Having
been impressed with the features and ease of use of
Magix Music Maker 12 Deluxe we were eager to see
how the program had changed with the introduction
of version 14...now known as Music Maker 14
Producer Edition. Well, it was easy to load, easy
to set up and easy to use - as before - except we
have a modified database to help locate audio and
video files into the arrangement - the emphasis
here still is on ease of use; and that for most of
us means not spending too much time learning how to
use the program. Which is good, as in a few minutes
we were making music, helped by a supply of good
quality audio and video clips from the DVD, all
arranged and catalogued in a logical way, as
before. The main arrange page is a familiar setup
to most of us with audio and video tracks in the
same window running left to right, with the
possibility of time-stretching and fine editing
within this main window, and the ability to quickly
choose samples from the file manager and easily
apply effects.
The effects supplied with the program are really very good; the reverb has several presets, as a starting point for setting up your own sounds, and a vintage effects suite is supplied - again excellent - and something called Magix Elastic Audio...allowing for corrections in intonation if, for example, a vocalist you're recording is having a bad day. We can, in addition, create up to 4 vocal harmonies from one part. Third party effects can be used, as can instruments. MM14 comes with some good ones though, enough to keep you busy for ages - from drum machines to synthesisers to a sampler, which also allows you to import soundfonts. Vita, introduced in version 12, (of particular interest to those wanting natural real sounding instruments), now has extra sounds and no longer requires internet authorisation.
Video clips are easy to import (and even record) and edit within Music Maker 14 Producer Edition - effects are included and the whole arrangement can be easily exported into 5 different formats including Quicktime and Windows Media. A great feature of this software is that a comprehensive audio editor is included - again with features you may not necessarily expect at this price; automatic crossfading, batch processing (to convert various parameters of audio files in one operation...all very impressive), noise removal, track markers, and the ability to save in a variety of file formats, including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Real, WMA and others, and then on to burn a master CD. If what you are really after is such an editor then Music Maker 14 Producer Edition is worth considering on this basis alone.
So to sum up, Music Maker 14 Producer Edition is very well featured, easy to use, and above all, fun. Don't expect the degree of editing and automation that a program such as Cubase has, but for many this could be all you'll ever need, and at this price it represents good value.
The effects supplied with the program are really very good; the reverb has several presets, as a starting point for setting up your own sounds, and a vintage effects suite is supplied - again excellent - and something called Magix Elastic Audio...allowing for corrections in intonation if, for example, a vocalist you're recording is having a bad day. We can, in addition, create up to 4 vocal harmonies from one part. Third party effects can be used, as can instruments. MM14 comes with some good ones though, enough to keep you busy for ages - from drum machines to synthesisers to a sampler, which also allows you to import soundfonts. Vita, introduced in version 12, (of particular interest to those wanting natural real sounding instruments), now has extra sounds and no longer requires internet authorisation.
Video clips are easy to import (and even record) and edit within Music Maker 14 Producer Edition - effects are included and the whole arrangement can be easily exported into 5 different formats including Quicktime and Windows Media. A great feature of this software is that a comprehensive audio editor is included - again with features you may not necessarily expect at this price; automatic crossfading, batch processing (to convert various parameters of audio files in one operation...all very impressive), noise removal, track markers, and the ability to save in a variety of file formats, including MP3, Ogg Vorbis, Real, WMA and others, and then on to burn a master CD. If what you are really after is such an editor then Music Maker 14 Producer Edition is worth considering on this basis alone.
So to sum up, Music Maker 14 Producer Edition is very well featured, easy to use, and above all, fun. Don't expect the degree of editing and automation that a program such as Cubase has, but for many this could be all you'll ever need, and at this price it represents good value.
Magix Music Maker 14 Review
