The free software is not time or function limited, and I had no problem with downloading and installing. You also get to keep that copy until a Windows update breaks the application or the cows come home. You must join BandLab and get their Assistant to download Cakewalk by BandLab, but you can delete the Assistant from your computer after downloading, keeping only the DAW if you prefer. If you are worried about the 'free' part, don't. As a major player in the social music scene, they would have a world of built-in customers for anything else they release - presumably not for free. Now we're back to square one.But the real kicker is that BandLab released their freshly bought, new/old stock DAW for free, which is crazy or is it? BandLab seems to be preparing to be the Facebook or Google of online music production/sharing, so having a professional-caliber DAW makes sense, and they bought the entire software outright. Last century Cakewalk was actually the name of the MIDI sequencer program from Twelve Tone Systems, but everybody called both the sequencer and company Cakewalk, so Twelve Tone Systems changed its name.

The BandLab online DAW is a simple one that seems fine for 'creating online,' but as a professional tool it leaves something to be desired.Īfter buying the software, BandLab re-renamed Cakewalk's SONAR Cakewalk by BandLab.

There's even access to 'how to' articles about recording and music production. You can get feedback from the entire user base, much like Soundcloud etc. No need to wonder now, but just who the heck is BandLab? They call themselves a 'easy-to-use, all-in-one, social music creation platform.' Their site offers an online DAW and libraries of loops, as well as the ability to share songs - plus one can connect with other BandLab users to work on songs.These users can be your actual band members or total strangers that contribute in the spirit of Commons (a general term for shared resources in which each stakeholder has an equal interest). sold separately, Cakewalk (the company) had value - I just wondered who would bite. With tens of thousands of users, many willing to pony up a hundred dollars plus every year for updates, and various top-notch virtual synths, plug-ins, etc. The reports of the death of the PC/Windows DAW Cakewalk were greatly exaggerated.

Free cakewalk by bandlab