MusicTech magazine reviews Cakewalk Project5 version 2. They note that there are many new features, including some that make Project5 easier to use in a live setting. This also makes music creation quicker and more spontaneous in a studio environment, and it’s a trend that other systems have moved with too, from Propellerhead Reason to (of course) Ableton Live. But that’s not all: “It also comes supplied with an impressive array of its own instruments … Each track now also has its own arpeggiator, which is good news for the dance crowd. It’s actually very powerful, with hundreds of presets available. Some, like the jazz chords and reggae guitar settings are genuinely different and useable.”

The Groove Matrix is the feature du jour: “Essentially, this is a grid of cells into which you can place loops from the browser, or patterns you have played in the Arrange window. Imagine it as a kind of sampler with lots of pads, only instead of a sample, each one triggers a sequence, perfectly in sync.” Of course, they notice the similarity to Ableton Lie: “The Groove Matrix, unlike some tools you come across, really does inspire you to be creative.”

In their summary, they compare it to Ableton Live, which they say is more refined but also more expensive. Still, they say that Project5 version 2 is closer in features and use to Live rather than Propellerhead Reason or other music software.

Apart from the major new functions of the Groove Matrix and the new features in general, they don’t love the interface. “Project5 is easy enough to use, but there’s a bit too much right-clicking that has to be done for our liking.” It’s funny that Live, Project5’s main competition according to the review, has only just introduced right-click functions in its most recent version. I suppose either you like right-click context menus or you don’t

Overall they give Project5 version 2 a rating of 8 out of 10. “Interface issues aside, Project5 has a lot going for it. Relatively easy to learn and use, it comes with a commendable selection of instruments and effects, and is very expandable due to its ReWire and VST/DXi support. The addition of audio recording capabilities turns it from a MIDI sequencer into something which could easily form the basis of a home studio.”

Buy Project5 at SameDayMusic.com