Bugs and sloppy programming!

jeff-rippe wrote on 12/28/2017, 12:31 PM

This software - like most other MAGIX products - is full of bugs and just plain sloppy programming.

One really simple example is when importing (i.e., "opening") a file. The status dialog box that opens says "Mixing Down...". It's not mixing down anything - it's OPENING the file!

The Cloner tool has a "Save" button to save a captured spectrum - but no way that I can find to LOAD a saved spectrum. So, what is the purpose of this "Save" feature? The Manual makes no mention of how to use a "saved" profile either. I suspect now that it doesn't work and is a remnant from some other program.

The Dynamics tool in this program doesn't work right. Compressor gain reduction should increase as the compressor threshold is lowered - but it doesn't - it jumps erratically. Have you ever tested this feature or tried to use it yourselves?

The input/output level meters don't move in the Compressor section of Cloner tool regardless of amount of compression applied. Both meters move together and either show low or pegged - no levels in between. Did you ever test this or even try it yourselves?

The user manual topics don't match the software! It calls out buttons/features that don't exist or are labeled some other way. For example in the DeNoiser tool where is the "Get" button mentioned in the instructions? I believe what they mean is the "Pick" button. Sloppy!

You have some decent tools here but the interface is terrible. I have found this typical of ALL MAGIX products, especially those inherited from Sony, etc. Magix, get your act together!!

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 12/28/2017, 5:59 PM

@jeff-rippe

. . . . One really simple example is when importing (i.e., "opening") a file. The status dialog box that opens says "Mixing Down...". It's not mixing down anything - it's OPENING the file! . . . .

If you look at what the program is creating during the import process, it is indeed mixing down the audio to generate one or more WAV files and other supporting files for use by the program - see example below for an imported AVCHD file

. . . . The Cloner tool has a "Save" button to save a captured spectrum - but no way that I can find to LOAD a saved spectrum. . . . .

There is no need for a Load option - if you look at the presets list you will find that the saved capture spectrum does appear there as in the example below

. . . . The Dynamics tool in this program doesn't work right. Compressor gain reduction should increase as the compressor threshold is lowered - but it doesn't - it jumps erratically. . . . .

It works very smoothly here, whether you are using the rotary dials or dragging the effect indicator graphic in the pane above the dials.

. . . . The input/output level meters don't move in the Compressor section of Cloner tool regardless of amount of compression applied. Both meters move together and either show low or pegged - no levels in between. . . . .

Do you mean they do not move when playing the audio - as seen below?

. . . . The user manual topics don't match the software! It calls out buttons/features that don't exist or are labeled some other way. For example in the DeNoiser tool where is the "Get" button mentioned in the instructions? I believe what they mean is the "Pick" button. Sloppy! . . . .

Errors do crop up in software manuals, and it is not limited just to Magix, particularly where translation from one language to another occurs. There are also the colloquial and regional differences in the meaning of words which do not carry over in translation correctly.

. . . . Have you ever tested this feature or tried to use it yourselves? . . . . Did you ever test this or even try it yourselves? . . . . Magix, get your act together! . . . .

To whom are you asking this question/statement - this is a user to user forum provided by Magix for enabling users to help each other, in a friendly manner, with issues they may be having with a program, or asking how to do something in a program - to avoid issues between users and maintain forum etiquette there are a set of community rules to be followed.

If you have an issue with the program, including the manual, then you can to raise a support ticket through the Magix Support channel here.

HTH

John EB

Forum Moderator

browj2 wrote on 12/29/2017, 11:56 AM

Hi,

I don't have VSCL installed, only AML which is the big brother of VSCL and has more features, like spectral cleaning.

A general statement, VSCL is main intended to be used as the external editor of one of the video programs, MEP or VPX, by changing the executable in the Program settings, Folders for the external editor. This is a step up from Music Editor 3 that come with the video programs. It can also be used as a standalone, but I would not use it to export the video with the modified sound as a final result; I would use the video editor to create the final export. The goal is to be able to edit the sound on a clip or overall for the video editor by opening it in the external editor. I use AML in this manner. Upon sending the sound to the external editor, if the selected object is not a wave file, it will be mixed down and the original file will be replaced by a wave file. Upon closing AML or VSCL, save means that the audio wave file will be modified and once back in the video editor, the modified wave file will be there.

As for the documentation, Magix supports many languages, and I presume that the documentation is translated from German. Thus, unless the translator checks everything back with the program, there are bound to be some discrepancies. When you find them, document them and raise a ticket with Support giving them the proper references and text and the will likely change the documentation for a future version.

1. Cloner tool:

a) Re the no load option, I had trouble finding my saved presets. It was only be accident that I clicked on the down arrow on the tool without opening it and saw my presets. This is the obvious place, but it is not so obvious as one usually opens the full screen tool first. The documentation could be better here.

b) Re the Compressor volume in Cloner: Same problem in AML, nothing actually moves in the In/Out meter of the Cloner (not the main playback meters). Upon playback of Result, it lights up, but both left and right (input/output) stay at the same level, just lit up as shown below.

Looks like a bug to me.

2. Dynamics

a) Like John EB, in AML, I don't get the erratic effect that you mention. However, if Attack and Release are improperly set, you can get pumping. Is this what you are seeing?

b) "Compressor gain reduction should increase as the compressor threshold is lowered - but it doesn't - it jumps erratically." Which preset are you using?

John CB

jeff-rippe wrote on 12/29/2017, 10:26 PM

1. Cloner tool:
a) Re the no load option, I had trouble finding my saved presets. It was only be accident that I clicked on the down arrow on the tool without opening it and saw my presets. This is the obvious place, but it is not so obvious as one usually opens the full screen tool first. The documentation could be better here.

Thank you, John EB and John CB - I didn't see that but that's good news. Question though, you can save the spectrum captures anywhere with the SAVE feature, how does the plugin know where to find them to recall them as "presets"? I don't understand that one!

2. Dynamics

a) Like John EB, in AML, I don't get the erratic effect that you mention. However, if Attack and Release are improperly set, you can get pumping. Is this what you are seeing?

No, please see below.

b) "Compressor gain reduction should increase as the compressor threshold is lowered - but it doesn't - it jumps erratically." Which preset are you using?

Any compression preset. If you start with the Threshold at max (fully clockwise) and slowly turn it down the gain reduction all of a sudden jumps at about 2:00 or so. This is a strange compressor configuration overall. Seems to have automatic makeup gain that centers around the Threshold setting. And the controls don't work like a typical audio compressor. RATIO setting of 1.00, for example, should be no compression - but I hear plenty with some of the presets. Which leads me to -

I can load various different presets - that SOUND drastically different - yet the knobs on the GUI don't change positions. More bugs...

jeff-rippe wrote on 12/29/2017, 11:03 PM

To whom are you asking this question/statement - this is a user to user forum provided by Magix for enabling users to help each other, in a friendly manner, with issues they may be having with a program, or asking how to do something in a program - to avoid issues between users and maintain forum etiquette there are a set of community rules to be followed.

I apologize for the tone. I thought Magix support moderators replied here.

I have been using Sony audio and video editing products for a long, long time and they were always rock solid. Ever since Magix bought them out they've become unstable and bug-filled. The day before I wrote this post I spent the entire day creating an advertising video in Vegas that played back perfectly in real time - EVERY time. I went to render the finished project and the program LOCKED UP. Regardless of the attempts I made I could not get the project out of the PC! And this wasn't the first time this has happened! I've had similar frustrations with Acid Pro, Samplitude, Movie Studio and Music Studio. Every time I've updated one of these programs to the latest (now Magix) version the problems get worse. That is why I had an attitude in my post here. I don't see much of a future for Magix unless they hire some expert programmers and do the necessary QA and regression testing. As it stands they appear to be nothing more than a repackaging and marketing company.

Unfortunately I've invested in these tools and it pains me to simply throw them away. There is much legacy good mixed in with the bad but not sure how long I can tolerate the bad...