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i need to make some killer mp3 files
Here's the scenario - you've got a bazillion CDs, and you
want to get them onto your computer to enjoy them on your home theater
stereo, or to simply listen while computing. Or perhaps this - you need
to record some sounds and have them in MP3 format. What do you do? Go
to the first shareware site you find and download whatever you can find?
Sadly, this is what many of us do.
MAGIX sent along a program offering some interesting features
in the form of MP3 Maker 2005 Deluxe. The program addresses the aforementioned
needs for those of us building an MP3 empire on our systems, as well as
some of us that like to do some audio editing and recording.
Summary of new features
The program has some nifty features and is definitely aimed
for the absolute novice to the advanced user.
-- Features / Benefits --
- Import & Archive Rip Audio CDs*: One click delivers
the required format
- Music formats: Supports all popular file formats (see
below)
- FTP menu: Simplifies file download
- CD data (CDDB): Instant online access to CD track info
- Intuitive Music database: Instant organization, without
copying or transferring
- Category Sorting: Quickly sort into any category (style,
occasion).
- Turbo ID Tagging for MP3 & any other music format
- Quick finder: Locate your music by keyword or favorites
search
- Mix & Play Playlists: Create lists with drag &
drop intuitive management
- Music-Mix: Automatic crossfades
- Desktop player: Listen while you work with the mini mode
player
- Tagging: Full ID3 v.2 support for fast MP3 tag managing
- Portable player support: Direct access to drive-letter
recognized portable players and storage media
- Max volume: Automatically adjusts volume levels (normalizer)
- Music show: Add images and animation to playlists for
a unique visualization
- Record & Edit Internet radio: Easy recording, approx.
100 pre-configured stations
- Analog input: Record audio with soundcard line input
- Timer recording: Automatic timed-recording of music and
news
- Equalizer: 10 frequency bands for custom sound
- Fun FX: Home DJ with Scratch module, 3D Sound and Fun
FX
- 26 audio effects: Professional preparation & fine-tuning
- Audio Trimming: Cut recordings to remove unwanted content
- Convert & Print MP3 turbo: Select high quality or
high speed conversion
- mp3PRO: Unlimited decoding, optional encoding (20 free
runs)
- One-click conversion: Save preset conversion settings
(format, location)
- Music Emails: Send songs from within the program
- Audio CDs: Convert MP3s or other formats into music CDs
for all types of players
- Versatile format support: The latest OGG Vorbis and
- WM 9 encoders and decoders
- Print Center: Includes CD & DVD labels, jewelcase
insert & cover templates
- Adopt playlists: Automatically adopt playlists for printing
- even on multiple pages (CD booklet)
- Archive & Burn Audio CDs on-the-fly: Burn music
files onto audio CDs directly from the playlist
- Burn MP3 CDs and DVDs: Burn non-stop music discs for
parties and convert entire CD collections onto DVD ROM (option: organized
into separate directories)
- 1:1 copies: Easy copying of material not protected by
copyright
CD text: Read and burn
- Burn CD-ROMs & DVD-ROMs: Burn an archive or burn
with playlist
- File Support & File Conversion Import: MP3, mp3PRO,
WAV, CD-Audio, WMA, OGG Vorbis, ASF, Real, JPEG, AIFF, AVI
Export: MP3, mp3PRO (optional), WAV, CD-Audio, WMA, OGG Vorbis, AIFF,
AVI
- DirectX™ & VST™ support for effects plug-ins
- MP3 player and external storage media (USB, Firewire)
support
- MAGIX music editor 2.0 Create master audio CDs: CD arrangements
and CD mixes (including track markers)
- Real-time editing & effects: Crossfades, timestretching
/ pitchshifting,
multi-band compressor, stereo FX etc.
- Remove background noise: Automatically or manually
- Room simulation: Simulates concert hall, arena auditorium,
and many more unique sounds
- Wave editor: Classic audio editing mode for all
supported formats, including loop editing
using the program
Using MP3 Maker 2005 Deluxe was a fairly easy exercise. The main
command buttons cover the main uses of the program - Convert, Edit, Burn
... all the things you would get the program for. The first thing I did
of course, was rip songs from my CDs to my computer. Configuring the program
to output the songs into a desired directory as well as the right type
of file structure (name, artist, etc) wasn't very easy, and I never quite
got the program working *perfectly* but the program did rip and encode
the songs that I wanted to without any errors.
Editing audio files is actually this program's real strength.
Many people use 3, 4, or even 5 different programs to do the functions
that this program encompasses, so from using the program for a few weeks
I would say the program's greatest strength is that it wraps its arms
around many different uses inside the same program interface. I was actually
pleasantly surprised that the program supports a wide variety of CD and
DVD +-RW drives, something that other burning suites I've used in the
past refused to do (which is very frustrating).
Making things like playlists can be done without even thinking
- the program's graphical intensive interface makes it very easy to do
some of the tasks. The overall impression as to the functionality of the
program is that some of the easy things are very simple to do, but some
of the advanced portions of the program (such as specifying MP3 file names
and directory structure) just take some experimentation to get right.
minimum system requirements
- Processor from 450 MHz
- Memory from 64 MB (128 MB recommended)
- Hard disk for program files, at least 250 MB free
- SVGA graphic card with at least 4 MB RAM,
resolution min. 800 x 600 with 16 bit high color
- CD-ROM drive, Microsoft®-compatible mouse
- Sound playback with 16 bit soundcard
- Burn CDs & DVDs with IDE CD-R(W) / DVD+/-(R)W Recorder
The costs
The MSRP through the website is $39.99 and can be shipped to you direct.
I feel the cost of the program is about $10 too much, but considering
the unlimited MP3 encodes as well as the advanced features of the program,
it's not completely out of the realm of reality that $40 is the going
price for the program.
Summary and general recommendations
I was able to use the program to rip a heck of a lot of
songs from my old CD collection that I've been meaning to get onto my
computer for years now without a lot of hassle. Again, to get everything
just the way I wanted with the MP3s took a bit of experimentation and
trial & error. The overall performance of MP3 Maker 2005 Deluxe was
pretty solid - this program worked as advertised and I enjoyed playing
around with the mix and editing features as well as making my own playlists
for various events.
The coolness of the program is fairly positive - it's just
neat that so many audio features are encompassed inside one program. Considering
that other audio programs range from $50 to $200 for similar features,
the price point of the program is pretty decent, and the usefulness of
MP3 Maker 2005 Deluxe to audio file freaks should be very high.
Overall, MP3 Maker 2005 Deluxe is a great program if you're
looking to junk the 5 programs you currently use and just use one for
all things audio. Installing the program and learning to use it shouldn't
be a huge hassle, and with a little trial and error there should be plenty
of successes into the future. I have to say that I'll be using the program
for quick audio edits, all my MP3 encoding, and building playlists for
a long time to come.
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9 / 10 |
OVERALL SCORE
86%
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8.6 /
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