Recording Vocals next to backing tracks already laid down leads to jerky recording and timing destroyed objects.

Eleyan wrote on 6/14/2014, 2:50 AM

I am using the demo version of Magix Music Maker 2014. Today I updated with the latest software patch as requested by the website. It said it was unable to update the VITA instrument component and that it brought up an error. I can't for the life of me think of any good reason why it should work, as I have found the whole VITA instrument topic to be fraught with errors in the past. The 2014 MMM demo has quite a few glitches that I never really encountered in version 18. When I am recording a vocal track while listening and recording with a headphone jack, the sound stops and starts and the resultant recording is choppy as well. This has been getting steadily worse as the song length grows. I have laid down sound tracks up to the 2nd verse of the song I am working on. If this is chiefly a memory thing, it is quite surprising the stark difference from my previous copy of MMM. I have taken alot of unnecessary data off my computer to make room for this purpose, how can it be so much more hefty and unwieldy than previous versions? I hate the stress it is bringing me. I have worked on 3 songs in total during the 4 days I have been using the demo. I am not a muso, so I learn as I go in every way. Has anyone else had this problem with MMM 2014 or it's demo version?

Comments

Former user wrote on 6/14/2014, 6:31 PM

A couple of things.....I'm sorry for your problems. My advice to users whom have "big projects" is to save often and check your work frequently so there are no surprises at the end. If you aare encountering difficulties early on, stop what you are doing and try to get things " fixed". What features are in 2014 thaat you want that weren't in MM18 ? MM18 isn't that old and if it worked for you then I would stick with it and forget aboout 2014. Another thing you might try is a re-load of 2014.....go to your program files ato delete it and it should ask ou if you want to do a "repair", which in this case, you do. Hopefully it will then work better for you. Let us know your results

Procyon wrote on 6/15/2014, 10:17 AM

First, I don't believe it is wise to create important projects on a trial version of software. That is not the purpose of trial versions. They are only intended for you to familiarize yourself with the interface and try out the features with the ultimate intent of purchasing the full version of the software.

"This has been getting steadily worse as the song length grows."

This is a clue. Unfortunately. you have provide no information about your computer system, so it is impossible for anyone to make any solid conclusions. However, it may be a memory problem, but it is more likely a processor (CPU) problem. You may be able to mitigate any memory problems by increasing the buffers, but that in itself can introduce increased lag time.

You've also told us absolutely nothing about the tracks you are creating. If the backing tracks were created using the soundpools and also involve heavy use of effects, this will be very taxing on your CPU. If this is the case, I would recommend exporting the backing tracks as audio files and then import them back into the arrangement. You would want to turn off or "mute" the original backing tracks so that the CPU does not have to deal with them. That way they are saved intact and can be modified later if desired.

Also, make sure you have absolutely nothing else running on your computer while using MMM. You may also want to consider physically disconnecting from the internet and turn OFF your anti-virus software. It may be scanning the incoming information as you record your vocals. Just be sure to turn it back on before reconnecting to the internet.

Eleyan wrote on 7/2/2014, 10:26 AM

Thank you for your replies Procyon and Gnarly. I will probably aim to re-download a fresh copy of MMM18. I think the Demo Version of MMM2014 is proving too glitchy. In fact I came across a review of MMM2014 on a tech website that listed a bunch of problems I had already experienced with the demo version. It's like they read my mind. And they were using a more current computer OS as well. As long as I can finally get the VITA instruments working on MMM18, I think I should be pretty happy. There is no intention on my part to upgrade my computer until 2015 due to budget restrictions. After that I will want to be purchasing the next version, if there is a 2015. We'll wait and see.

As for Procyon's comment about not expecting a DEMO to work like a real copy, this is the only indicator for a potential purchaser of whether the software being tested will cut it. It didn't, and there's no denying it. It has a much larger footprint, was immediately more glitchy using microphone recording vocals, and, as I said, when used in exactly the same way as MMM18 in creating songs caused problems long before the 1/2 way mark. I was incredibly disappointed at the extent of the glitches. So for now, it will be MMM18 for me. Thank you for your time. Eleyan