MAGIX V2000 MKII User guide

Manual

The present documentation is protected by law. All rights, especially the right of duplication,

circulation and translation is reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced in form of copies, microfilms or other proces-

ses, or transmitted into a language used for machines, especially data processing machines,

without the express written consent of the publisher.

All copyrights reserved.

MAGIX is a registered trademark of MAGIX Entertainment Corp. All other product names

are trademarks of their respective owners.

Errors and changes to the contents as well as program modifications are reserved.

VST™ is a Registered Trademark of Steinberg® Soft- und Hardware GmbH.

All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. Technical specifications subject

to change without notice. Correct as of July 2000.

3

Table of Contents

Preface 9

Contents of packaging 10

System Requirements 12

Installation 13

Our copy protection for your safety 15

Notes on the electronic manual 15

Introduction 16

What is MAGIX music studio generation 6? 16

Sound Cards 17

Testing the Sound Card 18

The MIDI Interface 18

Reading the Manual 19

Digital Audio Basics 19

CD Sound 20

Direct-to-disk Recording 20

Setting up Your Equipment 20

Setting up Your Audio Devices 21

PART 1 - MIDI STUDIO: TUTORIAL 25

Audio Cabling 26

Just Like a Multitrack 26

Mixing Desk without Sub Groups 26

Mixing Desk with Sub Groups 27

MIDI Installation 28

Interface Connection 28

MIDI Cable Connections 28

Tape Synchronization 30

Audio: Recording and Playback 31

Concept: Tracks, Audio Files, and Regions 31

Audio Recording 35

Sample Editor and Digital Factory 38

The Sample Editor Window 38

Digital Factory 39

The Waveplayer 40

The Waveplayer Window 40

Mixdown with MAGIX midi studio generation 6 44

The Mixer and HyperDraw 44

The Track Mixer 44

Audio Channel Strips 45

MIDI Channel Strips 46

Table of Contents

4

Automated Mixing 48

Graphical Mixdown with HyperDraw 49

Audio Instruments 51

MIDI: Recording and Playback 53

Flow of MIDI Signals 53

Recording Notes and Playing Them Back with Sound Generators 55

… if there still is no sound … 56

Recording, Playing Back, and Deleting Sequences 57

Fine or Rough Copying and Shifting of Sequences 58

Sequence Play-Back Parameters 58

The Autoload Song 60

Event Editor 61

The Event Float Window 63

Transport Functions 64

Score Editing and Printout 67

Interactive Score Editor 67

Editing Sequences in the Score Editor 67

Matrix Editor 69

Preparing files for CD burning 71

File Format 71

Mixdown by Track Bouncing 71

Post-Production 72

Troubleshooting 74

PCI Faults 75

SCSI and IDE Faults 76

Faulty Cables 76

Hardware Conflicts 77

Sound Cards 78

Viruses 79

Graphic Cards 79

Re-installing the Operating System 79

Updating the Operating System 80

Formatting the Hard Disk 80

P

ART 2 - MIDI STUDIO: REFERENCE 81

Using MAGIX midi studio generation 6 82

Conventions of this Manual 82

The Mouse 82

Window Functions 86

Selection Techniques 93

Edit Operations 95

General Functions of the Editors 96

Key Commands 100

Global Functions 103

5

Table of Contents

Song Administration 103

Transport Functions 106

The Transport Window 106

Bar Ruler 111

Cycle Mode 112

Recording 114

Chase Events 117

Arrange Window 119

Overview 119

Tracks 120

The Patch Name Editor 122

The Track Parameters 124

Sequences 126

Sequence Playback Parameters 131

Quantization 135

Groove 137

Hyper Draw in the Arrange window 137

Altering the Display 140

Reset Functions 141

Using Audio in the Arrange Window 142

Regions in the Arrange Window 142

Audio Recording 149

Functions 153

Mixers and Audio Objects 155

The basics 155

The Track Mixer 156

EQ’s, Effects and Plug-Ins 157

Audio Instruments 165

The Synthesizers—Audio Instruments 166

Faders and Level Adjustment 175

Routing 176

Automation 178

The Audio Window 180

Layout 182

Display 183

Operation 185

File Administration 189

Other Functions 195

Audio Driver 196

EASI/ASIO 196

The Sample Edit Window 197

Layout 198

Display 198

The Sample Edit Window In Use 201

Table of Contents

6

Functions 205

The WavePlayer 211

The WavePlayer window 211

The Event List 216

Display 217

Operation 217

Event List Structure 220

Event Type Structure 222

Event Float Window 225

The Drum Editor 227

Event Definitions 228

Event Definition Parameter Box 229

Operation 232

The Matrix Editor 236

Display 236

Editing Notes 237

Functions 240

Score Edit Window 241

Opening the Score Editor 241

Layout and Printing 244

Tempo 260

Tempo List Editor 260

The Graphic Tempo Editor 262

Tempo Functions 262

Synchronization 263

Synchronization Window 263

Special Functions 267

Synchronizing Video Files 269

The Basics 270

Song Settings and Preferences 278

Song Settings 278

Preferences 283

Standard MIDI Files 288

Basics 288

Glossary 290

7

Table of Contents

P

ART 3 - AUDIO STUDIO: TUTORIAL 299

New features in the generation 6 version 300

Quickstart 301

The first recording 301

The first arrangement 304

Terminology 307

Overview 307

Clip 307

Handle 308

Marker 308

Objects 308

Range 309

Section 309

Virtual Projects (VIPs) 310

Wave projects 311

Virtual Editing Concepts 313

Working with Objects 313

Working with Ranges 316

Volume 319

Output modus 320

Tips & Tricks 321

Working in Projects 321

Mixer 323

Performance 323

Recording/Playback 324

The Effects 325

Effects in the VIP 325

Mixer-Effects 326

Effect Calculations and Signal Manipulations 326

Internet-Functions 328

Web Publishing (Upload) 328

FTP Download 329

Burning of CDs (deluxe version only) 330

RedBook 330

Data Transfer 330

Burning CDs in MAGIX Audio Studio 330

DSP Display 332

The Individual Mouse Modes 334

Universal Mode 334

Range Mode (Secure Mode) 335

Draw Volume Mode 335

Draw Panorama Mode 335

Curve Mode 336

Table of Contents

8

Context Help mode 336

Cut mode 336

Zoom mode 336

Object separator mode 337

Pitch-shift/Time stretch mode 337

Draw wave mode (only wave projects) 337

Shortcuts 338

General 338

Range 339

Function keys 339

Mouse 340

Button overview 341

Upper Toolkit bar 341

Lower toolbars 342

Range bar 343

Problems & Solutions 344

P

ART 4 - AUDIO STUDIO: REFERENCE 349

Menu File 350

Menu Edit 363

Menu View 371

Menu Object 378

Menu Effects 387

Menu Range 404

Menu CD (deLuxe-Version) 410

Menu Tools 416

Menu Playback 420

Menu Options 431

Menu Window 447

Menu Help 455

INDE

X - MIDI STUDIO 457

INDEX - AUDIO STUDIO 479

9

Preface

Congratulations on your purchase of MAGIX music stu-

dio generation 6!

Creating your own music or video soundtracks in a home

studio has become more and more popular. But the wide

variety of available equipment and software often con-

fuses beginner and professional musicians alike. MAGIX

music studio generation 6 offers the perfect solution by al-

lowing you to create high quality productions in a quick

and easy manner.

MAGIX music studio generation 6 transforms your PC

into a complete, virtual sound studio. It allows you to ar-

range and produce on the highest level—with any 16bit

sound card. Of course, you can also integrate other studio

equipment without any problems. This program ensures

professional production results which can be integrated

with existing and future musical studio equipment. The

following pages will introduce you in detail to the various

functions and possibilities of MAGIX music studio gener-

ation 6. Experience music like never before—turn your

PC into your own home studio.

Enjoy!

Your MAGIX Entertainment Team

Contents of packaging

10

Contents of packaging

Please make sure that the objects indicated

here are included in your packaging.

Program-CD

This CD contains the MAGIX Music World with the in-

stallation program of MAGIX music studio generation 6.

Manual

For a quick intro with MAGIX music studio generation 6

or to learn in-depth about the program, we recommend

that you take a look at the manual.

Registration card

Please send us your registration card today! MAGIX pro-

vides e-mail and phone support to its registered users. We

will also keep you up-dated on new products, up-grades,

etc.

MAGIX music network

Become a MAGIX networker! Your avantages:

– the Mega-NetWork items on offer on the MAGIX

Homepage

– The latest info and demos will be sent to you free of

charge.

– There is a Sound and Song Exchange for all

NetWorkers on the MAGIX Homepage. Here you can

swap sounds, songs and experiences and chat with

other NetWorkers.

11

Contents of packaging

– You can participate in MAGIX soundpool raffles.

Simply fill in the enclosed Winnings Card and send it

back to us as quickly as possible! Or join in online:

http://www.magix.com/network/

– Charts to join in on: MAGIX music studio generation 6

is not only multimedia software, but also the key to

participating in the MAGIX music network charts on

the Internet. Send in your masterpieces! You can

upload them directly from the program via the new web

publishing wizard!

Support

If you are unable to correct your problem with MAGIX

midi studio generation 6 contact MAGIX support:

Please supply the following information:

– Configuration of your system (Processor, RAM, hard

disk, etc.)

– Sound card configuration (Type, Driver)

– Information on whether other audio components are

operating properly

Legal Notice

Most chart hits and whole CDs can be downloaded from

the Internet as MP3 files. However, many of these down-

loads are illegal. Works protected by copyright may not be

downloaded or presented on your own homepage without

the express knowledge and consent of the copyright

owner. Free transfer and trade with such music files is

punishable by law.

There are, however, many sites offering free MP3 for

downloading. A selection of them can be accessed directly

via the MAGIX homepage (http://www.magix.com/).

Your own compositions can be presented as you wish on

homepages and in the network.

U.S.A. Europe

Info [email protected] [email protected]

Webpage http://www.magix.com/

Fax (310) 656-0234 ++49 - (0)89-7691041

Telephone — 0181 968 1554

System Requirements

12

System Requirements

To run MAGIX music studio generation 6 you require the

following:

– Pentium PC running at a minimum speed of 200

MHz, preferably faster. A Pentium II or III is strongly

recommended. General rule of thumb: The faster the

machine, the more number of Audio tracks and virtual

instruments are obtainable.

– Windows 95/98/2000, 64 MB of RAM (recommended

128 MB RAM).

– 16 bit sound card

– A minimum of 100 MB of hard disk space for the

program plus additional hard disk space to store digital

audio files. CD-quality stereo sound (16 Bit, 44.1 kHz)

uses ≈10MB of hard disk space per stereo minute’s

worth of recording.

– A Super-VGA resolution monitor or better with a

minimum resolution of 800

×

600 pixel and 16 Bit

High Color.

– A CD-ROM drive and a MS-compatible mouse.

– A MIDI interface or PC sound card with a MIDI inter-

face. If you want to use MAGIX music studio genera-

tion 6’s digital audio playback facilities, you will also

need a sound card which supports digital audio. See the

sound card section for more information.

13

Installation

1

Put the Installation CD in your CD-ROM drive.

2

With Windows 95/98/2000 the installation manager

starts automatically. If it doesn’t, open the Explorer and

click on the letter corresponding to your CD ROM drive

and double click on Mworld.exe.

3

To start the installation process, click on Install MAGIX

music studio generation 6.

4

The Installation Wizard appears. Simply follow the in-

structions and click on “NEXT” to continue. When all files

are copied on the hard disk, a program group will be estab-

lished and the installation is completed. Confirm with

“Finish”. The program automatically starts with a Demo

Project. Later you can start the program with the icon in

the Windows start menu.

Autostart of the installation

or

Activation of the CD-ROM

and

double click on Mworld.exe

Put the Installation CD in

your CD ROM drive

Installation

14

The MAGIX Music World is the starting point for every-

thing that you’ll find on the Installation CD such as infor-

mation about other MAGIX products and our website.

You will always find the latest & greatest about MAGIX

music studio generation 6.

IN

STA

LL

Click here to install

MAGIX music studio gen-

eration 6

D

E

M

OS

Get demo versions and infor-

mation about other MAGIX

programs.

BR

O

W

SE

C

D

Browse through the file

structure of the CD ROM.

WWW

Visit our website at www.magix.net to get

updated information about MAGIX and to

order additional products and sound or

videopools on-line.

EXIT

Click here to exit

the MAGIX Music

World.

playR jukebox

To install the MAGIX

playR jukebox, click

on this button.

15

Installation

Our copy protection for your safety

MAGIX music studio generation 6 is copy protected in or-

der to stop software piracy. For your convenience, the copy

protection is very simple to use: just make sure that the

original program CD is in its drive while booting MAGIX

music studio generation 6 for the very first time that’s all.

Please remember that you will have to insert the original

CD as described above whenever you launch the program

for the first time after a reinstall.

Notes on the electronic manual

The manual in the packaging only contains an introduc-

tion into the elementary functions of MAGIX music stu-

dio generation 6. If you wish to learn more about the pro-

gram, please refer to the complete user manual in the

form of an electronic document. Please make sure that the

objects indicated here are included in your packaging!

Before you can start using the electronic manual you must

first install Adobes ACROBAT READER. To do so, simply

click on the “Install Manual” icon in the MAGIX music

studio generation 6 program group. If ACROBAT

READER is installed on your system already, then you

dont need to install it again, of course.

The ACROBAT READER installation program requires

you to Restart Windows! We therefore recommend you

close all Windows applications before you install ACRO-

BAT READER. After installation, you launch ACROBAT

READER by simply clicking on its program icon.

The complete electronic manual file is stored in the

MAGIX music studio generation 6 program root direc-

tory! In the folder that contains the MAGIX music studio

generation 6 programs, you’ll find the electronic manual

file with the ending .PDF. Open this file in Acrobat Reader

and you’ll have access to the complete manual.

Introduction

16

Introduction

What is MAGIX music studio generation 6?

MAGIX music studio generation 6 uses your PC as a com-

plete, virtual sound studio. Your hard drive becomes a

highly sensitive recording tool. The sound chip of your

sound card, a microphone, your instruments or the

soundtrack of your video become the sound sources. You

have access to two highly optimized programs that are

compatible with each other: MAGIX music studio genera-

tion 6 combines a hard disk recording program with a

MIDI Sequencer.

Harddisk-Recording means digital recording of audio sig-

nals directly to the hard drive. Through the analog/digital

transformer, analog audio signals are transformed into

digital information that are saved to the hard drive as

WAV files.

MIDI means “Musical Instruments Digital Interface” and

controls the sound sources such as synthesizers or sound

cards. A MIDI file only contains information which note is

played when and how whereas WAV files are digital repre-

sentation of real audio signals. That’s why MIDI files are

much smaller than WAV files.

MAGIX audio studio generation 6 allows the perfect re-

cording and editing of sounds in WAV format. On 24 au-

dio tracks (48 with MAGIX audio studio generation 6 de-

luxe), you can work with professional effects and editing

tools—even for real-time editing of video sound tracks.

Per FTP connection you can use the internet as a bound-

less image and sample pool and load the multimedia

building blocks from the World Wide Web directly into

your arrangement. The MAGIX web publishing area is

there for the publishing of your work—one mouse click

takes you into the charts. Every surfer is entitled to vote,

the best songs and videos will receive attractive prices…

MAGIX midi studio generation 6 controls the synthe-

sizer-chip on your sound card (or of external MIDI instru-

ments). In addition you get a polyphonic Waveplayer with

filter and envelope capabilities, allowing you to play your

WAV files as if you were using them in an external sam-

pler. Furthermore the MAGIX midi studio generation 6

features 256 MIDI tracks (1.000 with MAGIX midi studio

generation 6 deLuxe) on which you can simultaneously

record and playback. And finally you get 4 (6 with MAGIX

midi studio generation 6 deLuxe) audio instrument

tracks, on which you can play and record the built-in two

(three with MAGIX midi studio generation 6 deLuxe) syn-

17

Introduction

thesizers. As an alternative to the MAGIX synthesizers,

you can also use VST™2.0-instruments.

You can record WAV files both in MAGIX audio studio

generation 6 and MAGIX midi studio generation 6, and

soon you’ll appreciate both possibilities. You can, for in-

stance, draft a song in MAGIX midi studio generation 6,

play it back and simultaneously record sounds with a mi-

crophone. You can transform the MIDI files into WAV

files by using the recording function.

Both studios are only a mouse click apart! Take your audio

tracks from MAGIX midi studio generation 6 to MAGIX

audio studio generation 6 and vice versa. MAGIX music

studio generation 6 lets you do all this and more with a

very user-friendly interface. Right after the first steps,

you’ll be able to use the programs intuitively.

Sound Cards

There are dozens different PC sound cards on the market.

MAGIX music studio generation 6 works with all Win-

dows compatible sound cards, i. e. with all that have a

driver for Windows 32 Bit Operating Systems. These driv-

ers are listed in “Multimedia” of the Windows Control

Panel. It’s safe to assume that all modern sound cards are

Windows compatible.

Most sound cards have a synthesizer-chip for the playback

of MIDI. Additionally, most sound cards support the play

back of digital audio data. If you work with MAGIX music

studio generation 6, your sound card must have separate

drivers for MIDI and Audio playback (which most modern

sound cards do).

MAGIX music studio generation 6 supports all sound

cards that can be addressed via an ASIO or EASI driver.

The available options depend on the specific ASIO or

EASI driver you will be using. Please refer to the instruc-

tions that came with your driver. MME and DirectSound

drivers are supported via so-called MME-to-EASI respec-

tively DirectSound-to-EASI wrapper.

Please note: If you want to use the Waveplayer, you must

use a DirectSound driver. And only DirectSound drivers

allow the simultaneous use of the Waveplayer and digital

audio tracks.

MAGIX music studio generation 6 supports sound cards

with a stereo output. Digital interfaces such as S/PDIF or

AES-EBU are also supported. MAGIX music studio gener-

ation 6 deluxe supports sound cards with up to four audio

outputs.

Introduction

18

But please note: Some older sound cards cannot play back

digital audio data. As long as you have Windows drivers,

you can use such sound cards with MAGIX music studio

generation 6; however not for playing back audio data.

Some other older sound cards use only one driver for both

Audio and MIDI. In that case, you can you MAGIX music

studio generation 6 only for MIDI or Audio but not for

MIDI and Audio simultaneously.

Testing the Sound Card

Make sure your sound card is installed correctly and the

drivers are set up properly before using MAGIX midi stu-

dio generation 6. The software which comes with the

sound card should include routines to test the card. You

must make sure it is running correctly under Windows,

not just DOS. An easy way to test the card is with the Me-

dia Player which you will find in Windows’ Accessories

Program Group. Look in the Device menu and you should

see MIDI Sequencer… and, if your card supports digital

audio, Sound…

Try playing the CANYON.MID file which Windows in-

stalls automatically in the Windows directory. Then try

playing a .WAV file. Again, there should be some in the

Windows directory. If either of these items is missing

from the Device menu it means the drivers have not been

loaded. Go back to the Drivers Control Panel and install

the correct drivers. Refer to your sound card’s manual and

the Windows Users’ Guide for more information.

The MIDI Interface

Many sound cards have a built-in MIDI interface which is

accessed from a joystick connector on the back of the card.

To use it you need a MIDI adapter. One end plugs into the

joystick socket and the other terminates in MIDI plugs or

sockets which you connect to your MIDI equipment.

Some sound card packs include the adapter but many of

the cheaper ones do not. There are also several dedicated

MIDI interfaces available. Many are on plug-in cards

which are fitted and installed into the PC just like a sound

card. There are also external MIDI interfaces which con-

nect to the PC’s printer port or serial port. You can install

them without opening up your PC and they are ideal for

use on portable PCs. You still have to install driver soft-

ware for them. Some have a Thru socket which enables

you to plug in your printer and use it without removing

the interface. Other’s don’t.

19

Introduction

Reading the Manual

Few people like reading manuals. Many software users

prefer to point and click their way around a program to

discover what it does and how it works. MAGIX midi stu-

dio generation 6 has an intuitive interface so if you know

a little about sequencers you will probably be able to learn

how most of the program works by this approach. You can

dip into the manual to look up any features you require

more information about. If you are a newcomer to se-

quencing we strongly recommend working through the

Tutorial. It uses a practical, hands-on approach to explain

all of MAGIX midi studio generation 6’s main functions

and by the end you should be well on the way to becoming

a sequencing expert. We recommended even the more ex-

perienced user read the Tutorial in order to become famil-

iar with how the various parts of the program work. Fi-

nally, do at least flip through the Reference section. It not

only contains detailed information about every menu,

window and function in MAGIX midi studio generation 6

but it also includes examples of how many functions can

be used in a practical way.

Digital Audio Basics

If you’re familiar with the principles of digital audio you

can skip this section. This is a brief introduction to the

subject to help you get the most out of MAGIX midi studio

generation 6’s digital audio playback facilities. Digital au-

dio recording is the process of converting audio data—

sound—into digital data which can be stored on a com-

puter. The device which does this is built into most sound

cards and is known, quite helpfully, as an Audio-to-Digital

converter. This is often abbreviated as A-to-D, ATD or just

AD.

To convert the digital data back into sound, the card uses a

DA (Digital to Audio) converter. To capture sound, the AD

converter takes a sample of a sound source a specific num-

ber of times per second. This is known as the sample rate

and is measured in kHz or so-many thousand samples per

second. The higher the rate, the more samples the AD

converter takes and the more accurate the digital represen-

tation of the sound will be. The sampling resolution is the

accuracy or fineness of the measuring scale used to store

the numbers and is measured in bits. Currently there are

two resolutions commonly in use: 8 bits and 16 bits. To

give you an idea of the relevance of the sampling resolu-

tion, imagine two people are building a house. One is us-

ing a measuring stick marked to the nearest foot. The

Introduction

20

other has a stick marked to the nearest inch. Although the

house built with the stick measuring to the nearest foot

may not fall down, the one using the finer scale will build

a more accurate house.

New Audio Engine:

MAGIX music studio generation 6

now works with a new, significantly improved audio en-

gine. It offers shorter latency times, faster fader response,

improved VST™ support and overall better performance.

Monitoring, that is, listening to the input signal at the au-

dio output, is now available. You will find these new driver

settings on the pages “Audio Drivers” and “Audio Drivers

2” in the Audio menu.

CD Sound

CD quality audio is recorded at a sample rate of 44.1 kHz

with 16 bit resolution. Many Multimedia programs use a

lower rate such as 22.05 kHz or 11.025 kHz, and many use

8 bits. This is often quite adequate if the sound is played

through inexpensive PC speakers but you would certainly

be able to tell the difference if it played through a good hi-

fi system.

Direct-to-disk Recording

One minute of CD-quality sound requires 10 MB of stor-

age space. Clearly it’s impractical to store this in RAM. It is

more practical to store your samples on disk. During play-

back this data has to be read on the fly so you need a rea-

sonably fast hard disk if the data is to be played back accu-

rately. Most modern disks are capable of this but some

older ones may have problems, especially if they are run-

ning in a slow PC. With MAGIX midi studio generation 6

you can playback digital audio which has previously been

saved to disk.

Setting up Your Equipment

Make sure the MIDI interface or sound card and MAGIX

midi studio generation 6 are correctly installed. If you are

using an external MIDI keyboard connect its MIDI Out to

the interface’s MIDI In. If you are also using the sounds

on the keyboard, connect its MIDI In to the interface’s

MIDI Out. If you are using the sounds on a sound card

this is not necessary. If you want to use a keyboard for re-

cording but a MIDI sound module for playback, connect

the module’s MIDI In to the interface’s MIDI Out. If you

want to use MAGIX midi studio generation 6’s digital au-

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