MAGIX has announced the release of Music Maker, the free edition of their flagship music creation software for Windows.
Music Maker is the basic free version of the software. It can be further expanded via in-app purchases, although the users also have the option to purchase more advanced versions of the program, namely Music Maker Plus Edition (€59,99), Music Maker Live Edition (€99,99), and Music Maker Premium Edition (€129,99) on the company’s website. All versions apart from the free edition can host third-party VST plugins.
Needless to say, the lack of VST plugin support is quite a limitation for a digital audio workstation nowadays, but does the free version of Music Maker feature enough built-in content to make it worth your while? The application includes three virtual instruments (a grand piano, a surprisingly good virtual analog synthesizer, and a very good acoustic drum module), four insert effects (compressor, 10-band EQ, reverb, echo), a master limiter, a spectrum analyzer, and a collection of audio loops. In addition, Music Maker can record audio, import external audio files (meaning that you can use third party samples and loops to make music), and even play video files (it comes with a video monitor which can also operate in full-screen mode for dual monitor setups). The app also includes a song generator which creates musical ideas based on Music Maker’s construction kits, although I didn’t really test this feature because none of my friends would ever speak to me again if I did.
As already mentioned, the bundled content can be expanded through in-app purchases. Additional virtual instruments are priced at $29 each, which is a decent price for beginners who only want to add, say, a drum machine or an electric bass guitar to their arsenal. For those who require a larger collection of virtual instruments, the Premium Edition would be a much better investment as it 12 instruments and over 8,000 audio loops.
In conclusion, Music Maker is an interesting free option for beginners. The user interface is far more intuitive than those in Tracktion 5 or MuLab Free and the included content, along with the ability to use samples and record audio, provides enough flexibility for less demanding users. The app also doesn’t require account registration, so it’s quick and easy to download and install. If you’re only just starting with music making on a computer, or simply want to have some fun playing virtual instruments and sketching out song ideas on your laptop, Music Maker can provide hours of fun. The most positive surprise for me was the bundled synthesizer called Revolta 2 – it is a genuinely nice sounding subtractive synth with a user interface which is perfect for learning synthesis.
On the other hand, anyone looking for a serious music making and music production platform should look elsewhere. The lack of VST plugin support in the free version of Music Maker is one of the biggest deal breakers for advanced users, who should either take a look at Music Maker Premium Edition or check out some of the many other DAWs available on the market.
Music Maker is available for free download via MAGIX (4.54 MB download size, EXE installer, standalone application for Windows).
9 Comments
John smith
onAt same that Studio One free a DAW without VST support is useless but thanks.
Pedro
onThe expansion instruments for Magix Music Maker are very high quality instruments with low memory consumption, few articulations, but very realistic sounding. You can hear them at: http://www.magix.com/es/hidden-extras/instumentos-adicionales/2015/ There are also excellent instruments included in advanced editions of Music Maker and Music Studio. The synths are OK. The Steirische accordion and the bandoneon are one of the best sounding that you can find in all the VSTi industry. The effects are between very good and excellent, the midi editor very good (advances versions have a good score editor too), and it exports better wav and mp3 files than many other more advances DAWs. CONs are relative instability and a very strange, even comical, commercial strategy that you will better understand if you become a Magix customer. I have the versions from the last year and will surely grab the free edition for the very good grand piano.
Ike
onMaybe good for children, who take their first steps in digital music production. I also started with the very initial version of Magix Music Maker back in the late 90s, but soon grew tired of it, due to it’s limitations (back then it was basically a very simple sequencer with audio loops and some stupid wannabe video effects, no virtual instruments at all).
Vatche
onI can understand no VST support, similar to Studio One Prime from PreSonus, but only 8 tracks?! And few FX. Not worth anyone’s time.
If interested in Music Maker, better save some money and purchase the next version up with VST support. I had purchased few years ago the Music Maker & Music Studio as a bundle. Great to start to get into music recording, but the new free version is far too limited for any use.
Rick
onIt may be nice that they are offering a free version, but I can’t put into words how incredibly inconvenient I found the program. Having worked on proper DAWs only, I was baffled at how unnecessarily complicated it is, and how crippling its limitations are. Now I don’t use any super advanced functions (I’ve never even used side chain effects actually), but Music Maker was nothing short of frustrating to me. So I don’t think I’ll use it even when it’s free. O.o Just my 2 cents.
Slyfox
onMagic Music Maker is okay but, I prefer Acoustica’s Mixcraft 7.
Esol
onI used Magix Music Maker many years ago a long with FL Studio. Great software if you ask me.
Erwin Vomberg
onThink of it for 5 minutes… Reaper (full fledged DAW + millions of things no ther DAW has) comes free for 60 days and then costs – if you stick to the 60 days rule, after that there is no limitation except for a 5 seconds nag-screen – 60,- $. Really. 60,- $.
Where is the point in Magix Music Maker Free? 2 additional instruments costing the same as complete Reaper.
I think, that this “DAW” is for people who dont know how to get to the Cockos-Reaper-website.
Shido
onnote that MAGIX loops are NOT royalty-free, making this program totally useless.
http://magazine.magix.com/en/commercial-use-of-music/