Is there roundtrip integration between "Video Pro X" and "Music Maker?

carlos-cadu wrote on 6/21/2017, 9:46 AM

Hi,

I'm trying both "Video Pro X" and "Music Maker", but I couldn't find a way to seamless send forward and bring back (roundtrip) content between "Video Pro X" and "Music Maker".

I was expecting that from "Video Pro X" timeline I could launch "Music Maker", then create soundtracks, which would appear automatically in the timeline as soon as I close "Music Maker".

By the way, I've experienced a marvelous roundtrip integration between "Video Pro X" and "Xara Designer Pro" (image/graphics editor from MAGIX too). So, if there is such integration between video/image applications, I was expecting the same with video and external audio applications (at least from MAGIX, as it is "Music Maker").

So far, frustrated on this regard.

Any information is very welcomed!

Thanks,

Carlos_Cadu

Comments

browj2 wrote on 6/21/2017, 12:59 PM

Hi Carlos,

I am pleased to see that at least one other user has found the Xara interface useful. I presume that you have found the 4 possibilites for using Xara with VPX (or MEP+): 1. Create graphics/overlays, masks, animated or static; 2. Create masks; 3. Xara as the external image editor instead of Photo Designer; 4. DVD menu export/import psd files.

As for the round trip to MusicMaker, what you are looking for is like I showed in my tutorial on this. Unfortunately and for some strange reason, the Share feature is not included in VPX, only in MEP. I have asked Magix more than once about this, and the only reply was one that stated that the Share possibility is shown on the top menu like in MEP. It is not! So, it is on my wish-list. I suggest that you raise a ticket with Magix about this and suggest that they include it asap.

I will refresh my request, as this is a very useful feature, at least for me.

In case you have not tried, Music Editor 3 is included with VPX as the external audio editor. I replaced this with Magix Audio & Music Lab Premium and it makes the return trip for an audio clip perfectly.

carlos-cadu wrote on 6/21/2017, 1:49 PM

Hi browj2,

Many thanks for such valuable information!

I'll open a ticket with MAGIX too regarding VPX and MusicMaker.

I'd appreciate further information from you regarding some of you points:

3. Xara as the external image editor instead of Photo Designer;

How to open Xara from VPX as the external image editor, instead of Photo Designer?

In case you have not tried, Music Editor 3 is included with VPX as the external audio editor. I replaced this with Magix Audio & Music Lab Premium and it makes the return trip for an audio clip perfectly.

I already use SoundForge and Izotope RX as audio editors. Do you know if it is possible to set VPX to work with them?

Cheers!

browj2 wrote on 6/21/2017, 2:44 PM

Hi Carlos,

Go to File, Settings, Program settings or shortcut Y, open Folder tab and change the two programs to what you want. I use Corel PaintShop Pro X as the photo editor instead of Xara. Whatever you do, make sure that you have the image backed up or that the program makes a backup copy, because the file that you modify gets changed. VPX is still using the same filename and the image will be updated on the timeline, sometimes not immeditately.

You can try Soundforge (I have it but have not tried it) and Izotope as audio editors to see if they work.

carlos-cadu wrote on 6/21/2017, 4:26 PM

Hi browj2

Thanks for further info. I haven't seen that "folder tab" yet.

I could set Xara as photo editor properly now.

However, I'm having issue with (a) audio editor and (b) VST plugins.

a) I set as audio editor SoundForge, VegasPro, IzotopeRX. VPX didn't work with any of them. Actually, the behavior is quite strange. What I'm doing: selecting separate audio track > context menu > "edit wave externally..."

However, nothing was happening when using the option through the context menu. Then I tried the shortcut (alt+z) and there is a message (snapshot below) saying "the content...is being used by an external program and can not be modified!". I started many new projects and used different audio file samples, and same behavior and message.

b) Regarding VST, I'm trying to use Nectar2, which works quite well when I run it from Vegas. I pointed VPX VST folder to "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\VstPlugins", where Nectar2 is stored. This is the 32bit version of the plugin, since the 64bit wasn't even recognized by VPX (some error messages appeared when I pointed to 64bit folder). But when I pointed to the folder above, VPX read/recognized Nectar, at least showing a pop-up window listing the plugin content. However, when I tried to use the plugin through the mixer, the dropdown handles that VPX manual mention that should appear aren't there.

By chance do you have any idea on these issues?

Thank you!

Carlos

browj2 wrote on 6/21/2017, 10:21 PM

Hi Carlos,

I'm not at home and only have my laptop to go by and I did not install everything.

a) I have an intermittent problem that seems to have been resolved somehow on my desktop but not on my laptop. Normally, or at least on my desktop, right-clicking on the audio part of a video object shows the Edit in external editor selection and it works. On my laptop, there is nothing. I also have had the problem of when I had the option, nothing would happen and trying it again gave me the same result as you, i.e. already being used.... If I mix-down to a wave file, then the option shows up in the menu and seems to work ok. I don't have Sound Forge on this machine, but I have Samplitude and it works fine as an external editor.

b) I'm not sure what you mean by "dropdown handles" in the mixer. I have made the Nectar that came with Samplitude Pro X3 work with VPX. In the mixer, click on the FX button and then the + button at the bottom. There you should find Nectar and any other VST's that you have that should work with VPX.

carlos-cadu wrote on 6/26/2017, 12:59 PM

Hi browj2!

I don't have Sound Forge on this machine, but I have Samplitude and it works fine as an external editor.

I tried Magix Audio Cleaning Lab and it worked. Then I also tried Audacity and VPX doesn't send the audio to it. In short, it seems VPX just works with Magix audio editing products. What a pity!

I'm not sure what you mean by "dropdown handles" in the mixer. I have made the Nectar that came with Samplitude Pro X3 work with VPX. In the mixer, click on the FX button and then the + button at the bottom. There you should find Nectar and any other VST's that you have that should work with VPX.

Thanks for information about the +button. In VPX manual (pages 189/190) the information provided is inconsistent and mislead me (snapshot below).

c) Regarding the integration of VPX and Music Maker, I received the following feedback from Magix support:

"I would kindly like to inform you that the relevant option is currently not available in Video Pro X but only in Movie edit Pro.

Your request will be however forwarded to our management but i am unfortunately not in the position to tell whether our team will decide to integrate this feature in our next Upgrade."

d) I would appreciate a further info from you about VPX and VST. Is VPX support for VST for VST 64bit or 32bit? I mean, should I point Video Pro X VST folder to 32 bit "C:\Program Files (x86)\Steinberg\VstPlugins" or 64bit folder "C:\Program Files\VstPlugins"?

Thanks!

Carlos_Cadu

emmrecs wrote on 6/27/2017, 3:37 AM

Hi Carlos_Cadu

I can confirm that Nectar does work as a VST in VPX but it does need the 64 bit version. Not sure why you get that error message about problems with it.

There is a method by which VPX can use 32 bit versions of VSTs; you need to find and install jbridge from https://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/ (it costs very little). Make sure you follow carefully all the instructions about installing it; once it has run and created "bridged" 64 bit versions of your 32 bit VSTs, simply add the specially-created folder where these bridged versions are stored to the screen where you list the location of your VSTs, have VPX scan all the listed folders and your 32 bit and 64 bit versions should now all be listed on the + button that John CB pointed you to.

Jeff