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 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB 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.
Wife "I will ignore him all day so he knows I am mad" Husband " What a nice quiet day"
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.
Wife "I will ignore him all day so he knows I am mad" Husband " What a nice quiet day"
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 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB 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 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows® Today!
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Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Boot Camp: The AI Lyrics Generator
With Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®, we've introduced an exciting new feature: the AI Lyrics Generator! In this video, Tobin guides you step-by-step on how to make the most of this new tool.
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Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows® now includes support for VST3 plugins, bringing even more creative possibilities to your music production. Join Simon as he guides you through the process in this easy-to-follow demonstration!
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using VST3 Plugins
Video: Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows: Using The BB Stem Splitter!
In this video, Tobin provides a crash course on using the new BB Stem Splitter feature included in Band-in-a-Box 2025® for Windows®. During this process he also uses the Audio Chord Wizard (ACW) and the new Equalize Tempo feature.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows®: Using the BB Stem Splitter
Check out the forum post for some optional Tips & Tricks!
Congrats to Misha (Rustyspoon)…downloaded/installed a full Audiophile 2025!
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A big shoutout to Rustyspoon for stepping up to be our test "elf!"
With the launch of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Windows, we're adding new videos to our YouTube channel. We'll also share them here once they are published so you can easily find all the Band-in-a-Box® 2025 and new Add-on videos in one place!
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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.
Norton Music
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