Cakewalk Music Creator 3 Questions

[Music]

Hi everyone,

I have recently gt my Cakewalk Music Creator 3 for recording of my original songs.... I'm actually new to this software, therefore i do have quite some questions... Hopefully u guys are able to help

1) Is it possible to use previous recordings of either midi or .wav files then and to convert to the for example one of the tracks then play/record as 'real instrument' sound?

2) Why is it that when i'm doing the the playback after the recording, it jumps from the 1st to the last second? Another thing is that during playback, I couldn't hear anithing... ?

3) Issit possible to create my own totally new loops for recording... or is it that i have to use the pre-recorded loops?

4) Can i compose music which is totally new/original (not using the loops but for example notations) with the software and record it using the 'real instruments'?

5) How can i access to the 'real instrument' or the loops? How can i create own loop for various insrtuments?

Hopefully your can help me...
Thanks

 

[Cheez]

1. For midi files, it will only sound as good as the sound module/library you have. If you are using the build-in midi sounds, it will of course sound like the usual cheapo sounds. However, to sound like "real instruments", you'll need to purchase 3rd party VSTis/DXis. If you're starting up, you'll need a good template of GM sounds.

For wav files, they are already recorded sounds and so you can't really convert them to other "instruments". There are possible solutions but they are quite troublesome - you need other specialised software.

2. Playback cannot hear anything:
(a) Check that your soundcard settings are correct (within Windows and within Cakewalk)
(b) If you are using the build-in midi soundbank of your soundcard, make sure that is selected.

3. You can create your own loops. Just record what you want and loop it. Simple as that.

4. Of course.

5. For starters, you may want to get a good GM template so you can play most generic midi files. Edirol Hyper Canvas HQ is one solution to OK sounds (ie sounds better than the build-in midi soundbank). You'll need to do a google search - can be purschased online. If you're into orchestral music, Garritan Personal Orchestra and a good start (www.garritan.com). For loops, you can get them anywhere. There are heaps of free ones out there. If you want quality ones, you can always get them from East West, Zero-G etc.

What soundcard are you using? What is your system specs? What music do you write (or intend to write)?

 

[Music]

hi cheez,
ooh.... i'm composing pop/ rock music.... erm not too sure which soundcard i'm using actually but i'm thinking of going into composing using software cos there is no band ard to play my song.... are u into music oso?? or composing?? or audio?? Actually i do have some songs composed... but its in guitar-pro form, therefore its midi and also nt much "instruments" cos i was thinking of using some "chinese instrument" sounds for my songs but there isnt any of them....


Btw do u have msn or such so maybe nx time we can discuss more on these issues...

 

[Music]

Btw what should i do to create own loop? Erm i believe there are some "real instrument" sounds in the software already right?? but hw to go to that?

 

[Music]

Wat's GM template?

 

[Cheez]

So many questions in one go! OK, I'll try to answer them.

1. You're right! Actually Music Creator has Virtual Sound Canvas, which is a GM/GS soundbank. So you should have most of the instruments you need. I've not heard them, but I can imagine them not to be of high quality but better than your build-in sounds from the soundcard.

To use it, I guess you just have to select it as a DXi. Should be in your manual. You can always check out Cakewalk's website for details. I can't tell you step-by-step since I use Logic not Cakewalk, although the same general principles applies.

2. GM = General Midi. It contains 127 sounds of which should suit most of your needs. Most midi files that you download from the internet are written in this format.

3. I compose and arrange music as well. Sorry, no MSN. But you can PM me in SOFT.

 

[Indigo_blues]

the virtual sound canvas is quite decent actually... much better than the stuff from sound blaster.

 

[Music]

Isit possible to chagne the waveform of a loop??... because i was thinking of using the midi waveform when convert to audio... then change to the waveform under the instrument... then will play as the instruments sound...thankx

 

[Cheez]

I don't quite understand what you want to do. Yes, it is possible to change the waveform of a loop because a loop is a wav file. A midi file is NOT a wav file - it consist mainly of midi messages (notes on, notes off, many other cc messages including sustain, mod wheel, after-touch etc). So in a midi file, there's no waveform for you to change.

The midi file will trigger external or internal soundbanks to produce the sound (or "waveform" if you like). You can record the audio produced by the internal/external soundbank (triggered by the midi), then render that into a loop. Is that what you want to do?

Once it is a wav file, you can manipulate it like a loop. But remember that loops are meant to be short so it doesn't take too much memory.

 

[Music]

haha what i waan noe is that hw can we gt the things like key, rhythem n notes etc that we want? thankx .... cos from loop its nt really easy to get what we want for "real instrument" sound becos its pre-recorded already, or we may have to change the waveform totally for the "instruments" to play... unless there are other ways.... any good intro ?

Cheers

 

[Cheez]

Answer: basic sequencing note by note. I don't like loops for that reason - and it's also why I don't use them if hardly at all. "Real instrument" sound comes from good quality VSTi and softsamplers. Midi will trigger each note from your VSTi/softsampler.

By the way, don't have to post your question so many times in different places.

 

[Cheez]

To add on - for realistic sequencing, two elements must be present. 1. Skills and technique in sequencing; 2. Good sounds/samples.

Point 1 is more important than 2. You can have good sounds but still sound crappy if you don't sequence properly. Sequencing is more than just pressing the record button and playing your keyboard. Do a search in the forum - I believe we have discussed tricks of sequencing a number of times in this forum.

 

[azhiwen]

I think what he meant was using the midi notation created and assigning it to various instruments so they play the same thing.

EDIT: Sorry abit late in posting this hence this 'weird' reply.

 

[Cheez]

Maybe Music can clarify it again.

 

[Music]

yaya tts rite... use music notation and assign to various instruments

 

[Cheez]

You're still not very clear. Do you mean that: each note represents a certain loop so that when you play one note, a certain loop plays. When you say "assign to instruments", do you mean each "instrument" is a "loop"?

 

[azhiwen]

use music notation and assign to various instruments>> I think he means he wants to create a loop or a mini riff and then use the same loop/riff for the various instruments he wants.

 

[soft]

i think the thread starter need to get some one-on-one lessons to build up his foundation first. he is asking stuff that are a little too advance.

*that is why the questions are not phrased correctly

 

[qfactor]

i think the thread starter need to get some one-on-one lessons to build up his foundation first. he is asking stuff that are a little too advance.

*that is why the questions are not phrased correctly

Then ask him to come MusicTEC for lessons lah! :lol:

QF