Colin Mairs

Hi Keith.....seem to have joined in on an interesting old post. Thanks to everyone in the comments below..I have learned many things. I still do my midi/sequencing on a very old version of Cakewalk..Pro Audio 8...circa 2000?.......using soundfonts via Coolsoft or Omni midi(drivers?) TTS , in Cakewalk/Bandlab is a good suggestion for your basic needs. But, to me , it's just another soundfont. However....do not underestimate it's 16 midi channels like the Roland Sound Canvas....(rompler?)...........and sometimes the sound you are after....... ...just might be in there!! However, I am using CakewalkBandlab...the free one........and I am learning every day the limits of a 4GB laptop!! The new program is not the same as the old one....but many similarites still prevail. I feel at home. Many wonderful tutorials out there...plse chk out "Mike_ Creative Sauce" on You Tube......nice'n easy.....................basics to advanced. Lots of good free stuff out there If you are looking at Orch/Jazz....which I am.....these may help. ORCH: Fee VST......then I would recommend.....Spitfire/Labs BBC...(forgot the proper descripton) Orhestools via Sampletank( 3 free)....just managed to install that last week...........and Sine player (Orchestral Tools) the spelling is correct. Free Kontakt player....the upright bass and jazz gtr are getting pretty damned close for me. And yes you can tweak and save as. Drums?...Sitala sampler....I am playing around with it....(Orange Tree samples "Jazz Funk Kit") Hope this might help you acheive the sound you are after on your device. And before I go....don't get fogged by the plethora of gadgets and gizmos....................Beethoven wrote "da da da daaaaah" without any of it!!!! Love and peace.