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If Sony ACID Pro is a little too rich and advanced for your blood, the slightly simpler and much cheaper ACID Music Studio may be right up your alley. Version 8 of the program builds upon the already robust music recording, mixing, and creation tools with several new features and enhancement, and yet the $64.95 licensing fee won't break the bank (you can try it for free for 30 days). But don't be fooled by the lack of a "professional" designation in the title: ACID isn't geared for newbies but for serious music aficionados with some experience with music production software.
ACID Music Studio 8's look and feel is similar to that of the Pro version. A multitrack editing window dominates the screen at the center top, while a dual-tabbed Explorer/Plug-In manager resides below, just to the left of the mixing console. The interface is tidy and utilitarian overall, but it will likely overwhelm newcomers. The good news is that Sony includes a host of tutorials, including seven that are new to this version, such as "how to use the mixing console" and "how to use tempo change markers." Those unfamiliar with ACID would be wise to make use of them.
As would be expected, ACID Music Studio includes all the standard audio production features. There are tools for recording, editing, and mixing live vocals, instruments, and MIDI input. Plus, you can create all-digital songs with over 3,000 music loops. You can also output to a variety of formats, including CD, PSP, iPod, iPhone, and MP3, and the program allows for easy online sharing.
New features in ACID 8 include a new audio- and MIDI-mixing console that offers the appearance of a traditional hardware-based mixer, which provides an integrated view of all tracks as well as time-stretching and pitch-shifting tools. In addition, you get enhanced remixing tools, including Beatmapper, which automatically finds the tempo of a completed song. There's also cross-track drag-and-drop for greater efficiency; Zplane elastique Pro and Efficient time-stretch methods for dramatic pitch shifts; a metronome count-off feature; and AAC and FLAC format support.
In all, the latest update for ACID Music Studio offers a compelling array of new additions for an affordable price point. The ACID-faithful should be pleased.
Publisher's Description
From Sony Creative Software:
It s easy to create and share your own music with ACID Music Studio software. Build original songs, remixes, and soundtracks. Record, edit, and mix unlimited tracks of audio and MIDI. Enhance songs with professional audio effects such as EQ, reverb, delay, distortion, and echo. Add pan and volume envelopes, reverse audio, and change pitch and tempo in real-time.
Import your own music from CDs and MP3s. Burn disc-at-once or track-at-once CDs, export to popular formats, or publish songs to ACIDplanet.com. Exclusive, Show Me How tutorials provide interactive, step-by-step help while you work.
What's new in this version: Version 9.0 fixed an issue that prevented .acd-zip files from opening on some systems with drives greater than 2 TB.
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All versions:
4.0 starsout of 14 votes
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Current version:
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"Tested many, this is my absolute favorite..."
Version: ACID Music Studio 8.0
Pros
easy to use interface
Cons
none related to the software really
Summary
if you don't need the full acid pro version, I think this is a great offer by Sony - this does everything I need as a home producer.
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"Amazing software cant get enough."
Version: ACID Music Studio 8.0
Pros
Amazing software cant get enough.
Cons
Amazing software cant get enough.
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"Very fun and versatile."
Version: ACID Music Studio 8.0
Pros
Very easy to use and manipulate sound effects
Cons
I just need a better PC.
Summary
I will buy when I upgrade my PC. I have been a Acid user for 5 years.
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"Good, but it's lacking a very important function."
Version: ACID Music Studio 8.0
Pros
It's a good recording software even though it is lacking audio input monitoring. Easy to work with loops and midi.
Cons
This product DOES NOT have audio input monitoring, meaning when you plug a guitar/bass/microphone in to record you can't hear the sounds while you are recording from the software. Only playback.You can in Acid Pro, but not music studio.
Summary
It's a good product, it allows for 16/48000 recording. I would recommend Cakewalk's MC5 over this product, it has more functions and has audio input monitoring and can record at 24/48000 just to name a few things. If your just working with loops and midi then this is all you need, otherwise, if you are a musician who records their own music you should consider alternatives.
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"************"
Version: ACID Music Studio 7.0a
Pros
Making music
Cons
30 day trial my ass i got to use it for maybe 30 mins and couldnt even load the loops
Summary
Sucked alot... Pissed me off... Waste of time
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"straght"
Version: ACID Music Studio 6.0b build 81
Pros
cool
Cons
nutin
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"the mixer is good"
Version: ACID Music Studio 6.0b build 81
Pros
its good
Cons
it got every thing i like
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"Excellent remixing software"
Version: ACID Music Studio 6.0b build 81
Pros
Very extensive features for the price, and is very easy to use for the beginner. It is especially useful for remixing as it it has many beat-matching tools
Cons
Once you start wanting to do a lot with music you may find that you need a program with a little more flexibility like Cubase but for 95% of people this program will meet your needs
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"As a mixer it is good."
Version: ACID Music Studio 6.0b build 81
Pros
You can move tracks, here and there. But the beauty of this software, though there is a free basic program is 2 things: you get to play the free downloads from acid planet, and you can see and learn how to mix in a very simple way. And the second thing is that with the Pro version you also get many Sony Direct X and SF effects, which you can use in other programs. Though it is not a simple thing to use the effects in this software. It does upload VST, but the display only shows a part of the VST. You can import Midi, and export it as an export Wav file.
Cons
At least Sony have got their foot in the door, though it is diffucult when competition is so strong from Cubase, and Reason.
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"Its nice and it help u learn more about music and u get to say ur own music so i"
Version: ACID Music Studio 6.0a build 66
Pros
I like how its set up andwhat it do
Cons
I like everything
