Magix Music Maker Review: The Best Music Production Software for Beginners?

Making music is no walk in the park. It requires one to have passion, skill, dedication, and financial backing in order to be successful.

Gone are the days when you needed to invest a significant portion of your money in studio time and mastering. With the leaps and bounds made in technology, not only is it possible to become a home musician, but it can also become a viable source of income.

With this revolution comes a range of Digital Audio Workstations, or DAWs. This is the pillar of making music. You get to record, mix, master and do everything in between, and as a result, your preferred DAW is very crucial.

Some of the factors that are used to determine the DAW include cost, the operating system, recording hardware, accessibility, and cost. Music Maker is a DAW from Magix that focuses on helping music producers to create music.

Here is a review of Magix Music Maker that covers all that you need to know about the product and whether or not it is right for you.

What is Magix Music Maker

Music Maker is a commercial digital music editor by Magix. The Music Maker program attributes are sourced from Magix’s professional DAW, Samplitude. Music Maker was first published in 1994, and with more than a million copies of the product sold, it has become one of the most successful music editing programs from Europe.

Magix Music Maker is renowned for being user-friendly, and even beginners who have no experience in music production can be able to make songs in varying genres.

A CD version of Magix Music Maker for PlayStation 2 was released in 2003, which was followed by a Deluxe Edition by a DVD version in 2005. Music Maker Jam was released in 2013 for download in the Windows 8 store. Another version designed for Android was released later in 2013.

My opinion on Magix Music Maker

I have been making music on and off for a while now, and when I came across Magix Music Maker, I was hesitant at first to try it since I was fully dedicated to another DAW. However, since I pride myself as someone who likes to try new things and all the positive feedback I had gotten from friends regarding Music Maker, I decided to try it out and see if it lived up to the hype.

The first thing I noticed about Music Maker was the interface which was simple and easy to navigate. Also included is a well-organized line up of virtual instruments that allow you to dive right in even as a beginner.

The loop library that I found in this program was large and diverse. I was able to create beats and songs simply by dragging the provided loops and dropping them in the arrangement window. Using just the editing tools and my mouse, I was able to come up with a complete song without too much effort. I eagerly experimented with a variety of the virtual instruments provided, including the euphoric analog synths and the crisp grand piano.

I found that I could easily record as well as import audio files that I could integrate into my own compositions. Even when the external files were in video mode, I could open another video monitor that could even be played in full screen. Whenever I hit a roadblock and I couldn’t compose songs on my own, I found that I could rely on the song generator that effectively created song ideas which I could use as my own.

As a music producer, it is important to possess the knowledge on how to add various effects to a song in order to improve it. I was pleased to find a variety of effects in Music Maker, including reverb, echo, and compressor effects, each with a selection of presets which I could make adjustments to as I worked.

The editing tools I discovered in Music Maker also turned out to be quite useful when it came to eliminating the undesirable aspects of my sound, the most notable being a processor, effects previewer, master limiter, and a channel mixer.

The mastering section of Music maker is quite comprehensive, with an auto mastering option that allowed me to select a mastering preset based on a distinct genre so that the DAW automatically worked on and delivered the song that I had been working on.

I wish Magix Music Maker didn’t require so much repetition in order to achieve tasks would have been easily completed if there were a batch function provided. I also found the fact that Magix Music Maker could only run on Windows OS to be restrictive since you are limited to only one operating system which is obviously not available to everyone.

I have to admit that it was a little frustrating trying to control virtual instruments with a MIDI keyboard than in the DAW I had previously been using. I quickly realized that Magix Music Maker works best if you primarily use the provided loops to finalize songs so that you don’t have to work through editing.

Key features

425 free sounds and loops

You can experiment with the various sounds and loops that are included in the DAW. There are a total of 425 sounds and loops in Music Maker. You will find your soundpools in the media pool area. Soundpools are basically full songs that are broken down into individual stems, meaning that these are the instruments and the sections all separated into pieces or loops that you can arrange however you want in the arranger section. You can also adjust the pitch of the loops, with seven pitches provided for each loop. By combining the various loops, you can create a variety of unique beats.

3 software instruments

When you click on the instrument tab, you will find three instruments enabled in Music Maker. They include Concert Grand LE, a piano instrument; Revolta, a synth instrument; and Vita; a drum machine. To use any of these instruments, for example, the piano instrument, you can drag it over into a track and by default, it creates a MIDI pattern that you can edit.

8 effects

In addition to requiring loops and sounds to combine smoothly in order to end up with symmetry and a well-structured melody, you also need to include effects. Magix Music Maker provides you with eight of them, including echo, reverb, equalizer, compressor, and flanger effects. Each of the provided effects come with a selection of presets which are adjustable during the process of making your mix. You can enable the provided effects by default and incorporate them into your music making process.

Simple and intuitive interface

Music Maker’s interface is both easy to navigate and intuitive. If you don’t have much experience using audio editing software, there are tutorials that you can view for guidance through the different software tools. There are sections for accessing loop content, sequencing, a virtual MIDI keyboard, and so on.

Hybrid audio engine

Music Maker features a 64-bit hybrid audio engine that comes from Magix’s Samplitude DAW which is aimed at pro users. It offers improved performance and a better sound, and also includes multicore support. As a result, all of your CPU’s cores can be utilized optimally, hence allowing you to combine simultaneous effects and instruments.

The mastering suite

After you have adequately mixed and mastered your sound, Music Maker will transfer your progress to the mastering suite. This is where the final mix of your music will be transferred to a storage medium. The auto mastering option lets you select a mastering preset that is genre specific, and the DAW works by refining your sound prior to delivering the finished product.

Editing tools

The editing tools in Magix Music Maker are essential when it comes to trimming the unwanted aspects of your sound, filing the edges, and finally buffing it so that the end result is top quality. Editing tools in this program include a spectrum analyzer, a processor, a master limiter, a channel mixer, equalizer, infinite cue points, an effects previewer, and a frequency tuner.

Premium Audio FX

Music Maker features more premium add-ons, from vintage sounds to authentic digital mastering tools which are based on real analog equipment.

How does it work?

In order to register the software and access the download versions of Music Maker, you will need to have an active Magix Login, which is made of your email address and a password of your choice. This is done by creating a user account via the Magix service center.

Once you have provided a valid email address and you obtain a valid serial number, you can then activate your software. You will need to be connected to the internet in order to activate the latest version of Music Maker. The program is only compatible with Windows OS, working on Microsoft Windows 7, 8, and 10.

When Music Maker Free is launched for the first time, a demo song will be opened, giving you a general idea of how the program works. The demo song consists of different sound loops which are in the arranger. If you click the “play” button or press the spacebar on your PC, then you will play the song. Loops, which are arranged above one another, will be played together. The tracks are sorted by instruments, with the drums found at the top of the list.

In the right corner of the interface, you can expand the view to see the other tracks that are provided in Music Maker. The free version offers 8 tracks, each of which you can switch to a solo mode so that only the instruments on the track can be heard. You can also remove the track from the mix by muting it.

To produce your own sounds, start with an empty arranger. For beginners, select an instrument that you want to incorporate, and then add a loop. You can preview every loop by simply dragging the loops onto the tracks. If you want to preview new loops, you can do so by clicking on them without interrupting playback. They will be automatically played so that everything flows smoothly. If you want to insert a loop, press the “enter” key to add them automatically.

Melodic loops are offered in seven tonal steps, allowing you to shorten, move, or fade in and out of any loop. If you finish a passage that you would like to use again later in a song, select the loops and duplicate them by holding the “Ctrl” key. This way, you will quickly create a longer song which you can add different variations to, for example by pausing the bass and the drums and inserting additional sounds.

With Music Maker Free, you can play software instruments or program them note-for-note. You will find the various instruments in the instruments tab. Instruments that have an arrow symbol can be loaded and played immediately. When you open the instrument user interface, you will be able to test and adjust sounds, and a demo version will also be loaded so that you can hear what the instrument sounds like. You can play the instruments with your computer’s keyboard if you don’t have a MIDI keyboard. There is an on-screen keyboard that guides you on which keys to press.

To record your melody, stop playback and click on the red record button. At the end of the recording, you will see your recording on a track. To make corrections to the recording, you can use the MIDI editor which can be opened by double-clicking on a MIDI file. There, you can move the notes or delete it and draw in a new note.

You can record live instruments or vocals using the recording function. First, arm the track where you would like to record, then connect your microphone to the sound card and begin recording.

You can also add or creatively distort your recordings as well as the sound pool loops with effects. To do this, open the playback area and switch the track to solo so that you can hear it better. Open the effect page where you will find effect options such as reverb and echo. Once you find one that you want to use, you can adjust the effects settings by clicking on its name. In order to be able to hear other instruments, switch off solo mode.

Music Maker can be expanded as you see fit. You can purchase new sound pools, instruments, or program features in the store. If you would like to buy an item, simply click on its icon and click the “purchase” button and follow the steps in the dialog box that will appear. The new features will become available and you can start using them immediately.

In addition to what you will find in the free version, the Music Maker Plus edition features a minimum of 8 tracks, sounds, instruments, and features that are valued at $299.00, 4 instruments that you can choose from, soundpool collections and soundpools, feature packs, and preset packs.

There is also a premium version of Music Maker which has a free trial that you can download. However, in the free trial, you won’t have access to the full library of loops and instruments. To get access to these features, you will have to purchase the program. The first part of setting up the premium version involves installing the core program, and the second part is downloading the Music Maker library. You can either use the provided virtual keyboard or attach your own MIDI keyboard.

There are different ways you can make music in Music Maker premium. One way is by using one of the 12 virtual instruments that are provided, including church organ, cinematic soundscapes, choir, pop drum, DN-E1, jazz drums, drum engine, lead synth, Vita sampler, Revolta 2, Vita, and concert grand. Within each different instrument, there is a huge range of different presets you can use rather than pre-programming the instrument yourself.

The second way you can create music is by using loops and samples. There are over 3 Gigabytes of loops and samples, which Music Maker has organized into different genres. Within each genre, there are a variety of instruments, and within each instrument, there is also a different pitch version of each sample. In the process of experimentation, if you mix-and-match the wrong pitch, the program will inform you of what needs to be rectified.

To apply different effects, there is a huge amount of different filters, otherwise referred to as Audio FX filters, for each track. On top of this, there is also a whole series of mastering effects that allows you to do a full master of the music that you have created. They include VocalTune, Tempo pitch/resample, compressor, Parametric EQ, and Stereo processor among others.

Price and plans

As previously mentioned, the standard version of Music Maker is free to download. The Music Maker 2019 Plus Edition costs $59.99, and it has a download size of 829 MB. On the other hand, Music Maker 2019 Premium Edition will cost you $79.99.

Both versions have a download size of 829 MB, and they include one serial number and download link as well as activation instructions.

Also included with the purchased product is the Sound Forge Audi Studio 12 + iZotope Ozone Elements. It has a download size of 1.53 GB, and it only works on 64-bit operating systems. In addition to three serial numbers and download links, it also includes activation instructions and one user manual.

Pros

• The interface layout is easy and clear
• The interface in the latest version of Music Maker is intuitive and clear, allowing users to navigate it easily and create their music quickly. There is also an easy mode that beginners can take advantage of in order to make learning much more effortless.
• A great variety of audio editing tools
• Music Maker provides a remarkable selection of audio editing tools, including an effects previewer and infinity cue points which are generally effective in improving the quality of your sound.
• An extensive library of sounds and loops
• There is an impressive collection of sounds and loops in Music Maker that you can take advantage of. They are divided into several genres, allowing you to easily determine what to work with.
• There are different instruments available that you can use
• Music Maker provides you with a variety of virtual instruments that you can experiment with, including a piano instrument, a synth instrument, and a drum machine.
• A mastering suite that polishes your song
• By selecting a genre-specific mastering preset, Music Maker will automatically polish and deliver your complete song.

Cons

• Controlling the virtual instruments with a MIDI keyboard is not easy
• It may prove to be a bit frustrating to control the virtual instruments provided with a MIDI keyboard especially if you are a beginner.
• No voice reduction feature
• Music Maker does not include a voice reduction feature, which means that you don’t have an option that allows you to get rid of vocal from pre-recorded tracks.
• It does not include batch conversion
• Music Maker does not include a batch conversion feature. The lack of a batch function makes some tasks exceedingly tedious to complete.
• Music Maker is currently only available for use in Windows
• Magix Music Maker is only available for use by Windows users, with no provisions for those who use Apple OS and other operating systems.

Verdict

Magix Music Maker is a spectacular DAW that beginners and even intermediate and advanced music producers can use to hone their composing and producing skills. Even with a few minor limitations here and there, Magix Music Maker incorporates capable features that are fully functional when it comes to music production.

Additionally, the unlimited customization capabilities of the program make it an excellent choice for anyone who intends to create audio tracks or make improvements to existing files.

Moreover, the basic version is available for free, so there is nothing to lose if you want to try it out.