How does MC5 measure up?

Re: RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (Moshkiae)

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 16:00:54 GMT

Hi,

I just got this MC5 and Instruments package last night, it installed fine, had an issue with not hearing things that was remedied once I changed the M-Audio sound card to ASIO setting.

So far so good but am still trying to learn it before I do anything. All in all did not have an issue installing except I have a specific folder for everything VST and the MC program appears to not like it. And one other location that was specifying address it was not showing the VST folder specified, so I will probably reinstall it tonite with its own ... usually Ion't care for this process as it makes it very difficult to find/locate everything and make a clear/concise backup strategy.

About the only hangup, so far was the list on the bottom end that shows the samples and clips not allowing me to sample them and I could not figure out why. I printed out the manual and am reading up on it at this time. And Windows didn't like it and gave me a nasty error and twice I had to cut out with the 3 finger salute.

The instrumens addon is nice and I have already been having fun with it on the keyboard and then some! Not quite Klaus Schulze yet but should be fun all the same!

Re: RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (JohnB)

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:16:15 GMT

I recently started a thread about this, but I thought I'd mention it here. I'd like to have a way to change which VSTi a particular Instrument Track is controlling. There really doesn't appear to be any way to do that.

Also, I can save and load VSTi presets to disk but it'd be nice if there was a way to automatically reload the factory presets (those that were initially with of the VSTi when it loaded) at the click of a button.

Thanks for listening (to any Cakewalk people here) :)

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (kine321)

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 01:42:00 GMT

Is one really necessary? The specs for SHS7 & MC5 are listed. They're just not side by side. Perhaps a dedicated chart makes it easier to compare- but- it's definitely not something that's needed? I think the relevance of the SHS7 & sonar comparison was to see how the engines differed with the new SHS7 format. MC5 is the SHS7 engine so it seems a bit pointless?

At the rate CW/ Roland is going... They will soon be releasing Kinetic [3] and Project [5] ver. 3-- with the same SHS7 GUI!!! The reality is-- they will simply slap these names on what is SHS7 and simply declare them as a new product. " />

The sad thing is... you'll have some individuals that will fall for it, like they have GTP4! " />

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (Beagle)

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 07:38:51 GMT

I've gotta believe there's one around, but I haven't been able to find it.

not sure why, but there's not a comparison chart for MC vs SHS. the only comparison chart is SHS vs Sonar:
http://www.cakewalk.com/products/homestudio/english/comparison.asp

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (CloudsOfSound)

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 15:31:10 GMT

Comparisons, comparisons... MC5 is practically free, compared to other music creating software. Simple? Yes, but in a doable way.
It is possible to learn the interface that is indistinguishable from its bigger brother (SH), still it is possible to use advanced plugins and expand with other compatible packages.

I think it's a great product. Compare it to Steinberg Sequel 2, that targets the same audience, and after trying out both, I must say that Cakewalk has a major lead.
It is targeted at small productions, even one-man-bands, and for that purpose it serves just great.

Well, give me a work in sales, but thats MHO.

" />

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (deraudrl)

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 11:37:29 GMT

In my opinion, going from any SONAR program to any Music Creator program is not an upgrade. Cakewalk advertises MC 5 as 'Simpler', for the computer-recording novices. It seems they may have gone too far, but still, it is 'simpler'.
(snip)
A new user of Music Creator will not see the difference, and for $35-$40, MC is still a great deal for all it does.

Agreed. But what would be interesting ( to me at least) to see is a definitive chart listing the differences between MC5 and SHS7. I've gotta believe there's one around, but I haven't been able to find it.

(For a probably-unwanted insight into how my mind works, note that I bought MC5 because (1) Fry's had it in stock but was out of SHS7, and (2) I was too lazy to drive all the way across town to Guitar Center.)

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (CloudsOfSound)

Sat, 30 May 2009 09:56:15 GMT

Seriously, I must say that the content they ship is not worth a penny, but hey, the application is great!
Loving it. I have a friend that works professionally with Sonar Studio, and heaps of expensive plugins off course, and he tested my MC5, and the verdict was totally positive, if we don't include the content. But, it's like Lego, you can build on it and use VST plugins that you can later use in Sonar if so is needed.

I must add, that I've also purchased the full Cakewalk Studio Instruments package...

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (CloudsOfSound)

Sat, 30 May 2009 09:55:08 GMT

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (Beagle)

Sat, 30 May 2009 07:33:09 GMT

if you're talking about just audio loops then you don't need to scan them for MC5 to use them, they just need to be in a format that windows recognizes (not AIFF) - wave, mp3, those kinds of loops will work in MC5, you just drag them and drop them into a project.

and actually the biggest difference between MC5 download and boxed version is the 100 more sounds included in the Sound Center - those are loops, they're proprietary sounds to be used by triggering them with MIDI thru the soundcenter.

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (CloudsOfSound)

Sat, 30 May 2009 04:55:46 GMT

Ok. Can't see the logic there, in these "broadband times", but fair enough, I've already bought the download anyway, and I won't be sleepless or loose hair over it...

But. I have HEAPS of instruments and loops from my previous Mac machine (For Logic), and these are, as far I can tell anyway, just loops and midi calculations.. (arrest me if I'm wrong).
Can these by any means be used in MC5 if I extract them and place them in a folder for scanning or something?

I've invested in lots of these "JamPacks" to use in Logic Express, but was forced over to Win platform, so out it went...

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (Beagle)

Fri, 29 May 2009 20:57:00 GMT

no, there's not. if you don't buy the boxed version then you don't get the extra content. sorry - that's the way they decided to market it.

and the differences between the two are listed here:
http://www.cakewalk.com/products/musiccreator/specs.asp

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (CloudsOfSound)

Fri, 29 May 2009 18:28:10 GMT

Ahemm... My first humble post.

I believe the question about the different content in the boxed vs. the download version was never ansvered?

I vote for the environment, so I'll live happily without more cardboard floating around, but, seriously, there must be a place where I can download the "missing" pieces?

In 2009, I think the "Buy the boxed version!" slogan is a bit dated....

" />

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (57Gregy)

Fri, 29 May 2009 17:02:04 GMT

This neophyte computer-user (in 2002) had very few problems with using Music Creator 2003, and I barely graduated high school. It wasn't that hard to get up and running. What took time was learning the techniques of recording. And I still have a lot to learn.
Music Creator has always been the most basic sequencing program from Cakewalk since it first came out. It allows for fewer audio and MIDI tracks, only 2 simultaneous inputs, fewer effects and processes and fewer plug-ins. The further up the upgrade path you go, there are more soft synths, more effects and processes, the ability to record multiple simultaneous inputs, and the audio engine seems to be improved with each new version.
I can't detail every difference between each version because I don't know them all, and it would be up to the user to decide if the extra $100 or $400 is worth it. It was worth it for me to go to SONAR 6.
If you have specific questions about MC, Pedro, you can always ask in the MC forum and we'll try to help.

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (Moshkiae)

Fri, 29 May 2009 15:03:45 GMT

Hi,

I'm so confused with all this information I think I'm gonna give up on this digital ... corsage!

I wish there was a chart that showed also some basics ... as to why one program is 50 bux and the other 500 bux ... (logic somewhere in someone's brain!) ... some of this technical stuff is nice ... but how the heck would an idiot like me know what they could get/use or not?

WoW is much easier! Heck .. playing the bass is easier and more fun!

I give up!

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (burningwycke)

Wed, 13 May 2009 18:35:32 GMT

I was going to upgrade from Home Studio 2002 to Home Studio 7, but I like what I see in MC5. I work alone in my studio and play all the instruments myself so while I can handle something like SONAR 8 (I've been recording for over 25 years) I'd rather not. I don't need the agravation from learning Pro Tools or Nuendo- I just want something simple with great audio quality.

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (57Gregy)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:02:35 GMT

In my opinion, going from any SONAR program to any Music Creator program is not an upgrade. Cakewalk advertises MC 5 as 'Simpler', for the computer-recording novices. It seems they may have gone too far, but still, it is 'simpler'. Of course, the preferred path of DAW program purchases, at least in Cakewalk's corporate mind (I'm assuming) is not for a MC user to buy another MC, but to buy SONAR Home Studio then the full-blown SONAR. Just as General Motors wants you to upgrade from a Chevy to a Buick to a Cadillac. Or at least from a Chevy Cobalt to a Malibu.
I've noticed at the grocery store that what was once a 4-ounce bag of potato chips for $2.29 is now a 3.5-ounce bag for $2.29. Instead of raising the price, they just made the content smaller. Same thing here, there and everywhere.
A new user of Music Creator will not see the difference, and for $35-$40, MC is still a great deal for all it does.

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (soens)

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:45 GMT

Since I don't like the new Home Studio 7 upon which MC5 is based, I have to give it 2 thumbs down. I was going to buy MC4 but would not buy MC5.

The chart is OK but it lacks listing what MC5 does not have over what MC4 does have. For the same money I would consider it a downgrade.

RE: How does MC5 measure up? (kine321)

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 22:11:08 GMT

Be Aware! Studio drums only comes with a single drum kit. It also doesn't contain any percussion sounds like: Congas, bongos, tam, shakers, etc... You also can't load any additional content or use it's samples in anything else. The rest of Studio Instruments is the same way. If you're completely content with using the same[1] snare, [1]kick, cymbals, and toms in every song, then Studio Instruments is for you! " />

RE: How does MC5 measure up? (JD1813)

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:24:39 GMT

I also had the full Studio Instruments pkg, and I know several of us have commented about how we love the Strings portion so much. So I know the drums are also very good, and when I receive my MC5 I'll be looking for how easy it is to load and bring in the entire SI pkg. (shouldn't be hard at all). I have preordered my MC5 from Amazon so I'm all set to upgrade, and this time I chose to get the box version instead of download. Wanna be sure not to miss anything. Sounds like it won't be long now before we'll have all kinds of hands-on reviews posted! " />

RE: How does MC5 measure up? (meadowman)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 16:55:52 GMT

Thanks, Beagle. I watched that video, then found one that focused on the drums. This just might push me over to MC5:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UquKaN5Ruio

RE: How does MC5 measure up? (Beagle)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 14:36:51 GMT

MC5 has Studio Instruments Drums. it's the DRUMS ONLY version of this:
http://www.cakewalk.com/Products/StudioInstruments/

RE: How does MC5 measure up? (meadowman)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 08:30:36 GMT

I'm using MC4. Correct, it doesn't have Session Drummer, so I have been using something called PC Drummer which is pretty good but has a limited set of patterns.

The description for MC5 mentions some sort of drum function, but doesn't call it 'Session Drummer', so I'm hoping it's a rewritten version of SD..

RE: How does MC5 measure up? (57Gregy)

Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:09:01 GMT

Which version of MC do you have, Meadowman? They stopped including Session Drummer after MC 3, I think, so 5 probably doesn't have it, either.

RE: How does MC5 measure up? (meadowman)

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 16:41:58 GMT

I'd like to know more about the drum module. I like the patterns built in to Session Drummer but hated the interface and could never really figure out how to save and edit the drum parts. Have the drums been revamped in 5?

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (Beagle)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 23:25:52 GMT

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Amazon has it available for "prepurchase" right now - shipping May 2.

http://www.amazon.com/cakewalk-10-CWMC5-00-10C-Cakewalk-Music-Creator/dp/B0023RTCMU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=software&qid=1240629929&sr=8-1

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (RobertB)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:11:54 GMT

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RE: How does MC5 measure up? (MetalMan)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:07:36 GMT

Thanks Beagle. I kinda figured that they would wanna sell out there old stock in the stores before re-stocking the new MC5. I think I"ll wait for it to hit stores. I thought about purchasing it from Office Depots online store but to my shock the only thing I could find online was "MC3", I dunno why, and I got that address by clicking on Buying Options I think it was called from this website.

I can live without it for now, I have a lot more to learn, although I am very interested in the drums and the EQ on the track aspect of the program.

Thanks again Reece, and don't be sad about those TN Vols, I think they will be ok this year. It's my GA Dawgs that I'm worried about with a new QB, I mean they are the bulldogs, not the beagles. " />

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (SteveStrummerUK)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:04:16 GMT

ORIGINAL: RobertB

lol Steve.
I love Stouie. He's perfect for your avatar!

Is that how you perceive me Bob!

My head isn't that thin " />" />

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (Robomusic)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:13:46 GMT

CJ and the Dawg! hey wasn't that a TV show a while back?!?!

RE: MC4 vs MC5 Comparison (RobertB)

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 20:11:14 GMT

lol Steve.
I love Stouie. He's perfect for your avatar!