Helpful ReplyMixcraft

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bitflipper
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2017/11/22 18:33:28 (permalink)

Mixcraft

Here's another viable SONAR alternative that we've been overlooking. I decided to do some research after Acoustica's Anthony Conte posted on one of our "what are the options" threads.
 
To quote Professor Farnsworth: Good News, Everybody! Mixcraft is definitely in the running for a preferred SONAR alternative.
 
The most-asked question is "what DAW is most like SONAR?" We've all invested a lot of time learning our DAW and are reluctant to embark on a steep learning curve while we put creative pursuits on hold. Well, if you spend a lot of time in the PRV, you're going to feel right at home in Mixcraft's PRV. It's very similar to SONAR's (even better, it's like SONAR's PRV at 8.5). Audio editing, almost the same story. Routine things such as splitting clips, crossfades and trimming will be instantly intuitive.
 
Some other pluses that stood out (after an admittedly cursory investigation):
  • Plenty of bundled effects, including Melodyne Essential and iZotope Mastering Essentials
  • Lots of useful virtual instruments, e.g. lite versions of VB3 and Lounge Lizard, and a nice sampled piano
  • Supports FX chains and project templates (don't know about track templates yet, still digging into it)
  • Has flexible routing that rivals Reaper
  • Punch-in recording, take lanes and comping
  • Track freeze
  • Excellent automation, e.g. volume automation can be absolute or additive to faders
  • Includes lots of loops, if that's your thing, and makes loop slicing easy
  • Step sequencer
  • Bit bridging and VST3 assure your current plugins will port over
  • Notation looks decent; you can quantize MIDI and notation independently
  • Noise reduction tool
  • Compatible with your favorite control surfaces
  • Integrated CD-burning
  • iOS or Android mobile app for remote transport control (but no track select)
  • Option to export each track to separate files
  • Direct publishing to YouTube, Facebook, Soundcloud, etc.
  • Markers can be color-coded and used for purposes other than just noting song sections, e.g. triggering tempo change
  • Insert Time works like you'd expect, moving markers and automation
  • Pretty good manual and gobs of well-made tutorial videos online
 
Limitations:
  • Limited export options. MP3, WAV, OGG and WMV only. No AIFF or FLAC. As far as I can tell, no BWF option, either.
  • Keyboard shortcuts are pretty logical but AFAIK cannot be customized; could be wrong about that
  • Does not have the install base of SONAR, so doesn't have as active a user forum
 
And what may be the clincher for many - it's cheap. Currently $99 for the Pro edition, and the same price (plus shipping) for the boxed version with a substantial printed manual. Half that for the entry-level edition, but it's limited to 16 tracks and lacks many of the plugins that come with the Pro version such as Melodyne Essential. 
 
I still have many unanswered questions, but right now this DAW seems the equal of Studio One - based on my own personal criteria, for my specific needs. Goes without saying that YMMV. 
 
 
 


All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. 

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#1
cclarry
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 18:38:42 (permalink)
Mixcraft is about one third the price and is quite
formidable.  It's a very viable alternative, howbeit
the interface is kind of "cartoony".


#2
aconte22
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 18:45:37 (permalink)
Thank you bitflipper for doing the research. You have provided a fair assessment. Appreciate it greatly. Please allow me to point out the intangibles. We are a small software-only company focusing on the PC (like the early days of Cakewalk). We have a CTO who came from Sonic Foundry and worked on Acid and Vegas, which is why you will see that the Loop Library asset management and Video editing are far superior than any other DAW on the market today. Mixcraft 8 is for real!
bitflipper
Here's another viable SONAR alternative that we've been overlooking. I decided to do some research after Acoustica's Anthony Conte posted on one of our "what are the options" threads.
 
To quote Professor Farnsworth: Good News, Everybody! Mixcraft is definitely in the running for a preferred SONAR alternative.
 
The most-asked question is "what DAW is most like SONAR?" We've all invested a lot of time learning our DAW and are reluctant to embark on a steep learning curve while we put creative pursuits on hold. Well, if you spend a lot of time in the PRV, you're going to feel right at home in Mixcraft's PRV. It's very similar to SONAR's (even better, it's like SONAR's PRV at 8.5). Audio editing, almost the same story. Routine things such as splitting clips, crossfades and trimming will be instantly intuitive.
 
Some other pluses that stood out (after an admittedly cursory investigation):
  • Plenty of bundled effects, including Melodyne Essential and iZotope Mastering Essentials
  • Lots of useful virtual instruments, e.g. lite versions of VB3 and Lounge Lizard, and a nice sampled piano
  • Supports FX chains and project templates (don't know about track templates yet, still digging into it)
  • Has flexible routing that rivals Reaper
  • Punch-in recording, take lanes and comping
  • Track freeze
  • Excellent automation, e.g. volume automation can be absolute or additive to faders
  • Includes lots of loops, if that's your thing, and makes loop slicing easy
  • Step sequencer
  • Bit bridging and VST3 assure your current plugins will port over
  • Notation looks decent; you can quantize MIDI and notation independently
  • Noise reduction tool
  • Compatible with your favorite control surfaces
  • Integrated CD-burning
  • iOS or Android mobile app for remote transport control (but no track select)
  • Option to export each track to separate files
  • Direct publishing to YouTube, Facebook, Soundcloud, etc.
  • Markers can be color-coded and used for purposes other than just noting song sections, e.g. triggering tempo change
  • Insert Time works like you'd expect, moving markers and automation
  • Pretty good manual and gobs of well-made tutorial videos online
 
Limitations:
  • Limited export options. MP3, WAV, OGG and WMV only. No AIFF or FLAC. As far as I can tell, no BWF option, either.
  • Keyboard shortcuts are pretty logical but AFAIK cannot be customized; could be wrong about that
  • Does not have the install base of SONAR, so doesn't have as active a user forum
 
And what may be the clincher for many - it's cheap. Currently $99 for the Pro edition, and the same price (plus shipping) for the boxed version with a substantial printed manual. Half that for the entry-level edition, but it's limited to 16 tracks and lacks many of the plugins that come with the Pro version such as Melodyne Essential. 
 
I still have many unanswered questions, but right now this DAW seems the equal of Studio One - based on my own personal criteria, for my specific needs. Goes without saying that YMMV. 
 
 
 




#3
bitflipper
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 19:14:38 (permalink)
Thanks for chiming in, Anthony.
 
An easy question for you: 
 
I spend much more time in SONAR's Track View than its Console View ("Mixer" in Mixcraft-parlance). If I use the console at all it'll be in my second monitor, because vertical space (number of visible tracks) is more important to me than horizontal space (number of visible mixer channels). So my question is: can the Mixer be undocked and slid over to a second screen?


All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. 

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#4
Starise
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 19:31:23 (permalink)
When you said Mixcraft, I was thinking Majix and wrote it off. Mixcraft look much more formidable.

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#5
cecelius2
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 20:04:17 (permalink)
Thanks for posting this.  Very helpful info!




#6
Marshall
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 20:24:33 (permalink)
All very interesting. Customising keyboard shortcuts is an absolute must for me. Can Anthony clarify if that's possible?
#7
Johannes H
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 20:46:32 (permalink)
I downloaded a Mixcraft demo and recorded audio and midi without reading the manual, so to me it looks rather intuitive so this could be my new DAW(n).   :)


               
#8
synkrotron
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 20:51:41 (permalink)
Does it have busses and sends? I watched the Mixer video and I couldn't see any.

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Johannes H
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 21:05:40 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby synkrotron 2017/11/22 21:08:20
Yes it has busses and sends, works fine.
 
One annoying thing is that when I inserted Korg M1 it automatically made 8 tracks, maybe there are som options so I can get just one track.


               
#10
synkrotron
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 21:09:23 (permalink)
Johannes H
Yes it has busses and sends, works fine.
 


Thanks, I mustn't have looked hard enough.

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Bajan Blue
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 21:20:21 (permalink)
I spend much more time in SONAR's Track View than its Console View ("Mixer" in Mixcraft-parlance). If I use the console at all it'll be in my second monitor, because vertical space (number of visible tracks) is more important to me than horizontal space (number of visible mixer channels). So my question is: can the Mixer be undocked and slid over to a second screen?
 
Hi Bit
That's a very valid question and one that is very important to me also.
Hopefully their answers is YES!!
Nigel
 

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#12
Johannes H
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 21:31:49 (permalink)
I can minimize the mixer so it disappears from the screan, so I just have track view.


               
#13
bitflipper
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 21:53:31 (permalink)
Johannes H
I can minimize the mixer so it disappears from the screen, so I just have track view.



Well, that's certainly an acceptable alternative if the mixer can't be moved. At least it is for me, since I so rarely use the console view. How about the PRV? Can it be moved?


All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. 

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#14
Johannes H
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 21:55:15 (permalink)
The PRV can be moved and minimized like the mixer.


               
#15
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 22:40:38 (permalink)
Yes, the mixer can be unlocked. Version 8 also has MP4 import for video editing. Melodyne integration looks very good. Version 8 also has fx bins like Sonar on each track, and there is now a light, and dark theme. This looks like a viable alternative when Sonar no longer works on my PC.
 
https://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/
#16
bitflipper
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 22:46:12 (permalink)
There answer is YES, you can float the mixer and PRV windows.
 
(Sorry for the post collision; I was running the Mixcraft demo while you guys were answering.)
 
The problem is that the mixer and PRV share a common parent window. So yes, you can float them but you cannot have both visible at the same time. Not a showstopper.
 


All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. 

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#17
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 23:01:05 (permalink) ☄ Helpfulby backwoods 2017/11/23 00:56:41
I like that when double click a audio track, it shows a built in waveform editor, and a button next to the wavform editor that you click to have Melodyne analyze the audio. Also in Version 8 they have added quick grouping, and an export to stems feature. And they have a lot of videos in Mixcraft University.
 
https://www.acoustica.com...lp/video-tutorials.htm
#18
bitflipper
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/22 23:24:13 (permalink)
As I poke around I find myself missing little conveniences from SONAR, such as being able to copy effects from one track to another by ctl-dragging. Not showstoppers, just a reminder of what 30 years of steady improvement gets you.


All else is in doubt, so this is the truth I cling to. 

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#19
ampfixer
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 00:14:33 (permalink)
Thanks for starting this thread Bit. If I have to change DAW's I'd rather support a small focused company than another one with its fingers in everything. I'm going to give Mixcraft a look.

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#20
cecelius2
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 00:42:41 (permalink)
Do you know if Mixcraft has a Utilities Menu feature like Cakewalk has?  I have Sonar set up where I can use Izotope RX6 from the Sonar Utilities menu, edit the audio in RX6 and then save it and it comes into Sonar.  Here is the link for Sonar's Utility setup:    https://www.cakewalk.com/Support/Knowledge-Base/2007013099/Adding-third-party-audio-editing-software-to-SONARs-Utilities-menu
 
If you don't know, where could I find out about this feature in Mixcraft?
 
[btw--thanks for the info you have already given us about Mixcraft--it looks like a good alternative]
 
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Serious_Noize!
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 00:56:39 (permalink)
The only problem I've had looking into Mixcraft is that what you buy is what you get, doesn't seem to be much in the development stage, and a lot of the plugins they talk about you getting are public domain, or stuff like the old Classic plugins. It appears to be a straight forward "Record audio tracks daw" to me. Maybe someone can correct me on what might make it special aside from that, but it's no doubt no Sonar. In my opinion that is. 
 

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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 00:57:26 (permalink)
bitflipper
As I poke around I find myself missing little conveniences from SONAR, such as being able to copy effects from one track to another by ctl-dragging. Not showstoppers, just a reminder of what 30 years of steady improvement gets you.


I think you just drag the fx from one bin into another bin, and it copies it. Not sure. I saw a video on youtube this afternoon, and that's what it looked like.
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 01:02:25 (permalink)
Serious_Noize!
The only problem I've had looking into Mixcraft is that what you buy is what you get, doesn't seem to be much in the development stage, and a lot of the plugins they talk about you getting are public domain, or stuff like the old Classic plugins. It appears to be a straight forward "Record audio tracks daw" to me. Maybe someone can correct me on what might make it special aside from that, but it's no doubt no Sonar. In my opinion that is. 
 


It looks like they are developing the product into a solid DAW. They have a free trial. Here's what is new in version 8.
 
https://www.acoustica.com...ixcraft-whats-new.html
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 01:04:23 (permalink)
I'm going to give this one a go too

 
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 01:29:23 (permalink)
This just popped up on Facebook

The full power of Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio with all of its juicy features and a multitude of bundled plugins is available for a steal. 😎 Normally $179 - Get it now for $99. Quick buy link: https://www.acoustica.com/mixcr…/buy-mixcraft-pro-studio.php (If you want to upgrade, look for an email or go to the upgrade page https://www.acoustica.com/cgi/upgrade.php?p=16)


#26
cclarry
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 01:31:34 (permalink)
Will be about $83 if discounters carry it


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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 02:21:10 (permalink)
FYI--I just played around with the demo version of Mixcraft, and found out that it does have the ability to use an external wave editor.  So I set up RX6 as the default eternal editor and it worked.  Nice.
Here is the youtube video explaining how it works:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygQUDUBHJyQ
 
 

 




#28
jackson white
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 03:07:16 (permalink)
Bit of a downgrade from the Quad Curve EQ for me. Need to keep looking but missing some FX bin functionality as well.

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synkrotron
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Re: Mixcraft 2017/11/23 07:15:24 (permalink)
S.L.I.P.
bitflipper
As I poke around I find myself missing little conveniences from SONAR, such as being able to copy effects from one track to another by ctl-dragging. Not showstoppers, just a reminder of what 30 years of steady improvement gets you.


I think you just drag the fx from one bin into another bin, and it copies it. Not sure. I saw a video on youtube this afternoon, and that's what it looked like.




Just tried that and it doesn't work, and you can't press ctrl or do any kind of copy/paste stuff. So perhaps this could be a feature request...

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