Audition 3.0 WIN Upgrade Review

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(More customer reviews)I began editing audio using CoolEdit and then progressed to Audition 1 when Adobe bought the company. I was running version 1.5 when I decided to upgrade to 3.0. I should have saved my money.
Audition 3 is much slower to load than 1.5. It does have some nice additions but at the same time it has been a bit unstable on my machine (Windows XP SP2). My screen frequently flickers as Audition updates displays. The audio card configuration seems to change for no reason and I must reset the hardware preferences to get it back.
At the moment I have both 1.5 and 3.0 on my computer and I am trying to work through the issues with 3.0 in hopes of resolving my complaints should they be related to my hardware.
I would rate version 3.0 as a Beta release with issues that should have been resolved before releasing it to the public.

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UPG AUDITION 3 WIN 1U

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Sound Forge Audio Studio 9 Review

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(More customer reviews)For years I've used different audio editors from Steinberg's Wavelab, to Cool Edit Pro (now owned by Adobe), to Soundforge's current only real rival Audacity (which is free), which I still currently have on PC. I still choose Soundforge (like Willie Hutch sang), and here's why: There is no other affordable audio editing program that has the ease and workflow of Sound Forge.
There are the high end programs and plug ins like TDM Waves, but unless you are running a multi-plantinum artist recording studio you most likely don't need a program like this, and wouldn't get any mileage out of it if you did have it. Soundforge is a good place to hone your audio editing skills. Alot of people always think they have to use the most full blown and expensive versions of audio, music, and video programs, but a good program won't make up for a lack of skills.
That said I currently use Sound Forge Studio with a suite of Sony plug-ins, and some Focusrite Saffire audio plug-ins (which are very good). It should be noted also that Sound Forge Studio 9 has more features than many of the older versions of Sound Forge Pro (which are probably floating around the internet, not recommended). The Vinyl Recording (once you tweek the settings) feature is great, it can use VST and Direct X plug-ins, and it works hand in hand with the other suite of Sony Creative programs (Vegas Studio 9 Sony Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack, Acid MusicACID Music Studio 7) which I own.
I've had no problems with installation on both a laptop and desktop, and have mixed and edited my own recordings, converted non-copy protected songs I purchased to MP3s with my own mix settings, and have converted a small part of my vinyl catalog to digital. If someone is having installation problems they should make sure they uninstall all older versions of Sound Forge, especially the old Sonic Foundry versions, that may help...
Sound Forge vs. Audacity
Audacity is a great program and if money is an issue this a good place to start using auditor software, being that its free. There are alot of third party plug-ins available for Audacity, however, for me Audacity does not have the speed and workflow of Sound Forge, and there are many tasks in Sound Forge that are done in one mouse click, that would take multiple clicks in Audacity, it also does not natively support as many file formats as Sound Forge, such as windows media audio, which is a downside for me.
Overall, people may have their pro and cons, and yes the Sony registration can be a bit annoying, but in terms of ease of use and reliability Sound Forge studio has been great.
As a last point, it does take some audio know how to get the most out of SF hence the four stars, you may have to select either Microsoft Sound Mapper (if you don't have a high end soundcard), or use the ASIO drivers (at least under Windows XP) under preferences to get the most out your sound playback. Enjoy.....
Also recommended Steinberg Cubase Essential 4 - Personal Music Production - Windows Macintosh, Ableton Live 7 LE - Windows and Macintosh, Focusrite Saffire LE 6 In/8 Out Version 2 Firewire Audio Interface

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Screenblast ACID 4.0 Review

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(More customer reviews)I owned Acid 2.0 a few years back and had loads of fun making music and re-mixing. A couple years passed, I lost the Installation CD's, and my wife graciously bought me Screenblast Acid 4.0. Well, it looks and works just like Acid 2.0, except the included loops are all cheesy, already slapped-together garbage, and there are much fewer of them.
Sure, you can get more loops via the Screenblast.com web site, but it's $39.95 per year to subscribe. And all the Acid Loop Libraries? Now that Sony owns them, they're $50 EACH!!! Almost the cost of the software itself to own just one library!
If you need more loops (and you WILL), find web sites like AcidFanatic.com, where these libraries are still reasonably priced, or just find free loops elsewhere.
VERY disappointed in this product. You'd think that two revisions and a major media outlet would improve this great product, but Sony has just turned this into a cash cow for their music loops. It's like giving you a car for free, but it runs on "Special" gas that costs $10 a gallon...

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Adobe Soundbooth CS3 Review

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(More customer reviews)I downloaded the trial version and mistakenly bought it before actually trying it out. I just edited a few sound files now and decided to come here to rant. The first irritation is that it can't import from an audio CD. We normally record the presentation digitally to a CD and that is my source file to start with, and I had to use another software to rip from the source CD in order to be able to edit the file with Soundbooth. Those of you don't have to import from CD won't have this problem, but to me it is a shame to leave this feature out. Wavepad, a cheaper shareware that I used before this, allows you to easily import from an audio CD.
Second, there is no scroll bar at the bottom, or some button or arrows to move to the left or right of the screen. You can use other ways to work around this problem, but it is the most irritating of all. Time consuming! Again, Wavepad allows you to move around easily.
Other irritations are minor but seem many. For example, after I highlighted a section and saved it as a new file, then come back to delete the still highlighted section from the original file, it asked me if I wanted to save the file before closing. Duh, I didn't ask you to close! The first time I encountered that I thought I pressed a wrong button, but it happened again, so it is a bug. Another bug is after saving a section as a new file, working on this new file, and saving it again, it tells me that the file wasn't saved properly.
Soundbooth was said to be created to be user-friendly for armature sound editors, but so far it is not so, comparing to Wavepad. Wavepad has its limitation (that's why I bought Soundbooth, thinking that a more reputable company would give me a better product), but at least Wavepad is more user friendly. I am sure I will get used to the Soundbooth after a while. I am a geek and when I have to read the help file and search the forums before I can do some simple tasks, it means that this software is poorly developed. At least I would say that this program has a lot of potential but it was released premature. Hopefully the next version will be better and hopefully it will come out fast enough before I dump it.


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Adobe Soundbooth CS3 Windows.DOES include full printed User Guide in the box3.Fulfillment will include:User Guide;a PDF of the unabridged User Guide on the CD/DVD;Generic doc fulfillment card outlining policy and Adobe commitment to the environment in the box; and Online help (both on web and on the desktop) which includes readily accessible training (beyond what manuals include).

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Magix Music Studio 10 Deluxe Review

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(More customer reviews)I've been spoiled by FL Studio 5.0 and my demo copy of Project 5. A friend of mine was going to let go of his copy of Sonar 4 because he just bought Sonar 5. But he hasn't gotten around to it yet, and in my impatience I ventured into the software aisle of Comp USA looking for an inexpensive tool that I could use to automate the VST control interface of FL Studio while I lay down some audio tracks. I came across Magix Music Studio 10 Deluxe. By the looks of the screenshots and the promises on the box, as well as what few reviews I've found on the product, I decided to give it a shot.
I loaded it up and quickly discovered, however, that this kludge of a product had been literally sawed in two. The audio multi-track recording environment is one environment, while the MIDI and VSTi/DXi multi-track recording environment is a COMPLETELY SEPERATE PROGRAM!! Can you believe it? Yes, you can record audio, by loading WAV files but possibly in realtime also, within the MIDI recording environment. But all those nifty audio effects must be loaded up into the seperate program.
To make things worse, there does not appear to be a way to specify the default MIDI output device, so the MIDI Out on my MIDI controller is being used as the default device for MIDI playback because it's the first thing it finds. And if THAT wasn't bad enough, trying to use ASIO doesn't work for me because the ASIO drivers keep giving me messageboxes saying "cannot use clock rate of 44khz" or whatever. (I guess this is because my sound card--an Audigy--is set up for 48kHz.)
And if you're like me, you'll throw up over your computer monitor when you see the remnants of an 80's/90's-looking user interface filling up half of the product's windows. It still uses pixellated two-color toolbar icons that remind me of the days of System 6.x on the Macintosh.
I have not done enough tinkering to give it a full evaluation, right now I'm still recovering from the shock factor of how utterly useless this thing is. I should have gone with Sonar 4 Home Studio on the rack there, or Cakewalk Music Creator, or drove over to Guitar Center to pick up Cubase SE, or something, anything other than this.
Heck, the Voyetra offering looked to be better than this.

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Sony Acid Music Studio Review

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(More customer reviews)I ues this software soley for recording my guitar licks via Line6 Guitar Port. I bought a tascam dp-01 digital recorder for $300 and now it is collecting dust. This software was low price (...)When I have a guitar lick or idea, I simply plug in and record. I only have to play the lick once, and I can loop it over and over again. I have recorded 2 demo albums already. For the price, this is a steal!!!!!!!!!!!

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ACID Music Studio 6 Review

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(More customer reviews)At school, my son enjoys the benefit of some sophisticated Acid Pro software that we can't afford to buy for home use. But this Acid Music Studio 6.0 is the next best thing--albeit costing more than $300 less.
In fact, we are especially pleased, as we obtained this product as an "upgrade" to an old, discontinued double set of Sony sound software.
The software is compatible only with Windows, of course, but it is great for novice musical experiments like those my son enjoys. There are more than 1,700 music loop recordings he can select to embellish his own "raps," and he can also (should the spirit move him) create music videos.
In addition, registered users can download more free music loops from the ACIDplanet website.
All in all, a great value.

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Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio 8 Review

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(More customer reviews)I'm not an audio expert by any means, but Sound Forge impressed me with its power and simplicity. I needed to clean up and edit a few audio tracks for use in Flash, and Sound Forge did the job no problem. I was able to cut and paste parts of my tracks, adjust output levels, and save them so that they were ready for my other application. There are plenty of other features that I didn't try out (e.g. special effects and various tools to improve the quality of your tracks).
I'm using the 30 day free trial version (which is full-featured but time-limited), but when I'm ready to buy, this will be the one.

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Digidesign Transfuser Virtual Instrument Software Review

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(More customer reviews)It is not so easy to use it as Xpand, and think that there better products in the market than Transfuser. Perhaps, it is not the product for me according to my way of making music. Think first to buy it and try to watch the video in you tube first.

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Music Maker 15 Review

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(More customer reviews)I am in music production since nearly 20 years and I used all kind of software for Atari, PC or Mac. Of course it depends on the specific tasks, what kind of software better fits or maybe not.
For midi arrangements and band recording I would always chose a specific solution as Cubase/Protools or Samplitude.
But when it comes down to the basic, when there is a need for a simple ideas generator with unlimited opportunities, I really want to recommend Music Maker. This product is ten time worth every cent and it is only limited by your own creativity. The product can do things, I needed a 100.000 $ studio 10 years ago. It is not a surprise that this is possible today, but the price is a surprise.
- you have a multu track recorder
- you have about 3 GB of sounds from all styles + you can use any other soundfile or any mp3 file
- you have about 5 really professional plug-in synthesizer (alone worth the money)
- you have a good set-up of effects
- you have plugins like autotunes that do the same but are more simple to use
- you can use external plugins like synths or effects via directX
- you can draw effect curves on every track (e.g. filters)
- you have a powerful mastering suite with parametric eq and multiband compressor
These are just a few things. I believe even if you have no idea of making music, a simple start is possible. Of c ourse it is just my opinion and I can just recommend to try it out.


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Mackie Tracktion 3 - Project Bundle Music Production Software Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are considering buying Tracktion, take some time to read the independent Tracktion forum at KVR Audio (http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=22). You will find that many users on both Mac and PC are having extreme problems such as the MIDI editor being unusably slow, other parts of the app being incredibly slow, and the whole app just suddenly disappearing.
When I tried to use Tracktion on my vanilla Win XP system, I found that the MIDI editor is basically unusable, not merely "slow." MIDI notes will not follow the cursor, so it's absurdly difficult to place them where you want them to go. I posted questions about this on Mackie's forums and got no response at all. I tried using it on my MacBook Pro and found that Tracktion is so unstable it won't run for more than a minute or two before abruptly disappearing.
In the forums, this last problem is called a "poof crash" and it's mentioned often by users. There are extended threads about it. I bought Tracktion 3 not too long after it was released and I have not been able to get any work done using it at all.
Shame on Mackie for releasing this severely flawed software and then leaving their customers out to dry, offering zero help or explanation. I posted repeated queries asking for some help with these problems on Mackie's own forums and was completely ignored.
There are several alternative packages available for both Mac and PC that cost less and have all the features of Tracktion if not more. On the Mac, I'm finding that Logic Express, which is $50 cheaper is a very powerful alternative. For the PC, Ableton Live Light has a strong reputation.
Note: even if you have Tracktion 2 and are considering an upgrade to this version, it is definitely not worth the money. I really liked Traction 2 and was really excited about all the new features promised in Traction 3. I was very disappointed to buy it, install it, and find out it's virtually unusable.
I very much regret wasting my time and money on Tracktion and I urge you to avoid making the same mistake. Some users seem to be able to get it to work on their specific systems. But enough users are having major problems that buying Tracktion 3 is gamble. You can't get your money back once you've opened it, so choose something else that doesn't have a lot of reported problems.

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Cakewalk Studio Instruments Review

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(More customer reviews)Cakewalk Studio Instruments are a great foundational set of instruments to add to a persons home digital recording studio. Drums,Bass,Keys,Strings. The salt N pepper that most music requires at a great price and easy function.
I am a confessed Gear-a-holic. I love to find things like the studio instruments kit that don't cost an arm n leg, but that will "Broaden" your color pallet of sound. It's a tool that is fun to use, visually easy to understand and the sound is pleasing. What more could you ask for?


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Can't play bass drums piano or violin? No problem! Just point and click and you are making music. It's that easy!Introducing Cakewalk Studio Instruments the world's first easy-to-use and affordable software instrument collection for Mac and PC. Cakewalk Studio Instruments includes a high quality Drum Kit Bass Guitar Electric Piano and String Section that can be played stand alone or inside your favorite music-making software such as Cakewalk Music Creator Apple GarageBand Magix Music Maker Deluxe SONY ACID Music Studio and more (see list below for complete list of compatible products).Cakewalk Studio Instruments include pre-recorded patterns played by ace session musicians so you can build sections for your songs practice or just have fun jamming along.And Studio Instruments sound great because they're from Cakewalk makers of the most popular music creation software in the world used daily by Grammy® winning musicians and producers. Start making music today with Cakewalk Studio Instruments!Format: WIN XPVISTA/MAC 10.4 OR LATERUB Genre:PRODUCTIVITY UPC:787537171044 Manufacturer No:10-CWSI1.00-10C

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Digital Orchestrator Review

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(More customer reviews)I am sorry, but I have to differ from the other reviewers on this one. In the mid-eighties, Voyetra made one of the very first midi sequencing programs. It was called "Sequencer Gold", it ran on DOS, and I started off with it. Voyetra was ahead of the pack in those early days.
Since then, Voyetra took over an excellent soundcard manufacturer (Multisound) and changed their product line from pro-audio to consumer-level gaming soundcards. Voyetra also brought out Digital Orchestrator. This program is plain mediocre in my point of view - and not very stable. Furthermore, support is not very good.
I much prefer Cakewalk. With Cakewalk you can "paint" in modulation, velocity changes, etc - a task which will take a long time in Digital Orchestrator. There are of course the big guns as well - programs like Cubase and Logic Audio. Because I am mainly into Digital Audio, these are overkill for me.
If you are on a Windows PC and have medium level needs for MIDI, yet something reasonably sophisticated and with time-saving functions, I recommend you stick with Cakewalk. If you are a technology-challenged beginner with lots of patience and a small budget, then maybe buy Digital Orchestrator.

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Magix Music Studio 12 Deluxe Review

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(More customer reviews)I was very excited to receive this program had used a later version of it. My laptop is about three months old and the software wasn't able to load. It said something about not having administrative rights as if the software had been used before. The I realized that I didn't have to put a product key in when I initially loaded it. Hmmmm...I am going to say this product was used even though I thought I was buying it new.

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Sonar X1 Producer Review

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(More customer reviews)Cakewalk has taken the ethical and professional step of centralizing the key functional needs of the sound producer, music hobbyist, or professional musician and engineer into one highly functional, affordable and simplified Digital Audio Works package. With the heritage of straightforward hobbyist-friendly user interfaces by the skilled hands of CakeWalk developers, this package steps boldly into the professional realm in terms of track standardization and management, streamlining of CPU loading and GUI, and incorporation of plug-in functionalities which could formerly cost an additional $3500 for the discriminating sound developer.
V Vocal replaces what one might formerly have to buy from AVOX AutoTune for $500 in terms of pitch and wave form correction
Dimension Pro 1.5 rivals the best of $400 Synths plug-ins with thousands of high quality instruments and programs interfaced easily with all MIDI devices.
TruePianos (Amber) - a Steinway Piano Synth which is the most quality and emotive piano expression I have used in a DAW.
Guitar Pro 4 LE - Guitar Amplifier and Effects emulation, with the leading package in that realm normally costing $200
Beatscape - A beat manager which replaces a ReWire style package costing $400 replete with hundreds of modifiable beats and programs.
ProChannel - simplified onboard track effects bin which reduces system effects CPU load and eliminates the need to purchase $200 external basic effects
Sonitus Effects - which rival overpriced/over ego-ed and horribly supported WAVES effects at $1700 and $200 per year for 'support'.
The list goes on and on. This coupled with a support and user forum backup which is highly touted in the user industry. Every single time I go to the Sonar/Cakewalk user forums, I either get immediately the resolution to my challenge, or I get the next logical step to try, within minutes in many cases - from some of the most well mannered and intelligent sound engineers I know.
The User Interface is intuitive and can be standardized into several different window/screen configurations and saved by the user to recall on the fly. I could keep going, but you have to try this package for yourself.
Overall, I am highly pleased with Sonar X1 and the mechanisms behind this excellent release.

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Acoustica Musician's Bundle with Mixcraft and Beatcraft Music Software Review

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(More customer reviews)I really like Mixcraft. I'm one of the many people who played several instruments as a teen (and younger) and then when I got into college and into the workforce I dropped it (regrettably). And now with all the computer advancements in music, I'm eagerly trying to get back into it.
THE GOOD:
Mixcraft is a lot of fun. It really is very much "Garageband for Windows". Very similar interface, very similar functionality. Like Garageband, Mixcraft has a pretty wide variety of different loops that you can use "right out of the box" as well as virtual instruments that you can use to compose your own music.
It's really nice for things like coming up with some background music for a video project, or a game or something. And in doing so it saves you from having to worry about potentially sticky music royalties and rights and such. Anyone can come up with some decent music with this tool, and there is a very gentle learning curve. I was using it successfully just a few minutes after installing it and watching a couple of short videos from their website.
THE BAD:
The included instruments and loops are not admittedly not the highest fidelity. I'd say quite a bit below Garageband unfortunately. Also when you try to use virtual instruments (either mixcraft's own or 3rd party) they come in at an extremely low volume, which certainly causes problems.
Acoustica's registration is also big problem. It's baffling, and it's flat out broken. For the musician's bundle in particular, they've managed to make what ought to be a simple thing (entering a registration code) into an almost insurmountable task. Don't say I didn't warn ya there.
One other somewhat major drawback to Mixcraft is the omission of a way to play virtual instruments without a MIDI controller/keyboard (like Garageband can). So consider at least an inexpensive Midi keyboard (which will set you back $100 or so) a mandatory purchse if you want to make use of much of Mixcraft's functionality.
Overall I do definitely recommend Mixcraft, although it does have a lot of little annoyances. You'll get your money's worth in entertainment if nothing else, and undoubtedly generate some music that you can be proud of in the process.

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Sony Pictures Sound Effects Series: Volumes One through Ten Review

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(More customer reviews)"...As none of us have the time or the money to foley all of our own sound effects, this is a set that any filmmaker should take a look at, even if you don't think you're doing very effects-heavy films. Sound effects are not just for action films and slapstick comedies, but can also touch up a great love scene in a romantic drama or add the necessary impact to the flying fonts in a trailer. Plus, the sound design effects included in the later discs give you additional elements that you can weave into the story to give your audience the visceral feeling you want them to have..." -Jeremy Hanke, Microfilmmaker Magazine, Issue 17 (Feb/Mar '07), Final Score: 9.7/10

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