Hi I have been using Pro Audio 9 for many years - I tried Sonar but didn't like it - too many bells and whistles. My problem is I have changed PCs to a Sony Vaio and it won't take an internal soundcard - I have been using the SB Live forever it is the best thing since sliced bread as far as i am concerned. However I now can't play soundfonts in CPA as the onboard card does not play them. is there any way i can use software synths in CPA 9 and how do i go about it? I really only need it for drums, keyboards and bass. Thanks in advance.

Hi,

Pro Audio 9 is getting very old, and as far as I know, it doesn't support software synths.
Your best bet is to buy a new version of the software (like Cakewalk's exellent 'Music Creator 6' http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2ceuro/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=10-CWMC6.00-30E)
together with a cheap but good external soundcard (example 'M-audio MobilePre: see http://www.m-audio.com/products/en_us/MobilePre.html )

Music creator contains everything you need to start making music, both audio and midi.

Time to upgrade.

There is a free CAke synth (SFZ) that will play soundfonts w/o a SB, but you need a modern program that does VSTs (or maybe that one is a DX).  SONAR starts at less $99.  You can get a modern card for a little more.  The SB stuff was good, but I still cringe when I listen to my old LP recordings.  There is a constant tick from the SB convertering the 48 rate to 44.1 on the fly.  I don't know if latter sbs got better at conversion. 

But really, SB is a 10 year old technology and was never meant to be a making music solution.

Sounds interesting - I have never considered Music Creator before. Have you experience of it and if so is it actually better than Pro Audio 9? Or are there some limitations? Thanks again.

Thanks AT. Intersting your thoughts on SB,. The SB Live is a superb recording tool. I have made many recordings over the years with it and no one can tell that they were not professionally made/mastered. The quality is CD no doubt about it. Maybe you had a bad card or your PC had internal interference? I have very quiet moments on my recordings and you can't hear a pin drop. Thats why I grieved when i had to give it up.

Music Creator is like a 'light' version of Sonar.
There are less options, but everything is there to get you started (and beyond...)
It's in an all other league as CPA9!! You can still play and edit midi-files, but you can also record audio (like a modern tape recorder) completely digital. You can put in reverb and other effects, even use software synthesizers (which are also included with Music Maker), and then edit, mix and master your music.

Music Maker is, in fact, a complete recording studio inside your computer.  

(You can load the free Cakewalk SFZ+ synthesizer in Music Maker, which plays Soundfont files http://www.cakewalk.com/products/SFZ/default.aspx )

Thnaks again. CPA9 is in fact a complete recording studio too - it records and allows full editing of audio. To me it was the culmination of having bought every single Cakewalk product up to the date when CPA9 was released. i then had what i wanted and said - thats it - no more! I shall certainly try MC though.

Hi the link doesn't seem to allow a free download. Any ideas?

You have to "order" it from the CW store and download it. It is on this page http://www.store.cakewalk...ory.aspx?categoryID=39

Got it. Thank you.