Hi again
Let me first say where I have come from! I have been using Cakewalk Home Studio 9 for at least 13 years. I used it at first to make/playback midi files and to record audio from my guitar and vocals.Lately I have just recorded audio backing tracks and then played guitar or added vocals on separate tracks.
Audio from the midi tracks was from a Yamaha TG100 and I use a Yamaha CBX-K3 midi keyboard. If anyone can remember any of that stuff you must be as old as me LOL
All of my audio sources are routed through a Behringer mixer to the line in of my soundcard. I also have hardware sound efx and compressor plugged into the mixer. Audio out of the computer is also routed through the mixer so that I can monitor playback tracks and listen to live recorded tracks at the same time. Does that make sense?
 
Anyway, after upgrading the OS on my PC to Win 7, I decided to splash out on new software and decided on MC6. I really have moved into the 21st century!
 
The good news is that the midi keyboard works fine! The rest of my equipment (perhaps apart from the mixer) seem to be redundant. I am amazed at how far things have moved on. Software synths, efx etc is just amazing (or am I just showing my age). I have even downloaded a trial of Z3eta +2. 
 
This is all a million miles from what I am used to. So can anyone advise me on the following:
 
Is my I/O OK (via the hardware mixer).....it seems to be, but will I come up with limitations? What can I sell on ebay? LOL
 
More importantly, where can I get good resources on using MC6, VST synths and effects etc. I am completely lost, even assigning synths, patches, effects etc to tracks. Its all so different to what I am used to. Nothing will be too simple for me!
 
Thanks in advance
 
Steve
 

Hi there,
 
   A good place to start is the tutorials (http://www.cakewalk.com/Support/product.aspx/Music-Creator-LE) and go from there. They help a lot by walking you through the menus and buttons so you can understand the mechanics of the GUI.
 
   As far as I/O, if you are not having latency issues, you should be fine. Are you using MC6 with an on-board audio card (Realtek)? If not having issues with that, you should be fine, but can get better processing through a dedicated I/O that goes to either FireWire or USB.
 
   Before jumping on that comment, could you help us out but giving us more insight into your system (similar to my signature)?
 
   Best regards,
   Michael

Congrats and welcome to the future.
 
One thing I did not see in the OP is the sound card you are using.  Please clarify that.
 
I too made a jump from CWP8 which used the internal sound card synth (GM) to MC4 and what a huge difference. I finally found the home studio solution I was seeking.
 
In a nut shell, my system consists of a custom computer (I used a stock laptop for 4 years with MC4) and a Focusrite Saffire interface for a sound card.  My custom build computer does not have a sound card except for the Saffire.
 
I connect my midi keyboard to the Saffire and also mic straight in to the Saffire. No mixer, no preamps, because the Saffire has phantom power and nice crystal clean preamps. My guitar is either mic'd with my Rode condenser on the speaker or I use a POD2 straight into the Saffire as well.  That is essentially my studio..... computer, interface, mic, and POD.
 
Everything else is "in the box".
 
With the advent of faster computers came all sorts of plugins for FX and VST instruments, that there is really no need to have racks full of expensive analog gear any more.
 
Once I got my system up and running on the laptop at the very beginning, I listed ALL my mixers, tape recorders, outboard gear (reverbs, compressors, etc) and a Korg D-16 digital recorded for sale on Ebay. I never looked back nor regretted selling any of it.
 
I think a few here actually use a small Behringer mixer in the fashion that you do. The important part is ... does it work and do the job you need it to do? If so, rock on. My system is more of a straight line.... form the gear to the DAW.... and the Saffire has outputs for my monitors.... so, while extremely simple and humble looking, it does the job I ask of it.
 
Welcome to the future..... be sure to be a part of this forum and post your music in the Songs forum. Probably the best place to learn how to improve your skills.
 
 

Thanks mettelus and Guitarhacker.
 
This is my kit :
Asus P5N-E SLI
Intel Quad Core Q 6600 CPU @ 2.4GHz
On board audio? HD audio device
4 GB DDR RAM 667
nVidia GeForce GT9800
Just upgraded from Vista to Windows 7
MC6
 
Roland UM-1
Yamaha CBX-K3 midi keyboard
 
Behringer MX1604A mixer
Yamaha TG100 GM sounds
TC Electronic M300 multi efx
Alesis 3630 compressor
Rode NT1-A
 
Ibanez JS1000
Boss GT6
Morley wah
 
 

The only thing that comes to mind for me with your setup is that you may have best success with a dedicated audio interface (using ASIO mode) for recording/playback. Here is a thread I just posted to, that describes his issue (using Realtek onboard audio) at a high level. http://forum.cakewalk.com/FindPost/2938050
 
 

Thanks for the advice. It really is only a couple of days since I downloaded MC6. I will read through the suggested tutorials, try to do a bit of recording and see if I have any real latency issues.

Yes.... the dedicated interface is the way to go. Be sure it uses ASIO and not the codec mess... Focusrite, Presonus, Roland, M-Audio are all decent interfaces.
 
Using on board sound with MME drivers will be OK if you are not using synths until you get the interface. You will experience latency with synths, among other problems.
 
Once you get a decent interface, the experience will take a few more steps into the future for you.

Thanks Guitarhacker. Excuse my ignorance but does the interface effectively act as a sound card then as well as allowing you to connect various audio/midi inputs to the pc? I would guess that keeping the Behringer mixer is still a good idea with the output going to the interface? Would I send the output of the interface back to the mixer too (as I do from the onboard sound card). If that is the case is a small 2 in 2 out interface all that I need? Any models you would suggest?
Thanks

Welcome to the forum.
The term audio interface refers to a high-tech sound card designed for recording and playback of multiple tracks with low latency. Many come with MIDI ports as well as various audio inputs. Some will have phantom power for those using condenser mikes.
They can connect to the computer with FireWire or USB, or some can be installed in the box. The better ones will have their own ASIO drivers, rather than the legacy audio codecs which are usually not as efficient.
A 2 in/out device will be sufficient for you (for now) since Music Creator can only do 2 ins and outs.
Using a mixer in front of an interface is okay, if you're satisfied with it's low noise level and features. It will also allow you to keep everything connected to the interface; a turn of the mixer's channel volume control will immediately bring the instrument you're recording into the mix.
I use my mixer for all my device outputs, though. I have my keyboard's MIDI connected to my interface, the keyboard's audio out connected to the mixer, the interface's output connected to the mixer, and the audio from my internet computer connected to the mixer. The mixer's plugged into my stereo reciever.
When I want to record audio, I plug directly into the interface.
Herb and I both have Focusrite Saffires and they've worked well for us, so we tend to recommend that brand. M-Audio, Presonus, MOTU, Roland/Cakewalk and Focusrite interfaces abound in these forums, so you have a good chance of getting a good box if you choose one of those brands.
What model is your Behringer mixer? Many of their newer mixers double as audio interfaces.

Thanks for the info Greg. The mixer (like most of my kit) is quite old, its a MX1604A so no usb or firewire.  My set up is listed earlier in the thread.