thunderkyss -- Thanks for the info above. I still have some old songs in MicroLogic, will see whether MS will open them. Also, I lurched around the web a bit last night, and it does look like they're being a bit deceptive about the 24-bit thing, advertising that they'll *process* and save at 24-bit, but not mentioning sampling rates one way or the other. The omission is telling.
That said, since I probably won't sequence with it, but will just tweak clips, it might still work out fine for that.
I got my hold confirmation from CompUSA in Austin, TX, this morning, but the catch is that they'll reserve it for only 72 hours, and I don't live in Austin. Won't make it there for a couple of weeks. I'm gonna call and see if we can work something out. If not, I may have to try again in a few weeks. This seems to be sort of an on-going clearance sale; I found out about it accidentally from an old thread on the FatWallet hot deals forum, from back in July. I'd like to get it now, though, since they presumably have a finite number of these boxes in stock...
Take care,
GreyLion
Magix Music Studio Deluxe 2005 Free after rebate at CompUSA
-
- KVRist
- 72 posts since 17 Apr, 2002 from Scotland
The confusion around version numbers is a right pain, and some of us are nagging Magix about it right now.
What has happened is that the European and UK version upgrade comes out (say MS 2004), then some time later an upgrade patch that adds sometimes pretty significant features, then the US version comes out with the same version number. It may or may not have the same features as the Euro/UK patched version.
Latest version in the Euro/UK zone is MS 2005. Patched, Midi Studio has an additional Logic-esque VST instrument (which has some tuning problems I'm hassling about right now), up to 3 audio track FX inserts (at last), and ReWire support, among some other things. Latest US version is 10, which AFAIK has all this.
In the UK at least, owning a previous version of Music Studio entitles you to discounts on upgrades, but this may depend on your supplier, so don't quote me.
I've used this software since version 6, and it's very much my main sequencer. It's improved a lot. As someone said above, Magix seem to assume you'll use Midi Studio for mainly MIDI and Audio Studio for audio work, but like Logic, Midi Studio can do the lot, though for longer recordings Audio Studio is better as it preallocates diskspace, so no glitching. The latest vewrsion of Audio Studio is less smooth than previous ones (I think they tried to cram too many features in at once), but perfectly useable.
You may miss some of the features that came late to Logic or never made it to the PC version - no PDC, no multitimbral VSTis (they will work mono-timbrally). The Environment isn't tweakable so you may hit problems with Terratec cards' ASIO inputs, for instance (maybe why there's the problem with SPDIF input mentioned above).
It does load Logic for PC files OK generally (different extentsions, but you can just rename or tell it to look for any file), though it still uses the old track automation standard, so you lose that info in later Logic files. You can load some Logic environments, which may help with some hardware setups.
For your money you get two very useable sequencers of different types, and Audio studio is a very capable audio editor, if nothing else.
What has happened is that the European and UK version upgrade comes out (say MS 2004), then some time later an upgrade patch that adds sometimes pretty significant features, then the US version comes out with the same version number. It may or may not have the same features as the Euro/UK patched version.
Latest version in the Euro/UK zone is MS 2005. Patched, Midi Studio has an additional Logic-esque VST instrument (which has some tuning problems I'm hassling about right now), up to 3 audio track FX inserts (at last), and ReWire support, among some other things. Latest US version is 10, which AFAIK has all this.
In the UK at least, owning a previous version of Music Studio entitles you to discounts on upgrades, but this may depend on your supplier, so don't quote me.
I've used this software since version 6, and it's very much my main sequencer. It's improved a lot. As someone said above, Magix seem to assume you'll use Midi Studio for mainly MIDI and Audio Studio for audio work, but like Logic, Midi Studio can do the lot, though for longer recordings Audio Studio is better as it preallocates diskspace, so no glitching. The latest vewrsion of Audio Studio is less smooth than previous ones (I think they tried to cram too many features in at once), but perfectly useable.
You may miss some of the features that came late to Logic or never made it to the PC version - no PDC, no multitimbral VSTis (they will work mono-timbrally). The Environment isn't tweakable so you may hit problems with Terratec cards' ASIO inputs, for instance (maybe why there's the problem with SPDIF input mentioned above).
It does load Logic for PC files OK generally (different extentsions, but you can just rename or tell it to look for any file), though it still uses the old track automation standard, so you lose that info in later Logic files. You can load some Logic environments, which may help with some hardware setups.
For your money you get two very useable sequencers of different types, and Audio studio is a very capable audio editor, if nothing else.
Last edited by TheUDE on Wed Sep 14, 2005 10:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
BabyaSoftwareGr BabyaSoftwareGr https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=78490
- Banned
- 27 posts since 18 Aug, 2005 from Australia
It does include some of Logic synths-renamed-EFM (FMX1). EXS24 files are supported too and work well.
-
- KVRian
- 1283 posts since 13 Nov, 2004
Well, it seems that I am not alone (if you check the net) in not getting rebates through compusa.saturdaysaint wrote:Cool - it might be "worth it" (worth the trouble of sending the rebates, that is) just for Magix's Melodyne-esque Elastic Audio.
I supposedly got this keystation there for 59 bucks, but never got the rebate, and have been playing ping pong with two companies to get it.
It's only been 4 months...........
-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 3385 posts since 21 May, 2004 from Deep in the Heartlessness of Texas
Hi, eyeknow666 -- I got my new Compaq during their July Fourth blow-out, had a $300 rebate. The wisdom on the deal boards at that time was that CompUSA, which used to play verrrry bad games with rebates, had been forced to make a settlement with the feds as a result, and was still being watched very closely to make sure they don't start screwing consumers again. Supposedly are now on their best behavior and very paranoid about complaints.
On the Compaq deal, at least, nobody ended up posting that they'd been messed over for the rebates. That said, the way they make money on these deeply discounted or free after rebate deals is by not paying out rebates on all purchases. They used to be able to count on about a 30% submission rate on rebates, but it's supposedly approaching 100% these days. One tactic you might try, if you haven't already, is to contact a local CompUSA, make your case, and threaten a call to the Attorney General's office if you hit a wall with them. In the past they'd laugh that off, but maybe not now.
... Sounds like a good deal on the KeyStation, incidentally. (I'm assuming it was the 49e, which they stock now for $99)? If you ever get the rebate...
TheUDE -- Hey! I doubt if you remember, but we had a few exchanges on the FutureMusic board about a year ago. Anyhow, if MSD2005 patched does indeed have track inserts, I think that makes it significantly more usable. Was one of the major complaints in Computer Music's review. Might even try sequencing or mixing with it a bit. Like I said, I really liked Logic, even though I don't think I ever got my head properly wrapped around it. Subjectively, my tracks always sounded *cleaner* in it.
Take care,
GreyLion
On the Compaq deal, at least, nobody ended up posting that they'd been messed over for the rebates. That said, the way they make money on these deeply discounted or free after rebate deals is by not paying out rebates on all purchases. They used to be able to count on about a 30% submission rate on rebates, but it's supposedly approaching 100% these days. One tactic you might try, if you haven't already, is to contact a local CompUSA, make your case, and threaten a call to the Attorney General's office if you hit a wall with them. In the past they'd laugh that off, but maybe not now.
... Sounds like a good deal on the KeyStation, incidentally. (I'm assuming it was the 49e, which they stock now for $99)? If you ever get the rebate...
TheUDE -- Hey! I doubt if you remember, but we had a few exchanges on the FutureMusic board about a year ago. Anyhow, if MSD2005 patched does indeed have track inserts, I think that makes it significantly more usable. Was one of the major complaints in Computer Music's review. Might even try sequencing or mixing with it a bit. Like I said, I really liked Logic, even though I don't think I ever got my head properly wrapped around it. Subjectively, my tracks always sounded *cleaner* in it.
Take care,
GreyLion
-
- KVRist
- 72 posts since 17 Apr, 2002 from Scotland
Hi, GreyLion - I'd wondered where all the sometime Magix users had gone!
Yeah, this latest UK patch really caught me by surprise as I'd pretty well given up on the insert thing after years of hassling, and with Logic no longer on PC I wasn't sure what leeway Magix had with reprogramming their licensed code. That and the ReWire support may answer quite a few folks' needs.
I'm no seer, but I'm beginning to think that we'll eventually get pretty well all the final Logic for PC features (barring probably the Environment) in Midi Studio at some point, though if you keep the program up to date like I do, I guess it's an "instalment payment" plan that might not make the best economic sense if you can pick up a legit used copy of Logic 5 from eBay or wherever!
Bear in mind it's only the very latest US release (now called version 10
), not the US MS2005, that'll have the features I'm talking about, and double-check that they're there before you buy anything. This "different versions for different regions" thing is a ruddy nightmare when you're trying to offer support to folks from all over ...
Yeah, this latest UK patch really caught me by surprise as I'd pretty well given up on the insert thing after years of hassling, and with Logic no longer on PC I wasn't sure what leeway Magix had with reprogramming their licensed code. That and the ReWire support may answer quite a few folks' needs.
I'm no seer, but I'm beginning to think that we'll eventually get pretty well all the final Logic for PC features (barring probably the Environment) in Midi Studio at some point, though if you keep the program up to date like I do, I guess it's an "instalment payment" plan that might not make the best economic sense if you can pick up a legit used copy of Logic 5 from eBay or wherever!
Bear in mind it's only the very latest US release (now called version 10
), not the US MS2005, that'll have the features I'm talking about, and double-check that they're there before you buy anything. This "different versions for different regions" thing is a ruddy nightmare when you're trying to offer support to folks from all over ...-
- KVRAF
- Topic Starter
- 3385 posts since 21 May, 2004 from Deep in the Heartlessness of Texas
Hey, TheUDE -- Yeah, I still hit FutureMusic every now and then. You can see from my post numbers that I'm mostly a lurker-type. Rats, on the not having track inserts in this US version. Maybe will get MSD10 US version next year, after MSD11 comes out, when it's free after rebate...
Anyhow, after wayyy too many phone calls and waiting on hold forever a couple of times, I got a CompUSA store guy to agree to let me buy the software over the phone and have them ship it to me. This way, the purchase takes place during the rebate period, since the on-line reservation doesn't count as a purchase until you actually buy the software. The CompUSA guy said that this method still qualifies as an in-store purchase.
FWIW, CompUSA employees have always been unfailingly competent and courteous to me; they just seem to be completely overworked and hard to get hold of.
So -- if you've been holding off on this deal (yeah, I know, it's not THAT big a deal, but FREE is always irresistible to me) because you don't have a local CompUSA, you can go on-line, make a reservation at the nearest store, and, with patience, perhaps, get it shipped to you. Total cost for me is some wasted time, two or three bucks in long-distance charges, and $2.31 in tax.
Take care,
GreyLion
Anyhow, after wayyy too many phone calls and waiting on hold forever a couple of times, I got a CompUSA store guy to agree to let me buy the software over the phone and have them ship it to me. This way, the purchase takes place during the rebate period, since the on-line reservation doesn't count as a purchase until you actually buy the software. The CompUSA guy said that this method still qualifies as an in-store purchase.
FWIW, CompUSA employees have always been unfailingly competent and courteous to me; they just seem to be completely overworked and hard to get hold of.
So -- if you've been holding off on this deal (yeah, I know, it's not THAT big a deal, but FREE is always irresistible to me) because you don't have a local CompUSA, you can go on-line, make a reservation at the nearest store, and, with patience, perhaps, get it shipped to you. Total cost for me is some wasted time, two or three bucks in long-distance charges, and $2.31 in tax.
Take care,
GreyLion
-
- KVRAF
- 1740 posts since 6 Jan, 2004 from USA
hmm, just picked up a copy from compusa. installed it and its version 9.01. went to the support/patches area and there's no patch for it (if you choose english/US as your language). however, if you chose english/uk there's a patch update to 10.0.1.0. BUT, if i try patching my verion with that, i get an error saying that it can't find music studio deluxe on my system...blah blah blah.........
maybe this is why it's free after rebate?
oh well, if anyone has similar probs or a workaround please let me know.
lates
t-willy
maybe this is why it's free after rebate?
oh well, if anyone has similar probs or a workaround please let me know.
lates
t-willy
-
- KVRAF
- 1740 posts since 6 Jan, 2004 from USA
ah, i see now. as TheUDE was saying above about different regions and versions. the uk had an update from 9.01 to 10.XX, but in the US MS 10 deluxe is an UPGRADE to MS 2005 deluxe and has to be paid for. hehehe, the lightbulb finally clicked for me 
ah well, if my rebate goes through it'll have cost me a little over two bucks. not bad.
lates
t-willy
ah well, if my rebate goes through it'll have cost me a little over two bucks. not bad.
lates
t-willy
-
- KVRist
- 72 posts since 17 Apr, 2002 from Scotland
Yep. I told you this version/patch discrepancy was a right pain. 
Still, at that price there's not much to complain about, and if you can find the right dealer for your region, you should be able get a cheaper upgrade price when the time comes.
Still, at that price there's not much to complain about, and if you can find the right dealer for your region, you should be able get a cheaper upgrade price when the time comes.