Cakewalk Studio Instrument: Reviews, Features & Resources

Compatible with Apple's GarageBand and Logic music creation applications, Cakewalk Studio Instruments includes a Drum Kit, Bass Guitar, Electric Piano and String Section that can be played as a standalone application or used as an Audio Unit plug-in.

Cakewalk added a few extras to Studio Instruments such as a photo-realistic, animated interface. For example, if you click on a cymbal, you will see and hear it crash. Each instrument accurately replicates the sound of its real-world counterpart and features simple control over the functions of the instrument, according to the company.

Studio Instruments also allow the user to play the individual sounds of each instrument from their computer keyboard, which means that you don't need a MIDI keyboard to start making music.

Cakewalk Studio Instruments costs $49.99 and is available in stores or as a download from the company's Web site.

Drum Kit

• Load multiple Drum sound programs and play pre-recorded drum grooves in a variety of styles.
• Includes patterns in a variety of styles: Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and more.
• Drag patterns into your recording software to make variations.
• Use your MIDI controller, computer keyboard, or mouse to play Drums.
• Drums pulse and cymbals crash in time with the music.
• Use built-in compression and reverb to get edgy and realistic sounds.
• Control tuning, panning, and volume for infinite variety.
• Load and trigger multiple grooves for different sections of your song.

Bass Guitar

• Load presets for multiple electric bass sounds from classic to modern.
• Play essential bass lines in a variety of styles and easily transpose them to the key of your song.
• Includes patterns in a variety of styles: Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and more.
• You can also drag patterns into your recording software to make variations.
• Get bass sounds ranging from aggressive to smooth with control over Bass, Mid, Treble, Drive, and Compression.
• Select Pick-ups and Slide between notes for even more realistic sounds.
• Use your MIDI controller, computer keyboard, or interactive fretboard to play.
• Strings strum in time with the music.

Electric Piano

• Load presets for multiple electric keyboard sounds from classic to modern.
• Play pre-recorded keyboard chord changes and lines in a variety of styles and easily transpose them to the key of your song.
• Includes patterns in a variety of styles: Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and more.
• You can also drag patterns into your recording software to make variations.
• Get awesome tones with special effects like Drive, Chorus, and Tremolo.
• Use your MIDI controller, computer keyboard, or click interactive keys to play Keys play in time with the music.
• Load and trigger multiple keyboard parts for different sections of your song.

Strings

• Load presets for multiple string section sounds ranging from lush and ambient to orchestral and cinematic. Play commonly used string section parts in a variety of styles-easily transpose them to the key of your song.
• Includes patterns in a variety of styles: Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, Jazz, Blues, Funk, and more.
• You can also drag patterns into your recording software to make variations.
• Use your MIDI controller, computer keyboard, or click interactive keys to play.
• Bass, Cello, and Violin are bowed in time to the music.
• Control the nuances of your string sounds with control over Attack, Release, Chorus, and Reverb for the string section, plus pan and tone for each individual instrument.
• Load and trigger multiple string section parts for different sections of your song.