Cakewalk Music Creator vs. Sonar

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I know, it's crazy. I ended up buying it just to find out what it could do!! A simple comparison chart is all that's needed - MC3 vs. HS vs Sonar
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studiosonic wrote:I know, it's crazy. I ended up buying it just to find out what it could do!! A simple comparison chart is all that's needed - MC3 vs. HS vs Sonar
Agree...

But I think they're afraid that people will find out that there's really not much of a difference between this and Home Studio...really, it's kind of amazing what you get for this price...Cakewalk are basically killing Home Studio with MC3, imo.
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they are almost basically killing all low level sequencers in fact....
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HI

I did likewise 'studiosonic' ... for £19 I will simply give my Thursday take-away a miss!

BUT; I will not be able to use this program, I was hoping the shpeel on 'ease of use' meant that Cakewalk had made some major changes to 'their' way of putting together a host, I have only ever tried the Sonar demo (and never even got a VSTI loaded) and thought that it was worth a look - as the E-Mail seemed to point towards something much more user friendly.

I did get a VSTI loaded, this time!

But I wouldn't take this app for free if I had the opportunity to demo it first.

I am not going to blast it as I am sure many users are happy with it - it certainly is choc full of features; it even has dual core support; but (I have previously used Logic and SXV2/3, XT, Live et al) this would be a nightmare for the uninitiated (IMO) and to say it is aimed or suitable for the quick and easy composition of music is somewhat misleading.

Just setting up midi/audio options is convulted, as I stated; getting VSTI's/FX loaded is arcane (from my experience).

I will probably give this to my son as he is setting up a new rig, I would not be a happy bunny if this was my main host ... that is the price you pay for no demo - and an inquisitive mind!

Flipper.
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Yeah I've found out more here about MC3 Than I have at the Cakewalk forums. :roll: :D
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JoeSchmoe wrote:
studiosonic wrote:I know, it's crazy. I ended up buying it just to find out what it could do!! A simple comparison chart is all that's needed - MC3 vs. HS vs Sonar
Agree...

But I think they're afraid that people will find out that there's really not much of a difference between this and Home Studio...really, it's kind of amazing what you get for this price...Cakewalk are basically killing Home Studio with MC3, imo.
Totally. To be honest, I'm rather annoyed that the upgrade price is also the same for HS and MC3 users.

Bah... I'm just a whinger who should've done more research first... :hihi:
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original flipper wrote:I am not going to blast it as I am sure many users are happy with it - it certainly is choc full of features; it even has dual core support; but (I have previously used Logic and SXV2/3, XT, Live et al) this would be a nightmare for the uninitiated (IMO) and to say it is aimed or suitable for the quick and easy composition of music is somewhat misleading.

Just setting up midi/audio options is convulted, as I stated; getting VSTI's/FX loaded is arcane (from my experience).
Surely you have to invest a bit of time in any sequencer to get the best out of it. I guess it's easy for me, as I've been a Cakewalk user for some time - but inserting a VSTi/FX takes about two clicks! Still, I see your point. If it's aimed at the complete newcomer, there is a bit of a learning curve, but as I said, if the software has any substance it's always going to take a little bit of manual reading to get the most out of it.
fandango wrote:Totally. To be honest, I'm rather annoyed that the upgrade price is also the same for HS and MC3 users.
...I just saw that. It sucks. You'd think there'd be some incentive in upgrading from MC3 to HS to Sonar - but it would be a waste of money to go to HS if you had any intention of going to Sonar in the future. I might mail Cakewalk and see if anything is going to change about this...
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HI

Just to clear up my earlier post: I bought this on a whim ( :roll: ), I can't resist the thought of a really usable and intuitive host (I treat them like VST's: I am happy to use different host's, like a guitarist might use 3 or 4 guitars!) and thought that for £19 it was worth the risk ... the sales pitch certainly got my attention.

Below is a bunch of quotes from the E-Mail from Cakewalk; IMO this paints a picture of the program that is just WAY OFF:

" With Music Creator you get the tools, instruments, and effects you need to create, record, edit, and mix your music projects in one integrated software solution. Creating music on your PC has never been easier, more fun, and more affordable."

&

"For new version 3 we've made it even easier with more creative tools to help you turn your musical dreams into polished recordings."

&

"We think you'll agree that the new look of Music Creator 3 is easy on the eyes, but more importantly it has been streamlined to put the features you need most easily in view and right at your fingertips."


As stated I have enough (30 years analog/15 years computer) experience to get practically any program going quickly and get an idea or feel for things - in the case of this program, I would say it is arcane - definately NOT suited to anyone who might not want to spend a LOT of time learning it.

I have read manuals on SX/Logic for really intense stuff like working in the 'Environment' or 'Audio pool' ... not just to set-up midi/audio drivers, load up a VSTi or record a midi-clip.

This program will require a SERIOUS amount of PDF reading for anyone not having used a previous version of this or Sonar, experienced users of host programs will IMO really STRUGGLE with this host, regardless of their experience.

A feature filled program that represents excellent VFM ... but at a price - the E-Mail as stated really suggests a new host based on a 'streamlined' reworking - I really did not want anything that required anything other than superficial experience - I do not agree that you need to read anything to use a program on a basic level.

That was really what I wanted to say, Cakewalk are misleading people, even at £19; this is £19 I could have saved.

BUT

If I was reviewing this program the 'PRO's' would be: It has a feature set that is unheard of at the price point and if your happy to invest your time in learning it, you have aquired a real bargain.

One last thought; if say Energy XT had the same sales pitch, I don't doubt that many people would be going INSANE at the misrepresentation - we all know what a great program XT is ... but, it can be a pig to learn, once you get it (like anything) then great; your be well happy - but, not everyone want's the learning curve or sales pitch that sells you something that is obviously not what you would be buying.

I really am just trying to point this stuff out to anyone who might be thinking of buying it expecting some really intuitive host for next to nothing; I really don't think it is for reasons already mentioned and this might save some people £19, or it might encourage others to go buy it, albeit in a more informed way.

Flipper.
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original flipper wrote: I really am just trying to point this stuff out to anyone who might be thinking of buying it expecting some really intuitive host for next to nothing; I really don't think it is for reasons already mentioned.

Flipper.
It may be intuitive to some like me, but as always not for others. I found Sonar 2 (years ago) pretty simple to get started with, but thats just me. So from that perspective the marketing is not deceptive.

Some hosts will fit in with a persons workflow others will not. Just the way it is. :wink:

For £19 I think it offers alot of power and complexity so maybe it is for people who are ready to give it more time and take the time to really master it.

A demo would have been great but in the absence of that I don't think it would be a waste of money if you bought it to make music efficiently and professionally. It will still do what you ask of it.

Tracktion has a quick workflow but not the depth in certain areas as even Music Creator (drum map, drum grid, Notation) so I would not say Cakewalk are deceiving people, but Cakewalk pop in to KVR, here and there, so they may very well be interested and take notes from your feedback flipper. :wink:

Also Kinetic is incredibly easy to use. Not much is heard of that but it's probably the easiest of any Cakewalk host IMHO. :wink:

Hosts with the most power and flexibility are usually the most difficult to get into but not always. Maybe Music Creator requires some patience to really get the most from it, but getting up and running really does not IMHO take that long at all. With that feature set it also offers a pretty good level of depth for just about any requirement,for just £19! :o

Of course that is just my view. I think many people also see Sonar as very complex indeed. But with a few clicks you can start with a template of your choice in seconds.

Music Creator will not appeal to everyone but at that price...it's worth spending enough time on it IMHO. But if it does not work for you then it was definitely not the right choice, low price or not. I have made similar mistakes in the past. :wink:

I certainly know a few people who would be very interested in Music Creator and probably a few who are not. :wink: Each to his own.

Thanks for the Imposcar as well! :D
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christianmusicmaker wrote: Some hosts .... not the depth in certain areas as even Music Creator (drum map, drum grid, Notation) so I would not say Cakewalk are deceiving people
Very true, and in education for example that is very important (notation). Music Creator looks to me like a steal at that price and I'm looking forward to testing a promotional copy at some point to compare it with S5 LE.

The thing that I find really interesting with the Cakewalk line at present is that the cost of the core sequencing programming itself has dropped so low. In effect, for the cost of S5 PE you are paying for all the added plugins (and surround sound if you particularly want it). The whole deal has shifted...
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headquest wrote:In effect, for the cost of S5 PE you are paying for all the added plugins (and surround sound if you particularly want it). The whole deal has shifted...
It's been this way for a while. That's why I never bothered to upgrade my Home Studio 2. Cakewalk is like Roland. If you have one, you pretty much have them all.

Well I do own Sonar 3, but I never use it and after playing with it, I switched back to Home Studio, because they're the same thing, except Sonar has lots of extras I don't need. :shrug:
Mizutaphile.
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silicon/silicium wrote:they are almost basically killing all low level sequencers in fact....
hell, why? Compared to eXT it's a joke... :D

(all imho of course :hihi:)


still a fantastic deal though 8)
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well, I don't include ext in "low level sequencer"!
whatever, to record and mix, seeing mc3 can deal with remote surface and automation recording, it could replace T1 in my gear, and I don't need more to record bands.
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I couldn't resist getting this considering the price. I jumped off the Sonar upgrade train back at V1.3 so thought I'd check this one out.

The only problem I'm having so far is I'm getting some outrageous feedback/noise when using VST insert FX while looping a segment of audio. Can any one of you who has this program confirm this? I've tried this on 2 systems (one freshly built with clean install of XP etc.) and the problem persists. Thanks.
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I read on the Cakewalk site that MC3 is limited to 24 effects per project.
I doubt if that would ever affect me too much especialy since you can buss them to differant tracks.
Does anyone see this as a crippling limitation?
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