Cakewalk by BandLab for FREE

ByMohit Chauhan Updated on

With the landscape of music production ever-changing, accessible tools are vital for both budding artists and seasoned professionals. Cakewalk by BandLab is one of those, a relatively powerful and feature-rich free digital audio workstation (DAW) for Windows users that brings professional-grade music creation in a free package. In this article, we explore all that Cakewalk by BandLab is, where it came from, its features and system requirements, and how to download and use this amazing software.

What is Cakewalk by BandLab?

Cakewalk by BandLab is a full-featured digital audio workstation for the Microsoft Windows platform that allows users to compose, record, arrange, edit, mix, and master audio and MIDI. FL Studio offers a complete music production package and caterstor all musical styles. Cakewalk by BandLab is unique among professional DAWs in providing a comprehensive (and constantly expanding) set of tools for free – no upfront cost and no subscription.

A Brief History: From SONAR to Free

Cakewalk by BandLab is the product on which this post is centered. The lineage of this DAW dates back to SONAR, the flagship DAW of Cakewalk, Inc., a company whose history in music-related software goes all the way back to 1994. 1987. In February 2018, BandLab Technologies in February 2018 purchased the intellectual property and some assets of Cakewalk, Inc. after that company’s operations ended in 2017. It was after this that BandLab made a strategic decision to continue to develop SONAR and so renamed it Cakewalk by BandLaband, perhaps most significantly, took the decision to release it completely free of charge. This action instantly democratized access to an expensive, previously-payed, professional-grade DAW, enabling a much wider audience to take advantage of its powerful abilities.

The free version of Cakewalk by BandLab continues to operate as of this writing, and will still receive maintenance updates. However, eventually BandLab will phase the free version out in favor of new paid products called Cakewalk Sonar and Cakewalk Next. The new products will arrive, but any current users of the free Cakewalk by BandLab will be able to keep using it without obstruction.

Key Features

Cakewalk by BandLab boasts an impressive array of features that rival many paid DAWs:

  • Unlimited Tracks: Incredibly powerful audio recording, MIDI recording, and instrument and auxiliary track options. Make as many tracks as you want, allowing you to create some very complex projects.
  • Advanced Audio Engine: Includes a professional audio engine for high-quality audio recording and playback with real-time effects processing.
  • Robust MIDI Functionality: Full MIDI editing functionality with high-resolution quantisation, real-time recording, and support for a wide range of software instruments.
  • Integrated Mixing and Mastering Tools: A customizable console view includes an integrated mix engine, offering powerful mixing, routing,g and mastering tools—including ProChannel modules for channel strip customization.
  • Built-in Effects and Instruments: Includes exceptional studio-quality effects and tons of virtual instruments that will get the music production started with the Studio Instruments Suite.
  • BandLab Integration: Meshes seamlessly with the BandLab social music platform to publish projects, stems, ms, or mixes; Share audio tracks easily through the BandLab cloud to collaborate with your friends!
  • Customizable User Interface: The interface is very customizable, allowing users to adapt their workflow and visual preferences.

System Requirements

To ensure a smooth experience with Cakewalk by BandLab, users should meet the following system specifications:

  • Operating System: Windows 8.1, 10, or 11 (64-bit versions only).
  • Processor: A 2.6GHz Intel or AMD multi-core processor is recommended (at least an Intel i5 or AMD A10 APU is suggested).
  • RAM: A minimum of 4GB RAM is required, with 8GB or more recommended for demanding projects.
  • Hard Drive Space: 5GB for a minimal installation, with 20GB recommended for a full installation including add-ons.
  • Monitor Resolution: 1280×800 is the minimum, with 1920×1080 recommended for optimal viewing.
  • Audio Interface: An ASIO-compatible audio interface is highly recommended for lower latency and professional audio performance.

How to Download Cakewalk by BandLab for FREE

Getting Cakewalk by BandLab set up is quite a simple process, mostly handled via the BandLab Assistant app:

  1. Create a BandLab Account: If you don’t already have one, visit the BandLab website (www.bandlab.com) and sign up for a free account. This account is necessary to activate and use Cakewalk.
  2. Download BandLab Assistant: Go to www.bandlab.com/products/cakewalk and click the “Download” button. You will be directed to download the “BandLab Assistant” installer for Windows.
  3. Install BandLab Assistant: Locate the downloaded BandLab_Assistant_Setup.exe file (or similar) and double-click it to begin the installation. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation of the assistant.
  4. Log in to BandLab Assistant: Once installed, launch the BandLab Assistant and log in using your BandLab account credentials.
  5. Install Cakewalk by BandLab: Inside the BandLab Assistant, navigate to the “Apps” tab. Here, you will see “Cakewalk by BandLab” with an “Install” button. Click this button.
  6. Choose Add-ons: You will get an option to choose further components (like the Studio Instruments Suite and the Drum Replacer) during the installation. However, for a complete experience, it is advised to install these.
  7. Complete Installation: Continue with the rest of the installation guide. It might take a little while as it will be downloading and installing all the required files.
  8. Launch Cakewalk: After installation, you will notice that the Install button in BandLab Assistant will turn into Open. Free to use and all you need to do is run Cakewalk by BandLab from right here or its shortcut on your desktop or Start menu.

Cakewalk by BandLab is free to use, but you will have to periodically sign in to your BandLab account inside the app to ensure that the activation status is current (this must be done at least every six months).

Conclusion

For Windows users, Cakewalk by BandLab offers a unique chance to get hands-on with a fully-fledged, professional DAW, with no attached price tag. LAD is also a free, full-featured DAW which boasts powerful audio and MIDI capabilities along with great integration with the BandLab ecosystem — making it suitable for musicians, producers, and sound engineers alike, no matter your skill level. So though they are planning for the free version to live on in maintenance mode while its new paid successors do all the work, this version is still available right now. It is still an absolute steal for anyone wanting to get into some serious music-making.

Mohit is a tech writer who follows apps, software, and AI trends closely, so you don’t have to scroll endlessly. He believes tech should be useful—not confusing. He turns confusing tech updates into simple, readable insights—no jargon, no nonsense.