Mixcraft
Mixcraft is a multitrack recording application for Windows. The software functions as a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), MIDI sequencer, virtual instrument host, non-linear video arranger, and as a music loop remix program.
The current version of Mixcraft is 5.2. Version 5 adds many new features over the previous version 4.5, including video scoring and editing, effects automation, a mixer interface, a virtual typing keyboard, and several new instruments and effects. Mixcraft 5 also includes features found in previous version of Mixcraft, including MIDI sequencing and VSTi virtual instruments. Mixcraft 5 includes 8 virtual instruments: a large extended General MIDI sampled instrument library, an additional sample library featuring synthesizer pads, two polyphonic synthesizer vintage synthesizer modellers, one of which models the classic Prophet 5 synthesizer, a virtual instrument that models the famous Minimoog analog synthesizer, a modeled Hammond B3 emulator, Lounge Lizard electric piano emulator, and a TB303 synth bass emulator. Mixcraft 5 also includes 20 audio effects: two guitar amplifier simulators, a vintage tube EQ emulator, a spectrum analyzer, and over a dozen traditional studio effects. There are also over 3300 audio loops (many of which have been produced by Jason Donnelly aka DJ Puzzle) and sound effects included with the package. A new version of Mixcraft 5 (Mixcraft Pro Studio 5) extends the functionality by adding 3 additional virtual instruments including Pianissimo, a realistic Grand Piano and 4 extra professional mixing and mastering effects.
Major features
Major features of Mixcraft include:
- MIDI Recording and Sequencing. This feature allows you to record MIDI data played on one or more MIDI controller keyboard. Users can also enter and edit notes manually using a piano roll interface.
- VSTi Virtual Instrument support. This feature allows software-based musical instruments to be played, sequenced, and recorded inside of Mixcraft. Virtual instruments generate all instrument sounds entirely within the software.
- Multitrack Recording. This feature allows users to create recordings from multiple sound card inputs simultaneously. With a MIDI keyboard connected, one can record both through microphone and the keyboard at the same time.
- Sony ACID Pro and Apple Computer GarageBand loop support. This feature allows audio loops from popular libraries to be imported and used within Mixcraft. Mixcraft will time stretch and pitch shift the loops to match the current project tempo and key. Throughout the project, the tempo and key can be changed.
- Automatic Remixing. This feature will attempt to detect the tempo and key of a prerecorded song, and change the tempo to match the project tempo. In this way, songs of varying tempos can be mixed and matched, and layered with new drum beat loops, to create a custom remix.
- Time stretching and Pitch shifting. Mixcraft uses an advanced algorithm to provide high quality time stretching and pitch shifting while minimizing CPU usage.
- VST and DirectX effects. Unlimited effects (e.g. reverb, delay, EQ) can be added to each track, and unlimited global effects can be added to the project. Mixcraft includes Plug-In Delay Compensation technology, and will work properly with time stretching DirectX effects.
- Support for multiple mixdown formats, including MP3, WAV, WMA, and Ogg Vorbis file formats. Mixcraft will import audio in any of these formats, and will also import AIFF files as well.
- Video Sequencing, editing video files, adding music, sound effects, and voice-overs.
- A large library of virtual instruments, loops, sound effects, and audio effects is included with Mixcraft. Sounds and loops within the library are downloaded directly within the application, minimizing the size of the initial installer.
Awards
- Mixcraft 5 was given Keyboard Magazine's top honor, their Key Buy award, by Craig Anderton in their May 2010 issue.
- Mixcraft 5 was given Computer Music Magazine's top honor, their Editor's Choice Award, along with a product review score of 9 out of 10, in the May 2010 issue.
- Mixcraft 5 was given Computer Music Magazine's Value Award in their May 2010 issue.
- Mixcraft 5 was given MusicTech Magazine's Value Award, along with a product review score of 8 out of 10, in their May 2010 issue.
- Mixcraft 4 was given Keyboard Magazine's top honor, their Key Buy award, by Craig Anderton in their May 2008 issue.
- Mixcraft 4 was given Computer Music Magazine's Value Award, along with a product review score of 8 out of 10, in their May 2008 issue.
History
Version Pro Studio 5.0, 3 New Virtual Instruments and 4 additional mixing and mastering effects
Version 5.0 has video sequencing, a new mixer, on-screen midi keyboard and automation enabling different effects to be applied to different parts of a track or globally for the entire recording
Version 4.0 added MIDI sequencing and VSTi virtual instruments. The final version in the 4.0 series was 4.5 build 118.
Version 3.0 contained many improvements over the previous version 2.51, including a new graphic user interface (GUI), multitrack recording, and support for music loops from Sony ACID Pro and Apple GarageBand.
See also
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Music portal |
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Computer Science portal |
External links