Originally Posted by DCB0

Generally, cartridge bottom brackets are either good and reasonably smooth or have some play and are worn out or damaged. They do not (or very very very seldom, bordering on never) make almost-musical creaking noises. A more likely source of noise is the threads of the bottom bracket in the frame. More likely than that are the pedals, chainring bolts, saddle rails, headset, cables, etc. You'd be very surprised what problems masquerade as bottom bracket noises.