Most desktop music producers throughout the '90s dreamed of a seamlessly integrated MIDI and audio production environment that offered lightning speed and a vast array of features. Today, a number of applications are rapidly turning that dream into a reality. Cakewalk's Pro Audio is one of them. Pro Audio has combined MIDI sequencing with multitrack digital audio for several years now, and version 9.0 brings users even closer to living the dream of the virtual studio. NUMBER 9...Pro Audio is an integrated MIDI and multitrack audio recording, editing, and mixing application. Recent versions added features such as real-time MIDI and audio effects; 24-bit, 96 kHz recording; and the ability to sync video files directly to audio tracks. Cakewalk calls the latest version 'Evolution 9,' and I can't think of a finer appellation.

Version 9.0 continues the company's tradition of improvements in Pro Audio's features and performance, which has made it a leader in MIDI and audio technology. Seasoned users of Pro Audio will find version 9.0's graphical user interface familiar. Very little has changed, with the exception of the Console view (see Fig. 1), which has been given a face-lift. Some of the main menus have been rearranged for efficiency as well. Here, we'll cover the new features and enhancements lying beneath the surface. RIDING THE WAVEPIPEOne of the most important breakthroughs in Pro Audio 9.0 is its new WavePipe technology.

WavePipe is a more efficient way for the software to transfer and process audio data. The result is a decrease in audio latency that translates into more-responsive console sliders and an increase in the number of tracks and effects that can be mixed or played back in real time. According to Cakewalk, performance gains vary depending on the sound card you use and the design of its driver. Most users, however, can expect a significant improvement in audio performance. How well does the WavePipe technology work? To find out, I ran a number of tests with Pro Audio 9.0 on two different systems: a 233 MHz PC with 64 MB of RAM and Digital Audio Labs' (DAL) CardD Plus, and a 600 MHz PC with 128 MB of RAM and a DAL CardDeluxe. On the 233 MHz PC running Pro Audio 8.0, I could play back 16 mono CD-quality tracks with no effects-but just barely.

After installing Pro Audio 9.0, I was able to play 20 mono tracks of audio with ease on the same PC. The Ultimate Demonstration Disc. This translates into a 25 percent improvement in performance, so even older systems will see substantial gains. In fact, it wasn't until I loaded 22 mono tracks with four real-time effects that I ran into any dropouts at all. Using version 9.0 on the 600 MHz machine, I managed to play 30 mono 24-bit tracks simultaneously without incident. Even with 30 tracks playing, I was using only 20 percent of my CPU and 60 percent of the PC's disk-transfer ability.

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Pushing harder, I ramped up the project to 30 mono tracks with eight effects, which seemed to be near my limit. This much processing power is great-for the first time ever, I'm confident that Pro Audio is more than able to deliver the virtual mixing performance that I need. The bottom line is that Pro Audio 9.0 increases flexibility by allowing you to avoid mixing down tracks during a project. This way you can keep your options open until it's time to do the final mix. Another type of performance enhancement can be gained through the use of AudioX, a new protocol for communications between audio hardware and software. AudioX enables Pro Audio 9.0 to address the additional features that a compliant sound card has to offer. Pro Audio automatically configures a Console for the device after determining the features-such as onboard DSP effects, custom bussing capabilities, or word clock-that it offers.

AudioX drivers are currently available for several sound cards, including the Yamaha DSP Factory, the Digital Audio Labs TDIF 2496 Pro, and the Sonorus StudI/O. Cakewalk has given version 9.0 additional CPU and disk meters to monitor audio streaming. These small, helpful displays sit unobtrusively at the bottom of the screen and continuously measure CPU power and disk throughput as your tracks play.

For example, if you notice that you're close to maxing out your resources-which can cause dropouts-you can bounce tracks or apply your effects destructively to save processing power. If a dropout does occur, a red warning display will come up. Another small display box indicates the amount of free space remaining on your hard drive. Cakewalk promised smoother audio scrubbing in version 9.0, and it definitely delivers. In earlier versions, scrubbing was often choppy and fraught with dropouts. Not so with Pro Audio 9.0.