Acoustica recently released version 4 of Mixcraft, an affordable multi-track audio and MIDI recording studio software application for Windows. Mixcraft 4 introduces virtual instruments and MIDI sequencing to Mixcraft's already powerful feature set, enabling users to record, compose, edit, and mix music entirely within the Mixcraft application. Version 4.1 b91 is now available.

As a multi-track audio recording program, Mixcraft allows you to record and play multiple tracks of audio and MIDI virtual instruments at the same time. Add effect processing such as reverb, delay, guitar amp simulator, flanger or any 3rd party VST or DirectX effects. Hook up a MIDI keyboard and you can play a whole studio full of virtual synthesizers. As remix software, it supports Apple Loops, Acid Loops and Acoustica's own custom loop format. Mixcraft's Song Kits allow you to create your own song in dozens of styles to sing along or rap to. Creating your own loop or extracting a loop from a well known song is a few clicks away. When you've finished your project, mix down your music to CD or MP3 directly in Mixcraft.

Main Features:

• Clear, colorful, and intelligently designed interface to streamline your work.
• Custom loop library includes hundreds of royalty-free sounds in dozens of musical styles.
• Works with Acid and Apple Garage Band loops.
• Record multiple MIDI and audio tracks simultaneously.
• Piano roll to view and edit MIDI.
• Includes a General MIDI library, two sampled grand pianos, Hammond B-3 emulator, MiniMoog emulator and a polyphonic synthesizer.
• Includes 18 high quality effects.
• Create mega presets that layer and split multiple virtual synthesizers and effects.
• Add unlimited VSTi instruments, VST and DirectX effects.
• Mix down to MP3, WAV and other audio file types.
• Burn CDs of your mix with just one click.

Sound Engine:

• Wave (WDM), ASIO and Vista's WaveRT low latency audio support.
• MIDI input and output support. Will work with any USB MIDI keyboard or any keyboard connected to a MIDI interface.
• Support for VSTi virtual instruments. Bundled virtual instruments include:
  • MinimogueVA classic analog synthesizer recreation.
  • VB3 Organ virtual tonewheel organ with rotary speaker emulator.
  • Impulse polyphonic analog synthesizer.
  • Acoustica Instruments, a large collection of high quality multi-sampled instruments organized in General MIDI format.
  • Acoustica Grand Piano and Acoustica Classical Piano, 250 Megabyte quadruple-strike sampled grand pianos.
• 32 bit sound engine supports recording and playback of broadcast quality audio up to 192 kHz and 32 bits.
• Time stretch any sound from 25% to 400% with FlexAudio without affecting the pitch. No chipmunks.
• Pitch shift sounds from -24 to +12 semitones.
• Use an unlimited number of tracks and effects.
• Automatically detects beats points, keys and tempos of imported songs.
• Import WAV, AIF, OGG, WMA, and MP3 files.
• 18 powerful, built-in, effects including reverb, delay, EQ, compressor, flanger, chorus, distortion, auto filter, master limiter, phaser and a guitar amp simulator.
• Shape each sound's volume, pan and resonant filters with unlimited envelope points.
• Support for DirectX & VST effects, including plug-in delay compensation.

Interface:

• Edit any sound to make a loop. Pick sections of prerecorded songs and extract and perfect loops for remixing. Adjust loop points to visual beat marks.
• Edit MIDI data in the piano roll editor. Perfect MIDI loops by adjusting the loop points. Edit notes and controller information.
• Create mega presets which combine multiple virtual instruments and effects. Set the key range, velocity sensitivity, transposition, pan and volume for each instrument.
• Load in standard MIDI files.
• Add your own photos or images to each track header.
• Edit each track's color, size and position in a variety of ways.
• Intuitive design and keyboard controls for quick work flow.
• Work in beats / measures mode or in time mode.
• Adjust the snap to grid setting which allows you to work and edit in whole notes, quarter notes, etc.
• Split, cut, copy, delete and paste sounds with ease.
• Easily move sounds around with drag and drop or via the keyboard.
• Cross fade sounds automatically by visually overlapping them.
• Create precise, custom loops extracted from existing songs.

Mixcraft 4 is available for $64.95. Existing Mixcraft 3 users can upgrade to Mixcraft 4 for $14.95.