Is it worth having?

[Mel]

I got this 2 days ago and I used it for 1.5 hours and it worked just fine but I see all of these people saying that it crashes a lot, is it worth having or should I refund it? I don't know if it's worth having with the risk of it crashing.

[RendCycle]

If you need more time to test the software, I suggest maybe just refund it and get the free downloadable version from the Magix website. I am still using the free version and so far, I haven't experienced any crashes yet but there were some errors when recording. I've realized most of those were caused by the program getting confused from my connected PC Speaker and a Headset and me plugging in a device to the wrong USB port. Switching and activating the correct device or just unplugging the other device then using just one usually fixes it.

I like the software overall and the two biggest CONS for me are: the limited 8-tracks in the free version and the very limited non-commercial use license for the loops. But you can alleviate the 8-track limitation by later on purchasing the "More Tracks & Formats" additonal feature for US$9.99 and maybe just using free audio clips from https://freesound.org or similar sites... Another option is just totally use the virtual instruments to manually create your own melodies so you can use your own compositions any way you like.

I'm not sure though if this Steam version is similar to the free downloadable version in the Magix website: https://www.magix.com/us/music/music-maker/

Right now I'm considering whether to give-in and acquire the Magix Sounds of Music bundle offer in HumbleBundle to get the Samplitude Pro X2 Silver (also just 8-tracks) or move on to other software like MixCraft / Reaper...

[Mel]

Originally posted by RendCycle:

If you need more time to test the software, I suggest maybe just refund it and get the free downloadable version from the Magix website.

Yeah, that sounds good. ^^

[RendCycle]

Originally posted by Melly:

Originally posted by RendCycle:

If you need more time to test the software, I suggest maybe just refund it and get the free downloadable version from the Magix website.

Yeah, that sounds good. ^^

Can you check how many tracks do you have in this Steam version? There might be some differences to the free one.

[Sal UK]

Originally posted by RendCycle:

Originally posted by Melly:

Yeah, that sounds good. ^^

Can you check how many tracks do you have in this Steam version? There might be some differences to the free one.

RendCycle the steam version has 16 tracks, though the steam version is limited as its not linked to the Magix Store and limits you to what it comes with. If you buy soundpools they will not work with the steam version. I think Magix should offer atleast the premium music maker program to steam users because this even at a cheap price is not worth it. Sadly In my librarary it says I have played 2 hours when I click the refund it says I have played 3 hours. So looks like I lose out this time.

If I were anyone thinking of buying take up the offer on the Magix Website it is more expensive but atleast the limitations are lifted.

[RendCycle]

Originally posted by Salamander UK:

RendCycle the steam version has 16 tracks, though the steam version is limited as its not linked to the Magix Store and limits you to what it comes with. If you buy soundpools they will not work with the steam version. I think Magix should offer atleast the premium music maker program to steam users because this even at a cheap price is not worth it. Sadly In my librarary it says I have played 2 hours when I click the refund it says I have played 3 hours. So looks like I lose out this time.

If I were anyone thinking of buying take up the offer on the Magix Website it is more expensive but atleast the limitations are lifted.

I see, 16-tracks I guess is ok... but more would be great. Would you know how many tracks there are for the version in the Magix site? It just indicates there "min. 8" so I don't know the maximum.

Also, does this Steam version have complete features? I'm just really looking for exporting to MP3 (More Tracks & Formats), the Text-to-Speech tool (Creative Suite), and more instruments. Maybe I can just import VST's from third-parties if I can't buy more instruments from the Magix site.

What I'm planning is to try and compose my own simple melodies and not really use available soundpools so much. But I will probably connect a mini MIDI Keyboard as well. I'm really still a newbie at this and I'm choosing whether to get the Akai Professional MPK Mini MKII or the Arturia MIDI Controller MiniLab MKII. Hoping any of these will be compatible with Music Maker.

When I grow out of this stage, I might then use more powerful software. But if the requirements I mentioned above will not work with this Steam version of Music Maker, I will look for another software.

By the way, thanks for the info Salamader UK! :-)

P.S. Maybe you can try contacting Steam support directly for the refund. Sometimes they give in to request if there is only 1 hour excess and it seems it is a bug on the Steam system.

[Sal UK]

RendCycle actually it is unlimited Tracks you can add more tracks from the menu. I have got the refund and I went and bought the Premium from Magix for £54 in thier sale. I am on Win 10 and I cant get the text to speach to work in either steam or the Magix site version, the box comes up but there are no voices in the dropdown box for it, I will look into this tonight see if I can get it going.

As far as I can gather if your midi controller is connected to the USB Music Maker will auto detect it fready for use.

[RendCycle]

Originally posted by Salamander UK:

RendCycle actually it is unlimited Tracks you can add more tracks from the menu. I have got the refund and I went and bought the Premium from Magix for £54 in thier sale. I am on Win 10 and I cant get the text to speach to work in either steam or the Magix site version, the box comes up but there are no voices in the dropdown box for it, I will look into this tonight see if I can get it going.

As far as I can gather if your midi controller is connected to the USB Music Maker will auto detect it fready for use.

Just clarifying, so the version in Steam has only 16 Tracks and the Premium version in Magix website has unlimited tracks?

For the Text-to-Speech (TTS), I think you have to download and install voices first. There are some free ones from Microsoft and there are also good ones available for sale from third-party sites. In the Steam version, is the Text-to-Speech feature available as well? If this comes with the Creative Suite and More Tracks & Formats add-on, I am fine with it... But I won't be if I can't find a compatible MIDI Keyboard. :-P

[Sal UK]

Hi RendCycle I think its the same on both versions you goto edit and add track or CTRL I to insert a new track. I must say it is an easier task buying on steam as all addons and instruments ect are installed the ones that come with it anyway. I cant verify the steam version now as its removed from the account. But I think it will be the same for the tracks.

[RendCycle]

Originally posted by Salamander UK:

Hi RendCycle I think its the same on both versions you goto edit and add track or CTRL I to insert a new track. I must say it is an easier task buying on steam as all addons and instruments ect are installed the ones that come with it anyway. I cant verify the steam version now as its removed from the account. But I think it will be the same for the tracks.

Thanks for your reply! The Music Maker Premium you've bought from Magix site I think is a newer version than the Steam Edition so I'm sure there are improvements. Anyhow, I've finally just bought this Steam version to quickly take a look. But I will try to test it with the MIDI Keyboard when I get to buy it soon.

[RendCycle]

My initial findings with this version vs. the free one in the Magix site in relation to my previously specified requirements are as follows:

MUSIC MAKER 2017 PREMIUM STEAM EDITION
- Software Version 24.1.5.115 (UDST)
- Text-to-Speech feature included
- Export to MP3 feature included
- Up to 99 Tracks
- 3rd party VSTs can be installed
- The fix for the Virtual Keyboard bug w/ some instruments does NOT work
- Has some issues with Akai Professional MPK Mini II MIDI Keyboard were MIDI device settings disappear every time program is restarted

MAGIX MUSIC MAKER FREE EDITION
- Software Version 25.1.2.78
- Text-to-Speech feature NOT included
- Export to MP3 feature NOT included
- Up to 8 Tracks
- 3rd party VSTs CANNOT be installed
- Virtual Keyboard bug w/ some instruments can be fixed by editing the install.cfg file
- Works with Akai Professional MPK Mini II MIDI Keyboard after a few configuration changes and a restart of the software. Make sure your MIDI Keyboard is plugged in first before running Music Maker.