Musikmesse 2009: Cakewalk announced the VS-700C V-Studio Console as a standalone control surface for SONAR 8 Producer.

The VS-700C was designed jointly by Cakewalk and Roland, and offers control over all aspects of SONAR 8 Producer’s creative, editing, and mixing capabilities. The VS-700C’s dedicated implementation of ACT (Active Controller Technology) dynamically remaps controls based on how the user is working in SONAR. Also, with the press of a button, the VS-700C provides instant control over any V-Link compatible video and imaging hardware, including the Edirol DV-7 line of direct linear video editing systems.

Details below.

VS-700C Highlights:
Channel Section

• Nine 100mm touch sensitive, motorized faders arranged in a bank of eight channel strips with a master channel
• Users can tab between fader banks and lock/unlock tracks and buses to faders for maximum efficiency when mixing large projects
• Channel Branch Mode is an innovative new mixing mode, where channel strip 1 will control the volume of a selected track while the remaining channels control the associated sends for that track
• One-level undo for all faders and encoders, using the “Revert to” feature
• Total control over SONAR 8 mute and solo functionality including Dim Solo, Exclusive Solo, and Layer Mute/Solo

EQ, Send, ACT Section

• Dedicated section of 12 continuous push-button rotary encoders which can be used for EQ, Sends, or ACT control
• When controlling EQ, the rotary encoders edit four stages of parametric EQ gain, frequency, and Q for whichever channel has the focus
• In ACT mode, encoders automatically remap to control effect, instrument, or mix parameters of whatever view or plug-in has focus within SONAR

Surround and Video Implementation

• Full surround implementation with Joystick Panner, F/R Balance, LFE Send, and Width controls
• Multifunction T-bar for surround F/R balance and video hardware control
• Automate multiple surround parameters simultaneously
• Control video mixers/editors/presenters that support V-LINK protocol

Access, Project Navigation, Editing

• Control plug-in for SONAR provides user-definable presets that change the functionality of the VS-700C depending on tasks or workflow preferences
• Access Panel provides one-button functionality to call up different views and utilities; allows custom assignments from over 45 SONAR commands
• Joystick can move plug-in windows around your screen
• In addition to F/R balance and Video hardware control, the T-Bar offers: X-Ray option to fade plug-in windows in/out to allow access to the views below and the T-Bar can also be used as a dedicated ACT controller
• Complete SONAR transport functionality not available from any other control surface, including Audition, Rewind, Fast Forward, RTZ/GTE, and Pause
• Jog and shuttle wheels and Free Edit cursors for project navigation, scrubbing and zoom; provides c omplete scroll and zoom functionality, including flyover mode which lets you navigate around a project
• Use jog wheel to move, crop and fade clip(s), as well as time-stretch
• Select clips and time ranges, even across tracks and layers
• Split and mute clips with the touch of a button
• Insert, delete, bypass and control any VST effect from the control surface
• Mackie Control protocol support, provides basic compatibility (transport, faders, jog/shuttle, etc.) with other Windows DAWs

Display

• A 2×13 LCD display for track names, parameter values, and markers
• 7 Segment LCD display for time code and now time position
• Responsive metering for each channel

SONAR V-Studio 700 and the VS-700C

The release of the SONAR V-Studio 700 system marked a new era of inspired, Cakewalk branded hardware and software music production solutions. SONAR V-Studio 700 addresses the gap between under-powered “budget” solutions and over-priced competitive solutions by offering a compelling, feature-rich music production system that is accessible to a broad range of users. SONAR customers who purchase the VS-700C can later purchase the VS-700R I/O to experience the full benefits offered by the complete SONAR V-Studio 700 system, which includes hardware control of the VS-700R from the VS-700C, 19 input channels, 8 digitally-controlled mic pres with compression on each channel, and onboard Fantom VS synthesizer featuring 1,400 patches with ARX expansion board capability, among many other features.

Pricing and availability

VS-700C console for SONAR 8 Producer will be available Summer, 2009 through Roland and Edirol distribution partners and select retailers worldwide. Local prices may vary, please check with your local Roland or Edirol distributor, or to find availability in your area using the dealer locator, please visit www.sonarvstudio.com.