Cakewalk Releases Pyro 2003 Digital Music Management Software for Windows

New CD and MP3 creation software includes audio waveform previewing and editing; LP/cassette digitizing; audio cleaning tools; song cross-fading; enhanced portable player support; data CD burning; other features

Cakewalk, developer of the leading music and sound software for Windows, today released Cakewalk Pyro 2003, the latest version of the companys digital music management software.

Designed with a clean, intuitive interface, Cakewalk Pyro 2003 is for music fans and record collectors who want to organize, restore and enjoy their favorite music both on and off the PC.

Pyro 2003 allows PC users to burn custom mix CDs, create MP3 playlists, convert LPs to CDs or MP3s, edit and clean audio, and even record Internet audio broadcasts. New Pyro 2003 also supports full data CD burning for backing up or transferring any type of files.

Highlights
*Create custom mix CDs of your favorite music
*Quickly turn your CDs into MP3s, WAV or WMA files
*Quickly locate and organize all the music files on your PC
*Create unlimited MP3s
*MP3 files open automatically in Pyros unique preview display waveform within seconds
*Convert LPs and cassettes into CDs, MP3s, WAV, WMA files
*Auto-recorder with timer for recording LPs, cassettes and Internet broadcasts
*Rip individual songs or entire albums
*Split long audio files into multiple tracks
*Create megamixes and smooth transitions by overlaying and cross-fading songs
*Get superior sound quality with 64-bit EQ
*Fully-integrated click & noise removal with settings
*Integrated audio editor with waveform preview: non-destructive audio editing; edit fades, crossfades & volume visually
*Automatic crossfades between overlapping tracks and volume normalization
*Instantly download song titles and artist info from Gracenote/CDDB for thousands of commercial CDs
*Portable music player support
*CD labeler kit included
*Back up your valuable PC files to data CD

Unlike products that consist of a number of separate utilities, Pyro 2003 offers an integrated system where users can play, organize, edit, and restore their favorite digital music, create audio and data CDs and transfer their music to a portable player. Whether its to make MP3s, burn mix CDs of their favorite music, digitize and clean old LPs or cassettes, or archive important data files, everything is presented clearly and intuitively.

Record and Edit Audio
With just a couple of mouse clicks, and with context-sensitive HyperHelp available at every step, users can record or rip audio from any source − LP, cassette, or microphone, Internet or radio broadcasts¯ even when away from your PC, using the auto-timer feature. Pyro 2003 allows user to perform precise edits with the ability to instantly see audio waveforms; add a professional touch with custom song fades; control the length of silence between songs, even cross-fade different songs together to create smooth transitions and remixes.

Audio Cleaning
Pyro 2003s integrated audio cleaning feature employs De-click and De-noise Wizard commands to remove clicks, pops and crackles from noisy LPs. It also lets users clean hiss, hum and other annoyances from LPs, cassettes, and low-quality MP3s. And with the custom multi-band EQ, users can put sparkle into their audio with 64-bit accuracy.
Arrange and Organize
Pyro instantly recognizes song titles and artists from commercial CDs with the Gracenote CDDB online database (no more typing!), create and store playlists of your favorite songs using multiple formats: MP3, WAV, WMA and quickly locate and arrange audio files on your PC. Additionally, Pyro 2003 displays MP3 and other audio files automatically as an audio waveform within seconds, allowing you to quickly apply audio edits.
Burn audio and data CDs
Pyro 2003 adds professional touches to your CDs. Create a playlist, click 'set volume automatically and, Pyro will automatically adjust individual track volume for consistency. Then burn the songs to an audio or MP3 data CD with one click of the mouse. Pyro 2003 also supports mixed-format CDs for play on any computer. Organize photos, digital video, documents, financial info and other files the way you want, then burn CDs to safely and securely archive valuable data. For that professional look, Pyro includes the NEATO MediaFACE II labeling software, allowing users to design and print full-color CD-labels and jewel case inserts using included images or their own artwork.

Portable Players
After creating custom playlists or megamixes, users can transfer songs to their favorite WMDM-compliant portable with just a simple mouse click within Pyro. The 2003 version supports all of todays popular portables including the Creative NOMAD Jukebox, Creative NOMAD II, the SONICblue Rio series, Samsung Yepp, and Compaq PA-1. Cakewalk will provide support updates for new portables as they are introduced via the company website.
Pyro 2003 is at once very powerful and very simple. It fills a void in the market for an all-in-one, easy-to use-digital music management package," commented Anthony Conte, vice president of sales at Cakewalk. Pyros integrated approach puts everything at the music enthusiasts fingertips, so they can spend more time enjoying their favorite music."
Pricing and Availability
Cakewalk Pyro 2003 has an estimated street price of $39.00 U.S., and is now available in leading US consumer electronics retailers including Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, Media Play and Micro Center. Pyro 2003 can also be purchased direct from Cakewalk on CD or as a download. For more information visit www.cakewalk.com; or call 888-CAKEWALK (617-423-9004 outside U.S.).
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About Cakewalk

Founded in 1987 and based in Boston, MA, Cakewalk is an international, industry-leading provider of software for music and sound creation. The company's award-winning products are used worldwide by more than 1,000,000 users, for applications including audio CD production, film/TV soundtracks, live stage sound, club remixes, computer game sound, multimedia applications, and Internet delivery.

Cakewalk ® is a registered trademark, and Cakewalk Pyro 2003 and the Cakewalk logo are trademarks of Twelve Tone Systems, Inc. Other trademarks mentioned are held by their respective owners.

High tech/consumer electronics editors please note detailed Pyro 2003 product information and images can be found at Cakewalks Pyro press pages http://www.cakewalk.com/News/Pyro.asp . Contact: Steve Thomas 617-423-9004 ext. 166; stevethomas@cakewalk.com.