Allows for recording and editing unlimited tracks of audio and MIDI, even using effects on input
Anytime Recording allows for arming and un-arming audio and MIDI tracks, punching in/out, and toggling between play and record, all while transport is running or looping
SONAR's live bounce feature provides for playing and recording virtual synthesizer outputs into audio tracks in real-time
Editing
Audio and MIDI can be edited directly in the track view
Provides comping, editing and take-management tools to achieve the perfect take
Non-destructively fix audio timing, instantly make tempo changes to an entire project, lock multiple tracks to the same groove via AudioSnap, while retaining audio fidelity
Integrated MIDI Step Sequencer, Smart MIDI Tools and other MIDI enhancements for easy MIDI programming and editing
Roland V-Vocal editor provides pitch correction, phrasing, dynamics and vibrato, along with Pitch-to-MIDI conversion
Mixing
Flexible mixing with 30+ surround formats, effects, on-the-fly bussing, vector envelopes, pan laws, configurable meter ballistics and more
New solo mode forces soloing to one track/bus at a time and prevents tracks and buses from being muted when other tracks/buses are soloed
Bus Inputs QuickGroup Command automatically groups all source tracks feeding a selected bus
Mono hardware outputs for easy assignment of tracks and buses to individual hardware outputs, in addition to stereo pairs
Control
Active Controller Technology (ACT) provides total control of virtual instruments, effects and mixing from MIDI controllers and control surfaces
Changing focus makes ACT automatically remap parameters
Synth Rack delivers control and automation of virtual instruments
Controls from multiple instruments can be grouped together to provide huge control possibilities
Show/Hide tracks can follow either the Track View or Console View
Control surfaces MIDI port assignments retained/stored in SONAR
Real-world VST parameter values are now displayed
Instruments and Effects
Thousands of instruments sounds from Z3TA+ waveshaping synthesizer, Dimension LE (including Garritan Pocket Orchestra), Rapture LE, Session Drummer 2, TTS-1 and Groove Synth (with genuine Roland sounds), PSYN-II subtractive synthesizer, Drop Zone and RXP REX samplers and more
Dedicated instrument tracks optimized for mono or stereo virtual synths, simplifying the process of working with virtual instruments
Users can split and combine instrument tracks to/from discrete audio/MIDI tracks
Backing tracks can be created quickly using MIDI groove clips, ACID-format loops and the RXP REX player
Loop Explorer 2.0 view provides browse and preview of audio and MIDI groove clips and patterns
Drag and drop loops and patterns into the track view
MIDI groove clips and patterns can be previewed with the virtual instrument of choice
Sounds and effects can be expanded with native support for VST and DirectX plug-ins and ReWire clients like Project5 and Reason
SurroundBridge technology allows for using stereo VST effects in SONAR's surround environment
General
Optimizations includes improved performance at high track counts with low latencies, faster launch time, and the ability to change audio devices without restarting
Score to video with a thumbnail track and output to 1394 FireWire devices
Support for the latest QuickTime 7 codecs, including H.264 and AAC audio
Automatic file naming allows for backing up projects with time/date stamps for easy access to old versions
SONAR can be configured with custom layouts, color schemes and keystrokes from other audio applications
Any Windows-compatible WDM or ASIO audio interface can be used (including Pro Tools HD or M-Box,) along with hardware-based MIDI devices and control surfaces from Roland, Tascam, Mackie and others are easily integrated
Exclusive to Sonar 8 Producer
LP-64 Linear Phase Equalizer for mastering
LP-64 Multiband Compressor for mastering
VC-64 Vintage Channel
TL-64 Tube Leveler
TS 64 Transient Shaper
Lexicon Pantheon Reverb
Perfect Space Convolution Reverb
Surround mixing in over 30 formats
SurroundBridge technology to use stereo FX in surround
Sonitus Surround Compressor
Dimension Pro 1.2 virtual synthesizer with Classic Keys Expansion Pack
Hollywood Edge Sound FX library for Dimension Pro
Z3TA+ 1.5 waveshaping synthesizer
TruePianos Amber VSTi Module
Beatscape looping instrument
Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE
Roland V-Vocal 1.5 with Pitch to MIDI conversion
POW-r Dithering
Software Type
Multi-track Audio/MIDI recorder/editor
Audio Tracks
Unlimited (hardware dependent)
MIDI Tracks
Unlimited
Sends/Inserts per Track
Hardware dependent
Plug-In Support
Support for DirectX and VST audio effects MFX MIDI FX DXi and VSTi soft synths ReWire 1.0 and 2.0 clients
Open AVI, MPEG, and QuickTime 2 Video formats Export to AVI Outputs to 1394 FireWire devices
Sync Functions
SMPTE/MTC support for syncing to film/video Automatically monitors for incoming SMPTE time code with no wait mode MIDI Sync (smart FSK) support (master and slave)
Supported Hardware
Designed to work with any audio hardware that supports standard Windows drivers WDM- or ASIO -compatible hardware recommended
System Requirements
Minimum: Intel Pentium IV 1.3GHz or AMD Athlon XP 1500+ Windows XP (32-bit) 512MB RAM 200MB hard disk space for full program installation Dual Layer-capable DVD-ROM for installation Windows compatible sound card Windows compatible MIDI interface 1024 x 768 monitor resolution with 16-bit color
Recommended: Intel Pentium IV 2.8GHz or AMD Athlon 64 2800+ or higher Windows XP/Vista (32 and 64-bit) or on Mac OS X with Boot Camp 1GB RAM or more EIDE/Ultra DMA (7200 RPM) or SATA hard drive 30GB hard disk space for full program installation Dual Layer-capable DVD-ROM for installation Windows compatible sound card Windows compatible MIDI interface 1280 x 960 monitor resolution with 24-bit color
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