ReviewSaurus – Technology Rocks!

Here is the review to Acoustica Mixcraft, the sibling of Acoustica Beatcraft (check the review here). Mixcraft is a multi-track audio recorder that also works great with loops. And for those who strictly label them computer musicians, there’s something for them too – downloadable ready to use loops to create your own sound tracks or a cool remix of your favorite song.

There can’t be simpler software designed to record songs. Start the program, plug in the mic, hit the record button and start singing right away! And you don’t need a band to produce your own CD. And if you have a band, the world is yours!

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You would probably be thinking why I am suddenly deviating from my usual domain – music related software. It was Mayank who suggested so. And moreover, I am a mechanical engineer by education!Coming to FluidSIM, it is an industry oriented software which stands up to its name – Simulation of fluid systems. As the term fluid holds, this software is available in both hydraulic and pneumatic versions (FluidSIM – H and FluidSIM – P)

A library of the various components required for any fluid system is available on the left pane from which we can drag and drop any component. Connections between components can be made by clicking and dragging between the two required nodes.

Simulation can be done by dedicated buttons for play, stop, forward, rewind etc. And if the connection is wrong, the simulation fails to take of warning the user of the probable cause. The simulation is a smart animation of the operation in the designed circuit diagram itself. Designs ranging from a simple actuation to a complex multi level hydraulic system can be designed with much ease.

And the buzz word currently being smart mechatronics systems, provision for electrical (e.g. Relay, power supply, ladder etc.) and digital components (e.g. AND, OR, NOR etc.) is also given making this software a good bet for the mechanical engineer for both education purposes and for the industry.

Links : FluidSIM

Wavosaur! Does it sound familiar? This audio editing software is fully loaded with hell lot of effects and features. You don’t have the time and patience to use each and every feature included. And the best part about this program is that it is just about 464 KB!

You can record, cut/copy and paste, record and even create loops. And for those with an idea of music jargon, we can analyze and even ‘batch-convert.’ And also included in the long list of features, is the support for VST plugins for more effects. This program also allows multiple document editing.

Main features include the ‘must use’ features like solo, mute, insert silence, fade in/out, normalize etc. The various file types that can be loaded are wav, mp3, aif, aiff, raw binary, au/snd, ADPCM Dialogic vox, Akai S1000 sample, Amiga 8svx & 16svx. The advanced features according to the website include resample, bit-depth convert (8,16,24,32 bits), pitch shift, vocal removal, DC offset removing, auto-trim, silence remover, interpolate, auto detect region, crossfade loop, exporting multiple wav file from regions.

Analyze options include, 2D and 3D spectrum, waveform generator, oscilloscope and other frequency analyze options. And most importantly this software has no installer. It comes just as an executable file.

Final Verdict :

The final word is that I would not suggest this program for recording, but for editing purposes, this software wins hands down.

Software version and other info :

Version : 1.0.1.0
Homepage : WavoSaur
Supported OS : Win 98, 2000, XP, Vista
License : Free

I partly agree with the MUTOOLS website which claims the MU.LAB to be a state of the art, ultra-light music application. It may not be the state of the art audio software around, but it is a ‘ultra light’ application. Simple to use and yet packs in a punch.

Integrated with a 32 bit audio engine, MU.LAB features single click recording of audio and MIDI for the keyboard totting musicians. The in-built effects are minimal – MuVerb (reverb), Stereo Echo, multimode filter (audio filter) but there is support for external VST audio and MIDI plugins.

And then there are the MuSynth and MuX, sound engine and audio/MIDI effects engine. One of the good features I found in this program is the multi undo/redo option without which I felt crippled on previous occasions working on various softwares.

One of the major drawbacks in this software is the absence of a VU meter which would be helpful for live recording. Also a ASIO driver is required apart from the existing sound driver. I am sure all computer musicians will have one installed!

The free version offers only 8 tracks while the full version offers unlimitewd tracks. But then, as the website quotes, “a creative soul can do A LOT with 8 tracks!�

Overall review and thoughts :

Though this software promises to be a good bet for the computer musician, I would give this second preference compared to other better software.

Software version and other info :

Version : MU.LAB 1.0
License : Free
HomePage : MuTools
Supported OS : Windows Me, NT, 2K, XP, Vista, Apple: OSX

Helix is a free VST synthesizer by Audjoo. This software can be hosted in a number of DAWs like Cubase, FL Studio, Sonar, Live etc. And the sound that is produced in this plugin is just amazing. The scope provided in this software is very wide and that can be estimated just by looking at the screenshot.

Audjoo calls it Modulation Mahyem! And you just got to try the software to believe it. With 42 unique modulation slots, it is an hell of a software. You just should have the time and energy to try it out. Also provided are three stages of distortion which brought out the heavy metal maniac in me. Rightly named Distortion Delight in the website.

Other features include support for pedal, modulation wheel, multiple oscialtors, semi modular configuration, delay, reverb, filter and limiter. Helix also boasts of limited CPU usage.

Excellent visual design makes working on the software a delight.

Overall review and thoughts :

A must try for the computer musician!

Software version and other info :

Version : Beta
Supported OS : Windows 98, 2000, NT, XP
HomePage : AudJoo
License : Free