FreeSound is one of the truly great audio content sites on the net, and the variety of available files is stunning. But even more interesting is the access to files on the Internet, and particularly access to the multitude of samples available on FreeSound ().

In addition to accessing the files on your drive, you can do filename searches to quickly narrow down your options (critical when you have a large sample library-like the one that comes with Mixcraft). I personally like the default dark interface it is similar to other software that I use each day, and my eyes are able to pick out details against its muted background.Īnother update to the UI is not a technical feature, but rather an extension to the way that you access audio files. This is important, since a comfortable work environment can help you enjoy the hours that you will spend on your productions. More important, in my experience, is that the interface just seems to work better with the HiDPI display on my Lenovo display. The UI has also undergone a revamp, with interface skins based on theme selection. Moving forward with technology is important for DAW users, and it is great to see Mixcraft supporting this forward-looking standard.

It’s supported by iZotope, Waves, and Softube-among many others, and with many more likely to follow. VST3 support improves the performance, automation capability, and routing functions of plug-ins. Long supported by Steinberg and others, the VST3 infrastructure puts plug-in makers in the position to create much more flexible tools. One of the important additions to the Mixcraft audio engine is its support of VST3 plug-ins. Acoustica has the same demands, but has decided to use the opportunity to rework the core of the software, and to also provide some interesting new features. One of the demands on software developers is maintaining compatibility with current versions of the computer’s operating system. However, with the version 8 release, we see some important updates-some of them obvious, and some of them subtle. At the Winter NAMM show this year, I had the opportunity to get the lowdown on the newly released Mixcraft 8, and wanted to update our readers on what I’ve found.Įach version of Mixcraft comes to the plate with a few standard improvements: updated user interface, more plug-in tools, or better OS support. In our previous review of Acoustica Mixcraft 7 (April 2016), we found it to be a great DAW for beginning Windows producers, yet one that had the kind of professional production (and performance) functionality that could make it useful for everyone.

Mixcraft 8 home studio