Xara Music Maker - MX User Guide

2 Copyright

Copyright

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.

Copyright © MAGIX AG, 1994 - 2011. All rights reserved.

MAGIX and Music Maker are registered trademarks of MAGIX AG.

VST and ASIO are registered trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies
GmbH.

This product uses MAGIX patented technology (USP 6,518,492; USP
6,888,999) and MAGIX patent pending technology.

Other named product names may be registered trademarks of their respective
owners.

www.magix.com

Preface 3

Preface

MAGIX Music Maker MX offers an easy start and the option to dive deeper into
the world of music production. A giant, high-quality sound archive, an
especially intuitive approach to creating original music, plus many useful
functions result in an unbeatable complete package for making your own
songs.

The program is particularly easy to use, the included sound files can be
combined with the software synthesizers easily. MP3 songs can be used with
audio CD tracks, your own music recordings and even videos, photos or
graphics. Even VST and DirectX plug-ins or MIDI files can be added easily.

This turns your computer into a universal production studio for music and all
other kinds of multimedia files. The music building blocks supplied in CD
quality can be combined very easily as they are all categorized according to
tempo and harmony. And for those of you who want to start making songs
effortlessly and straight away, the integrated "Song Maker" will take care of
almost everything for you.

The print manual explains all of the basic functions of the program. In addition,
you get a PDF manual which describes each function in detail. If you prefer to
discover the many possibilities of the program by yourself, you can also use
the PDF manual simply as a reference. An alphabetical index is included at the
very end.

Have fun with MAGIX Music Maker MX.

Your MAGIX team.

www.magix.com

4 Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Copyright 2
Preface 3
Support 10
Uninstalling the program 12
Before You Start 13

Package Contents 13
System requirements 13
Installation 15

Serial Number 16
More about MAGIX 17

MAGIX Online World 17
magix.info 18
Soundpool DVD Collection 18

Introduction 19

What is MAGIX Music Maker MX? 19
What’s new in MAGIX Music Maker MX? 19
The Features 21
Additional features of the Premium version 25

Overview of the Program Interface 28
Quick start 30

Play Demo Project 30
Preview and Load Audio Files 31
Position Audio Objects 32
Add Videos or Images 33
Edit Objects 33
Effects 34
Export Arrangement 34
Burn audio CD 36

Arranger 37

Normal mode/Easy mode 37
Tracks 37
Trackboxes and Instrument icons 38

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Table of Contents 5

Zooming 39

Move/Zoom with the mouse wheel 40
Grid 40
Playback area, Start and end markers 41
Moving the playback marker 42
Transport bar (playback functions) 43
Arranger, Video Monitor, and Media Pool 45
Arranger buttons 45

Media Pool 46

Preview function 46
Positioning the Media Pool 47
Soundpool settings 47
File manager settings 49
Synthesizer 53
Template settings 53
Keyboard settings 54
Object Inspector settings 55
Setting Catooh 56

Videoscreen 57

Audio peakmeter 57
Overview 58
Infobox 58

Mouse modes 59

Automation 59
Move to track 60
Move all 60
Move selection 60
Draw 60
Split 61
Stretch 61
Preview audio 61
Scrubbing 62
Replace 62
Context help 62

Arranging Objects 63

Loading and saving arrangements 63
Multimedia files and objects 63
Select objects 64
Mute objects 64
Build or split object groups 64
Split objects 64
Exact object positioning 65

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6 Table of Contents

Duplicate objects 65

Object handles 66
"Draw in" loops 67
Takes 67
Object properties 68
Mixdown audio 68
Mouse gestures 69

Audio Objects 71

Audio formats 71
Load and process audio files 71
Smart Preview for the incorporated samples 71
Audio recording 72
Import audio CD 75
Change the playback tempo or pitch 79
Remix agent - Tempo and beat assignment 82
Remix Maker 88
Harmony Agent 90
Text to speech 92

MIDI Objects 93

Arrange MIDI objects 93
Load MIDI files 93
Connect external equipment 94
Playing and recording MIDI synthesizer 96
MIDI Editor 97

Synthesizer objects 120

Opening the synthesizers 120
Note for users of older Music Maker versions: 121
Synth objects 121
Automation of Vita Solo instruments. 122
BeatBox 2 123
Atmos 130
Loop Designer 131
Robota 135
LiViD - Little Virtual Drummer 144
MAGIX Vita 145
Additional Vita Solo synthesizers 147

Audio effects 148

Effects 148
Using audio effects 149
Object and master effects rack 151
Equalizer 152
Sketchable filter 153

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Table of Contents 7

Compressor 154

Invert phase 155
Reverb 155
Sound Warper 159
Gater 160
Backwards 161
Timestretch and pitchshift 161
Essential FX 163
Vintage Effects Suite 166
Vandal SE 180

Video and Bitmap Objects 186

Video and bitmap formats 186
Adjusting the video screen 186
Loading and editing videos and bitmaps 186
Simplify object presentation 187
Visualizer objects 187
Video scrubbing 187
Extract sound from videos 188
Video effects 188
Title Editor 188
Video Compression 191
Choppy or uneven playback 191
General notes on AVI videos 192
Create a video project for the Internet 192
Video export via TV-out 193

Mixer 194

Fader 195
Control groups 195
Track effects 196
FX tracks 196
Live monitoring 197
Master track 197

Reprocess arrangement 199

Export assistant 199
Export as E-Mail attachment 201
Export as ringtone 201
Community upload 204
Burn audio CD 206

File Menu 207

New arrangement 207
Load arrangement 207
Save arrangement 207

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8 Table of Contents

Save arrangement as... 207

Import 208
Export 208
Backup 217
Settings 218
Exit 225

Edit Menu 226

Undo 226
Redo 226
Object 226
Track 229
Range 230
Navigation 231
Select all objects 232

Menu effects 233

Song Maker 233
Audio 234
Video 239
Title 240

View menu 241

Easy mode 241
Arranger 241
Media Pool 242
Video monitor 242
Mix 243
Standard layout 244

"Share" menu 244

Community upload 244
Use as background music 245
Add to music collection 246
Edit with an external editor 246
Burn song as an audio CD 246
Save on CD or DVD 246
More online services 247

Tasks menu 249
Help Menu 249

Show welcome dialog 249
Documentation 249
Update program / Upgrade functions 250
magix.info - Multimedia Knowledge Community 253

www.magix.com

Table of Contents 9

MAGIX Screenshare 254

About MAGIX Music Maker MX 254

Buttons overview and keyboard shortcuts 255

Toolbar 255
Keyboard shortcuts 255

Index 263

www.magix.com

10 Support

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 at 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. 120,000 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 at
www.magix.info guarantee quick answers, which sometimes come within
minutes of a question being posted.

 Email support for MAGIX products:

For every new MAGIX product you will receive, as of date purchase, 12
months of email based customer service.
Premium email support:
For priority support, or if you want the MAGIX support team to help with non­MAGIX related hardware problems you can purchase a Premium email
support ticket 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. Log in at
http://support.magix.net and click on "Purchase access code", the ticket is for
a specific problem, and is valid until it is solved, it is not restricted to an email.

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

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

Support 11

Europe

Monday -

U.K.: 0203 3189218
Denmark: 699 18149
Sweden: 0852500858
Finland: 09 31581630
Norway: 0210 30665

North America

9 am
Phone: [phone]

www.magix.com

Friday, 09:00-16:00 GMT

to 4 pm EST Mon-Fri

12 Uninstalling the program

Uninstalling the program

If you would like to uninstall MAGIX Music Maker MX, you can do so via the
control panel under "Software". Or go to "Programs > MAGIX > MAGIX Music
Maker MX > Service and Support > Uninstall MAGIX Music Maker MX".

www.magix.com

Before You Start 13

Before You Start

Package Contents

DVD

On this DVD you will find the installation manager for MAGIX Music Maker MX,
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 work to the public can be found in the "MAGIX Creation
Logo.pdf" file in the installation folder.

Manual

printed manual only contains the basic functions of both program versions

The
MAGIX Music Maker MX and MAGIX Music Maker MX Premium. Additional
features of the Premium version are marked accordingly.

The PDF manual contains comprehensive documentation. It is copied to your
hard drive during program installations and describes all program functions in
detail. You can open it from the program group in the start menu.

System requirements

Computer:

®

 Intel
 Min. free hard disk space: 900 MB

 SVGA graphics card with min. 4 MB RAM, min. resolution 1024 x 768 at 16-
 16-bit sound card

 DVD-ROM drive
 Microsoft
 Operating system: Microsoft

www.magix.com

Pentium® or AMD® Athlon® 700 MHz or higher, 256 MB RAM (512 MB

recommended)

bit high-color

®

-compatible mouse (mouse wheel recommended)

®

Windows® 2000 | XP | Vista™

14 Before You Start

Optional:

 Burn CDs/DVDs with CD/DVD±R(W) recorder.
 Access to and publication on www.magix.com and in MAGIX Online Services

only with Internet connection and Microsoft

 Sending video emails with available standard email software Microsoft

Outlook

TM

or Microsoft® Outlook ExpressTM.

®

Internet ExplorerTM 6.0, or higher.

®

www.magix.com

Before You Start 15

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/DVD drive.
 Now double-click on "Start.exe" to start the installer.

Step 2: To begin the installation of MAGIX Music Maker MX, click on "MAGIX
Music Maker MX". The MAGIX Music Maker MX 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". You will then be able to start the program at any time from the
Windows "Start" menu.

If you would like to uninstall MAGIX Music Maker MX, you can do so via the
control panel under "Software". Or go to "Programs > MAGIX > MAGIX Music
Maker MX > Service and Support > Uninstall MAGIX Music Maker MX".

www.magix.com

16 Serial Number

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 MX 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), directly following the transaction you'll receive a serial number by
email to activate the software.

When will you need the serial number?

The serial number is required when you start or register MAGIX Music Maker
MX 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

More about MAGIX 17

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 MX:

MAGIX Online Album

MAGIX Onlin
want to present slideshows or videos online, then MAGIX Online Album is the
perfect service.

MAGIX Blog Service

ith MAGIX
experiences, and news with a worldwide audience in no time using your own
interactive online multimedia journal. Invite family, friends, and acquaintances
to join in and enter their comments! A free MAGIX Online Album belongs to the
MAGIX Blog Service so that you always have full control over your
contributions.

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

247)

Catooh – the Online Content Library

e Album is your personal multimedia album on the Internet. If you

Blog Service, YOU make the news! Share your thoughts,

Website Maker helps you create a personal Internet showcase with a

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.

www.magix.com

18 More about MAGIX

MAGIX Community

MAGIX Community is the place to exchange photos, videos, and music with
friends and the world. As soon as you have registered for free, you can use all
of its great features.

You can also read the FAQ (frequently asked questions) online
http://rdir.magix.net/?page=EBCVJGJAFZHV.

magix.info

Do you have questions, need help, or are looking for expert tips and tutorial
videos on your MAGIX product? At magix.info you will find answers and
solutions as well as workshops and a comprehensive user forum for software
and multimedia queries.

You can access magix.info online at www.magix.info

Soundpool DVD Collection

MAGIX Music Maker MX includes thousands of sound and video building
blocks. Other media can be ordered later. MAGIX Sound Essentials includes
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

upper menu bar under "Tasks" > "Discover more", you can order the

In the
MAGIX Sound Essentials directly.

Tip: At www.magix.com you'll always find the latest soundpool offers.

www.magix.com

Introduction 19

Introduction

What is MAGIX Music Maker MX?

MAGIX Music Maker MX is the new generation of multimedia software. From
your private collection of love songs to entirely homemade video clips –
everything's possible! You can upload your own songs and music videos
directly to Internet services such as Facebook, YouTube and Soundcloud.

Lots of professionally produced sound and video samples come supplied. In
the Arranger, samples and videos can simply be dragged onto the track,
looped, enhanced with effects, and modified for export.

Additionally there are various synthesizer plug-ins for creating your own
sounds. Audio CDs and MP3s can be integrated, remixed, or used as sound
material. Even DirectX or VST plug-ins as well as MIDI files for remote control
of the sound card or external synthesizers can be integrated into the
arrangement perfectly. All multimedia formats can be combined with one
another in any way on all tracks.

If you need even more sounds and samples, Catooh offers a rich selection of
audio, video, images and professionally created sound effects, which can add
even more variety to your project. MAGIX Music Maker MX has a direct
connection to the Internet for publishing straight to your personal MAGIX
Online Album. Your own work can also be published directly from within the
program to the MAGIX Community.

What’s new in MAGIX Music Maker MX?

New Sound Library

MAGIX Music Maker MX is the original for loop-based music production on
PCs. No other software offers as much experience. In the new version the
sound library that comes included has been completely revised with lots of
new audio and MIDI loops.

An additional 2,000 sounds can be found in the online archive

In addition
downloaded for free from the Internet. The total number of freely available
sound building blocks is thereby increased to more than 3,500 loops (5,500 in
the Premium version).

www.magix.com

to the included sound loops, an additional 2,000 loops can be

20 Introduction

To download sounds, click on the "Catooh" button after installing the software
and follow the instructions.

New menu structure

It's even ea
the "Prepare" menu. You can additionally "pass on" your project directly for
further work in other MAGIX programs.

Lead Synth

The Lead Synth is a
but it sounds like it's analog. Just like famous analog modular synthesizers,
e.g. by Moog. It can be accessed in the Media Pool via the "Synthesizers"
button.

Drum Engine

New sound synthesis
Media Pool via the "Synthesizers" button.

Loop Designer

With

the new Loop Designer, new loops can be created from existing material
and then used as supplement to the included sound loops, as self-defined
building blocks for your arrangements. It can also be accessed in the Media
Pool via the "Synthesizers" button.

Upload to Facebook

In addition
present your own songs on the Internet. It can be reached via the "File >
Export > Common export options" menu.

sier to find the export options for YouTube and Soundcloud using

new "analog" top-class synthesizer. Of course, it is digital,

for perfect drum sounds. It can also be accessed in the

to Soundcloud and YouTube, you can also go to Facebook to

VST Support

Now it is possible
Music Maker MX versions. A wide range of DirectX and VST plug-ins are
offered in retail stores or directly on the Internet, greatly expanding the
possibilities of MAGIX Music Maker MX.

VST instruments and effects are external programs, which must first be
installed before being used in MAGIX Music Maker MX. You can then find them
in the mixer plug-in slots and in the track boxes at the start of every track. VST
effects are applied to an entire track. VST instruments are controlled by MIDI
objects.

to use external VST instruments and effects in all MAGIX

www.magix.com

Additional new features in the Premium version

Introduction 21

 Larg
 Century Guitars: Clean, authentic guitar melodies and accompaniments.

 Electric Bass creates the bass line in the song. Whether curious bass

er sound archive: Over 3,500 new sounds and MIDI loops from all

genres can be accessed via the "Soundpools" button in the Media Pool.

Especially in combination with Vandal SE, the virtual guitar and bass amplifier
from the "Effects" menu, varied guitar sounds can be readily created. They are
found by pressing the "Synth" button in the Media Pool.

sequences or subtle accompaniments, this bass convinces users with its
sound and easy operation. They are found by pressing the "Synth" button in
the Media Pool.

The Features

64-track Arranger (Premium: 96)

MAGIX Music Maker MX provides 64 tracks (96 in the Premium version) for
multimedia arrangements – enough space to create multiple polyphonic
pieces, but most importantly, so that you don't lose track of your project at
any point.

Multimedia Library

The included
("samples") for combining on the Arranger tracks, furthermore, loads of
melodies, effect templates, and graphical animations come supplied for
inclusion in new songs & video clips. In short: just about anything can be
combined with anything else. The sky's the limit to your creativity.

multimedia library supplies audio and video building blocks

BeatBox 2

BeatBox 2, the new groove syn
can be accessed in the Media Pool via the "Synthesizers" button. Easy mode
must be switched off to access it.

Audio Effects

MAGIX Mu
overview:

 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 - all classic effects which can be used to

produce almost any sound. The reverb effect, for example, provides
professional, realistic reverb algorithms to add depth and spaciousness to
your material.

www.magix.com

sic Maker MX provides lots of different audio effects. A short

thesizer, lets you make great beats with ease. It

22 Introduction

 The Gater enables rhythmic splitting of surface sounds
 Vandal SE is a guitar amplifier from MAGIX. You can adjust all the typical

settings on its realistic user interface.

 essentialFX: important bread-and-butter effects that are embedded like VST

plug-ins.

 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 with
Delay. The Filter enables tempo-synchronous frequency filtering.

In general, there are three ways of implementing filters:

 Object effects: Effects for selected objects. These effects can be found in

"Effects > Audio > Audio effects" or in the context menu (right mouse click).

 Track effects: Effects for complete tracks. These effects can be found in the

track box or in the mixer channels.

 Master effects: Effects for the overall sound. These effects can be found in

the mastering area of the mixer ( or in the "Effects" menu).

Note: In the track box, you will only find pre-configured track effects, while the
mixer channels contain editable effect devices.

Media database

Find your recordings, sounds, pictures, and videos quicker and faster with the
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 MX. Use the simple search function
to find suitable pictures or MP3 files for your arrangement.

Import

You have

 Audio files in a wide range of formats. You can also use MIDI, video and

bitmaps. The files can be dragged to a track from the Media Pool with a held­down mouse key (drag & drop). You can find a list of supported formats below
(view page 24).

 Audio CDs can

the drive and press "CD/DVD" and all the tracks are ready to be dragged &
dropped into the Arranger. Whether for remixes or as sound material for your
own compositions - your personal CD collection has a whole new meaning.

 Use the recording function to record vocals, noises, or instruments and

integrate them into the arrangement.

the following options for using your own material:

be imported directly in the program. Simply place the CD into

www.magix.com

Software Synthesizers

Introduction 23

MAGIX Mu

 Robota is a complete drum computer with four independent instruments

which can be played live. Several faders enable all kinds of sound
experimentation.

 Vita is a sampler with more than one hundred realistic instrument sounds from

Yellow Tools, specialists in samples.

 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.

 BeatBox 2, the new groove synthesizer, lets you make great beats with ease.
 Atmos for nature sounds or atmospheres like rain, thunder, or wind.
 New arrivals are Loop Designer, Lead Synth and Drum Engine (see above).

The synthesizers may be accessed in the Media Pool via the "Synthesizers"
button. Easy mode must be switched off to access it.

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.

sic Maker MX includes the following synthesizers:

Own recordings

this recording function from MAGIX Music Maker MX to record vocals,

Use
noises, or instruments and integrate them into the arrangement.

Audio & MIDI

The MIDI
control external devices such as synthesizers and samplers and internal
software audio generators such as VST plug-ins from your computer.

With MAGIX Music Maker MX you can arrange, load, record, edit, and play
MIDI data just as easily as audio data. For MIDI recordings and editing you can
use the specialized MIDI Editor with Piano Roll, Drum Editor, Velocity/Controller
Editor and Event List.

Recording can be started directly from the Arranger by setting the recording
mode in the track box to "MIDI record" or "Audio record".

www.magix.com

format remains crucial in music production. Using MIDI files, you can

24 Introduction

Mixer

MAGIX Mu
Rack and two Insert Effects per channel and for the Master, as well as
additional Mastering Effects. You can group a number of faders of a specific
type (for example, volume or panorama) and use them all together by holding
down the Ctrl key. The quickest way to open and close the mixer is by using
the M key.

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!

Formats and Interfaces

Import: WAV, MP3

protection), BMP, JPG, AVI, MXV, WMV

Export: WAV, MP3, OGG Vorbis, WMA, QuickTime, MIDI, BMP, JPG, AVI,
MXV, WMV, CD-A (Premium version)

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.

sic Maker MX contains a professional real-time mixer with an Effect

tomatically and

, OGG Vorbis, WMA, QuickTime, MIDI, CD-A (without copy

ker lets you create new arrangements quickly and easily and

Easy mode

The new Easy mode
beginners – no time is required for breaking in, and no previous knowledge is
necessary! Extended functions for advanced users, which are confusing to
beginners, are hidden. Easy mode can be switched on and off via the buttons
to the top left.

InfoBox

Thanks to th
as they are applied. Just hold the mouse over a button that you would like to
learn about and read the info text in the preview monitor.

e new info box, all important functions can be easily understood

makes creating radio-ready hits possible even for

www.magix.com

Live Sessions

Introduction 25

While the virtual
new track can be recorded simultaneously in realtime. What's more, you can
also add realtime effects.

SoundVision

SoundVision
glance in the form of a musical galaxy. Similar sounds are clustered close
together; different sounds are organized further apart. SoundVision can be
activated in the Media Pool via the corresponding button. Easy mode must be
switched off to access it.

Internet upload to many platforms

When the
preferably the whole world. This is achieved, naturally, with the help of the
web. Under "File > Export > Community upload" you will find the most
impotant communities, where you can upload your songs.

song is finished, it should be heard not just by your friends, but

instruments and sounds are played on the available tracks, a

is a new way of visualizing music which shows audio material at a

Additional features of the Premium version

Additional Audio Effects

 Elastic Audio for total control over vocals. Voice samples or melodies you sing

yourself can be "tuned" to match automatically. With the "Harmonizer" in the
Elastic Audio Editor, you can add a suitable second vocal or a whole choir to a
specified melody.

 Vocoder: Produces distorted vocals from synthesized sounds.
 Mastering Suite: A special effect rack for "Mastering". In this process, the

mixed-down music track is "polished" using parametric equalizer, multimax,
limiter and stereo enhancers. All this can be found in the mixer (M key).

 Am-Track SE: This analog vintage compressor produces an especially warm,

pumping sound. Launch it via the effects menu for selected audio objects or
via the plug-in slot in the mixer.

Additional Styles & Samples

More content: The
additional samples.

Additional Instruments

 Re

volta 2: An analog, especially variable and "professional" sounding, 12-tone

synthesizer. With sound matrix, noise generator and nine effect types.

 BeatBox 2 plus: The ultimate groove tool with even more drum kits,

automations and an even more flexible effects section.

www.magix.com

Premium version comes with more styles and ca. 2,000

26 Introduction

 New features: Century Guitars & Electric Bass.

Additional tracks

The Premium edition
most complex arrangements.

Object and track curve automation

Effect and
– for individual objects as well as for complete tracks. In addition, you can fade
an echo in or out at a specific position in the song by drawing in a curve peak
at the corresponding position.

Video recording

In addition
function for video from analog video sources for your own video clips.

DirectX and VST plug-ins

MAGIX Mu
large variety of which is available in retail stores or directly online. Such plug­ins (audio effects or synthesizers from third party manufacturers) can
significantly increase the functionality of MAGIX Music Maker MX.

MAGIX Mastering Suite 2.0

Impressi
Mastering Suite is a special effects rack for use with the mixer master channel.
The included effects help you with so-called "mastering"; put the final touch on
your completed and mixed music piece using parametric equalizers, MultiMax,
limiter, and stereo enhancers.

volume progressions can be controlled using freely drawable curves

to audio recording, MAGIX Music Maker MX provides a recording

sic Maker MX enables the direct use of DirectX and VST plug-ins, a

ve studio sound just like you hear on store-bought CDs! MAGIX

has 96 tracks (instead of 64) – even more space for your

Real 5.1 Surround Sound

AGIX Music Maker MX deluxe provides real 5.1 Surround Sound. 5.1

M
Surround is the preferred home cinema sound format, which is also supported
in the Premium version when importing, editing, and exporting. With the 5.1
Surround Editor you can move your sound around the room.

MAGIX Music Editor

Detailed audio editing in
restoration, sampling and audio editing.

real time and specialist for CD burning, sound

www.magix.com

Revolta 2

Introduction 27

Revolta 2 is a
highly advanced functions, sound matrix, noise generator, and a complete
effects section featuring nine effect types.

This synthesizer can create any electronic music you can imagine. The sound
presets were created by sound designers for Access Virus and Rob Papens
Albino, which makes Revolta 2 the number 1 choice for beginners and
professionals alike.

Also in the Premium version

 Additional tr

space for even more complex arrangements.

 Timecode sync: For creating songs in teams on multiple PCs. Simply connect

two notebooks to each other via MIDI and jam together.

 MIDI step recording: Provided for composers unsure of their keyboard

playing skills who want to play perfect melodies. The MIDI editor can be
opened by double-clicking on a MIDI object.

 ReWire: For embedding of other music programs. Programs such as

Propellerhead Reason or Ableton Live can be controlled in MAGIX Music
Maker MX like a software synthesizer using MIDI objects.

 Video recoding: In addition to audio recording, MAGIX Music Maker MX

Premium provides a recording function for video from analog video sources –
for your own video clips. It can be found in the "File" menu under "Import >
Video recording".

 Curve automation: Effect and volume progressions can be controlled using

freely drawable curves – for individual objects as well as for complete tracks.
In addition, you can fade in or out an echo at a specific position in the song by
drawing in a curve peak at the corresponding position.

 MAGIX Music Editor: Detailed audio editing in real time and specialist for CD

burning, sound restoration, sampling and audio editing.

 MAGIX Xtreme Print Center for quickly creating CD covers, inlays and labels.

powerful-sounding, varied 12-voice analog synthesizer with

acks: The Premium version offers 96 tracks (instead of 64) - more

www.magix.com

28 Overview of the Program Interface

Overview of the Program Interface

Menu bar This bar provides the most important editing

Toolbar (view page

255)
Easy Mode (view

page 37)
Track boxes (view

page 38)

Arranger (view
page 36)

Zoom functions
(view page 39)

Media Pool (view
page 46)

commands.
This contain

as the different mouse modes.
This turns the

off.
Complete

played separately (solo). Use the FX buttons to
apply track effects.
You can freely position an
all of the Arranger's tracks.

Here you can enlarge or re
horizontal scrollbar can be stretched and
compressed for zooming.

files listed here can be added to the Arranger via

All
drag & drop.

s the buttons for quick editing as well

clearly laid-out beginner mode on or

tracks can be turned on or off (muted) or

y multimedia material on

duce the view. The

www.magix.com

Overview of the Program Interface 29

Monitor (view page

56)

Previews of graphics or
in the Media Pool are displayed here. All visual
material for the arrangement is also shown here on
playback. Alternatively, a peak meter, the
arrangement overview, or the Info Box can be
shown.

video files that are selected

www.magix.com

30 Quick start

Quick start

This chapter explains the basic functions of MAGIX Music Maker MX with a
step-by-step introduction. A systematic description of the program functions
can be found in the PDF manual.

Tip: Open the tutorial video and the "Quick start" tutorial by clicking on the
"Help" menu. A good introduction to the program is also available via the
interactive tutorial that may be opened via the welcome dialog.

Play Demo Project

The large area with
make changes to the positions of multimedia objects.

In the lower section of the program interface you can find the Media Pool. You
can switch between the different areas. In Soundpools you will find the
included loops that you can load into the arrangement by drag & drop while
holding the mouse key or by double-clicking. The File Manager works similarly
to Windows
produced sounds can be downloaded from the Catooh and integrated directly.

®

the horizontal tracks is the Arranger. Here you can edit and

Explorer with some additional features. Here, professionally

www.magix.com