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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 409
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 409 |
Hi Folks, Is anyone here using Cakewalk Studio Instruments? I've done a couple of searches on the web, and so far, I haven't found much in the way of real life info.  What I'm interested in is: 1. Is it stable. 2. Is it user friendly. 3. Are the sounds just good or very good. (I can't tell for sure over the net--mp3s just don't tell the whole story). I'm running XP, sp3, 3meg, 1.8 duo, plenty of hd space. The price seems to be ok at $49.00.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812
Expert
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Expert
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 812 |
Hi,
For $35, Cakewalk has a better product called "Music Creator 5". Good soundset and the TTS-1, you can watch a video of it in action on Cakewalk's site. I'm not impressed at ALL with the Studio instruments, which is why you haven't seen much written about it.
Ed
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 193
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 193 |
I bought SI several years ago and thought it was worth the asking price at the time. I have since acquired other soft synths that have replaced much of my use of SI. I occasionally still use the standalone versions for a quick load practice or comp session.
Keep in mind there are only four instruments per se, Bass, Drums, Strings, and Electric Piano. They all have different patches and are somewhat tweakable but they are a little old school.
My installation has been rock solid. They are very user friendly and sound good but not overly good in my opinion.
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Joined: May 2008
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 409 |
Thanks guys.
Ed, I'll check out Music Creator 5.
Thanks again
Jim
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484
Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 484 |
Keebo, I share the same story as you. Frankly, I am a bit surprised Cakewalk is still selling the product. The string section is very synthetic; not too much diffrent than the GM sound. Jim, what instruments are you interested in getting? I am using Cakewalk's XL series that includes VSTi. It comes with the aforementioned Session Drummer along with the basic Garritan Pocket Orchestra. I use that for the bass and some odds and ends. Then, I use pianissimo for the acoustic grand piano sound. www.acoustica.com/pianissimoOf course, Real Band is excellent. The only thing is you cannot manually program the instruments as you would a VSTi. But, if you don't mind the software making the arrangement for you, it is a great product. RickeG
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900 |
Quote:
Of course, Real Band is excellent. The only thing is you cannot manually program the instruments as you would a VSTi. But, if you don't mind the software making the arrangement for you, it is a great product.
Actually, that is not totally true. Referring to the use of RTs, it is of course true but not in regard to MIDI. With MIDI, you can TOTALLY programme the instruments, note by note / bar by bar / second by second. Worth bearing in mind
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Joined: May 2008
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Journeyman
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Journeyman
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 409 |
Hi RickeG,
I'm mostly interested in drums, base, and guitars and in that order. :>)
I have a Gem RP-X, a Ketron SD-2, and a Roland Stage for hardware, so I'm not really hurting for sounds, but my problem comes in with hookups and the TIME
I have to spend getting individual tracks into the 'puter. What makes it bad is I'm not really satisfied with the Roland VSCi or Kontakt2, but I think I'm going to have to learn to live with them, at least for now. I'm definately not going with any of the huge labs with a 1.8 duo. lol. I am looking into the Roland TTS-1 tho.
Hi Sam,
Yep, and that's what makes me happy!
I really enjoy the realtracks but my biggest problem with them is my own mindset. I put together a song the other day, had a pretty decent version within about three hours time, but, thinking I could make it better, spent another couple hours that day and about three hours the next day before giving up and going back to my first version. lol.
Anyways, thanks for the suggestions and RickeG, pianissimo certainly sounded great to my ears. I've got it on my wish list. :>)
Cheers to all,
Jim
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,900 |
The thing about RB, Jim, is you can keep adding tracks in and if you don't like them, remove them. Alternatively, you can select the best parts from each track to go into the final mix 
Follow That Dream Sam Karaoke King -------------------- Turning that corner again - I have to keep following that dream, no matter what
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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