Xara Music Maker Hip Hop Edition - 4.0 User Guide

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.

Preface 3

Preface

Congratulations on purchasing MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop Edition 4 was developed expressly to avoid the stress of this situation: a complete, contemporary production studio for music and video clips in Hiphop style, which is straightforward and simply to use for anyone.

Equipped with fitting sound and video loops, MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop Edition 4.

The MAGIX Team

4 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

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 Hip Hop 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

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

Table of Contents 5

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 68

Video and Bitmap Objects 70

Video and bitmap formats 70

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 87 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

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 153 Navigation 154 Select all objects 155

Menu effects 156

Song Maker 156 Audio 157 Video 160 Title 160

Table of Contents 7

View menu 162

Easy mode 162 Arranger 162 Media Pool 163 Video monitor 163 Mix 164 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 Documentation 172

8 Table of Contents

Help from other users 173 Update program / Upgrade functions 173 About MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4 174

Buttons overview and keyboard shortcuts 175

Toolbar 175 Key shortcut 175

Index 183

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.

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

Before you start 11

Before you start

Package contents

DVD

On this DVD you will find the installation manager for MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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

or Microsoft® Outlook ExpressTM.

Internet ExplorerTM, version 6.0 or higher.

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 Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop 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.

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 Hip Hop Edition 4, click on "MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4". The MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop Edition 4, you can do so via the control panel under "Software". Or go to "Programs > MAGIX > MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4 > Service and Support > Uninstall MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4".

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 Hip Hop Edition 4:

MAGIX Online Album

MAGIX Onlin the In

ternet. If you want to present slideshows or videos online, then MAGIX

Online 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

Website Maker helps you create a personal Internet showcase with a

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 Hip Hop 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:

 Ambient  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.

16 Introduction

Introduction

What’s new in MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop Edition 4 to your personal profile. This takes place via the menu "File > Export > Community Upload > Upload audio to SoundCloud SoundCloud

Mouse gestures

is an exciting Internet community for musicians, record

..." Then, you can embed the uploaded songs in a

player on other platforms such as Twitter or Facebook.

, you can upload songs directly

In MAGIX

Music Maker Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop Edition 4 is now significantly more convenient.

Introduction 17

The features

Arranger with 32 tracks

In MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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.

, MP3, OGG Vorbis, WMA, QuickTime™, CD-A, BMP, JPG, AVI,

ia library provides audio and video building blocks ("samples") for

sic Maker Hip Hop Edition 4 includes the following synthesizers:

18 Introduction

Audio effects

MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4 provides lots of different audio effects. A few examples:

 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 Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop 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

4. 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.

ordings, sounds, pictures, and videos quicker and faster with the

an be imported directly into MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition

Own recordings

Use this recording function from MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4 to record vocals, noises, or instruments and integrate them into the arrangement.

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 Hip Hop 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.

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.

Quick start 21

Quick start

This chapter explains the basic functions of MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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.

Explorer - with some

22 Quick start

In "Welcome Dialog", which appears after MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4 is started for the first time, you may start a demo song. Look at the individual tracks of the song in the Arranger: In MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4 you 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.

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.

 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

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 "Sounds & Videos" in the Media Pool. Various categories are 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.

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 samples into the arranger. MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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.

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 Hip Hop 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.

The handle at the top center can be used to adjust the volume of audio objects and the brightness of video objects.

All objects can be split into multiple objects. To do so, select "Split objects" from the "Edit" menu. The selected object will be split at the position where the playback marker is.

Right-clicking on an object opens the context menu with the options available 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.

Quick start 27

Effects

You should take time to experiment around with the effects. In the context menu you can select the effects for the objects. Here, effect modules are opened with which each effect can be set up to meet your exact requirements.

Effects can also be dragged onto objects by holding the left mouse button or 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.

Export arrangement

The purpose of arranging and editing is usually to have a good quality audio or video file at the end. MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop Edition 4 supplies various export formats for this purpose.

 To export your arrangement, click on "File" and select the "Export

arrangement" option.

 Now select the export format. You can choose between pure audio export

(e. g. MP3, WAV,…) and audio and video export (e. g. AVI, Windows Media Video,…).

 The Community upload option enables uploads to SoundCloud  Select the fitting settings in the dialogs and click on OK or log in to the

desired Internet community.

 The arrangement will then be exported in the chosen format.

28 Quick start

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, export your arrangement as a WAV file first:

Click on "File" and select the "Export arrangement -> Audio as wave..." option. The WAV file created can be burned as an audio CD with the included burning program MAGIX Speed burnR.

Arranger 29

Arranger

Normal mode/Easy mode

MAGIX Music Maker Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop 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 Hip Hop 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.

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.

+ 162 hidden pages