I like that you won't have to go through all the authorization processes we currently have to do. This is good news. I suspect future updates will not be free, but who knows.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
I did a lot of reading on this. Apparently they want all of us to download and use this new version. I've condensed a few key thoughts from the threads:
Cakewalk by BandLab – a free, streamlined version of SONAR Platinum
No matter what plug-ins or bundles you’ve bought in the past – anything that worked with SONAR before will work with Cakewalk by BandLab and should integrate seamlessly.
We have removed certain 3rd party plug-ins and content that we felt were unnecessary and/or not feasible to be released in this first version. Updates will come and more features and content will be available in the core pack.
You have to download and install via BandLab assistant.
Does this mean they have ported PLATINUM to Mac??? No, the Mac version of BandLab assistant allows access to the loop content and of course the BandLab Mix editor today.
The date in the license/about us is just an arbitrary 6 month date set for authorization checks. It’s a holdover from the old SONAR authorization and is going to be removed when the programming is further updated. It's NOT an expiration date per Meng.
Very cool. A couple of things caught my eye, Bluetooth MIDI and touch. I've seen enough vids about using touchscreens with DAW's and for notation that I'm going to pick up a 24" touchscreen monitor, just haven't decided which one yet. I know that Biab/RB are not enabled for this and some other DAW's are not as well. This could be a nice addition to the toolbox.
Jim, are you sure about the 32 bit plug-in statement. I used to run 32 bit plug-ins through jBridge in Sonar Platinum. I can also do that in my current Studio One Pro DAW.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Nope. I'm not sure about the 32 bit plug-ins. Other users reported 32 bit plug-ins are not reported during the VST scan and do not work. There have been several emphatic responses from both Noel and Meng that there will be no 32 bit edition and no 32 bit support.
Will it work with jBridge? I don't know. Sonar by Cakewalk used a native bit bridge.
I downloaded but am in demo mode and can't save anything. It has a blue box that says go to bandlab assistant to update activation status but I am in bandlab assistant and I see know way to activate it, from there or the bandlab assistant, to which I am signed in, with my account.
Any ideas?
How do you activate this thing and get out of demo mode.
I can't find the switch.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
This is from a now "outsider" remember I gave up on Sonar a year before Gibson dumped it.
this thought is badly stated (in a rush):
Before this news flash I signed up on Bandlabs site (I was lifetime SPLAT "owner") but it looked like Bandlab's handling or approach is would 75% social ("sharing and caring - community music") and 25% nose to the grind stone DAW/MUSIC WORK
But best wishes to those that try it and work with it
Larry
Win10Pro,i9,64GB,2TBSSD+20TBHDDs,1080TI,BIAB'24,Scarlett18i8,Montage7,Fusion 8HD,QS8,Integra7,XV5080,QSR,SC-8850,SPLAT,FL21&others,Komp.14,IK suite&others, just a guitar player-AXE FX III &FM9T, FishmanTP, MIDIGuitar2, GK2/3'sw/GI20
Nope. I'm not sure about the 32 bit plug-ins. Other users reported 32 bit plug-ins are not reported during the VST scan and do not work. There have been several emphatic responses from both Noel and Meng that there will be no 32 bit edition and no 32 bit support.
Will it work with jBridge? I don't know. Sonar by Cakewalk used a native bit bridge.
I found out that the 32-bit software that didn't work with bit bridge most of the time worked with jBridge. I just wonder if that has been changed.
A number of DAWs are now only 64 bit. That is the wave of the future.
Life is short so make sure you spend as much time as possible on the Internet arguing with strangers.
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Well I have just downloaded and installed ,and must say all went smoothly and worked first time. I kept my old Sona 8.3 just in case and they both exist side by side . What a refreshing cool interface this is from Sona 8.3.. Works like a charm and as I let it import my preferences from my existing version all my old projects get up and go including many that have Kontakt on multiple tracks and other plug ins like Amber piano and various synths that came with 8,3 like tts1, Z3TA, Rapture 4le, etc and my Mini Moog! So well pleased Maybe I should have had an upgrade to Producer before . but then Hey this one is FREE. Have fun Mike
I got mine installed as well. It went smoothly (slthough there were no installation options that I saw in terms of what to install and where, although I did select just the base product, since I had all the add-ons from my previous Sonar Platinum install), and it picked up my previous settings, as well as keeping content on my E: drive where I had it for Sonar Platinum.
Now I'll have to play with it more to make sure all is good. My Sonar Platinum is still installed side-by-side, but as time progresses and updates happen, I'll probably remove Sonar and stick with this new Cakewalk.
Add to that recently getting Samplitude, Studio One, and Harrison MixBus (as well as RealBand, PowerTracks, Reaper, n-Track, Tracktion, MultiTrack Studio Pro Plus, and MixCraft Pro Studio), I think I'm pretty well set DAW-wise for a long time to come.
Dang, that's crazy, isn't it?
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
I don't have an answer for you. I haven't read of anyone else ending up in Demo mode and I'm pretty much a novice myself. I still use Music Creator 6 as my main DAW and have been getting familiar with Home Studio when this news hit.
MC6 is 32 bit. I'm running HS in 32 bit mode so the tools that ship with it, such as Studio Instruments VSTi, will be compatible with PG Music products. Home Studio 64 bit mode is available by clicking one checkbox.
I am in contact with their support team, and they have no answer. I signed up for bandlab, they have my ID and my previous purchases, I downloaded assistant, etc, downloaded product from assistant, still have demo mode.
They cannot offer a fix.
I have no clue until they get back to me.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
I am in contact with their support team, and they have no answer. I signed up for bandlab, they have my ID and my previous purchases, I downloaded assistant, etc, downloaded product from assistant, still have demo mode.
They cannot offer a fix.
I have no clue until they get back to me.
Probably a bad install. Wipe everything and re-install.
Just can't figure out how to uninstall Bandlab assistant, it should be gone from the uninstall but it keeps magically popping up although my computer says it is no longer there.
Ah, Singapore.
David Snyder Songwriter/Renaissance Man Studio + Fingers
When I installed, I had to do it twice. Apparently an update appeared in the middle of me doing it, but on the second go-round, all worked well. Did you select just the program or the whole package (I selected just the program, since I have all the add-ons from my previous Sonar installation)?
If you have trouble with the uninstall, you might want to try Revo Uninstaller - I use that generally to good success when having trouble installing. You may need to re-install first to make sure the program is there, but Revo will start with a standard uninstall, but then let you scan the registry for registry artifacts and disk folders and files artifacts, which you can delete. I usually reboot after doing the uninstall, just to clear everything out.
So far, Cakewalk by BandLab seems to work like Sonar. I had to make a couple of minor changes soundcard-wise, but all is good now.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 12TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 12TB SATA
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
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Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
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And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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