Hi,

I'm new here and with Cakewalk products. I play piano since when I was a 7 years old boy.

I would like to know if can I create/compose music with Music Creator 6, for example. Also, is this the most appropriate Cakewalk software for this? Or is Sonar a better one? Does Sonar also has virtual instruments on which we can play?

Thanks in advance for your help. :)


OBS: I would like to know also if is the software user-friendly. :D


OBS 2: sorry for so many questions. Case I opt for Sonar, for example, where can I purchase a downloadable version, please? :)

Welcome, Eduardo.
Yes, you can create music with Music Creator 6.
It it a trimmed down version of Sonar X1, and shares many of the basic qualities.
While MC6 is relatively user friendly, it will take some effort to get comfortable with it.
It does not have the advanced features, which can help tame the learning curve.
These features are useful, but can quickly overwhelm a new user.
My personal recommendation would be that any new user spend some time with MC, and get a basic feel for the Cakewalk programs.
MC6 is available as a download for new users, but all other versions require an initial hard copy.
Sonar and MC have virtual instruments, and support additional virtual instruments from other vendors.
You can create within the program, using Piano Roll and Staff views, but this is not real time.
Since you play piano, I think you would get the most satisfaction with a MIDI controller to play the virtual instruments.
MC6 is a great place to start, but the software is only part of what you will probably end up wanting.
Plan on spending a few hundred bucks, and you can really get going with it.

Hello RobertB,

Thank you very much. :)

I was taking a look at your songs, and would like to say they are amazing!

Do you think that even commercial projects can be created with Music Creator 6?

I was looking for other solutions, also, as Acid Pro 7, Sonar X2 and Ableton Live 8. But, do you think that start sith Music Creator 6 is the best idea?

The fact I can't purchase Sonar X2 through download is very complicated, for me. There is not any retailer in my country, unfortunately. :( 

Even downloading the trial: can't we purchase from there and unlock the full version?

Does Music Creator 6 has virtual instruments, also, and, do you think we can create great projects entirely on it, without to use real instruments?

Many people compare Sonar with Ableton, and say that Sonar is very more heavy, that it consumes very more resources and crashes a lot. Is it true?

Anyway, I'm already planning on spending a few hundred dollars. :)

the ability to create "commercial projects" lies mostly with the user and his talents.  I have heard "commercial type projects" made by a very talented musician and engineer on nothing but a realtek soundcard and standard Sonar.

Sonar X2 and Music Creator 6 can both be downloaded.  You must have gotten some wrong information about that.  you have to purchase the boxed DVDs separately as an extra cost if you want them shipped to you (which is not a bad idea, IMO).

Ableton is a great program, but it's geared more for live use (it's designed more for DJ's than for recording artists).  I cannot say that Sonar doesn't crash, because it's happened to me before.  some crashes are due to soundcard drivers and others are due to problems they didn't work out before release, but those get updated and hopefullly don't continue.  X2 is pretty mature now with the "a" release update, so I hope you won't have crash problems with it because of the programming.

I would suggest that you start with MC6 download for only $40USD and a decent soundcard with decent drivers.  plan on spending about $150USD +/- $50USD for your first soundcard.  check my website for some soundcard recommendations.

then if you like MC6 which was very inexpensive, then you can upgrade to Sonar Studio X2 or Sonar Producer X2 and it will be easy for you to learn because they are very similar.  everything you learned on how to use MC6 will be similar in X2.

as far as downloading the trial and then purchasing the fulll version, YES, you can do that. 

Hello Beagle,

Thank you. :)

Really. You're right. We are talking about tools, just tools. :)

Regarding downloadable versions of Sonar X2, I was not able to find the purchase page. Do you have the link, please?

And I'm almost purchasing Music Creator 6. What do you mean when you say that Ableton is geared more for live use? So, means this that, for example, Sonar is most appropriate to compose (my intention)?

And Sibelius: do you consider it a good tool? And Acid Pro is more focused on live used, also?

Abelton is simply designed to work more with live mixing.  Sonar has added some of the same kinds of things that Abelton does if you need that type of functionality in the form of the matrix view, but IMO, cakewalk products are better for compositions than Abelton is. 

Acid is geared more toward people who want to build projects using audio loops.

sibelius is a great tool, tho I use Finale myself.

the cakewalk store for buying MC6 or X2 downloads is a link at the top of this page - click on CAKEWALK STORE

or here:  http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/default.aspx?

I understood. Thank you.

So, the Cakewalk Store seems to sell only the upgrade. I was not able to find a downloadable version of Sonar X2 there. :)

Define "commercial project". 

Short answer is what was said above. Yeah, you can make music that is "Broadcast and radio ready" with Music Creator 6 (MC6) 

The music on my web site is done with MC4 (earlier stuff) or X1 essentials on the later stuff. I pretty much work the same way regardless of the version of the software. 

There is a learning curve to the Cakewalk software. To get up and running might take a few hours to a few days. Having a dedicated music interface is a big plus. Learning the software will come with time. Heck... I'm still finding out things about the software I'm using that I did not know....and I've been using it for over 6 years now. Bells and whistles and shortcuts.... and some functions.... who knew? 

The quality you get in the projects depends only on your skill level. There is much to learn about EQ and compression and mixing and the mastering process. All that takes time, and dedication to want to learn it. That is not to say it can not be done quickly, because with the tools included in MC6, you will be able to produce some pretty decent sounding music rather quickly. 

Some of the music I write and produce is signed into libraries and publisher's catalogs. It was all done on this so called "beginners" software. 

So yeah, it's very possible to achieve commercial quality with MC. 

I recommend highly that you post your music in the songs forum and ask for feedback. There are quite a few people who will listen and comment and they know what they are listening for. They can direct you to the issues with your mix and help you learn what to listen for as well. Become involved there, not only posting but listening and commenting on the music of others. That one resource has helped me significantly improve my skills. And over there, you can ask specific questions about something if you do not understand what someone suggests.... it's about learning. 

ewsg


I understood. Thank you.

So, the Cakewalk Store seems to sell only the upgrade. I was not able to find a downloadable version of Sonar X2 there. :)

oh, my bad.  they didn't used to do it that way.  looks like you're correct.
 
but you can order it to be shipped to you thru places like Musiciansfriend.com or if you're in the UK, I know there's a Roland UK that does it.
however MC6 IS available as a download
 
http://www.store.cakewalk.com/b2cus/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=10-CWMC6.00-30E
 

Welcome to the forum.
MC 6 has several software synthesizers included, such as TTS-1, SoundCenter and Studio Instruments Drums.
Others can be purchased for just a few dollars to many thousands of dollars. You can even find some free synths on the internet. Some work well, some don't.
Cakewalk offers some free ones every now and then.