Add some spice to your computer
By MIKE BERMAN
Scripps Howard News Service
July 02, 2003

Ever feel that you need something to enhance your life? Something to add more zip to your do-dah? More spice to your mundane day?

Now, before you go jumping to conclusions here, we're not hyping Viagra. We're talking about adding more pizzazz to your otherwise boring presentations and videos or having a music studio at your fingertips.

The folks at SmartSound Software have developed a set of tools that allows you to transform videos from Hell into musical extravaganzas, worthy of a DeMille or Spielberg. And Magix Computer Products International gives us a way to create our own musical masterpieces, converting our PCs into professional recording studios.

Okay, so maybe I'm exaggerating a bit, but you get the idea.

SonicFire Pro ($299) from SmartSound is a high-end, easy-to-use package aimed at the wannabe or professional who must have a complete library of sophisticated tools. It provides everything from the ability to create custom soundtracks to thousands of royalty-free audio tracks.

Among its other features:

• You can add to your music library by previewing and ordering any "cut" available from SmartSound.
• Automatic editing of any sound file.
• You can preview your presentation or video in real time with your soundtrack.
• Markers allow you to score specific scenes, leaving segments in between silent.
• You can mix and match search criteria using the Maestro.
• You have the ability to edit music from any media, from tapes to CDs.
• There's an audio export link to other applications.

Music Studio Deluxe 2004 ($79.99) from Magix is a complete audio studio that allows you to record, edit, mix and master your own compositions. The package is actually a suite of products, including Audio Studio, CD factory and Midi Studio.

These are three extremely powerful tools, giving you all of the features you need to create your next musical masterpiece, including:

• Ten virtual instruments.
• More than 1,500 samples and musical loops.
• The ability to print covers and labels for your CDs.
• You can burn complete musical projects onto a CD.
• You can edit up to 64 audio tracks while adding professional effects.
• You can use tube distortion, frequency compression and voice modification to enhance your compositions.
• The Midi sequencer allows you to network every note on up to 2,000 tracks.
• 48 stereo tracks are available for live recordings.
• You can integrate video files.

In addition, the package gives you the ability to import and export almost any standard musical format - from WAV to MPEG and MP3 files and includes a graphics equalizer and a note editor.

Both of these products are worthy of professionals, but easy enough for the amateur to master. More information can be found at www.smartsound.com and www.magix.com.

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