ROAD TEST
Acoustica Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio
By Paul Lau
Whether you ’ re a novice or seasoned pro when it comes to digital audio production , Acoustica ’ s Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio will have your musical creations sounding their best with ease .
Through the years , I ’ ve reviewed earlier versions of Mixcraft and I am particularly excited about the new additions and enhancements Acoustica has incorporated into this latest version .
In Use Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio has an awesome new streamlined layout that is very easy to navigate and very intuitive to the creative process . Though the program is PC-based , you can run it on your Mac by loading it though Bootcamp , which is relatively easy to do .
There are two ways to record and manipulate the audio tracks in Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio . First , you can record in a linear fashion , which is what most are used to , and second , you can record with a loop-based configuration and continuous creation methodology . Using the latter method , which is more spontaneous , you can drop samples into the looping tracks ( called Performance Panel grid locations ) as well as MIDI clip grooves that sync automatically to the beat and groove while keeping the creative juices flowing .
So after we ’ ve created tracks , whether it be a straightforward arranged song or just a loop-based groove , we can begin some digital editing and sound manipulation . This is where the fun begins , and yet this stage can be overwhelming with all the included sounds and options . We ’ re talking about the included 7,500 loops , sound effects , and samples , and easy access to Freesound . org through the program browser to import over 325,000 additional sounds . Then there are the 56 available pro audio effects and 21 virtual instruments . Where to begin ?
My suggestion is just giving as many as you can a try to hear how they can enhance your tracks . For example , it can be as easy as adding reverb and delay to an acoustic guitar track , or as complex as adding multiple effects to a sound source like compression , filter , vacuum tube bass enhancer , and a vintage parametric EQ to , say , an electric bass track .
There is also the added usage and compatibility of VST3 plug-ins and instruments , which means you are open to the big , big world of third-party tools – many of which are free .
Auditioning all the sounds and patches of the 21 virtual instruments that are included with Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio would take a very long time . Simply put , they cover all the bases with the staples like piano ( fashioned after a Steinway ), organs ( fashioned after Hammond B3s ), electric piano ( fashioned after the Rhodes and Wurlitzer ), as well as drums and sample players like the new Omni Sampler 8 . There are also vintage-style and programmable synths with an array of options that should cover all music genres past and present , especially for EDM and current pop music .
There is also MP4 video support , so you can easily import from any recorded video source to edit , compile , and sync audio for your project . What ’ s more , it has unlimited tracks .
For the MIDI enthusiasts , there is a notation editor , step-editor , and piano roll editor for those that are prone to mouse it as well as performing via a controller .
In a nutshell , the enhanced audio engine gives you high fidelity playback and very realistic sound , which gives users a true , pristine representation of what they ’ ve recorded . What you hear is what you really want to hear back .
You also get increased flexibility for routing and controlling side chain-enabled effects , which maximizes ease of use , offers more efficiency in controlling your instruments , and is ultimately less taxing on your computer .
I was really impressed with the new global automation recording feature , which allows you to assign many parameters like volume and just create an automation line easily and quickly !
The stand-out new features that really impressed me are the natively integrated Melodyne , which is the leading plug-in for vocal pitch editing , and iZotope ’ s Ozone for streamlined mastering . These plug-ins are widely considered to be studio staples that engineers often source on their own , yet they come included with Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio . Even though it comes with its own GSnap pitch correction plug-in , Melodyne is a powerful and award-winning solution that will take your vocal track or any musical track to the next level .
Overall , I had a great experience with Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio . It delivers the tools you need to produce amazing music with ease . What ’ s not to like about that ?
Paul Lau B . Sc . Musician / Producer / Film Composer MIDI / Digital Audio Specialist Managing Director of PowerMusic5Records ( www . PowerMusic5 . com ) Member of the Cool Christian Pop Band Scatter17 ( www . Scatter17 . com )
22 • CANADIAN MUSICIAN