Guide on how to create a custom Soundpool for Music Maker 2018

MMZTimeLord wrote on 4/17/2018, 7:51 PM

How to create a custom Soundpool for Music Maker 2018

You can copy the basic structure from the "Music Match - Feel Good" pool that comes stock with the software.
You MUST locate this structure in "C:\Users\Public\Documents\MAGIX\Common\Soundpools". (In Windows 10 on my machine at least.)
Duplicate the structure, delete all the .MXOGG files in the subfolders.
Leave the BPM.inf alone. The BPM.inf file should be the same as the BPM.inf file in current pools. You can change the BPM and Scale to match your music choice for the pool.

------------------
[Tempo]
BPM=120

[HarmonyTable]
Scale=C

Sample1=C
Sample2=d
Sample3=e
Sample4=F
Sample5=G
Sample6=a
Sample7=B
------------------

Create two new cover files (cover_128x128.png & cover_600x600.png).
If present, remove the "_msi_keyfile_..." files as they are put there by Microsoft's installer and not relevant.

Soundpool File Structure:

With this basic structure and at least one .MXOGG (Music Maker OGG file) or .TAK (Music Maker Take file) file in one Instrument directory. The Soundpool can be added to Music Maker from the "Loops" page through the "Cog".

You can create "Takes" with pretty much any object in Music Maker. I am using my own composed MIDI files. Any of the properties, fades, volume, etc. will be saved with the object as a "Take".

In this way, you can continue to create additional "Take" files and save them into your Soundpool. You will have to Rescan Soundpools... in the configuration menu (Double Cogs on the menu bar) to update the Soundpool. This will only work IF you put the Soundpool directory in the path shown above.

Cheers!

Comments

johnebaker wrote on 4/18/2018, 5:16 AM

@MMZTimeLord

Can you create a PDF tutorial from this information, include any screen shots if you think they would help, then upload to the Tutorials section of the forum.

The instructions will eventually get 'buried' in this section of the forum as more topics and issues are raised.

Thanks

John EB

Forum Moderator

browj2 wrote on 4/18/2018, 11:23 AM

Hi,

Excellent initiative!

I was going to answer your other post but never got around to it. Previously, Magix had some ini files that had to be changed in order for certain Soundpools, including self-made ones, to show up in MusicMaker. That has all changed and now almost anything shows up in the Soundpools in MMM if the folder is scanned. I have:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\MAGIX\Common\Soundpools\Video_&_Slideshow_Sound_Archive_8_INT

which contains the following folders:

01 natural effects
02 special effects
03 surroundings
04 atmos
05 music

Below is a screenshot of MMM with these added as Soundpools. They work. Note that the first one on the list in the screen shot is "01 modern background music" that contains only songs. They show up and are usable from the Loops manager.

There still needs to be some kind of structuring as not everything shows up, but most does. I haven't figured out yet why some strange ones show up while others don't. I have a lot of downloads from Catooh under a folder called "Free download" with a dozen subfolders. Some show up in MMM, some don't.

To complete your tutorial, I suggest that you include the numbering structure to be able to use the pitch numbers. So the numbering structure would be:

Angels Synth 1.TAK

Angels Synth 2.TAK

Angels Synth 3.TAK

Angels Synth 4.TAK

etc.

Same thing if you use .ogg files. Which reminds me, for Jeff, the .mxcogg format was introduced more recently, undoubtedly to protect Magix from piracy. Up until then, Loops were .ogg files (and TAK and sometimes .WAV) which could be copied and used by anyone. I have thousands. They all still work.

John CB

MMZTimeLord wrote on 4/18/2018, 8:56 PM

Done and done. Please review. I will revise if needed.

Cheers!

Looks like the tutorial is awaiting authorization. How long does that usually take?

Tutorial is here (direct link).

johnebaker wrote on 4/26/2018, 8:44 AM

@MMZTimeLord

First my apologies for the delay - for some reason I did not receive any notification that you had posted again here.

On my PC "Music Match - Feel Good" is called "Music Maker - Feel Good"

Can you check yours and adjust the PDF and send me a message, then I can approve it.

Thanks

John EB

Simon-Cossettini wrote on 4/26/2021, 6:35 PM

Hi just new to Music Maker -I wanted to make my own sound pools with my own guitar samples but having a lot of troubles. Followed the above instructions in windows 10.

Firstly just opening the windows folders with the loop causes my system to bog down. So bypassed this by just dragging and dropping additional ogg files into appropriate folder.

2nd managed to get the soundpool to recognise and load into soundpools panel with the already existing loops, the new loops are displayed but the moment I try to play any of the loops I have added Music Maker just freezes - I even tried to follow the same naming convention with numbers 1 to 7 (just cloning the same file and renaming)after the filename same freeze result. I tested the ogg file and it plays ok in any other music programs. Am I pushing the free version too far or are the only compatible soundpools are ones that are purchased through the store?

Thanks in advance

SP. wrote on 4/27/2021, 2:18 AM

@Simon-Cossettini

Firstly just opening the windows folders with the loop causes my system to bog down. So bypassed this by just dragging and dropping additional ogg files into appropriate folder.

That is a Windows problem. If I open a folder with OGG files Windows takes ages to load up the meta data. The explorer freezes in the meantime.

I tested the ogg file and it plays ok in any other music programs. Am I pushing the free version too far or are the only compatible soundpools are ones that are purchased through the store?

Maybe you used a wrong bitrate or sample rate. I would suggest you use 24 bit, 44100 Hz, stereo WAV files instead of OGG files.

Simon-Cossettini wrote on 4/29/2021, 1:43 AM

Thanks I will give that a try.

kushmendraa wrote on 12/7/2022, 12:16 AM

Done and done. Please review. I will revise if needed.

Cheers!

Looks like the tutorial is awaiting authorization. How long does that usually take?

Tutorial is here (direct link).

Hi, Thanks for the Information...Could You also make a detailed video on it as this can help everybody who wants to make their own soundpools

David-Barselow wrote on 12/7/2022, 2:59 PM

MMZTimeLord you have to tell us are you actually getting your custom soundpools to work. It seems that the purchased soundpools have some sort of coding to them and all other attempts of creating one just isn't going to work. I even read somewhere and it stated that in order for the soundpools to work they needed to be purchased thru producerplanet