar is for Windows only.

Next is very much aimed at entry-level users, and is free with a Bandlab membership. It features the ability to import Bandlab projects, use third-party VST/AU plugins, and includes over 100,000 samples from the existing Bandlab Sounds library. You can also export projects back to Bandlab, to quickly move between studio and on-the-move music making. Next isn’t a traditional DAW and is more suited to arranging ideas. For more serious producers, Sonar might be more suitable.

Sonar originally launched in 2004 as part of the original Cakewalk brand, and has been reborn as part of the Bandlab acquisition that took place in 2018. Pro-level features include an unlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks, a powerful suite of instrument plugins, and effects and VocalSync Audio Alignment for quickly snapping vocals in place. It’s also free with a Bandlab membership, but is PC only, just like the original. 

You can find out more and sign up for a Bandlab membership here.