ROAD
TEST
Acoustica Mixcraft 9 Pro Studio DAW
By Paul Lau
M
ixcraft 9 Pro Studio continues
Acoustica’s ascendance in recent
years as one of the premiere
DAW developers in the PC world.
Whether you are a novice or seasoned pro, there
are useful tools for everyone in this latest version.
First Impressions
I was first impressed by how streamlined and
clean-looking Mixcraft 9 was in terms of its inter-
face and visuals. The layout of the screen panels
invites smooth movements and offers quick and
easy transitions.
So what else does the new Mixcraft 9 offer
beyond a sleek look? We should probably ask
what it doesn’t do…
We can start with the endless audio and
MIDI tracks, which allow you so much freedom
in the endless landscape of your music creation.
But it’s more than that! With the live instrument
panel, it’s more than a recording DAW; it’s your
performance hub for setting up sounds to
translate to your studio or live performance via
controllers like Ableton’s Launchpad or your fa-
vourite keyboard controller. The programming
is quite simple and the assignment of knobs
and faders in any studio or live application is
quick and easy!
The straightforward MIDI editing and nota-
tional part of the program allow for algorithmic
MIDI programming via a mouse or keyboard
controller and can be done quite efficiently
and easily, especially with step-recording (for
those not too proficient in playing keyboards
or in time).
Also impressive are the many palettes
of sonic colours that Mixcraft 9 has to offer.
Even before you start recording your own au-
dio tracks, there are 7,500 quality and useful
instrument loops to whet your appetite for
inspiration and creativity. Among the avail-
able virtual instruments is a treasure trove
of high-end, sample-based instruments like
the Acoustica Pianissimo Virtual Grand Piano
along with all kinds of classic synths and or-
gans, strings, guitars and basses, drums and
percussion, and more.
Another cool feature in Pro Studio (but not
included with the more basic Recording Studio
version) is the Voltage Modular Ignite, a modu-
lar synthesizer with 45 different modules that
offers precise control for anyone that loves to
W W W. C A N A D I A N M U S I C I A N . CO M
tweak in the realm of synthesis!
Even with the mountain
of FX plug-ins from previous
versions included, Mixcraft 9
includes new and useful of-
ferings like: Acoustica Vocoder,
Toneboosters plug-ins like com-
pressors, de-essers, parametric
EQs, and reverbs, and more.
In Use
I really enjoyed the flexibility
of the new detachable panels.
These days, with a multi-screen
set-up being accessible, you
can customize your work-
space and visual workflow to
your liking. I personally like my
plug-ins on the left side on one
screen and virtual instruments
on the right with my tracks and
mixer in the middle. And being
able to dock and undock the
transport anywhere is awe-
some!
The new mixer design affords better visual
awareness of knob and fader levels, which
translates to where your mix is as individual
tracks and as an entire mix. I also appreciate
the ability to re-arrange the sections of the
mixer to my desired order. In general, Mixcraft
9 Pro Studio shines in terms of customization
and personalization.
The new Curved Automation and Tempo
and Pitch Automation is such a creative tool.
It enhances the ability to create smooth, com-
plex curves for all types of automation – a step
up from the usual straight line that creates
unique new possibilities for your music. And
with the new ability for tempo and pitch au-
tomation on all audio clips and master tempo
envelopes, you get smooth tempo transitions
with interesting audio enhancement charac-
teristics throughout a track.
The ability to convert any monophonic
audio clip into MIDI notes with a single click
is such a game-changer. Making your audio
editable like a MIDI file is just so helpful in ef-
ficient music production. Imagine having a
live bass track that has a few notes just a little
astray from the kick drum. You can convert
to MIDI and then quantize or drag-and-lock
the bass and kick for a tight groove. Or, in the
writing stage, you can sing a lead line and then
audition different instruments for it to find your
ideal tone.
Mixcraft 9 Pro Studio also includes Melo-
dyne, offering world-class pitch correction ca-
pabilities. The suite of plug-ins and effects also
results in a pretty robust mixing and mastering
workflow. Finally, with the onboard video ed-
iting capabilities letting you create, produce,
and score to video, we have pretty much all
of our production bases covered.
Summary
Mixcraft 9 Pro Studio is incredibly condu-
cive to creativity and efficiency. It’s very easy to
use and a lot of fun to play with and explore,
making it just as conducive to a fast, efficient
workflow as it is down-the-rabbit-hole creativity
and inspiration.
Check out Mixcraft 9 Pro Studio from
Acoustica – a DAW for our times.
Paul Lau B.Sc.
Musician/Producer/Film Composer
MIDI/Digital Audio Specialist
(www.powermusic5.com)
Member of the cool Christian pop band Scatter17
(www.scatter17.com)
CANADIAN MUSICIAN
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