While there are a good number of pitch-correction/manipulation tools available to the computer-based musician, Melodyne still has a special cachet, and the things that can be achieved in the flagship Melodyne Studio 4 in terms of pitch-correction, tempo adjustment and handling polyphonic audio verge on the magical. The ‘level up’ from 7 to 8 brings a whole host of refinements and new additions, but if you are wondering about upgrading, or trying to decide between the Recording Studio and Pro Studio versions of Mixcraft 8, it might be the inclusion of Celemony’s Melodyne Essentials - itself valued at €99 if purchased separately - in the latter that proves the clincher. The other two versions feature all the same core recording features, and the main difference between the Mixcraft 8 Recording Studio and Pro Studio versions is that the latter comes with a considerable number of extra instrument and effect plug-ins, including some that are new for version 8.

As before, there are three Mixcraft variants, although the simplest Home Studio version is less likely to be of interest to SOS readers. Given that these basic features have been described in previous reviews, feel free to dip into the SOS archive if you need to get up to speed, and I’ll focus here on the most significant changes and new additions. In terms of audio and MIDI recording, editing and mixing, Mixcraft’s core functionality remains intact in version 8. The premium Pro Studio version also delivers an impressive collection of effect and instrument plug-ins, at a very modest price. Although Mixcraft might not offer enough to persuade contented users of the top-end competition to jump ship, it is most certainly a very competent recording and mixing platform that provides a conventional and instantly familiar sequencer layout. While its profile might not match that of a Cubase, Logic or Pro Tools, Mixcraft is also a well-established product and SOS has looked at the software on a number of occasions, most recently when I reviewed version 7 in March 2016. For Windows-based musicians, one such option is Acoustica’s Mixcraft. While the market for music production software has a well-established elite, there are many alternatives if personal preference or budget encourages you to look elsewhere.

Acoustica’s alternative Windows DAW continues to evolve, with a new audio engine and some intriguing new features.

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