Dancing Dots
Where Music Meets Technology for the blind
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Dancing Dots serves blind musicians and their educators through technology and training

CakeTalking FAQ

Cakewalk SONAR 8: Order New Units and Upgrades Here

If you use JAWS for Windows, you'll want to learn more about the CakeTalking for SONAR scripts and tutorial package from Dancing Dots that has empowered blind audio producers from all over the world to get the most out of SONAR since the year 2000.

Cakewalk SONAR converts your PC into a multi-track, digital audio recording studio! You can record synthetic instrument sounds from your electronic, MIDI keyboard attached to your PC. Set SONAR's track source to audio and blend in acoustic sounds using your microphone connected to your sound card! Mix it all down to two-track stereo in various popular audio formats such as mp3, .wav or Windows Media. Burn to CD, E-mail to a friend or upload to your website.

SONAR 8 STUDIO and PRODUCER EDITIONS

Picture of SONAR 8 Studio SONAR 8 has finally arrived and version 8 adds many user-requested features along with innovative new technologies, instruments, and effects.

SONAR 8 provides everything needed for recording, editing, mixing, and mastering—from exclusive features to ignite creativity to groundbreaking technologies that keep you in control. With unlimited tracks, creative tools, and the most complete delivery capability between other DAWs, SONAR is the best choice in a digital audio workstation.

New features for SONAR 8 Producer include:

  • Workflow and performance enhancements
  • Editing enhancements
  • Recording enhancements
  • Mixing enhancements
  • Control Surface enhancements
  • Beatscape 16-part looping instrument
  • TruePianos Amber VSTi
  • Dimension Pro 1.2 w/ Digital Sound Factory Vol. 2 Classic Keys Pack and the Hollywood Edge Sound FX Pack
  • Channel Tools
  • TS-64 Transient Shaper
  • TL-64 Tube Leveler
  • Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE
  • And much more

Check out the comparison chart to see the differences between SONAR 8 Studio and Producer so that you can pick the version that is right for you.

Academic Versions and Details

System Requirements

    System Requirement Minimum Recommended
    Operating System* Windows XP Windows XP/x64**/Vista (32 and64-bit)***
     Processor Speed Intel® Pentium® 4 1.3 GHz or
    AMD Athlon™ XP 1500+
    or higher
    Intel® Pentium® 4 2.8 GHz [EM64T]
    AMD Athlon™ 64 2800+
    or higher
    RAM 512 MB 1 GB or higher
    Graphics (resolution, color depth) 1024x768, 16-bit color 1280x960, 24-bit color or higher
    Hard Disk Space 200 MB for full program installation 30 GB
    Hard Disk Type Any EIDE/Ultra DMA (7200 RPM) or SATA
    MIDI Interface****
    Windows-compatible
    Audio Interface***** Windows-compatible WDM- or ASIO-compatible******
     Media Drive*******
    DVD-ROM, DVD+/-R, or DVD+/- RW Drive

    * SONAR does not support Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 or XP x64
    ** Required to connect external MIDI devices
    *** Required for audio playback
    **** Recommended audio devices Dancing Dots can supply.
    ***** SONAR is presented on DVD media. DVD-ROM, DVD+/-R, or DVD+/- RW Drive required for installation.

    Quicktime support requires QuickTime 6 or higher.

  • Note to blind users: CakeTalking for SONAR 8, a script and tutorial package that delivers easy access to the power of SONAR to blind musicians and audio producers, was released in March, 2008. It requires JAWS version 7.10, 8.x or 9.x. You must use an English keyboard layout and an English version of SONAR. If you want to purchase or upgrade JAWS for Windows, Dancing Dots is authorized to sell it to you. In fact, Dancing Dots represents not only Freedom Scientific, but most of the major manufacturers of assistive technology and music supplies.
  • CakeTalking and Sibelius Speaking on the same computer.

TranzPort wireless control surface by Frontier Design Group is a very handy add-on to SONAR.

Online Purchasing


If you have purchased SONAR 7 Producer or Studio in the month of September, you are entitled to a free upgrade. Just fill out the upgrade coupon below and receive a free upgrade to SONAR 8. Download the free upgrade coupon.

Cakewalk SONAR 8 Studio Edition

List Price $479, Our Online Price $299

Check this checkbox to grant permission to Dancing Dots to open this product and braille your serial number. Be advised that opening this product eliminates your option to return it.

Cakewalk SONAR 8 Producer Edition

List Price $619, Our Online Price $499

Check this checkbox to grant permission to Dancing Dots to open this product and braille your serial number. Be advised that opening this product eliminates your option to return it.

Cakewalk SONAR 8 Academic Studio Edition

Our Online Price $199. List Price $269. Please fax proof of affiliation with accredited school or church or proof of full-time student status such as a copy of an acceptance letter or student ID card to 610-783-6732.

Check this checkbox to grant permission to Dancing Dots to open this product and braille your serial number. Be advised that opening this product eliminates your option to return it.

Cakewalk SONAR 8 Academic Producer Edition

Our Online Price $399. List Price $539 Please fax proof of affiliation with accredited school or church or proof of full-time student status such as a copy of an acceptance letter or student ID card to 610-783-6732.

Check this checkbox to grant permission to Dancing Dots to open this product and braille your serial number. Be advised that opening this product eliminates your option to return it.

Upgrades to SONAR 8 Studio Edition

Order your upgrade to SONAR Studio Edition at the special prices below for anyone who owns any earlier edition of SONAR. Select your current version of SONAR or Cakewalk:
Check this checkbox to grant permission to Dancing Dots to open this product and braille your serial number. Be advised that opening this product eliminates your option to return it.


Upgrades to SONAR 8 Producer Edition

Order your upgrade to SONAR Producer Edition at the special prices below for anyone who owns any earlier edition of SONAR. Select your current version of SONAR or Cakewalk:
Check this checkbox to grant permission to Dancing Dots to open this product and braille your serial number. Be advised that opening this product eliminates your option to return it.


Upgrade to Full Version of Dimension Pro

The Dimension Pro software synthesizer combines real instruments with advanced synthesis, giving you endless sound possibilities.

Purchase the upgrade to the full version of Dimension Pro $99
Check this checkbox to grant permission to Dancing Dots to open this product and braille your serial number. Be advised that opening this product eliminates your option to return it.

Upgrade to Full Version of Rapture

The Rapture software synthesizer is capable of producing rich, hypnotic, and rhythmic basses, leads, and pads, It's perfect for performing and designing the modern synthesized sounds for pop, dance, and electronic music.

Purchase the upgrade to the full version of Rapture $99
Check this checkbox to grant permission to Dancing Dots to open this product and braille your serial number. Be advised that opening this product eliminates your option to return it.

Digital Audio and MIDI Equipment

Accessible Workstations
MIDI musical keyboards and other Equipment
Digital Audio Soundcards

Last updated March 28, 2008. Copyright 2002, 2005 Dancing Dots