Cakewalk Pro Audio 6.0 Now Shipping

First MIDI and Digital Audio Workstation to Support Microsoft DirectX Audio Plug-ins; Provides Cakewalk StudioWare for Complete Control of Studio Equipment from Windows Desktop; Version 6.0 Adds CFX(TM)-Cakewalk Audio Processing Effects For Pitch Shifting, Time Compression And Expansion, Reverb, Optimized Parametric EQ, Chorus, Flange, Delay/Echo.

July 11, 1997 -- Cakewalk Music Software is now shipping Version 6.0 of Cakewalk Pro Audio, the industry-leading MIDI and digital audio software for Windows 95. Cakewalk Pro Audio 6.0 provides CFX-Cakewalk audio processing effects. Version 6.0 also offers seamless integration with Microsoft DirectX(TM) third party audio plug-ins, opening users to numerous effects and editing options in the Windows environment. In addition, the new release features Cakewalk(R) StudioWare(TM), allowing users to design custom interface panels within Cakewalk to control a variety of studio hardware.

"Cakewalk Pro Audio 6.0 is leading the industry into a new era of open system studio recording. PC users who never before had access to creative technologies such as 3D audio can now easily integrate them into Cakewalk," said Tom Cook, president of Cakewalk Music Software. "And the addition of StudioWare and new CFX capabilities brings unprecedented studio control and audio processing power to the Windows 95(TM) desktop."

Microsoft® DirectX(TM) Plug-Ins

DirectX represents the new standard in the recording software industry for audio plug-ins on the Windows platform. Now, any DirectX audio plug-in will work with Cakewalk as an integrated audio effects processor.

Several music software manufacturers have released DirectX audio plug-ins, including Tracer Technologies, Waves, and QSound Labs. Cakewalk Music Software is offering Tracer Technologies' DART DEClick(TM) noise reduction plug-in, Waves Native Power Pack(TM) suite of high-end plug-ins, and QSound Labs' QTools/AX(TM) collection of 3D-expanding and localization plug-ins to customers upgrading to Cakewalk Pro Audio 6.0. In addition Cakewalk Music Software has been named exclusive distributor of the QTools/AX suite of audio plug-ins.

CFX(TM)-- Cakewalk's Audio Effects

Cakewalk Pro Audio 6.0 provides several of its own DirectX-based processing effects, including Pitch Shifting, Time Expansion/Compression, Reverb, Flange, Chorus, and Delay/Echo effects.

All CFX audio effects include popular presets, and users can create their own presets. Cakewalk Pro Audio 6.0 can process CFX and DirectX plug-ins in "real-time" on audio tracks during playback, or as off-line edits. Users can quickly preview their edits with audition mode before processing.

In addition, Cakewalk's CFX will work within any other application that supports Microsoft DirectX audio plug-ins.

Cakewalk StudioWare

Cakewalk StudioWare brings total studio integration and automation to the Windows 95 music workstation. With StudioWare, users can create their own control interfaces for their favorite studio gear, such as hard disk recorders, mixing consoles, effects processors, or any other device that responds to MIDI protocol.

StudioWare provides an on-screen emulation of the hardware's front panel, greatly simplifying work flow. Users can also create StudioWare panels to execute complex operations that would otherwise be impossible from the hardware's own physical surface.

"Cakewalk StudioWare now allows users to design their own integrated studio environment with the equipment of their choice. It brings complete studio control to the desktop of the customer," said Eric Ziering, director of product development.

Cakewalk Pro Audio 6.0 includes StudioWare panels for a variety of gear, including the Roland VS-880(TM), Mackie 1604(TM), and Yamaha ProMix 01(TM). Users also can easily create and distribute their own StudioWare panels. Registered Cakewalk Pro Audio users can also download new StudioWare panels at www.cakewalk.com.

Other New 6.0 Features

Monophonic Pitch-to-MIDI conversion
Controller data viewed and edited from within Piano Roll window
Standard and single line percussion notation
Real-time record and playback of System Exclusive data
Improved tools for pattern-based sequencing
Real-time display of notes while recording
Save/Recall multiple screen layouts
Drop Markers on the fly
Expanded Instrument Definition Library
Variable sampling rates up to 48 kHz

Registered Cakewalk customers can get their upgrade information by visiting www.cakewalk.com, or by calling 888-CAKEWALK. For more information, visit their web site at www.cakewalk.com.