What is the difference between producer and essential

Loptec beats me to this.. :)

Actually, if all you need is the midi editing aspect you can even save more and use Music Creator 6. 

It looks like X1 essential and works well in the midi editing department, with a cost that is $40.  BUT WAIT!!!!  it's currently on sale for a limited time for $20 in the box set>>>   http://www.store.cakewalk...ductid=10-CWMC6.00-30C

That is a NO BRAINER if you are looking for an inexpensive yet extremely capable DAW. 

Overview of MC6>>> http://www.cakewalk.com/products/musiccreator/

I have the MC series 4,5,6, and X1 essentials.   I have always found the midi editing to be easy in the MC series. Since I cross graded to X1e, I now use it all the time.  For the better part of 3 years I used MC4 (so called beginners software) to do all my recordings and the results stacked up well against the projects others were creating in the flagship product from Cake. (producer versions) 

Just another option you might wish to look at and consider. Besides..... MC6 offers midi and audio recording ( 256 midi tracks and 48 audio tracks max ,,,IIRC ) 


I'm not trying to steer you away from X1, just offering a way to test the waters for $20 and get a DAW that is very capable in the process. 

Just remember that no matter which version you get... you will want to budget for a USB based musical interface ($125- $200 on average depending on specs and inputs) .... do not try to use the built in sound card in your computer...especially on the MIDI stuff. The results will be frustrating..... clicks and pops and extreme latency. A dedicated musical interface will eliminate all of that and let the process run smooth. 

Loptec


hm interesting..
actually.. what is it that x1 essential can do, that music creator can't?

they really should have a comparison chart that includes music creator too, and not just the x1-family. ..like included on the "wich DAW is right for you"-page, or something

Music Creator is slightly more limited in that.... the number of tracks total is less, and the number of inputs it (MC) can handle at one time is limited to 2 active inputs only.  That is the main difference. Also MC only does 8 active synths in the synth rack at a time....I believe X1 handles more. There may also be a few plug ins and maybe a synth that comes with X1 that MC doesn't have. 


However.... MC with 48 audio and 256 midi tracks, while less than X1 can do (IIRC) ...the limiting factor ultimately is the computer. 


What I would do is get MC6 for $20 and see how it does. Have a look at all the stuff that comes with it.... compare the charts of the Sonar models to MC6 to get an idea what they have that MC6 doesn't. 


The thing is....MC6 supports VST's and therefore, you can use any VST synth or FX with it. So while MC6 might not have a certain synth....if it's a VST synth, like the Native Instrument line, or any of the really nice sample players on the market.....they will run in MC6. 


As I said earlier, I used MC4 as my DAW for 3+ years and only cross graded to X1 recently. There was  no pressing reason for me to do so other than to move to Sonar because I wanted to do so. They offered a pretty good price to cross grade from MC. 


Don't forget to plan for a decent audio interface no matter which DAW you get... if you do not already have one. And the factory card or a sound blaster is not considered a good upgrade. 

Hi 
thank you very much for your information. where can I download a MC6 trail version? I did not find it in the cakewalk website. according to the video introduction, MC6 focus more on recordings, right?
by the way, I like your music. 

There is no trial version of MC6. Sometimes the LE version is included on a disk with some assorted hardware made by other vendors.......


BUT.... the full featured version of MC6 is available in a box with the DVD disks for only $20..... that is a simple no brainer deal if you want a superb DAW at a super price..... That is less then the cost of a few visits to Starbux for coffee. 

What are you waiting for? That price will not be there for long. As evidenced by the music on my soundclick pages..... most of that music was recorded and polished in MC4. A so called "Beginners DAW"...... 

With just starting out you should look into MC 6 and spend the money that you save on a good audio interface and speakers/headphones.  Everything that you learn with MC 6 works in X1 Essential or Producer. Upgrade to one of these later, if and when you know what features you really need.  Good hardware if the first requirement for having this be a good experience.