Please get in touch if the problem is solved, I have sent so many tickets to Magix.😨

I'm slowly closing in on the Instruments.

Last night, I went through more activations, including 2014 Premium and I redid 2015 Premium. I tried some other special ones that have instruments that did not come with a Premium version: Music Maker Movie Score Edition; Music Maker Soundtrack Edition - have 2 serial numbers; Maker Movie Score Edition (has P3 serial number). One of these has Soundtrack Percussion and the other String Ensemble. Trying to activate these brought up an error message.

I recorded the whole thing and it is long. For the activations that work, the message pops up that Activation was successful and that the instruments would be available under Store for downloading. Without doing anything, the install message showed up and I installed them. Each actually did an uninstall/reinstall.

With Store and More Instruments selected, toggle "Show purchased items" by clicking on the gear. Here is what I get:

Note that Century keys and Vibraphone show up but show a price when passing the mouse over them. They should not show up if not purchased. Actually I have Century Keys but can only make it work with MusicStudio 2 for some reason. There is more to this story.

World Flutes shows up in the Store as purchased but does not show up under Instruments. I can use it from the Store, so there is a bug here. I can also see and select it from the list using the + at the left of a track, but it has no icon. Below is instruments screen.

I went back to MMM2017 Premium to compare. Below are the Instruments Screen from 2017 Premium, that shows more instruments than 2018:

And finally 2017 Store - Purchased instruments screen that also shows the 2 unpurchased instruments but with a price when passing the mouse over the icon.

Note that not all of the instruments that show under Instruments tab show up under Store - Purchased items.

Very convoluted mess.

John CB

Thank you for your help, I have passed information on to Magix as I called them on the premium line, they are now looking into the matter. We will have to wait to see what happens next.😏

Very convoluted mess.

John CB

You lost me on the very first word sentence (j/k). 👀

I sympathize John, it looks pretty messed up and now I understand what you mean "downgrade"- as upgrade should denote increased in features and seems like you have lost more than gained.

Anyway I just got the DVD soundpools in the mails- anything I should watch out for?

I just care about SAM Pro X3 for now- as long as there's no "downgrading" features built into this one.

... So its true we cannot use any of "MAGIX" VST plugin across the boards (SAM, MS, MMM, etc.)?

@now37

All is not bad. For you, the 4 DVD's are probably worth the price of admission. You just need to copy them to where the Soundpools normally go:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\MAGIX\Common\Soundpools

and just copy each under a heading like the following one:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\MAGIX\Common\Soundpools\MAGIX Soundpool DVD Collection 19

and then point Add Soundpools in both MMM and Sam to the main location and you will have them all.

I don't know which deal that you got. Mine includes:

• MP3 deluxe 19 (not very useful)
• SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 12 (we have SF Pro 11 with Sam Pro X3 Suite)
• Audio Cleaning Lab - you can replace Music Editor 3 in MMM with this as the external editor, or probably Sound forge. I have Audio Music Lab which I like a lot.
• Some coupons for the Store
• iZotope Ozone 7 elements - this works with the video programs and Sam as a VST plugin

As for other things, Variverb 2 still works with the new MMM.

John CB

It looks the same John, agree on MP3 deluxe. I used to like Sound Forge when it was Sony (or was it Avid?) maybe I'll play with it later on. iZotope Nectar element I had with Presonus Studio One which I liked- tried Ozone 7 more like mastering but Sam got pretty solid mastering suite anyways. Is the coupons like 'discount coupons' as in $10 off on next purchase kinda deal? I think I have 2, but what I really wanted are the bundled 8 instruments of choice which I can't due to all these mess.

I have received a message from Magix support stating that they are aware of the problems and working on solutions. There is hope!

For the coupons, as indicated in the email that we received:

"You can redeem the coupon directly within the software in the "Store" order process. Please note that a coupon can only be redeemed once per person. The remaining balance on the coupon automatically expires and will not be saved once the coupon has been redeemed. The voucher is valid until December 31, 2017.

Here's how to redeem your coupon:

1. Choose a product in the in-app Store.
2. Click on "PURCHASE"
3. Click on "Redeem coupon"
4. Follow the order process

After you've purchased a product, it will be automatically downloaded,  installed and added to your library"

So I don't think that you can keep the coupons and use them for upgrades, only for purchasing whatever is available in the Store from within MMM, such as, Soundpools, Instruments, Presets and Functions.

For me, I already have all of the Functions so there is nothing there. Under Presets, there are only two Vocoder presets listed that I don't have, at 9.99 each. The coupons are for 15$ each, and the balance expires immediately upon purchase, so I would lose 5$ for each of these, but then I still have 3 preset packages to select so I wouldn't use my coupons there. For instruments, I only see Century Keys at 9.99$ and Vibraphone at 29.99$, so I would lose 5$ with the first one, but have to pay 15$ with the second one. Of course I still have 5 free instruments to select, so there is nothing there for me. Lastly is Soundpools at 19.99$ each, so I will likely use the coupons there. In any event, they have to be used by the end of the year or they are lost, so I will wait a couple of months to see if anything new comes out.

I will post a message as soon as I see an update.

John CB

I mistakenly thought I was ahead of the game in this, as initially the majority of my instruments transferred across fine by following their instructions, apart from 6 that I bought separately. Foolish me. The program locked solid about a week ago after a Windows automatic update, and refused to revive.

It seemed the best way forward was to uninstall and install afresh. Bad idea. I am now trapped in a version somewhere between the free version and 2018 Premium - but very much closer to the free edition. I have 8 tracks only and three instruments. Their activation window will not work to activate either the software or any of the instruments. The only instruments to show up in the store are DN-e1 and Magix Sampler. Yet they do appear, minus the 6 I bought, (but won't work, because they aren't activated) if you access your vst bank through the little window above the virtual keyboard.

In a bizarre twist though, my third party vst instruments show up and do work as in previous versions - although third party vst FX don't show up. That's why I said I'm trapped somewhere between the free and 2018 Premium version. The free version allows no third part vst use.

I bought this 'upgrade' on October 1st and Magix seem no closer to sorting it out, despite continued 'support'. While grateful that they respond (eventually), I'm fast tiring of the ineffectiveness of the advice. The activation system which seems to be behind this mess needs addressing and fast. With this version declared as the last Magix will put out, it's easy to feel that Magix can't be bothered and Music Maker users are no longer important to them.

Add in the niggle that the forum keeps dumping me out, as I read has happened to others recently and my loyalty to the Magix brand is being sorely tested. Just had to write this post twice because of it.

@Nickillus

Look at my message above of 10/4/2017, 11:07 AM.

You likely have to go to Store and select each one in turn from the popdown menu of More Soundpools, More instruments, More functions, More presets, and for each, click on the gear and toggle Show purchased items. Functions, like the number of tracks, may show up under not purchased but free if the correct version is activated. You can then download it from there. The old method of downloading instruments and soundpools from under Help menu has been replaced by this method.

John CB

Thanks for that Browj2,

Unfortunately it's not that simple for me. I am now unable even to activate the software itself, and none of the instruments appear in the store in any of the sections (except DN-e1 and Magix Sampler - neither of which will download, even though it says you can do that).

What I seem to have now is only a tiny step forward from the free version.

I asked them early yesterday morning to help me activate the 2018 software, as their system simply won't work for me, and l am still waiting for a response. My hope is that once activated it might unblock the instrument activation system.

I'm on the brink of giving up with this and demanding my money back. I'll just have to stick with version 2016, which has been the most reliable of 2016, 2017 and 2018 versions for me.

Hi All I have the Answer,

I found out by accident, I thought i have a lot of Magix programs on my computer, what would happen if I put MMM2018 on a laptop, which has had no Magix on it, so I did.

To my surprise all the instruments were there. some with a price, and some you could download, great I thought. But then I decided to download the vita solo instruments stand alone program. When I did all the instruments in the store disappeared only leaving the few you mentioned. I then uninstalled all solo instruments from the windows uninstaller under the folder Magix soundpools. As soon as i did the instruments re appeared.

I knew then that the MMM2017 vita instruments were not compatible with the MMM2018 so I rang the premium telephone line, and they said they knew and was working on an update, but he did say the new program may never be compatible. What you have to do is the instruments you own, now have a price, so you need to prove that you had bought the instruments, in previous versions, and Magix will refund you with a voucher, to register it in the new version. I am still waiting for my vouchers to activate the instruments.

So if you uninstall all vita solo instruments the instruments will appear in the store with a price. Of course I am very angry about this, as I use other Magix software like Sampitude Music studio which use vita instrument which means it would throw the new version out. What a mess.

I can only now wait for vouchers or an update if that ever happens. We will see. But I think Magix this time, has let it true customers down. Plus the large amount of money I have lost.

 

Hi All I have the Answer,

I found out by accident, I thought i have a lot of Magix programs on my computer, what would happen if I put MMM2018 on a laptop, which has had no Magix on it, so I did.

To my surprise all the instruments were there. some with a price, and some you could download, great I thought. But then I decided to download the vita solo instruments stand alone program. When I did all the instruments in the store disappeared only leaving the few you mentioned. I then uninstalled all solo instruments from the windows uninstaller under the folder Magix soundpools. As soon as i did the instruments re appeared.

I knew then that the MMM2017 vita instruments were not compatible with the MMM2018 so I rang the premium telephone line, and they said they knew and was working on an update, but he did say the new program may never be compatible. What you have to do is the instruments you own, now have a price, so you need to prove that you had bought the instruments, in previous versions, and Magix will refund you with a voucher, to register it in the new version. I am still waiting for my vouchers to activate the instruments.

So if you uninstall all vita solo instruments the instruments will appear in the store with a price. Of course I am very angry about this, as I use other Magix software like Sampitude Music studio which use vita instrument which means it would throw the new version out. What a mess.

I can only now wait for vouchers or an update if that ever happens. We will see. But I think Magix this time, has let it true customers down. Plus the large amount of money I have lost.

@Stephen20

Well done! However, I am wondering that if you "buy" all of the instruments and then add in Vita 2, will all of the instruments still show up? Also, I have World flutes. It shows up under the instrument list using the + button (or instrument button) at the left of a track but without an icon. It shows up under Store as purchased, but does not show up on the Instruments tab, so Magix still has to sort out things like this.

After using some of my coupons to add in a couple of instruments, I opened MMM2017Premium and the new instruments and new plugin (Ozone 7 Elements) are all there. As far as I know, there is nothing new in the main program of 2018 vs 2017, except the Store problems and the Functions options which don't apply to 2017 as everything is already there. Thus for those who have 2017 Premium, I suggest that you use it instead of 2018 until Magix gets it fixed.

John CB

I too just sent a rocket off to Magix. Totally fed up with both the lack of response and the ineffectiveness of the 'advice', if ever it does turn up. Their activation system on this version is truly awful.

After more than two weeks since purchase, I'm still trapped with the limitations of the free version and unable to activate it to unlock the full features, whichever route I take to try and do so. More than four days since they bothered to answer a ticket.

After reading here about the conflict between versions' 2017 and 2018 instrument activation, I have tried completely uninstalling version 2017, rebooting and installing version 2018 afresh. Makes no difference. Very saddened, but I'm seriously looking to jump ship to a different DAW now - one that's definitely not built by Magix.

I know how you feel, today though I had Luck!, Magix sent me the vouchers to cover me for my purchased instruments to register them in the new one and all is OK so far.

I will say when uninstalling properly, you need to do several things.

Uninstall Magix Content and Soundpools, in the windows uninstaller, and tick all vita instruments.

In windows folder view, show all hidden folders. Delete anything Magix. the folders are in app data folder, and program data folders, also folders program files, and program files (x86). Quite a bit to go through before Magix is all gone.

in the program data folder, you may see mm23, mm24, mm25 as well, delete them as these are information from previous music makes mm25 is the latest. Uninstall Magix connector as well.

It is hard to do, took me years to learn, but Magix has not made things easy for any of us, I am so sorry to you, and all, I know your pain as I have had many sleepless nights angry. Magix Music Maker program is a very complicated one and at times slow, I can see why others are moving to FL STUDIO 12. I am so sorry again.

I have spent hundreds with Magix, its not fair.

Thanks Stephen,

Thanks for that. So much more helpful than 'support'.

Really happy to hear that you are gaining ground on this. Unfortunately I am still in Magix Purgatory. This includes this forum unexpectedly dumping me out twice mid post. Their problems seem to spreading across more than just their software.

I did make every effort to track down all remnants of the 2018 install, as I did with the 2017 install to give it a completely clean slate. Makes no difference. Still trapped in the free version without any way to activate either it or the instruments.

I still have a functional version of version 2016 which I am loathe to tamper with in case it too becomes compromised. If that is interfering with the install, then it's just another symptom of how poorly built this version is.

Magix need to be aware that I talk to a lot of people across numerous music platforms and will be spreading the word to avoid this version like the plague? Having been a vocal advocate praising versions that do work for the past few years, it's only fair to advise folk of their fall from grace with this effort. Hopefully they can avoid these headaches.

With still nothing but an automated acknowledgement of the latest support ticket received today, I have bought a full version of Reaper for a similar price to what Magix charged for the erroneously labeled 'upgrade'.

Hey - ranting works.

Suddenly a whole raft of instruments have appeared ! ?????

Back to where I was about a weak or so ago now. Still missing at least six instruments that I paid for and have no way through the in app store to get to them. Not sure whether to view this a progress or not? It is a lot better than the free version, but . . . . . .

Well i wish you the best, with reaper, I have just looked, it looks good, nice price as well. You did make me laugh with Magix Purgatory, I have been there for years, I thought it was just me, all on my own in my little house, my partner thought I was going mad at one stage, but now I know others are in this Magix Purgatory as well. There is hope, get out, like yourself. Been great reading your reviews. 😊

@Nickillus

Try reinstalling 2017. As I indicated, anything new purchased under 2018, if you were able to do it like I was, will show up under the Store with unpurchased items toggled. There is an arrow to download and install the new instrument which should work. For me, everything works in 2017 that I should have with 2018, and as far as I can say, there is nothing that 2018 does that 2017 cannot do.

It's just strange that you could not activate 2018. There is a Microsoft tool to uninstall programs that cannot be uninstalled the normal way. I will track it down and post the link. You can try it to see if there is anything left to be uninstalled, like the patch for 2018. This tool is the only way that I have found to remove it.

Before hitting Comment to post in this forum, I do a copy all of my comment, as I am usually thrown out as well. Then I can paste it in a new comment after logging in again.

John CB

Just got your second post as i was finishing the last. Glad you found the instruments. Another thing the activate now button does not disappear when activated, Magix knows this but may not do anything about it. Well here we go again lost in the Maze. 😏😱

@Stephen20

Good point about the Activate button remaining highlighted.

@Nickillus

As Stephen points out, the Activate button is not indicative as to whether or not the program is active. If you install the free version, which is identical to the Plus and Premium versions, then activate one or the other, you have to go under the Store and download or activate everything there. Make sure to toggle off "Show purchased items" by clicking on the gear. If you see instruments, functions and presets (depending on which item you have selected in the popdown) that have a down arrow on them instead of a price, then click on the arrow to download and install whichever feature it is. Could this be your problem?

John CB

Hey, thanks guys.

Dumped out yet again, mid post - godamnit, Magix forum. Sort this out.

It seems like the installation does things in the background but can't be bothered to tell you it's doing anything. Naturally you think it's inactive or finished, because it's not telling you anything else.

I have everything on show in the library and store downloaded and live now (well almost - see comment below). However my account still tells me I have not used either of the two activations for the program - whatever that means. They have my purchase and serial number logged OK. So it is technically registered, but apparently I'm not using it? Erm . . . .

Of course uninstalling everything before has meant that now while Century Guitars show up, their libraries don't exist any more. Deleted them previously as they related to the 2018 install. That was one I got new - the only one I didn't have. Please don't tell me I'll have to try and get support to help sort it - oh stink!! I'm fast running out of nails and hair.

In truth I was looking at Reaper anyway. Although I love MM (when it's working), I am aware that it has limitations in control for 'sidechaining' on effects and such - I say that like I know what it is (cough - and I have only a vague idea).

The thing that made me take the plunge is the comprehensive video tutorial section on their site. Lots of visual guides with commentary to lead you by the hand. Wish Magix would do something like that . . . . . I figure that one day I may have a handle on this stuff. I am ever the optimist - when I'm not pessimistically ranting