| Program |
Super Duper Music Looper |
Radio Disney Music Mix Studio |
Band-in-a-Box Megapak |
Cakewalk Home Studio XL |
| Publisher |
Sonic Foundry, Inc.
(800) 577-6642 |
Disney Interactive
(888) 327-7018 |
PG Music, Inc.
(800) 268-6272 |
Cakewalk
(888) 225-3925 |
| Platform |
Win |
Win |
Win and Mac |
Win |
| Price |
$29.97; site licenses available |
$19.99 |
$249; $500 for 5-seat lab pack |
$159 |
| Emphasis |
Composition and remixing with ready-made loops; some music theory |
Composition and remixing with ready-made clips |
Composition, orchestration, notation, instrument practice |
Composition, sequencing, orchestration, notation, instrument practice |
| Grade Level |
1ý8 |
4ý8 |
7 and up |
7 and up |
| Features |
ýCompose original melodies with or without voice accompaniment or using prerecorded loops
ýHundreds of bundled sounds and sound effects, organized by instrument type
ýVery user-friendly |
ýCreates music with vocals, visuals, and animated effects for use on the Desktop Player
ýFull-featured editor for recording and mixing songs, including a recording microphone, nine musical styles, and dozens of instruments |
ýElectronic accompaniment adds background arrangements to any chord, song, or musical style you play
ýSoloist component generates professional-quality solos over user-selected chord progressions
ýMelodist provides tools for add-ing chords, melodies, and solosýIncludes a Guitar Tutor
ýRecords voice or an acoustic instrument
ýComposition notation can be saved in graphic BMP, JPG, or PNG format. |
ýSupport for MIDI recording
ýDetailed timeline tools can manipulate a trackýs music sequence
ýCan combine two tracks with automatic cross-fading
ýCreates new songs without changing time signatures
ýSupport for groove clips having embedded tempo |
| Strengths |
ýIntuitive, kid-friendly graphical interface
ýSimple tool set
ýContext-sensitive help
ýNo music composition or reading skills required
ýCan e-mail compositions to Mac users
ýDownloadable demo copy available online |
ýFree player so you can listen to your songs
ýLabtec computer microphone included |
ýAutomatically creates professional-sounding solos
ýComposes songs in the style of your choice
ýSupports MIDI input, output, and recording
ýSupport for DirectX plug-ins
ýGenerates melody harmonies in real time and includes a Melody Embellisher
ýEar training module tests studentsý recognition of chords
ýSaves files in MIDI, WAV, and WMA (Windows Media Audio) formats
ýCan output directly to CD-R
ýEar Training option builds play-by-ear skills
ýAnimated drum kit
ýPrints blank staff paper with or without bar lines |
ýReal-time mixing console
ýSupport for real-time DirectX audio effects and DirectX plug-ins, DXi software synthesizer, and MIDI FX plug-ins
ýNotation tools to create and print original music scores
ýUnlimited number of audio and MIDI tracks
ýAudio FX processing
ýRecord and transcribe musical performance with any MIDI instrument
ýUnlimited Edit Undo
ýSupport for additional XL plug-ins and loops
ýOutput to MP3, WAV, RealAudio, Windows Media format
ýFruity Loops Express drum loop generator |
| Limitations |
ýNo bundled microphone
ýAvailable only for Windows
ýNo support for QuickTime or MP3 compression
ýFiles saved in WAV format take up a lot of room. |
ýNo printed manual included
ýDoes not allow you to work with tempo or pitch
ýHard to access online help
ýEasy to lose a current composition without saving
ýNo sense of what format the program uses when users save their songs
ýProgram CD must be inserted in drive for the application to run |
ýCluttered interface
ýNo support for MP3
ýCanýt save the composition in a compressed format for Web streaming or sending as an e-mail attachment
ýNo rap, reggae, or techno genre styles included in library |
ýNo support for Win 95 or NT
ýVirtual Piano does not work under Windows 2000 or XP
ýComplex multipart interface |
| Support Materials |
ýQuick Start Manual
ýProgram includes tutorial for first-time users |
Music videos from recording artist Myra plus Lilý J and Youngstown |
ýUserýs Guide
ýInteractive jazz and piano tutorials |
ýGetting Started Manual
ýCD with additional loops |
| Bottom Line |
Good for self-directed learning, this graphical introduction to music making seamlessly introduces young students to a variety of musical instruments, concepts, and tools for composition. |
Best reserved for entertaining and in-class open play rather than as a supplement to classroom music instruction |
Best for students with a musical background who want more virtual band practice and the freedom to create musical compositions |
Students with a musical background will make best use of this professional desktop sequencer with robust tools for arrangement, orchestration, composition, practice, and performance. |
