Description:
Music Creator 2002 is an excellent tool for creating and editing MIDI music, and does a fair job of handling digital audio as well. The interface is somewhat overwhelming to the uninitiated, but with a little practice and the use of the many tutorials included with the software, you'll soon be making sweet music with ease. This product's strong suit is MIDI audio, and recording, rearranging, and playing MIDI tracks is a snap. If you have an instrument with a MIDI interface, just connect it to the PC, fire up the software, hit the record button, and start playing. If you don't have a MIDI-compatible instrument, just use the included loops and samples, or import your own to create an infinite variety of music tracks. Once mastered, the interface makes it easy to layer tracks any way you like, dragging and dropping them into position to make a final multitrack session that's as complex or as simple as you like. Music Creator 2002 is also compatible with Virtual Sound Canvas DXi files, granting access to literally hundreds of different instrument sounds. Fixing mistakes in a MIDI recording is as simple as activating the program's editing mode, which lets you record only a certain segment of a piece without disturbing the music that comes before and after it. Once a recording is made to your satisfaction you can edit it in nearly any way imaginable, from changing the tempo to adjusting the volume levels of individual tracks. One of the nicest features of Music Creator 2002 is that it lets users easily create, edit, and print sheet music. Notes appear automatically on the staff when played on an attached MIDI instrument, and it also is possible to simply drag-and-drop notes onto the staff. Lyrics can then be added for a professional-looking result. Music Creator 2002 can be used to record and edit digital audio from any source you can connect to a PC, but doesn't offer the professional functionality of tools like Cakewalk's SONAR or Home Studio 2002. If you really want to tweak your digital recordings, consider investing in one of these separate packages, each which integrates with Music Creator 2002. A basic mixer is included with Music Creator 2002 that lets you apply real-time audio effects like reverb and flange and otherwise adjust digital audio files. Finished recordings of all types can then be exported in a variety of formats, including MP3, Real Audio, and WAV, for playback or output to a recording device. Music Creator 2002 is not for the dabbler who wants to quickly throw together some music, but anyone willing to put in the time necessary to exploit all the program's features will discover that in many ways it is a professional-quality product selling at a consumer-friendly price. If you already have some music editing experience you'll find that this is one of the easiest products to use of its type, especially for working with MIDI files and sheet music. --T. Byrl Baker
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