CNET Editors' review
If you consider yourself even mildly musical, a good piece of audio production software is a worthy addition to your arsenal. One such tool is Magix's Music Maker, a digital mixing tool with a slick interface and plenty of features for serious musicians. First time users will need to spend considerable time learning the ins and outs of the program, but don't let that stop you; Magix provides plenty of interactive tutorials and online forums for guidance.
This version of Music Maker adds plenty of new tools to an already robust feature set. You can still access preloaded instrument loops as well as pull up BeatBox, the built-in drum machine. The Infobox feature teaches you about music as you're producing it, and Sound Vision reorganizes your sounds into a visual scheme. And there's the option to publish directly to MySpace or YouTube. The program also offers extended sound effects, authentic guitar and amp sounds, and a Microscope Mode for even more detailed editing on the sound wave of objects.
If you've used other music production software that employs looping and sound effects, chances are you'll be able to catch on to Music Maker pretty easily, but there are definitely differences that will take some figuring out. The online tutorials are useful for everyone, not just novice users. You'll definitely want to check those out if you really want to dive into the program for all its worth. Also, if you're itching for more virtual instruments, consider upgrading to the premium version.
Publisher's Description
From Magix:
MAGIX Music Maker MX--Make music right away even without any prior skills. MAGIX Music Maker MX (Version 18) offers over 1,500 brand-new sounds and loops, plus 2,000 great sounds in the online archive - professionally produced and mixed. Combine sound building blocks to make your own music in no time at all, add studio effects or play and record instruments. Make innovative sounds and catchy melodies even without prior skills. Your own song is only a few clicks away.
What's new in this version: Latest sound archive with loads of loops & samples; Vita Solo instruments; Realistic instruments for your own songs; Loop Designer; VST support: for extra instruments and effects.
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All versions:
3.8 starsout of 137 votes
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Current version:
4.2 starsout of 11 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Great For Filmmakers Too!"
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
> Intuitive user interface.
> Powerful audio tools
> Pro-sound
> Company committed to improving softwareCons
None based on my use of the program
Summary
I am a digital filmmaker not a musician; but music is a major component in my films, so I use Magix's MusicMaker to arrange music tracks provided by musician collaborators, adjust volume, EQ and adjust the stereo depth of the arrangement. Then I mix-down the music by exporting as a single .WAV file for use in my digital film project. If one prefers, a video file can be added to the arrangement so you can build a musical soundtrack that matches the video action.
Rather than give a general description of the program which you will find from other reviewers and the company's website (www.magix.com), I would like to discuss how I personally use the program and hopefully this will spark ideas and inspiration for your own music, sound and multimedia creations.
My first task using Magix MusicMaker MX was to prepare a voice file for use in a film I'm developing. I first located my file from the file manager tab in the 'Media Pool' and dragged-and-dropped into the arranger. Then I had to trim the .WAV recording to only the words required for the film. This was easily accomplished by grabbing handles at the beginning and end of the track and sliding until I was at the proper point in the recording. The Arranger can expand both horizontally for precise editing and vertically to better see the waveform.
Next, by pressing "M" on the keyboard I was able to bring up a professional style 'Mixer' and by selecting FX, bring up a classic audio effect rack with a 10-band Equalizer, Reverb, distortion a compressor and time processor. I used the compressor to limit the overall dynamics of the sound - maintaining the elevated voice passages while at the same time raising the presence of lower audible sounds.
I then wanted to create a stereo effect for the voice, so I duplicated the track (using 'Ctrl-D' on the keyboard). By right-clicking on the track I brought up the Audio Effects menu, then I selected Stereo Processor - adjusting the stereo depth and spatial location of the sound for each track.
To increase the 'spatial' quality of the track, I opened the "Reverb" effect rack under Audio Effects on the menu. I added a preset for 'Warm Room', which provided a dreamy texture to the voice.
Once I was satisfied with the voice track(s), I added a haunting background ambient music track in the arranger. Finally, I adjusted the volume for the voice and music tracks so that the voice was, yet allowing the ambient music to be present, but not overwhelming the voice.
In this example as a filmmaker, I used Magix MusicMaker MX for sound design. So you don't have to be a musician to do cool things with this program. That shows the range of utility for this software.
Magix has professional versions of its audio software line and incorporates these 'pro' features and technology into the consumer versions of their software like MusicMaker MX. So buy with confidence if this product fits your needs. -
"Installed FOUR programs I didn't want!"
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
It didn't do what I was looking for.
Cons
Installed multiple programs on my computer that I didn't want. Took me a long time to uninstall everything once I realized it wouldn't work for me.
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"Nice but buggy"
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
Wonderfully simple user interface.
Easy to make decent music.Cons
My trial version is buggy. Some loop items appear multiple times. The sound tends to be rife with crackles & distortion irregardless of how I tweak the ASIO buffers. Music Maker has crashed my Vista-64 system a few times in the first week. And my system never crashes.
Summary
I like this product but would/will wait for it to mature/stabilize before purchasing.
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"Great creation tool for the inexperienced music lover!"
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
Intuitive and easy to use. No prior knowledge or experience neccessary. Create your own music or songs in a matter of minutes.
Lots of music loops to choose from. Create your own sound loops with the loop designer! Plug-in and play(record) with your favorite music instruments! Even create your own music videos.
Upload your finished songs to your favorite social sites with ease. And much much more.....Cons
For the price, none! A great value!
Summary
To sum it up, it's a perfect introduction for the music enthusiast with little experience in the creation proccess. I've tried most of the other music creation programs and Magix Music Maker MX is, by far, the easiest to use. I highly reccommend it!
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"This is more than a one hit wonder"
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
Simple to use, FUN to use, features... more features
Cons
It is hard to find in a store, so you have to get it online
Summary
With all the choices available, from portable apps that leave you wanting to PC programs that leave you broke, its nice to see something that is not dry or expensive.
I have used the software for many years, this is the latest edition to a long line of music makers. I am still completely blown away by the capability of the product. Not only can you create the music, but you can burn it to disc, share it through Facebook, or for the musically inclined, on your Soundcloud network.
The program comes with a selection of samples for those who want to do loop based music creation, but unlike other programs, the Music Maker does not limit you to just their samples. The have others you can purchase, of you can download others from online sites for loop or sample creation. The thing that gets me fired up is the virtual instruments.
These virtual instruments are MIDI based so you can build your own structure and choose the instrument sound you want... but then also affect how that sound should be controlled. Amazing!
You can also add in photos or video if you wanted to make a simple music video or slide show. This software should be in your hands. seriously. -
"Great product from Magix as always"
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
Not really a big fan of downloading the program
Cons
Magix MX is a really good music making program. I've been a fan of the products since version 5. I'm always surprised with the things you can do with their programs and MX is no different. I love the fact that from program version to version, most if not all of the components are in the same place, this takes away a lot of the need for a learning curve. I also love the fact that you can integrate audio and video from other programs into the same program. There is a lot of help both embedded in the program as well as an on line community for those who have questions. But if you are a weekend or a professional musician or even recording engineer Magix opens a world of possibilities. And speaking of recording engineering, all of the Magix programs have come with a wide range of on board recording suites from sound enhancment to filtering and other great editing tools. One real plus with this version is the ability to upload your work to social networks like Facebook, Youtube and others.
Summary
As I said I have been using Magix since version 5, and still using it so that in itself says a lot.
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"Software Worth Exploring"
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
Value, Efficient, Easy To Use, Seamless Integration, VST Support and a whole lot more.
Cons
Considering the fact that it takes a while to download content, I don't see any cons.
Summary
Magix Music Maker MX has definitely made a lot of progress through the years, especially with this release. The download version took mere minutes to download and the installation process, while simple, took a bit longer but was well worth the wait. Content is included in the package so you can start immediately.
Eager to explore the features and look at the user interface I couldn't wait to dive into the program. Once there I found the set of tools and features very user friendly allowing you to work efficiently. Creating new tracks from scratch is very simple as is the editing and production of your tracks. It is seamless integration at it's best.
Regardless of your preferred music genre you'll find what you need in one place. Create a jazzy sound on the fly, or maybe you'd prefer something in the vein of hip-hop, electronic, alternative, classical, etc. The only limit is your own imagination.
You can also create and render videos for your music. Let's not forget you can also record and burn. I love the integrated VST support and the instruments. Adding a particular effect to a loop or several in your work is not a problem with this program. The text to speech function is both fun and interesting. I could go on and on about so many of the wonderful features of Magix Music Maker MX. If you are looking for something without a steep learning curve where you can create, edit and produce in one place then give this program a try.
My Overall Rating: 5/5
Audio Editing: 5/5
Recording/Burning: 5/5
Ease of Use: 5/5 -
"A Goto Program "Wonderful""
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
Magix Music Maker MX 18
This is the swiss army knife of music programs. It works whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out.
For the pro, it's a quick way to get your basic ideas out fast, without having to go through endless menus.
For the beginner, it is just plain fun and a wonderful way to get started with music.It comes with a wide variety of professionally recorded music loops which you can use to start making music right away. Loops are prerecorded real sounds of musical instruments or whatever you want that do just like the word loop! They repeat a phrase as long as you want them to. Load one and try it. It's one of those things that sound difficult until you experience it. Within a few mouse moves you're making music in ways you never thought you could.The program also allows you to record both audio and midi and match that to video.
I've been using Magix products for many years and I find them to be rock solid.Cons
It's all good.
Summary
"Before you know it you'll be wearing a big smile" It's
a fun wonderful product that dose just what it says it dose. Who could ask for more!! -
"What is has is a lot..."
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
With a MIDI Editor, Virtual Instruments, and Amazing sound characteristics I was very pleased with with the value... but there is more. I good start for a sound library but the man thing was that I could use any sound, including those samples from other less impressive software titles. The kicker was that these "sub-par" samples sounded better once played in the Music Maker. That to me was reason to go from the trial to the program. This definitely has better development then other software titles I have used in the past.
Cons
The documentation could use some help. The manual was more like a reference guide than documentation that teaches you how to use the software. Playing around with the software without knowing if this is right or wrong often led me to some unique discoveries and maybe that is part of the charm... it was fun finding things on my own... I would still like better documentation...
Summary
I have used a lot of different music making software, some free, some just apps, some expensive. All have strong points and weaknesses; that is just how software is to be honest. Music Maker MX is a well rounded, very simple program to use with some outstanding sound. The manufacture also makes pro software so maybe that audio engine is actually from the pro stuff. I just know even my recordings made in "different" software sounded better when played back in this Music Maker. I was hooked on it after a few hours of tinkering, and I purchases it immediately. I use the software in a "pro" environment and I couldn't be happier.
Sorry, I should have previewed what I wrote before submitting it... please don't hate me for the errors
Updated on Dec 14, 2011 -
"It was a good idea anyway"
Version: Magix Music Maker MX 18.0
Pros
Easy to use & cheap (compared to most others)
Cons
unstable, unreliable, support nonexistent... oh, and cheap!
Summary
Looks and sounds great... when it works... sometimes it will run flawlessly for a "while" and other times it crashes & freezes every other click... support is relatively useless, I've submitted 3 very different "tickets" and received the same cut-n-paste response for each one which in essence says "re-install it". Hate to leave a bad review but this one earned it!
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