on a smallbudget music creator???

[jokinjoe]

I'm working with a very small budget, I have a Tascam porta studio and I need to mix down and eventually burn a CD
My friend has a soundblaster live 5.1 and a midi keyboard
thinking of buying Music Creator
before I buy I'd like to know:
Can I mix down from the TASCAM to music creator?
Can I add more tracks either from loops or from keyboard?

What's the differance between music creator 2002 and 2003?
I can get 2002 for $20 and 2003 for $50 and right now that's a big differance for me

Joe

[FatBoy_Krawl]

Hi there,

I too have a SB Live! and using Cakewalk Pro 9. I found though after looking at many of the different options that the Fostex MR-8 was the best choice for me. The main reason on this was the ease of use I had with an older Fostex X-11 and the fact it exports (and imports) .wav files to and from the computer. Being on a tight budget myself this was the best bet for me.

The MR-8 was only $314.nn from Musician's Friend and the rest is just connecting it to a USB port. I'm not real sure on the Tascam, but from the sounds of it I would consider the MR-8. It seems this would fit your needs much better.

Hope this helped.

[jokinjoe]

Maybe I wasn't clear, my question was on the cakewalk product, "music creator" (2002/2003).
I HAVE a TASCAM already and access to SB live 5.1. I wondered if Music Creator would meet my need to mix down to stereo from the TASCAM via the SB Live card.
Joe

[brzilian]

Originally posted by jokinjoe
Maybe I wasn't clear, my question was on the cakewalk product, "music creator" (2002/2003).
I HAVE a TASCAM already and access to SB live 5.1. I wondered if Music Creator would meet my need to mix down to stereo from the TASCAM via the SB Live card.
Joe

I'm assuming the Tascam is a 4-Track...

The answer would be no because your SB only has 2 discrete line level inputs (1 stereo line in). You would need a card like the Delta 44 with 4 inputs which would pretty much do away with the need for a portastudio since you could go all digital for recording and go directly into your PC.

[jokinjoe]

brzilian,
Thanks for the reply, and yes the TASCAM is 4 track but it has only 2 outs-- left/right switchable from stereo/mono. So won't it (SB) still work ?

[brzilian]

Originally posted by jokinjoe
brzilian,
Thanks for the reply, and yes the TASCAM is 4 track but it has only 2 outs-- left/right switchable from stereo/mono. So won't it (SB) still work ?

I guess I'm not following your train of thought.

Are you bringing the final stereo mix into your PC or do you want to bring in each track individually from the Tascam?

If it is the second, that would be a pretty hard thing to do because you would have no way of keeping each track in sync during the transfer to your PC.

[jokinjoe]

My plan was to mix down to stereo from the tascam not individual tracks.
I also want to add more tracks with either loops and/or a midi keyboard.
I guess what I'm thinking is really bouncing the 4 tracks I've recorded on the tascam to 2 tracks on my PC then adding more tracks later.

Can this be done with cakewalk music creator through a sb live 5.1
Thanks for your help,
Joe

[brzilian]

Originally posted by jokinjoe
My plan was to mix down to stereo from the tascam not individual tracks.
I also want to add more tracks with either loops and/or a midi keyboard.
I guess what I'm thinking is really bouncing the 4 tracks I've recorded on the tascam to 2 tracks on my PC then adding more tracks later.

Can this be done with cakewalk music creator through a sb live 5.1
Thanks for your help,
Joe

Yep - no problem. Depending how much of a perfectionist you are, I would suggest looking at something a little better than the SB. The Audiophile 2496 from M-Audio is a very good card which I also own. It can be bought for $150 nowadays. Overall, it has better DAC's, noise floor and of course much better WDM and ASIO drivers than any Creative product.

[jokinjoe]

Thanks brzilian,
The audiophile was my first choice, but alas my wallet (and wife) says no
I hope someday to have a better set-up all around.
Better mics, pre-amp, mixer, effects, soundcard, software
electronic drum set, bigger room, and a band to play with.
Later and thanks again
Joe