Cakewalk advances its flagship digital audio workstation with the release of Sonar 5, a brand-new update of its desktop software. The program continues to ramp up the feature set, but the bigger news is that this version really works on harnessing the current processors in today's PCs. It also offers higher digital precision by working and mixing in pure 64-bit mode — the first native 64-bit DAW to make it to market. The program is set up in much the same way as most DAW programs: You have a workspace where you can add audio or midi tracks, send them out to various sound cards and mixers, and play around with lots of plug-ins geared toward both sampled sounds and (for MIDI) virtual instruments.

While some systems will build a great foundation for adding external plug-ins, Sonar packs in a lot of plugs-in from the get-go, shipping with some of the sweetest-sounding instruments and effects out today. This new Producer Edition adds in many synths, including the Roland V-Vocal, PSYN II, and Pentagon I (analog). There are also scores of effects, such as the new Perfect Space convolution reverb and the Lexicon Pantheon surround reverb.

In particular, I had a lot of fun sculpting various soundscapes. This is a VST effect that breaks down sound arcs into separate grids, such as low and high pass, pan, and EQ. You also have control dials for dry, wet, wet pan, delay, length, and offset. Because there are so many variables, you could spend weeks experimenting and coming up with some amazingly fresh sounds. The VST plug-in even has a bunch of presets to get you rocking.

The package includes several new MIDI FX plug-ins, as well as a new way to deal with MIDI editing. In most programs, you have to jump the track, so to speak, to edit MIDI data — hop to a separate window to tool around in your piano roll. Sonar 5 now integrates this right into your expandable tracks: Just stretch it out, do your work on the MIDI notes, and then retract. I have an M-Audio Keystation keyboard, and, like any program, Sonar records the controller data (such as pitch and velocity) as I play, along with the actual MIDI notes. However, with version 5, you can now move controller data right along with your notes very easily as you are editing.

There are now more drawing options in the tracks for sketching out envelopes and altering tempo-synch patterns. While hitting MIDI notes can be very cut-and-dry (even with control data), you can now always go back, grab the pencil tool, and draw out and alter your rhythm envelopes much more organically. The program now includes advanced step recording for adding notes in non-realtime, which comes in handy if you don't tickle the ivory exactly like a professional composer. Just bang out your notes and take your sweet time, then go back and alter them. There is a video track with direct output to 1394 FireWire now, so scoring is easier and the toll on your CPU is less because you no longer need to have your program interface preview the rolling video clips.

The program also handles effects in a unique, handy way now. You can layer effects in a bin on a per-clip basis, allowing you to zoom in on a certain audio clip and work on it separate from your timeline and project. Very handy for creating dense, rolling soundtracks with lots of multi-layered effects.

What about those who want to do loop-based songs quickly and easily? There are easier and quicker programs out there, that is for sure, (such as Apple GarageBand, Ableton Live 5, or Sony Acid), but Sonar 5 does a great job of making it fun to work with samples. The program has full support for Acid-format loops (most programs on the PC these days have to have that built in), and there are many ways to slice up the loops into individual components and alter parameters such as pitch and pan.

MIDI groove clips are another fun feature of the program. They allow a more natural rhythm to be applied to your score, with a much more playful human-like feel. Just don't expect the ease of use of GarageBand or Acid; the feature set is there, but there is more of a learning curve for how, exactly, the program operates and how the different elements interact before you can just start slamming some loop tracks together.

Aside from all the cool additions and snazzy effects, a really great bit of news with this release is the way the program works. Sonar 5 is the first native 64-bit host DAW program. This means the program can work as a 64-bit application using Windows XP x64 Edition. Of course, you do need to have a 64-bit system, such as Intel's EM64T or the AMD64. The benefit depends on RAM, too: With current 32-bit machines, using Windows XP Pro, you top out at 3GB RAM allocation. Yes, you can add more RAM, but Windows does not use it. With a 64-bit system, you can access 8GB or more of RAM. The extra RAM allows for much less burden on your hard disk. As we know, processors are getting faster, but hard drives generally are not, so the more you can do in RAM, the better.

As a video producer running multiple programs and with various hardware, is it advisable to move to a 64-bit OS right now? In my opinion, not yet. The advantages are obvious, but the reality is that it's going to take a while for manufacturers and software developers to not only provide 64-bit drivers, but to also rewrite their programs to directly take advantage of a 64-bit OS.

I have a 64-bit machine — a dual-core Intel Pentium Processor Extreme Edition with hyper-threading — and Sonar 5 allows me to harness that processing power without upgrading to a 64-bit OS. The program takes full advantage of multiple-CPU cores, as well as hyper-threading, and I can easily see by tracking the CPU meter at the bottom of the Sonar interface, as well as piling on multiple tracks and effects, that the program keeps up gracefully and efficiently. What if you want to mix internally, in 64-bit bit mode, for the ultimate pristine quality? It's merely a checkbox in the preferences. Journey in to “Audio Options” and check the box for “64-bit Double Precision Engine,” and you are golden.

Sonar 5 has blossomed greatly in the last few updates, but one thing that has changed little is the interface. Some “new” features are tabbed screens and dockable palettes. Welcome to 1999. The program is still a maze of windows and more windows (not cool), but at least, with the docking and tabs, it's more functional. The Cakewalk design team might find it worth investigating Live 5 from Ableton, or any Apple Pro app in general, for tips on streamlining this powerful tool.

The most important parts of this update are video output, way-cool new VST plug-ins and effects, integrated MIDI editing, clip-based effects nesting, and the new 64-bit options. The program ships with 32-bit and 64-bit versions, and either will fully harness the power of your system. I can't help but think that this version is so cutting-edge it's a bit ahead of its time. However, if you are poised for the future hardware-wise, this is currently the DAW to get.

Is it a must-have for video producers and effects people wanting to do audio? Tough call. It's a dense program with a steep learning curve that is built for audio professionals, not necessarily loop-based fans (although the program has fantastic tools for creating loop-based songs). But if you are journeying into offering music production as a dedicated service, or if you are decent at the keyboards and want a power-packed virtual instrument and effects playground for self-scoring your videos, Sonar 5's capabilities just may blow you away.