yes this is the real version of cakewalk for DOS.. originating from the late 80s, updated to version 5.0 which was current in summer of 1994. please be aware that
you most likely will require a vintage computer from the late 80s or Early 90s (386, 486, 586 class cpu) to properly use this app with most of the supported MIDI interfaces (which are listed in the README file below) because alot of the MIDI interfaces were built for the ISA expansion slot) if u have a pentium+ or modern pIII, p4, intel core 2 duo etc u would most likely need to use a serial or parallel based interface to avoid the ISA requirement. using PCI cards might be problematic /troublesom becaus PCI was brand new and not fully supported back then
MOTU MTP1 or MTP II (like the Midi Express PC) both require an IBM PC host card which is VERY rare to find, and i believe is an ISA based card. the MQX musicquest cards are all ISA cards. the MIDIator company i believe is out of business now but those interfaces are SERIAL based which would allow you to use them on a modern computer i believe.. should work. the CMS company is long defunct and finding those interfaces would be rare aswell ithink i havent seen any for sale anywhere. the PAiA PCM68 was also an ISA expansion card.
its also important to note that i have observed wierdness + errors when using ISA midi interfaces in Pentium slot 1 PCI motherboards with a few ISA slots, possibly due to some type of ISA-PCI bridge causing issues?
according to the README tho the Yamaha TG100 interface seems to be supported if you have the right cable for the interface. (TG100 > PC Serial) but maybe requires an "optronics midi i/o" card which is probably ISA based aswell? i thought the TG100 had a built in serial midi i/o but i could be wrong.
i would be interested in hearing from anyone who tried to use MPU401.drv driver file in combination with PC Soundblaster card (ISA OR PCI) or any other generic sound cards that have the MPU compatible 15 pin connection. this may or may not work. im not sure as ive not tested. but it might be possible to use this with a pci based sound card in a modern pc and use the mpu401 driver...... if u have done this with positive results please comment!
a few of the drivers i think allow for a combination of interfaces to be used.. so someone could use an mpu-401 (Roland) together with a Music Quest (MQX-32M) to combine the number of outputs (in this case, 1 + 2 = 3 out ports, x16 = 48 channels? as the mqx-32m features two output ports.)