Hi, here is a problem I can't solve. I have some old music I created in the 80s-90s (pre-soft synths)and when I open the files in Music Creator 7 the only output option is the not-ideal Microsoft GS wavetable synth. There are no other options. Not knowing what to do I open the browser window and select TTS-1, up pops the dreaded 'Insert Soft synth Options' dialogue (the descriptions do not make any sense to me) so I move on to . . .
Create These Tracks: I don't understand any of the options so I go to the step-by-step instructions - Inserting soft synths. - I then go to 'To insert a soft synth from the synth rack or menu' the fourth option 'If you want to use existing MIDI and audio tracks to play the soft synth, uncheck all of the Create these tracks options.' would seem to fit what I'm doing. I select either the TT-S1 or the Cakewalk Sound Center as the output, then listen to . . . NOTHING! The meters show activity but there is no sound output. 
 
I've tried work-arounds like creating a SI-bass, drum, guitar etc. track, and copying and pasting the MIDI events into these tracks, I've even had it working fine, until the next time I open the file and am greeted by the usual silence.
 
I have had this software for several months now, I can do all I need to do MIDI editing wise, I get the results I need mainly by using my external MIDI synth and the Microsoft GS wavetable synth. The software synths are hit-and-miss to say the least, whenever I think I've figured things out they stop working. Is there something wrong with the original file? Is there something wrong with the installation or setup? Basically I can't get the soft synths to work, consistently, or predictably. A friend tells me to switch to Cubase but I've tried it in the past and didn't like it.
 
What to do?
 

Disable the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth and MC7 will automatically setup TTS-1 to playback MIDI files (IOW files with .mid extention). From there if you want to replace the TTS-1 for a track,

• add the synth
• in the "Insert Soft Synth Options" add an audio track only
• change the MIDI track output to the new synth and
• selected a program on the new synth.

 
When adding synths to an existing project keep in mind a synth needs a MIDI track and an audio track for a complete routing. The MIDI track to play the MIDI data to the synth and an audio track to capture and playback the audio from the synth. So when adding a synth to an existing project, make sure the MIDI track output is routed to the synth and there is an audio track with its input set to the synth output.
 
MC7 also has a simple instrument track. This is a hybrid track containing both a MIDI track on the input side and an audio track for output. It is functionally the same as a separate MIDI and audio track, it just hides the routing details to and from the synth.
 
I believe Tutorial #4 goes through the process of adding an instrument track to a new project.
 
Also only TTS-1 is a GM synth. The SI series and Cakewalk Sound Center are sfz engine synths which depending on the instrument and program may not play the entire range of possible notes. And NRPN data can cause the synth engines to shut down so you need to make sure the MIDI data does not send this data. Either clean up the MIDI data using the Event List or go into the plug-in properties and enable "Do not intercept NRPNs." The plug-in properties may be found in the VST2/3 drop down in the standard plug-in header and also in the Cakewalk Plug-in Manager. Below is an image showing how to access plug-in properties from the plug-in header.

Okay, thanks. I will attempt to do as you say. First off, how do I Disable the Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth? I am using a windows machine.

From the MC7 main menu Edit > Preferences > MIDI > Devices deselect the synth in outputs.

With all due respect, this is a lot more work than just assigning a sound to a midi track!  I realize there are tons of perfectly valid reasons why all-this is done in such a complicated manner. I, however, am not in the category of users who would realize benefits from this. I hereby give up. I will switch to a much simpler program. Thank you for your time.

new_note_nick
With all due respect, this is a lot more work than just assigning a sound to a midi track!  I realize there are tons of perfectly valid reasons why all-this is done in such a complicated manner. I, however, am not in the category of users who would realize benefits from this. I hereby give up. I will switch to a much simpler program. Thank you for your time.

If you totally lack the will to learn general basics of working with DAWs there's no easier way for you . The principles are the same in all DAWs. They're not one button plug'n'play thingies, they all require some real studying in order to get the best out of them. If clicking two-three times (and reading in the help files what the clicks are about) to insert a soft synth is too much, then....
It's worth it to take the little time to learn the basics, it really is. Have patience.

I  understand that these DAW programs are suppose to mimic the workings of a 'real' studio, only instead of plugging in a device via a wire you do it via software. Fine. I appreciate the fact that I don't have to go out and buy equipment, however if I didn't have an external sound module hooked up to my physical interface with a midi cable, I wouldn't be able to use it at all, at least not effectively.
 
I'm familiar with many types of software, I'm a video editor, animator, etc. and yes, virtually every program has it's own quirks and challenges, but generally there is a reason other than "Just cause it is" which I firmly believe is the case here. Back in the 'old days' in the 1990s I was able to get my sequencer up and running in 20 minutes. I know this software is much more capable, but. . .
 
I will continue to use it with my external module, once in a while I will try to figure out the soft-synths etc. - I have recorded some audio with it which seems fine, although I use another program to record audio. If the principles are the same on all DAWs then I'd probably be better served by one that scales properly to my Windows 10 desktop and 24" monitor instead of being forced to add an extra monitor to see everything as the interface doesn't scale!

new_note_nick
With all due respect, this is a lot more work than just assigning a sound to a midi track!  I realize there are tons of perfectly valid reasons why all-this is done in such a complicated manner. I, however, am not in the category of users who would realize benefits from this. I hereby give up. I will switch to a much simpler program. Thank you for your time.

I hate to break it to you …you are closer that you think …don't quit now …
it is true to a degree that this way of doing things may seem very counterintuitive  to you …
most of us have been there and felt that way in the begining…
 
see if this helps  
[tube]https://youtu.be/sQzpHPvWSnk[/tube]
 
this works for SONAR and music creator 
 
[tube]https://youtu.be/EjwN3gP3IbM[/tube]
 
 
Kenny

I find the online documentation very frustrating and at times patronising. It was not written for the entry level user it cannot have been. I have used Cake products for nearly 25 years on and off and I found CPA 3 up to 9 very easy to work with but that is because a manual the size of War and Peace was provided with each one (hard copy) and made very good bedtime reading and was presented in a logical manner. The online docs are stand alone stuff and written with ones peer in mind not a new user.
 
For example I dont understand what the following means when loading a softsynth and I fear this is the reason i cannot get my sounds to work perfectly or without freezing, cutting out etc. "A single synth track that acts as an output for output 1" is a prime example. This is mentioned below copied from online docs. I could operate CPA 9 in my sleep - the move to Sonar then back to MC has been a frustrating one and one I still cannot get myself going with. Yes as mentioned above there is no one button fixes all but there is no (apparent) logic to some of the things we have to do in order to get a software sound to play (correctly). I used to use Soundfonts all the time and there was nothing simpler it seemed. Must be an age thing but to do the same thing now one has to learn it by trial and error and that is not even proving successful. I wish i was 'as close' as the user above but I have persevered trying to get a few simple midi tracks to play successfully through softsynths (all provided by cakewalk) and to no avail.
 
Copied from online docs - loading a softsynth
Choose options from the Insert Soft Synth Options dialog box according to the following:


If you want to create a MIDI track that uses the soft synth as an output, select the Create These Tracks: MIDI Source check box.


If you want to create a single synth track that acts as an output for Output 1 of the soft synth, select the Create These Tracks: First Synth Audio Output check box.


If you want to create separate synth tracks for each of the soft synth’s outputs, select the Create These Tracks: All Synth Audio Outputs check box.


If you want to use existing MIDI and audio tracks to play the soft synth, uncheck all of the Create These Tracks options. Music Creator adds the soft synth to the audio track input and MIDI track Output menus. You need to set an existing MIDI track’s Output field to the soft synth, and set an existing audio track’s Input field to the soft synth (the audio track will then become a synth track).

 

Maybe if I explain what am trying to do someone can assist.
 
I foresee most of my projects taking the same format being made up of approx 6 or 7 audio tracks (no problem) and the following 'midi' tracks;
 
1) Piano through TTS1
2) Bass through SI
3) Violin through SI
4) Violin through TTS1
5) Drums through SI
6) Drums through SI
7) Pads through TTS1
 
It would be really appreciated if someone could advise a sequence of events that would lead up to me successfully creating the above 7 midi tracks with associated softsynths that will play alongside each other. including what options i select when inserting the synths.
 
many thanks in advance.