Xara Music Maker Dance Edition - 4.0 Instruction Manual
2 Copyright
Copyright
MAGIX Music Maker and Goya are registered trademarks of MAGIX AG.
VST and ASIO are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH.
Other named product names may be registered trademarks of their respective
owners.
This documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right of
duplication, circulation, and translation, are reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in the form of copies, microfilms
or other processes, or transmitted into a language used for machines,
especially data processing machines, without the express written consent of
the publisher.
All copyrights reserved.
All other product names are trademarks of the corresponding manufacturers.
Errors in and changes to the contents as well as program modifications
reserved.
This product uses MAGIX patented technology (USP 6,518,492; USP
6,888,999) and MAGIX patent pending technology.
Copyright © MAGIX AG, 1994 – 2011. All rights reserved.
www.magix.com
Preface 3
Preface
Congratulations on purchasing MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4! You have
just bought an indispensable and versatile next-generation application for all
your multimedia needs.
Today, newcomers – be it producers, DJs or MCs – must do more than just
make good music to make themselves noticeable. Music, video clips, media,
promotion & communication all belong to the job.
MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 was developed expressly to avoid the
stress of this situation: a complete, contemporary production studio for music
and video clips in Dance style, which is straightforward and simply to use for
anyone.
Equipped with fitting sound and video loops, MAGIX Music Maker Dance
Edition 4 includes direct Internet connections for publishing or direct emailing
of material to the right people.
Production software + content + composition, performance, production &
publishing network or songs & videos!
Everything can be done with just a few mouse clicks. This manual explains the
how, where & why to click. It's so easy! Read through and, for best results, try
it out as you go along!
Have fun with MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4.
The MAGIX Team
www.magix.com
4 Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Copyright 2
Preface 3
Support 9
Before you start 11
Package contents 11
System requirements 11
Serial number 12
Installation 13
More about MAGIX 14
MAGIX Online World 14
magix.info - Multimedia Community 15
Soundpool DVD collection 15
Introduction 16
What’s new in MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4? 16
The features 17
Overview of the program interface 20
Quick start 21
Play demo project 21
Song Maker 22
Preview and load audio files 24
Position audio objects 25
Add videos or images 26
Manipulating objects 26
Effects 27
Export arrangement 27
Create Audio CD 28
Arranger 29
Normal mode/Easy mode 29
Trackboxes and Instrument icons 29
Zooming 30
Microscope 30
Move/Zoom with the mouse wheel 30
Grid 31
Playback area, Start and end markers 31
www.magix.com
Table of Contents 5
Moving the playback marker 32
Transport Bar (playback functions) 33
Arranger, Video Monitor, and Media Pool 35
Arranger buttons 36
Video Monitor 36
Arrangement overview 37
InfoBox 37
Audio peakmeter 37
Media Pool 38
Preview function 38
Soundpool settings 38
File manager settings 40
Synthesizer 43
Settings templates 43
Setting Catooh 43
Arranging Objects 44
Loading and saving arrangements 44
Multimedia files and objects 44
Select objects 45
Mute objects 45
Build or split object groups 45
Splitting objects 45
Exact object positioning 46
Duplicate objects 46
Object handles 47
Takes 48
Mixdown tracks 48
Mouse gestures 49
Audio Objects 51
Audio formats 51
Load and process audio files 51
Smart Preview for the incorporated samples 51
Change pitch/octave using the keyboard 52
Audio recording 52
Import audio CD 55
Change the playback tempo or pitch 59
Remix agent - Tempo and beat assignment 61
Harmony Agent 67
Text to Speech 69
Video and Bitmap Objects 70
Video and bitmap formats 70
www.magix.com
6 Table of Contents
Adjusting the video screen 70
Import and edit videos 70
Simplify object presentation 71
Visualizer objects 71
Extract sound from videos 71
Video effects 72
Title Editor 72
Video Compression 74
Choppy or uneven playback 75
General notes on AVI videos 75
Video export via TV-out 76
Synth Objects 77
Working with synth objects 77
BeatBox 2 78
SilverSynth Pro 86
LiViD - Little Virtual Drummer 89
Audio effects 91
Effects 91
Using audio effects 92
Object and master effects rack 94
Equalizer 96
Compressor 96
Reverb 97
MAGIX Mastering Suite (demo version) 101
Sound Warper 107
Timestretch and pitchshift 108
Vintage Effects Suite 110
Mixer 124
Track effects 124
Fader 125
Control groups 125
Track effects 126
FX tracks 126
Live monitoring 127
Master track 128
Reprocess arrangement 129
Export as email attachment 129
Export as ringtone 129
Create Audio CD 130
Upload song to Soundcloud 130
Common export options 131
www.magix.com
Table of Contents 7
File Menu 133
New arrangement 133
Load arrangement 133
Save arrangement 133
Save arrangement as... 133
Import 134
Export 134
Backup 141
Settings 142
Exit 148
Edit Menu 149
Undo 149
Redo 149
Object 149
Track 152
Range 152
Navigation 154
Select all objects 155
Menu effects 155
Song Maker 155
Audio 156
Video 159
Title 159
View menu 161
Easy mode 161
Arranger 161
Media Pool 162
Video monitor 162
Mix 163
Standard layout 164
Online menu 165
Catooh – the Online Content Library 165
MAGIX Online Album 166
magix.info - Multimedia Community 168
More online services 169
Online login details 170
Tasks menu 171
Help Menu 172
Show welcome dialog 172
www.magix.com
8 Table of Contents
Documentation 172
Help from other users 173
Update program / Upgrade functions 173
About MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 174
Buttons overview and keyboard shortcuts 175
Toolbar 175
Key shortcut 175
Index 183
www.magix.com
Support 9
Support
Dear MAGIX customer,
Our aim is to provide convenient, fast and solution-focused support at all
times. To this end, we offer a wide range of services:
Unlimited web support:
As a registered MAGIX customer, you have unlimited access to web support
offered via the convenient MAGIX service portal on http://support.magix.net,
including an intelligent help assistant, high-quality FAQs, patches and user
reports that are constantly updated.
The only requirement for use is product registration on www.magix.com
The online community - on-the-spot support and a platform for exchange:
MAGIX customers have free and unlimited access to the online community at
www.magix.info, which includes approx. 100,000 members and offers the
opportunity to ask members questions concerning MAGIX products as well as
use the search function to search for specific topics or answers. In addition to
questions & answers, the knowledge pool includes a glossary, video tutorials
and a discussion forum. The multiple experts, found round-the-clock on
www.magix.info guarantee quick answers, which sometimes come within
minutes of a question being posted.
Email support for MAGIX products:
8 (eight) weeks of free email customer service (starting from the purchase
date) is automatically included with the purchase of any new MAGIX product.
MAGIX guarantees fast processing of your request and an immediate reply.
Premium email support:
If you experience problems after the 8 weeks of free email support have
expired, you can purchase a Premium email support ticket in the MAGIX Shop
for USD 12.99 | CAD 13.99 | GBP 9.99 | AUD 18.99 | ZAR 120.00 | EUR
12.99 | SEK 119.00 | NOK 99.00 | DKK 99.00. This ticket applies to a specific
problem and is valid until it is solved; it is therefore not restricted to one email.
Reporting evident program errors is exempt from this regulation.
Please note: To be able to use the Premium email support and free product
email support via the Internet, you have to register your MAGIX product using
the serial number provided. This can be found on the CD case of your
installation CD or on the inside of the DVD box.
Additional telephone service:
Besides the large number of free customer service offers, we also offer a feebased telephone customer service.
www.magix.com
10 Support
Here you can find a summary of our technical support telephone numbers:
http://support.magix.net/
Mail (Europe): MAGIX Development Support, P.O. Box 20 09 14, 01194
Dresden, Germany
Mail (North America): MAGIX Customer Service, 1105 Terminal Way #302,
Reno, NV 89502, USA
Please make sure you have the following information at hand:
Program version
Configuration details (operating system, processor, memory, hard drive, etc.),
sound card configuration (type, driver)
Information regarding other audio software installed
MAGIX Sales Department
You can reach the MAGIX Sales Department workdays for help with the
following questions and problems:
Orders
Product consulting (pre-purchase)
Upgrade requests
Returns
Europe
Monday -
U.K.: 0203 3189218
Denmark: 699 18149
Sweden: 0852500858
Finland: 09 31581630
Norway: 0210 30665
North America
9 am
Phone: 1-305-722-5810
Friday, 09:00-16:00 GMT
to 4 pm EST Mon-Fri
www.magix.com
Before you start 11
Before you start
Package contents
DVD
On this DVD you will find the installation manager for MAGIX Music Maker
Dance Edition 4, as well as the multimedia library with sound and video files in
various genres.
The Terms and Conditions for usage of MAGIX sound and video files when
releasing your works to the public can be found in the "MAGIX Creation
Logo.pdf" file in the installation folder.
System requirements
Computer: Intel
®
Pentium® or AMD® Athlon® 1 GHz or higher, 512 MB RAM or
higher (1 GB recommended)
Free hard disk space: 2 GB
Graphics card with min 4 MB RAM, min. resolution 1024 x 768
16-bit sound card. Dolby
®
ProLogicTM Surround Sound
CD/DVD drive for program installation
Publication on MAGIX Online Album and download from Catooh only with
online connection and Microsoft
Sending video emails with available standard email software Microsoft
Outlook
TM
or Microsoft® Outlook ExpressTM.
®
Internet ExplorerTM, version 6.0 or higher.
®
www.magix.com
12 Before you start
Serial number
A serial number is included with each product, and although it is not required
for the installation of the software, it does enable access to additional bonus
services. Please store this number in a safe place.
What can a serial number do?
A serial number ensures that your copy of MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition
4 is clearly assigned to you and only you, and it makes improved and more
targeted customer service possible. Abuse of the software can be prevented
with a serial number, since it ensures that the optimum price/performance ratio
continues to be offered by MAGIX.
Where can the serial number be found?
The serial number can be found on the reverse side of your CD/DVD case. If
your product, for example, is packed in a DVD box, then you'll find the serial
number on the inside.
For versions that have been especially optimized for the Internet (download
versions), you'll receive your serial number for activating the software directly
after purchasing the product via email.
When will you need the serial number?
The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX Music Maker
Dance Edition 4 for the first time.
Note: We explicitly recommend registering your product, since only then are
you entitled to get program updates and contact MAGIX Support. Entering the
serial number is also required for activating codecs.
www.magix.com
Before you start 13
Installation
Step 1: Insert the program disc into the drive. The installation program starts
up automatically in Windows. If the disc doesn't run automatically,
open the Windows Explorer and click the letter of the CD-ROM drive.
Now double-click on "Start.exe" to start the installer.
Step 2: To begin the installation of MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4, click
on "MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4". The MAGIX Music Maker Dance
Edition 4 installation program will appear.
Simply follow the instructions on screen to complete the installation process
and then click on "Continue". All files are copied onto the hard drive.
Step 3: Once the installation is complete, confirm the message by pressing
"Finish". Now you can start the program at any time from the Windows "Start"
menu.
If you would like to uninstall MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4, you can do
so via the control panel under "Software". Or go to "Programs > MAGIX >
MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 > Service and Support > Uninstall MAGIX
Music Maker Dance Edition 4".
www.magix.com
14 More about MAGIX
More about MAGIX
MAGIX Online World
MAGIX Online World from MAGIX offers you a range of new services for your
photos, videos, and music that are accessible directly from the "Online" menu
in MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4:
MAGIX Online Album
MAGIX Onlin
Internet. If you want
Album is the perfect service.
MAGIX Website Maker
MAGIX
professional design in just a few mouse clicks – without prior knowledge,
including your own chosen domain and email address. Publish slideshows and
videos and accessorize your site with music and various effects – anything
from a simple business card to a fireworks display of effects, professional or
private – show your best side!
More about this topic can be found under MAGIX Website Maker. (view page
169)
Catooh – the Online Content Library
your project is missing pictures, videos, DVD menus, sounds, or samples,
If
then you should have a look at the huge selection available at Catooh. There
you'll be able to buy media in excellent quality for low prices: DVD menus,
Slideshow Maker styles, decorative elements, 3D power effects, 3D transition
series, MAGIX Soundpools, songs, ringtones... Perfectly suited to all MAGIX
photo, video, and music projects.
e Album (view page 166) is your personal multimedia album on the
to present slideshows or videos online, then MAGIX Online
Website Maker helps you create a personal Internet showcase with a
www.magix.com
More about MAGIX 15
magix.info - Multimedia Community
Help and get help - Directly from within the program, you'll be able to access
magix.info - Multimedia Community, the new MAGIX Knowledge Database
(view page 168). You'll find answers to all the
about MAGIX products and multimedia in general. Couldn't find an answer to
your particular question? No problem – just ask the question yourself!
You can access magix.info - Multimedia Community online at
http://www.magix.info
most frequently asked questions
Soundpool DVD collection
MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 includes thousands of sound and video
building blocks. Other media can be ordered later. In the MAGIX Sound
Essentials you receive professionally produced loops and samples in
impressive quality – the ideal enhancement for the most varying of music
styles, including:
Am
bient
Big Beat
Easy listening
Dance / Electro
Disco / House
Soundtrack
Hip hop
Rock/Pop
Techno / trance
Special effects
In the upper menu bar under "Tasks" > "Discover more", you can order the
MAGIX Sound Essentials directly.
Tip: At www.magix.com you'll always find the latest soundpool offers.
www.magix.com
16 Introduction
Introduction
What’s new in MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4?
SoundCloud upload
SoundCloud
companies and anyone else who wants to distribute music and communicate
via songs. After registering with SoundCloud
from MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 to your personal profile. This takes
place via the menu "File > Export > Community Upload > Upload audio to
SoundCloud
player on other platforms such as Twitter or Facebook.
Mouse gestures
®
is an exciting Internet community for musicians, record
®
..." Then, you can embed the uploaded songs in a SoundCloud®
®
, you can upload songs directly
In MAGIX Mu
sic Maker Dance Edition 4 it is possible to dynamically control
video and audio effects using mouse gestures. To view a summary of all
mouse gestures, read Help.
Microscope mode
te this mode and click on an object to zoom in for detailed editing. This
Activa
allows individual drum hits in a loop to be edited in a very detailed way, cut
with the separation function, and then processed with individual effects. In the
lower right section of the arranger, you will see a button with four arrows
pointing outwards on it. Click this button again to reset the view to the original
settings.
User interface
The user in
terface has been laid out as clearly as possible. Thanks to its new
look, working in MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 is now significantly more
convenient.
www.magix.com
Introduction 17
The features
Arranger with 32 tracks
In MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 there are 32 tracks for multimedia
arrangements – enough space to create multiple polyphonic pieces, but most
importantly, you don't lose track of your project at any point.
Formats and interfaces
Import: WAV
MXV, WMV
Export: WAV, MP3 (optional), OGG Vorbis, WMA, AVI, MXV, WMV
Multimedia Library
The multimed
combining on the arranger tracks. Loads of melodies, effect templates, and
graphical animations also come supplied for you to use in new songs & video
clips.
Catooh
massive Catooh you'll always find the right sounds & pictures for your
In the
projects. The clearly archived library makes it child's play to find what you're
looking for. Simply preview it and download it if you like it!
Software synthesizers
MAGIX Mu
With the "Silver Synth" you can create your own new sounds in analog synthie
sound including filter movement and pitch recognition.
BeatBox 2 is a 16-voice drum computer with hybrid sound synthesis and a
step sequencer. The established concept of the "old" Beatbox, as matrix
programming did with Auto-Copy, introduced convenient velocity processing
and significantly improved sound production, including multi-effects section
(an effect for each drum instrument).
LiViD, our "little virtual drummer", provides realistic acoustic drum tracks. Just
a few instructions are enough for "LiviD" to play a complete drum track with
introduction, chorus, bridge, fill-ins, etc.
Audio effects
, MP3, OGG Vorbis, WMA, QuickTime™, CD-A, BMP, JPG, AVI,
ia library provides audio and video building blocks ("samples") for
sic Maker Dance Edition 4 includes the following synthesizers:
MAGIX Mu
few examples:
www.magix.com
sic Maker Dance Edition 4 provides lots of different audio effects. A
18 Introduction
You can correct tempo and pitch in real time using "Resampling",
"Timestretching" or "Pitchshifting".
The "Audio Effect Rack" supplies "Reverb", "Echo", "Equalizer", "Compressor",
"Time Processor", "Distortion", "Filter", and many classic effects with which
almost every sound can be made. MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4
provides these sounds in amazingly high quality. The reverb effect, for
example, provides lots of realistic reverb algorithms to add depth and
spaciousness to your material. Design your "Favorite reverb" using the many
presets as a base with their various reverb rooms which were designed for
specific instruments and applications.
The "Vintage Effects Suite" covers "good old" guitar effects that were activated
using a foot pedal in Jimi Hendrix's era: more warmth and fullness with
"Chorus", jet-like special effects with the "Flanger" or ping-pong effects like
"Delay". This filter enables beat-matched frequency filtering, the "BitMachine"
is a distorting Lo-Fi effect for friends of those who like it a bit rougher.
The "Text-to-speech" function creates a voice from lines of text.
Media database
Find your rec
MAGIX media database. An existing MAGIX database from the MAGIX Photo
Manager or MAGIX Media Manager is integrated in the Media Pool and can be
updated directly from MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4. Use the simple
search function to find suitable pictures or MP3 files for your arrangement.
High-end 32-bit floating point
sound changes are executed using 32-bit floating point calculation for
All
especially differentiated and high-quality sounds. This technology is also used
in professional studios. This way, an audio picture with especially high
dynamics can be created. Digital overmodulation and clipping become virtually
impossible.
Audio CD support
Audio CDs c
Just insert them into the drive and press "CD/DVD". All tracks can then be
dragged into the arranger and edited with different features or effects. Whether
for remixes or as sound material for your own compositions – a new touch will
be added to your personal CD collection.
Own recordings
this recording function from MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 to
Use
record vocals, noises, or instruments and integrate them into the arrangement.
ordings, sounds, pictures, and videos quicker and faster with the
an be imported directly into MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4.
www.magix.com
Live Sessions
Introduction 19
While the virtual
new track can be recorded simultaneously in realtime. What's more, you can
also add realtime effects.
Harmony Agent
The Harmony Agent provides harmony recognition au
determines the key and chord of any music title. See the guitar tablature of
your favorite song in real time for the arrangement!
Song Maker
The Song Ma
complement existing arrangements by automating the complicated steps such
as sample selection and combination. The Song Maker takes over arranging
whole sections such as intro and refrain. Therefore, you do not have to do
everything yourself – you can omit the arranging and process your selection
from the suggestions.
Mixer
MAGIX Mu
with effect rack and two Insert effects for each channel, two additional effect
tracks, two Insert effects for the master as well as additional mastering effects.
The Mixer's size can be adjusted so that more than eight tracks fit on the
screen at any one time. You can also group a number of faders of a specific
type (for example, volume or panorama) and use them all together.
instruments and sounds are played on the available tracks, a
tomatically and
ker lets you create new arrangements quickly and easily and
sic Maker Dance Edition 4 contains a professional Realtime Mixer
Professional Mastering Suite 2.0 is included in a 30-day trial version.
Ringtone export
Convert your
Works for the standard Real Ringtone formats: MP3 and WAV.
www.magix.com
songs or sound effects into ringtones at the touch of a button.
20 Overview of the program interface
Overview of the program interface
1 Menu bar
2 Toolbar
3 Track boxes
4 Arranger
5 Scrollbars
6 Media Pool
7 Video monitor
This list provides the most important editing
commands.
This contains the buttons for quick editing.
Here you can mute whole tracks or have one play
by itself (solo). Use the FX buttons to apply track
effects.
You can freely position any multimedia material on
all tracks.
The lower scrollbar can be stretched and
compressed for zooming.
All files listed here can be dragged into the
Arranger via drag&drop.
Here, the previews for graphics or video files
which can be selected in the Media Pool are
shown. All picture material of the arrangement is
also shown here on playback. Furthermore, the
arrangement overview or an Analyzer/Peak Meter
can be displayed in the Video Monitor.
www.magix.com
Quick start 21
Quick start
This chapter explains the basic functions of MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition
4 with a step-by-step introduction. A systematic description of the program
functions can be found in the chapters and in the extensive PDF manual.
Tip: Open the tutorial video and the "Quick start" tutorial by clicking the "Help"
menu.
Play demo project
The large area with the horizontal tracks is the Arranger. Here you can make all
changes to the positions and editing of multimedia objects.
In the lower section of the program interface you can find the Media Pool. Here
you can load multimedia files with various formats into the arrangement by
pressing the left mouse button and keeping it held or by double-clicking on the
object. The Media Pool works similarly to Windows
additional features. Here, professionally produced sounds can be downloaded
from theCatooh and integrated.
In "Welcome Dialog", which appears after MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4
is started for the first time, you may start a demo song. Look at the individual
www.magix.com
®
Explorer - with some
22 Quick start
tracks of
can create a complete song by compiling objects. Click on the vertical scroll
bar on the right-hand side of the screen and drag them down (hold down the
left mouse button) in order to be able to see each track.
To play the demo, click on the Play button or press the space bar on your
keyboard. A vertical red line (the playback marker) runs across the screen and
music will play from the speakers.
Note: If you do not hear anything, check if the correct sound card is active for
playback in the Setup window (P key). Of course, the output of the sound card
has to be connected to the speakers.
the song in the Arranger: In MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 you
Song Maker
To quickly create a first arrangement, you should let the Song Maker run by
itself and sit back and listen. Open a new, empty arrangement by clicking on
"File" and selecting "New arrangement". This opens a new arrangement with
32 empty tracks. The Song Maker automatically creates musical arrangements
from the included music files.
Activate the Song Maker with the button in
the upper section of the program interface.
Select a music style.
www.magix.com
Select the instruments that you want to hear.
If, for example, you only want a rhythm
section with drums and bass, deactivate the
other instruments.
Select the song part or parts that you want
to create.
Quick start 23
www.magix.com
24 Quick start
Your first musical arrangement is complete! Song Maker can also be used to
add more individual samples or whole song parts or to lay down a bass or
drum sound. This can then be expanded into a more complex multimedia
arrangement or refined using your own video and audio files.
Now click on "Create Song". Song Maker
automatically compiles an arrangement. The
following is merely a suggestion.
Listen to the suggestion by pressing the
"Play" button. If you're not happy with the
result, you can have another arrangement
created by clicking "Cancel" and once more
on the "Create new arrangement" button.
Once you're happy with Song Maker's
suggestion, click on "Create Song". The
building blocks are only now added to the
Arranger.
To play the arrangement click on the space
bar or on the "Play" button. The arrangement
is then played back in a loop as long as the
space bar is held or the Play button is
pressed.
Preview and load audio files
In the next step, load sound files into the arranger for positioning and editing.
Create another new, empty arrangement. To do so click "File" and select the
"New arrangement" option.
Now click on
shown on the left page of the Media Pool. Click on the one of the categories to
open a sub-category. Here you can select and preview sounds. Some
instruments are categorized according to pitch. Click on any entry here. The
sound will then start playing. Each file can be previewed this way. Use the
arrow keys on your keyboard to select the various pitches. Other instruments –
like drums – are not categorized according to pitch. These entries are denoted
by a loudspeaker symbol which displays them as a normal wave file.
To load a file into the arranger, simply press "Enter". You can also drag the file
from a table onto a track in the arranger. Once you let go of the mouse button,
the file will appear as an audio object at that position.
"Sounds & Videos" in the Media Pool. Various categories are
www.magix.com
Quick start 25
Position audio objects
Each object can be moved in any way in the arranger with the mouse,
horizontally on a track as well as vertically between tracks.
Add new instruments to your first song in the arranger. For example, take a
drum sample and drag it underneath the object in a lower track which was
added beforehand.
This way, any number of files can be dragged from any folder into the arranger
and placed on top of one another, on multiple tracks, or behind one another.
Play the arrangement in the meantime. Take note of the two markers at the top
of the bar ruler – they represent the start and end points of the range to be
played. If you wish to change the playback range, the start and end markers
can be dragged (while holding down the mouse button) to any position on the
bar ruler.
Tip: You can also move the playback marker independently of the left start
marker by clicking on the lower section of the bar ruler.
You do not need to interrupt playback to load new
MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 has a "Smart Preview" function: You can
simultaneously preview new samples in the Media Pool – they always run
synchronous to the song in the arranger. This function considerably simplifies
the search for suitable samples for a song you wish to create.
www.magix.com
samples into the arranger.
26 Quick start
Add videos or images
In the next step you can add video and image material. To do so, open a folder
with video or photo files in the Media Pool under Data Manager and select the
ones you want. On the video monitor to the right, a preview of the selected
video file can be shown.
Once you have found a matching video, use the mouse button to drag it onto
any track (like previously with the audio files). You can place as many video
and photo files as you like under your music. You can adjust the length of the
individual objects with the help of the Object handles.
Manipulating objects
To get an impression of the object-based work method of MAGIX Music Maker
Dance Edition 4, you should become more familiar with the "Objects" on the
tracks of the Arranger.
All objects can be shortened or looped by moving the mouse to one of the
lower corners of the object until it turns into a stretch symbol. You can now
stretch or compress the object length as much as you like. This way you can
create rhythm tracks from short drum samples simply by stretching them.
At the top corners of every object there are two fade handles that can be
adjusted to fade an object in or out.
www.magix.com
Quick start 27
The handle at the
and the brightness of video objects.
All objects can be split into multiple o
from the "Edit" menu. The selected object will be split at the position where the
playback marker is.
Right-clicking on an
for that specific object in the Timeline mode. The context menu can also be
opened by clicking on the button with the small triangle in the lower section of
an object.
top center can be u
object opens the context menu with the options available
sed to adjust the volume of audio objects
bjects. To do so, select "Split objects"
Effects
You should t
can select the effects for the objects. Here, effect modules are opened with
which each effect can be
Effects can also be dragged onto objects by holding the left mouse
double-clicking. Simply open the "Templates" folder in the Media Pool and try
each of the effects listed one after the other with a mouse click. Like with all
other entries in the Media Pool, effects in this folder always have a preview as
well. If you like an effect and wish to apply it to an object in the Arranger,
simply click on it, drag it onto the object, and release the mouse button.
ake time to experiment with the effects. In the context menu you
set up to meet your exact requirements.
button or
Tip: Use the Object Inspector in the Media Pool in order to display all important
Object effects.
Export arrangement
The purpose of arranging and e
video file at the end. MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 supplies various
export formats for this
To export your arrangement, cli
arrangement" option.
Now select the export format. You can choose between pure audio
(e. g. MP3, WAV,…) an
Video,…).
The Community upload option enables uploads to SoundCloud
Select the f
Internet community.
www.magix.com
itting settings in the dialogs and click on OK or log in to the desired
purpose.
diting is usually to have a good quality audio or
ck on "File" and select the "Export
export
d audio and video export (e. g. AVI, Windows Media
®
.
28 Quick start
The arrangement will then be exported in the chosen format.
Note: The export calculations are independent of the playback performance.
Even if your playback on your computer begins to stutter because too much
RAM is being used for videos and effects, the export file will still be calculated
correctly. We recommend placing already finished passages of complex
arrangements via the export or mixdown function into a single file to free up
some processing power (and tracks). This kind of file can be reloaded into the
arrangement and edited further with the other parts.
Create Audio CD
To burn an audio CD, expo
Click on "File" and select the "Export arrangement -> Audio as wav
The WAV file created can be burned as an audio CD with the included burning
program MAGIX Speed burnR.
rt your arrangement as a WAV file first:
e..." option.
www.magix.com
Arranger 29
Arranger
Normal mode/Easy mode
MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 can be operated in two different views,
and these can be activated by clicking on the button in the top left. If the
MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 interface confuses you at first, then
switch the program to "Easy" mode!
Easy mode active
Normal mode active
In the beginner mode, the program presents a clearly laid-out version which
only displays the most important buttons and switches. Functional elements for
advanced users are hidden.
This documentation describes MAGIX Music Maker Dance Edition 4 in normal
mode. If you can't find one of the functions while reading, make sure that you
don't have Easy mode turned on.
Trackboxes and Instrument icons
Every track box contains a field for
instrument icons. When you drag a MAGIX
Soundpool sample
At the beginning of each track is a track box where you can mute a single
audio track with the Mute button or play them Solo.
The Peak Meter can be found beside the icons. This way, you can control the
volume of the track and see if the track produces any audio sound at all.
Beside the track number to the top, you'll find the Track name field. You can
rename the track by double-clicking on the field.
www.magix.com
30 Arranger
With REC you can activate the track for an Audio or MIDI recording.
Furthermore, monitoring is now activated, that is, you can hear the
input signal of your sound card on playback. (Find out more in the
"Mixer" chapter, "Recording/Live Monitoring" (view page 127))
you start recording now (R key), the audio recording dialog will
If
open. The recorded audio material is added to this track. If there is
already an object on the same position of the track, the next empty
track will be used.
Here you can open the Track Effects menu. In it you will find presets
for track effects (view page 93) sorted according to the instrument
.
type
Zooming
The vertical zoom function sets the number
of visible tracks. For a lot of tracks, enlarging
the view (zooming) is sensible for editing a
single track or object.
Use the horizontal zoom functions to set up the visible section of the
arrangement on the timeline.
Microscope
Enlarge objects: Vertical and horizontal zoom stages are enlarged so
that all of the selected objects are displayed at maximum size. When
the the function is shut off, the old zoom level will reactivate.
Move/Zoom with the mouse wheel
The visible section can be moved, reduced, and increased in size by using the
scroll bars. These functions can also be executed without having to click
anywhere by using the mouse to move the scroll bars or zoom buttons or by
using the mouse wheel.
www.magix.com
Loading...