I understand that forums usually are consumed with a continuous string of problems, bugs and frustrations to boot. I have certainly had my share with the Magix Music software as well over time. I am also engaged in starting to work with other DAWs to spread my wings a bit and to compare it with some other contemporary product lines.

Along the way, however, I wish to provide a little reprieve to the demanding and often thankless job of software support as I have seen on this forum over time. In the end, I see Magix as a generally wonderful product that has introduced music composition, production and software to many aspiring and enthusiastic computer musicians over the years. I can't even remember how long ago I found my way to affordable Magix software, and in a good way it has never been the same since.

With the initial comparisons that I have made, I can easily see Music Maker excelling in several important ways:

1. The learning curve for the software is actually fairly short, with a decent manual if needed. It is relatively quick and easy software to make headway with on musical composition/production.

2. The quality of the soundpools is quite good, in my opinion. I am seeing commercial level products where the sample sounds continue to carry on the electronic and tinny sound quality that frustrated folks like me for so many years. A wide variety of audio based samples are available, and it undoubtedly represents a major effort over the years by Magix.

3. The quality of the instruments is also quite good in the majority of cases, in my opinion. Many of these are an absolute delight to work with and they open up a lot of territory to explore musically.

In addition, I see the support staff working very hard over and over, without exception, to try and resolve problems and help people out in the never ending list of software difficulties. It can be a hard job to be on the receiving end of frustrations and complaints on a daily basis. I see nothing but courtesy, respect and professionalism in that regard, often under difficult circumstances. Thanks for all the support and patience that I see there.

I am not paid to say this. In fact, I don't work for anyone for quite a while now, and that is a lucky pleasure. My next post is likely to be another of the the frustrating software issues that are inevitably encountered; for the sake of perspective, however, I wanted to pass on the compliment as it is deserved.

Best regards, CEC