Anything better than Mixcraft for the price ?

J Gretch · #1 November 7th, 2007, 11:24 AM

I"m in the middle of a free trial period using Mixcraft...I found about it right here on this forum (

Thanks Radar) I was wondering if anyone has used Mixcraft and or similar programs and might recomend something else to look at.

I have to say that Mixcraft is very impressive for the price,but I like to cover all the bases when it comes to spending mony.

RADAR_Brian · #2 November 7th, 2007, 03:29 PM

I think M-Audio has a program called Session that you can get for the same price. I don't know if there is a demo, but it does come with a USB input interface... I haven't bought Mixcraft yet either because I was wondering about Session.

Check Session out here

For the record, as far as I can tell the Mixcraft demo only timed out the ability to mix down to mp3 and cd. I am still able to make songs and do everything else. So, I've temporarily been recording my mixed song back into Audacity to convert it to mp3...

Hope that helps!

ez-one · #3 November 8th, 2007, 02:27 AM

I have cakewalk, its pretty much a pro level recording software from what I can tell, I have struggled learning how to use it, I don't know if its the learning curve is that steep or if its just me and my old age, but it gets pretty high ratings on the test sites

J Gretch · #4 November 8th, 2007, 05:24 AM

Thats good news that Acoustica doesn't render the demo completly useless after the expiration.It would be nice to keep the stuff that I've done on it so far.

And I know what you mean about Cakewalk EZ,it looks like the Photoshop of recording software.(not that there is anything wrong with that)

Cobalt1254 · #5 November 24th, 2007, 04:11 PM

Ive given up on Cakewalk Guitar Tracks Pro 3. I had it working awhile back with my Audigy soundcard. Nothing special but it worked. Then I bought a FastTrack USB Pro and once I got the Fast Track up and running, Cakewalk also worked fine. I came back to it one day and it will no longer record. Ive tried everything but no luck. Today I got it to record, (at least the input level moved) but when I played back nothing. Audacity works great and Mixcraft works great. Actually for what I want to do, one person on guitar, with maybe 3 tracks, it's too much so im giving up on it. I liked the Mixcraft demo but I would like to also find out more about Sessions because I have the Fast Track Pro but there is no demo. I may buy the Mixcraft although Amazon has a rebate form for sessions, it's $20. You actually could get it for $29 which is not bad. Anyway, if you find out anymore about sessions, please post. Thanks.

RADAR_Brian · #6 November 26th, 2007, 05:58 AM

I noticed at Best Buy they have mics and a few other items that actually come with SESSIONS... so there is an option too.. if they had mixcraft locally I would probably already have picked it up.

As far as Mixcraft vs. Sessions go, the only big difference I can see (haven't had a hands on with Sessions) is that Sessions comes with a ton more loops and stuff.

Still, I'm like you.. hesitant to buy until I could see it in action first hand.

Cobalt1254 · #7 November 26th, 2007, 11:19 AM

My Best Buy had the Sessions package that comes with a M Audio USB Fasttrack. Some come with a USB microphone. I want just the software as I already have the Fast Track Pro. I think you are correct in that Sessions comes with over 3 gigs of loops and such. I believe you can download Mixcraft and then just buy the key for it. Im probably going to get Sessions from Amazon where it is 29 dollars after rebate. Ive only tried recording a few things but I notice that it sounds much better when you mic the amp and not just record your guitar straight in. I really know nothing about home recording but Ive heard there is a Dummy book about home recording for musicians that is really really helpful. There are a lot of terms I always hear but do not know what they really mean. From what I read about the book it is really good for dummies like me. Good luck to you and let us know if you get Sessions.

Raytonium · #8 November 27th, 2007, 04:11 AM

I don't know how this compares to Mixcraft or others, but it states that it's free:
http://www.trakax.com/software/pc/

RADAR_Brian · #9 November 27th, 2007, 10:50 AM

Wow.. Raytonium.. nice find.. I'm gonna check it out later tonight.. so what's their angle? I guess they make money on the loops?

Raytonium · #10 November 28th, 2007, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RADAR_Brian

Wow.. Raytonium.. nice find.. I'm gonna check it out later tonight.. so what's their angle? I guess they make money on the loops?

I don't know much about it. I just saw it the other day and still have to check it out. Let us know what you think.