I am very comfortable with the current version I am using. I can notate well, do my composing, and listen to the final product using the program. However, the current instrument sounds I have sound very computer-ish, and don't sound anywhere close to representing the real deals. Is it possible to upgrade the sounds I use for Music Creator 2?
 
Sorry if this is a dumb question! I'm somewhat computer illiterate when it comes to certain things.

I have no idea what soft synths MC2 includes, but the ability to add sound libraries and sounds of your own depends on the synths.
In case you're using the built-in MS Wavetable synth (as I believe based on your description) I don't think you can change them. Anyway, that Wavetable is about the weakest tool you can find, usability-wise and soundwise. Any soft synths have better.

Hi Phil,
As far as I am aware MC was designed to to with MS so that shouldn't be a problem - it isn't on my computer which is about six (or more) years old now.  However, it is possible that MC's own software has been improved since MC2 but you would have to ask them directly or ask the folk on this forum, some of whom have progressed through the whole range of products, for their opinion regarding the static or improved sound quality of the instrument libraries.  For what it is worth I used MC5 and was very happy with the 'real' sound quality and only bought MC6 because so many people recommended it.  You may even find that some still prefer MC5 to MC6 but I think that's more to do with the set up than the sound produced.

 
Reading between the lines you are no longer content with what you are hearing anyway so you probably already know what you will do eventually.
 
Regards,
 
Vincent.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thank you both for your replies!
 
Does Music Creator 5 allow me to hear what I've notated? As in, when my full project is complete and all tracks have notes assigned to them, can I listen to the finished project, then?
 
If so, I'd love to upgrade. I'm just a hobbyist composer, but I am doing music for my own game I'm working on.
It's hard to get the right feeling for a theme (say, like a factory), when all of the instruments don't sound anywhere close to what I'm looking for.

As we wrote in your other thread basically asking the same thing, if MC 2 doesn't support VST instruments, you're missing out on millions of new sounds. It's possible that you can find more and possibly better DX instruments for sale somewhere on the internet, but it seems that the industry has mostly moved on to VSTs.
On the other hand, if you use the Staff view extensively to write your music and use the keyboard shortcuts a lot, those shortcuts have been removed from the newer programs, alas.
Music Creator 5 is no longer available from Cakewalk but you may be able to find it in a retail store bargain bin, or maybe on Amazon. If it's new and has never been registered, you can use it.
As a registered customer, you can upgrade to Cakewalk's SONAR X3 for the paltry sum of $49 and get several VST instruments with it.
What kind of music do you write?
Yes, you can write in the staff or record and hear what you wrote with all of Cakewalk's programs.
 
Edited: X1 to X3.

Hello. Forgive the repeat of the question. Apparently it didn't sink in the first time!
 
I write jazz and classical mostly. 
 
I don't believe MC2 supports VSTs, so if I am understanding correctly (and it's quite possible I am not, as my insomniac part of my brain is active right now), I should probably upgrade to MC5 (if an unregistered version can be found) or MC6 so I can possibly also download SONAR for more VST instruments. So MC6 offers VST support, but does it come with VST instruments? How do I install them to my laptop, if I even do that?

If you registered MC 2, you can upgrade to X3 for $49, but X3 will not work on Windows XP or Vista.
Music Creator 2 probably won't work on Win 7 or 8.
It's a conundrum.
If your operating system is XP or Vista, you can try to find an unregistered version of the older programs that support VSTs somewhere. That would be MC 3, 4 or 5, SONAR Home Studio 5, 6 or 7 (maybe SHS 4?), or other now discontinued programs.
Music Creator 6 will work on XP/Vista and has VST support. It includes some VST instruments. I'm not sure if MC 6 Touch will work on XP/Vista. Check it out.
What is your current OS?

Funny that you mention it-- I'm actually running MC2 on Windows 7. 

There you go. Get X3.

The current cakewalk offering are the same....only so much better.
 
I know a guy who had MC2... trust me when I say that things have improved.
 
I started back into recording with MC4 after having been out for a few years after using Cakewalk Pro 8 for a while.....  all I can say is the difference was amazing..... in a good way.