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SOFTWARE REVIEWED: Cakewalk Express
RELEASED BY: Cakewalk
PRICE: £30
REVIEWED BY: G-String
REVIEW: -
The first thing I noticed about Cakewalk Express is that, compared to Pro Audio, it is almost in Black and White. I thought maybe something was wrong with the program because, it is unusual to see a program in B&W these days. Nevertheless, I will try not to let that affect my judgement. The package takes up around 4 megs of space and like Pro Audio, is very simple to use. In fact, it is simpler. The program loads up about 4 times quicker (hence the name Express) but this is mainly due to less content in the program.
I'm used to using Cakewalk Pro Audio and the one thing that stuck out like a sore thumb was the fact that many quick features were now gone. The buttons I was looking for were nowhere to be found, and after searching in the help file for a while, I discovered the reason I couldn't find the button was because it didn't exist in the program. So Pro Audio is one up already over Express. I found that I preferred to see Pro Audio because it was in colour. It was a strange reason for me to come up with, but I found myself thinking that more and more. I know I said I would try not to let it affect my judgement, but I can't. Sorry, I've failed. The problem is that it is prettier and easier on the eyes to see Pro Audio and it is more harsh to look at such a contrast as Black & White. Anyway . ... .. .
Cubasis Audio Lite and Cakewalk Express. You want my opinion? Cubasis. It is more simpler to use that Cakewalk Express and Pro Audio. But I prefer Pro Audio. Why? Because I DO. OK. Cubasis is easy for a five year old to use. Cakewalk is easy for a seven year old to use. Well, if they got to grips with the technical terms. Oh dear I shouldn't have said that. Anyway, moving on, the toolbar is different than that of a standard Windows toolbar in that the buttons are very large and don't animate when pressed or anything. I couldn't get to grips with it after coming from Windows 98 or 95. It feels so weird. Inside my body and outside. It's that feeling like when you're playing Final Fantasy VII and then suddenly go to the very first version. <shudder>. I can't cope with it.
There's note much else to say about Cakewalk express without drivelling on about what I said about the music programs in Cakewalk Pro Audio's review. So I won't bore you. I'll sign off here and tell you what you need to know. I don't like it cos it's to harsh on your eyes (B&W), and it's very dated in that the buttons don't 'animate'. But, it is faster and simpler to use than others (Cubasis exempt).
That's why it only gets 65%.
SCORE:
65%
MINIMUM HARDWARE REQUIRED:
CPU: 486 DX
RAM: 4MB
Windows 98\95\NT
Sound Card
LINKS: www.cakewalk.com