More Impressions: Acoustica Mixcraft 4 March 24, 2008
Posted by PJ in : Composing, Digital Audio Workstations, GarageBand , trackbackPJ here and I’m back with more impressions on Acoustica Mixcraft 4 or as we at The Studio Files call it, Garageband for Windows. If you missed it, you can read my first impressions of Mixcraft here. I left off with an introduction of the impressive collection of software instruments included with the program.
After giving most of them a test drive, I can say that this collection is refreshing, especially if you have grown tired of the GarageBand sound set. The samples sound great and each instrument has a decent amount of customization options. As I mentioned in the first post, I really like the ability to combine instruments together in the menu and have them in the mixer as the same channel. One of the most impressive and highly touted new features of Mixcraft 4 is the ability to use VST, VSTi and Direct X plugins. This is one area where Mixcraft trumps its Mac counterpart, GarageBand. This is a benefit to beginning users or even Pro Tools users who already have a large collection of VST’s and want to use Mixcraft as a scratch pad for ideas before going into Pro Tools. Another useful feature is the ability to use Acid or Apple Loops with Mixcraft. This would be particularly useful for a Intel Mac user that has Windows installed. I have personally tested Mixcraft 4 on a Mac with Windows XP installed via Boot Camp and I can verify that the program runs without a hitch. So far Mixcraft is looking like a viable alternative to GarageBand for Windows users. Keep an eye out for more Mixcraft related posts in the future. If you have any questions about Mixcraft or GarageBand, leave a comment below or email me.
PJ
The Studio Files
Comments»
what is bootcamp, is it free to download? cuz im trying to start an electronica band and need to do live shows with mac(or atleast thats what i heard) and i have a windows dell desktop, my friend will be letting me use his mac for shows, plz help if you got what i said lol, sorry
and iam using mixcraft 4(well just starting to learn it) got it last night
someone plz help if possible, thanks!
Hi Tyler,
Check here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1461
for lots of good info on installing and using Boot Camp.
Happy Camping!
Damon
The Studio Files
is there anyway i can use mixcraft without a boot camp, ihighly doubt the person’s mac ill be using will let me do all that stuff on his mac :/
well here is a huge question, what program do you consider me using to make electronica music? i have reason4 and mixcraft, should i use one of those or is there a better program?
Hi Tyler,
Yes Mixcraft is Windows only but Reason 4 is an excellent choice for Electronica style music and should be cross compatible with Windows and Mac. Meaning Reason files created on the Windows machine can be opened and modified using your friends Mac and vice versa.
As an alternative to Boot Camp you can also run Windows virtually using a program like VMWare Fusion or Parallels. However Mixcraft may run too slow to be of any practical use under virtualization. This all depends on the speed of the hardware you’re using (a new octo-core Mac Pro will obviously run this much better than say a G4 iBook).
You can read about VMware Fusion here
http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/
Let us know how this works out and good luck in your music making endeavors.
thank you:)
do i NEED a mac for live becuz if i use mixcraft(which i really like) i cant use it on mac very EASY and not costly, so do i NEED a mac or can i use a laptop
owlcity–
Do you mean for Ableton Live? No. You can use your pc. If you just mean for live performing, your pc laptop is also fine.
DS
i mean for performing, and how do i use my midi with mixcraft?? cuz i really like mixcraft and i just wanna use it,