Take control of your music now...

It’s time to take control of the creative process. Now you don’t have to depend on anyone else to get your music recorded. Do it all from your PC with Cakewalk Home Studio Version 2. There is no better Windows software available for musicians taking the step into the world of digital recording. Home Studio provides you with everything you need to turn your PC into a powerful multitrack recording studio.

With support for real-time DirectX effects, DXi and ReWire software synths, MIDI FX plug-ins, and ACID™-format audio loop technology, Home Studio takes your music farther, faster, and for less money than any comparable software product.

What’s the difference between Home Studio Version 2 and Home Studio 2004?

Box packaging
Cakewalk VST Adapter
New 2004 Edition

ReWire support to integrate Home Studio Version 2 with Project5, Reason, and other ReWire synths
Simultaneously record your whole band with support for multi-channel audio cards
Record up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio
Easier soft synth implementation
Click and drag to paint drum tracks with new pattern brush and Drum Editing Grid
Support for VST effects & instruments through included Cakewalk VST Adapter

Pyro Express CD maker and WAV ripper
Support for all Windows compatible audio hardware through WDM, MME, or ASIO

Key Features

Record unlimited audio and MIDI tracks
Mix with real-time audio and MIDI effects
Plug and play DXi soft synths
Create loops fast
Supports ACID™-format, MP3, WAV, WMA and MIDI files

Home Studio is designed to let you concentrate on creating music, instead of getting bogged down with confusing software. It’s all laid out in an intuitive Track window that lets you quickly record, edit, arrange, and mix your music.
It doesn’t matter what you want to record—guitars, keyboards, vocals, live turntable scratches, CD samples, or any other sound source. Home Studio puts it all together seamlessly.

Now you can easily create and layer loop-based music tracks along with live recordings. Create entire compositions or add new sonic layers to your existing songs. The Loop Explorer helps you find the right samples fast. Browse the included Cakewalk Loops sample library created by leading producers, or thousands of available sample collections.
Preview multiple loops while your project is playing back in tempo and in key with your song. Then just click and drag to paint your canvas of sound. Even make your own loops out of any MP3 or WAV file. Opens and reads ACID™-format audio loops.
Home Studio XL includes an additional CD of audio loops from leading producers.
Perform with built-in software synthesizers

Add hundreds of high quality instrument sounds to your studio with the included DXi soft synths.

The new Synth Rack makes loading and working with the synths for your project a snap. Home Studio now supports automation from the synth interface, plus DXi synths are now more efficient and offer lower latency than ever before.

EDIROL Virtual Sound Canvas DXi

A software synthesizer, modeled after the famous Roland synth of the same name. Over 990 sounds and drum sets to choose from.

Audio Simulation DreamStation DXi

A vintage analog-style synthesizer reproduced as a DXi plug-in. It combines physical models of analog circuits together with mathematical models of analog oscillators. Works just like a vintage hardware synthesizer worth thousands of dollars today.

Additional Tools and Loops in Home Studio XL
For the musician, project studio producer, or dance/remix artist who’s looking for more value, Home Studio Version 2 XL provides all the capabilities of Home Studio Version 2, plus:


PowerFX Dyad DXi Sampler & Sample Library CD

Dyad DXi is an advanced SF2 sample player with a powerful arsenal of tools for sound manipulation. Includes an additional CD featuring a unique and versatile collection of samples to get you started.


Cakewalk SpectraFX

Combines essential processing (reverb, chorus, flange, EQ, distortion) into one efficient multi-effect plug-in. Use on multiple tracks simultaneously.


Cakewalk Audio FX 1

Audio FX 1 is a series of essential plug-ins for mixing and mastering:

Compressor/Gate — Tighten up your mix, bring out the vocals, add punch to tracks, and smooth out performances with a wide dynamic range.

Limiter — Avoid distortion by keeping audio signals from exceeding a set threshold.

Expander/Gate — Increase the dynamic range of your recordings.

Dynamics Processor — An all-in-one plug-in that combines all three effects for more control over your mix.


Cakewalk Audio FX 2

Warm up your digital audio and get killer tones with Tape Saturation and Guitar Amp Simulation.

Cakewalk AmpSim — Add the classic sound of vintage guitar amplifiers to your audio, from light crunch to overdrive distortion. You can choose the amp model, speaker cabinet and other parameters.

Cakewalk TapeSim — Uses advanced processing algorithms to apply the saturated warmth of analog tape to your digital audio. Control warmth, tape speed, EQ curve, hiss, and more.

System Requirements


Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP
300 MHz processor
32 MB RAM
100 MB free hard disk space
800x600 screen resolution/256 colors
CD-ROM drive (for installation)
MIDI Interface and/or Windows compatible sound card
Note: Home Studio Version 2 is not compatible with Windows 95, 98 or NT.