• Unbeatable

  
  As reviewed by Aliengiraffe on 9/29/2010

  Here's how it goes for many of us. We get a guitar, learn to play it, maybe learn to sing or start out with a different instrument and possibly get a band together. We want to grow and move onto the next step but we know we're not getting into Abby Roads studio tomorrow so we take the do it yourself approach. Now, if your at this point and your a trained sound engineer please raise your hand. Anyone? Short on cash and tech skills we are left to wander through so much recording information and choices we consider just giving up and selling popcycles. Until Mixcraft 5. I first heard about it through CNET and the editorial was glowing for PC users. They compared it to 'garage band' for Macs, which I hear is good too, but I'm a PC guy. I'm not a sound engineer but have read plenty. I've tried stand alone recording units (Roland V-Studio) and software (logic, cakewalk, sonar, ...) but ran into the same problem again and again: the stuff was just too complex. Yes, complexity usually means more features and flexibility but for guys who just want to hit the record button and go from there it's just too much. It all changed for me when I bought this software. It is dirt cheap, simple as heck to use, includes free lifetime upgrades and can be expanded for nothing (i.e. google free VST instruments for thousands of patches). It already includes an OUTSTANDING sound library and support is phenomenal. I got a damaged CD from guitarcenter and Accoustica sent me a replacement CD at no cost along with a download link to tide me over. I had a small keyboard (MIDI) controller glitch setting it up and got answers within 4 hours from the support forum that got me up and fully running. I can't say enough good things about this software and company. That said, here's my set up: Dell 4550 Inspiron, 2GB RAM (I had to purchase an upgrade and you need this much at min.), 80 GB storage. Soundcard: Creative SB Live came w/ the system. I also purchased and installed the Audiophile 2496 soundcard. Preamp: ART Tube MP mono RCA to (f) XLR cable to connect the preamp to the Audiophile soundcard MIDI cable to connect keyboards to Audiophile soundcard Electro-voice PL 24 dynamic microphone (yeah, I know Shure SM58's are better but you work with what you have and this thing was dirt cheap and sounds great). Physical instruments on hand: Fender Stratocaster, Ibanez bass, Casio CTK-631 Keyboard. You can (I have) build drum loops from samples. Samples and loops are out there (google) by the truckload at no cost. With this set up I have not found any limitations making any kind of music. Of course if you have a given instrument you're exceptional at and prefer live (e.g. woodwinds, strings, ethnic/exotic) then you might mic that direct rather than use synth, but odds are you'll have that on hand. That said, for next to nothing this software really allows musicians a 'sky's the limit' platform. Even better, they'll let you try it for free (not sure how long the trial period is as I just jumped in and bought it). Best of luck to all musicians navigating the field of recording and hope this helps in some way.

  53 of 53 people found this review helpful.
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• IT CAN MAKE YOU A BELIEVER IN YOURSELF.

  
  As reviewed by JD on 2/7/2011

  I've been writing/producing music for quite a while now. I've "tackled" alot of software in my journey. This is without a doubt the most complexed, but easy-to-use program I've ever dealt with. I'm currently using 4 other programs aside from this one, but I always find myself putting it to use more than the others. It cuts your workload in half. When I first purchased it, I knew right away what to do. By the way, I had it before the other 4. I started out with Mixcraft 4, but have since upgraded to the 5. This is a program that will have non-musicians wanting to record or mix music. It's just that easy. The quality that you get out of it is worth way more than the price tag. Some would think that you spent a fortune on one of the "more popular" software. My motto is "a product(recording software) is only as good as it's engineer. If you have the Knack, but not the big budget, this is definitely the way to go. You won't be disappointed.

  5 of 5 people found this review helpful.
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• Powerful stuff at the right price.....

  
  As reviewed by Lester Petrarca on 7/6/2011

  This software is basically a PC version of Garage Band. Incredibly powerful yet so easy to use. Within two hours of getting it, I was able to record a song using a combination of MIDI and live inputs. You don't need a high end computer to use it. Most PC's on the market today will run it just fine. The screen layout makes sense and is easy to use. Everything is clearly marked in terms you can understand. Tons of loops included (over 3000 I think) and works with any VST plugin that I've tried to date. I haven't had ANY problems with it but, as a registered owner, I joined the online forum and the online tech support is nothing short of superb. Acoustica Engineers actually respond to your problem or question directly usually within 24 hours. Something other software companies should take note of.....there are complete instructional videos available on YouTube as well that take you through the entire process of creating a song from start to finish. All in all, you won't find a better deal. This software is undoubtedly the best bargain going.......and it's so inexpensive you can use the money you save to outfit your studio with all the other hardware you'll need.

  3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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