Just done the update on Cakewalk and the expiry date that was on the previous screen has now being lifted. Just free it says.

So it seems Bandlab kept to their word!

Was there a limited time offer on Cakewalk by Bandlab that has now been changed?

I am slightly confused.

I have been holding out because I am satisfied with the older version I have and didn't want to get it until the bugs were out.

Last time I tried it was buggy as all get out and I couldn't get out of demo mode. They told me they were "working on it."

Is it free forever and ever and ever??

I went looking through their site, and I couldn't find where they specifically say that the program will remain free forever. But the implication is pretty strong - in their "About Us", they write:



Still, it would be nice if they were a bit more explicit about what will remain "free to download", and what is planned for "targeted for monitization."

Hi David

I have had the free cakewalk ever since it was introduced by band lab.
As a matter of interest the demo time limitation was removed with an update within a couple of weeks with an update,
However the actual download and install instructions I seem to remember where very specific in that you had to open an account (free) then install from there.
If you down loaded and installed without opening an account you got the problem you had. As far as I can recall.
Regards
Mike

As I understood it the “demo” or timed version was unintended.

I have had the Cakewalk by BandLab version since its release and have had no issues. It really is Sonar Platinum without the expensive add ons. I already had the adds so no real change for me.

However with all the disturbances re Sonar I purchased Reaper ($60 USD) and once I got used to it found I could do more with it when it comes to manipulating the .wav files I export from BB. The Reaper plugins are excellent albeit the GUIs aren’t so pretty. I recently purchased Toneboosters Dynamic EQ for 30 euro. This is brilliant for getting really good mixes (masters). This plus Limiter 6, Voxengo Span and Youlean LUFS meter (all free) is pretty much all you need to get a good balanced, consistent sound all at about the same level. With all the final files at about the same level I can set my PA volume and do my show without having to go to the volume or tone knobs. Add the Melda free VSTs you have it all. The plugins all work with Cakewalk.

If you also load the 32bit VSTs they will work with B.B.

My recent experiences.

Tony

Well I just download it seems to work fine except for one thing.

It installed a 400 MB drum replacer add on which goes with it which looks cool in theory but I cannot get to it by the youtube instructions of select clip and then go to Regional FX, where you are supposed to find it as a drop down option.

Drum Replacer is not listed as an option although a Vocal editor is.

Has anyone else had trouble with this?

I downloaded CbB last week but have not messed with it much. I wanted to see if I could sidechane FX in it (which I can) because that is not an option in the Elements version of Cubase. I started creating somethin with the loops that come with it but found the interface not very user friendly. Maybe if I take some time to watch some YouTube tutorials it will become easier. Or I might just save up and upgrade to Cubase Artist since I'm already very familiar with how it works.

Never mind. I had to reset up all my VSTS folders to scan properly and then re-scan. That did it. It did not automatically include the Drum Replacer VST3 folder in the scan line up--but now that I have it working, it is a wicked little tool.

Hi David,

There are several ways to tell Cakewalk where to find your VST folders. On the top menu bar under Utilities is the Plug in Manager also pressing P for preferences then under File VST Settings. Both take you to the same place. In there you add all the various paths to locate the VSTs and other options.

In the Utilities - Plug in Manager you can also setup your own preferred menu layouts for the various plug ins. You can also choose to exclude VSTs you don’t want to appear.

The Drum replacement bit I don’t know about but if you go to the Cakewalk forum you will get help there. I have an option as Drum Replace but have never used it so I don’t know what it is. I’ll have a look when I get done with breakfast and get things turned on.

But as I understood it the Regional FX was there to manipulate the portion of the wav track. (Years ago Sonar had its own audio editor similar to Melodyne that you could add using Regional FX). Therefore Melodyne is an option as it operates on the file. Other VSTs I have only added in the FX box.

Tony