Magix Music Maker Review 2024

In this Magix Music Maker review, we’ll discuss whether or not it makes sense for you to use it instead of some other beat maker.

We’ll talk about what’s good, what’s bad, how it works and what you get. Then we’ll talk about who should or shouldn’t use Magix Music Maker for their beat making.

Let’s get into it…

Quick Review:

So, is Magix Music Maker good?

Off jump, it is an easy-to-use, affordable and semi-decent beat making program. It has similar functionality to other software (VST instrument support, audio recording, etc.) but is a very “loop-based” program.

It has some really cool features like “AI Song Maker” mode and in-app tutorials to help make things easy. It’s nowhere near as versatile or powerful as more expensive options, but it makes sense for beginners and hobbyists.

If you don’t want to spend a lot of money or spend time figuring out a steep learning curve, Music Maker by Magix may be your best choice.

*Note: Most of what you read below will be a Music Maker 2024 Premium review.

Ratings

3.5/5 Stars Overall

Key Decision Making Factors

• User Interface – 4/5 – clean, bright and easy to navigate
• Ease of Use – 4/5 – fast workflow and intuitive layout of essential elements
• Included Sound Selection – 2/5 – mediocre and wack stock sounds, with ability to purchase better ones
• Features Set – 3/5 – all essential features of any beat maker, but nothing special/outstanding
• Workflow – 3/5 – very fast workflow, loop-based with ability to edit audio/MIDI
• Cost – 5/5 – the cheapest option for a semi-professional beat making solution

Recommendation:

Should You Buy: Maybe.

If you’re a beginner or hobbyist that wants to quickly “get to making music” that actually sounds good, without the steep learning curve and advanced functionality of traditional digital audio workstation software, try out this software.

Is Magix Music Maker free? Yes, so why buy the premium version? Although it’s got a free version to use it’s limited. And even the paid version is very inexpensive compared to every other decent option out there. If you like using the free version and want to stick with it, it makes sense to upgrade to premium for the extra features.

It’s intuitive streamlined workflow makes it perfect for complete starters that know nothing about music. If you just want to dabble in beat making for fun, it’s also a great choice because of it’s affordability.

More experienced music makers may find the software limiting. If you like to make your own loops and get into advanced sound design, processing and manipulation, you’re better off using FL Studio or some other piece of software.

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Cost:

• FREE – Limited Trial Edition
• USD $29.99/version – Limited Special Editions (Magix Music Maker EDM, 80s, Trap, Hip-Hop)
• USD $59.00 – Music Maker PLUS Edition
• USD $69.00 – Music Maker PREMIUM Edition (BEST OPTION! Fully Featured and Affordable)
• USD $105.00 – BeatBox Bundle (includes PLUS version of software and Novation Launchpad Drum Pad Hardware)

Main Features (All Editions):

• Pro audio engine for high quality sound
• Collection of sounds and loops to choose to get your started quickly
• Ability to create your own loops via MIDI
• In-app tutorials
• Included effects + instruments
• In-app store for additional content (sounds, loops, etc)

Pros:

1. Most affordable option for semi-pro beat making software
2. Perfect for Beginners/Hobbyists
3. Intuitive and customizable interface
4. Drag and Drop Functionality
5. Compatible w/ MIDI keyboards/drumpads
6. Ability to Make PROFESSIONAL Sounding Beats/Music
7. Export to Broadcast Quality WAV/MP3 Files
8. Expandable Sounds/Effects/Loops packs

Cons:

1. Free version has big limitation (example: no VST instrument support)
2. Not as flexible for advanced producers who need more control/functionality
3. Limited number of sounds/loops included, with in-app purchases possible
4. Nowhere near as versatile or powerful as other more expensive software

Who it’s Best For:

• You need a “pro” beat making software but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars right now
• You’re a beginner beatmaker or hobbyist
• You know nothing about music theory or making music
• You want a SUPER FAST workflow without having to spend a lot of time learning software functions and music theory

Try Magix Music Maker Yourself By Clicking Here

How it Stacks Up to the Competitors

There are a lot of beat making programs out there. And they all have different strengths and weaknesses. But in terms of competitors, there are only a few that really make sense comparing to Music Maker.

Magix Music Maker vs. Dr. Drum & DubTurbo

Dr. Drum and DubTurbo are beat making programs that are priced similarly. Although they are cheaper, the quality of the software is also MUCH inferior.

The user interface is dated and un-inviting. It’s limited in its features and is really more of a toy than a fully functional DAW.

Magix music maker, on the other hand, is fully-functional. You can edit MIDI, use VSTs and even record audio. Although it is more expensive than something like Dr. Drum, it’s well worth it for the added functionality.

Also programs like Dr. Drum and DubTurbo never get updates. They were flash-in-the-pan pieces of software that are functionally dead now. Stick to Magix if you’re looking for a cheap beat making software alternative to FL Studio/Ableton Live

Magix Music Maker vs. FL Studio

Comparing these two pieces of software isn’t really a fair fight. FL Studio is an extremely powerful and versatile program to make beats and songs with. Magix can come close, but it’s nothing compared to something like FL Studio.

But FL Studio is still more expensive than Music Maker and even though it’s got better functionality and more features, Magix Music Maker gives you the essentials you need to quickly start creating music.

If you’re looking for a professional solution that has now become an “industry standard” of sorts, and can afford the additional money, go for FL Studio.

Click Here to Make Beats Like a Pro With No Experience

The Evolution of Magix Music Maker

The program first launched in 1994 based on the professional DAW by Magix called Samplitude, which was released in 1992. Music Maker was more focused on the consumer market and even had a version come out on the Playstation 2 in 2003.

This is likely the reason it’s almost looked down upon or not taken seriously as a professional solution to making music.

But even though it’s focused on the consumer market, and not the music professional, it’s latest versions come with all the essential tools one would need to make pretty pro sounding beats. The premium version even allows surround-sound mixing.

Product Design and How it Affects Use

Magix Music Maker is clearly designed from a consumer perspective. Everything is bright and flashy – it almost looks like a video game. The layout of the software is also very functional – with a large linear timeline right in front of you and a browser section right next to it. The bottom third of the screen is dedicated to editing windows.

The design is also modular, meaning you can customize is however you like. But the overall design is very functional. It’s easy to find a sound, drag it in and immediately start manipulating or editing it. You can quickly draw in MIDI or record notes using your keyboard. Helper modes (like scale-mode or arp-mode) are easiliy accessible, making the workflow very fast.

Because it’s a consumer-focused program, the design decisions make it easy to use and figure out for beginners and novices. Any experienced music producer or beat maker will instantly know what to do and how to do it.

Software Version Overview

Free Edition Features:

• Includes “BeatBox” to make your own drum beats
• Includes “SongMaker” to help craft full songs
• In-app tutorials
• Multi-core engine w/ 64-bit support
• 3 VST instruments (Concert Grand LE, Revolta 2 + VITA 2 Synths)
• Limited to 8 tracks per project

PLUS Edition Features:

• Everything in free edition
• “BeatBox” PRO version
• Unlimited tracks per project
• Includes VST instrument/effect support
• 1 free Soundpool Collection
• 1 free additional Soundpool
• 2 additional instruments (Analog Synth, Tiny Percussion)
• Includes Plus version effects bundle
• Additional song export options

PREMIUM Edition Features:

• Everything in Plus edition
• “SongMaker” AI version
• Includes VST bridge capability
• Choose 2 additional SoundPools
• 4 additional effects (coreFX Delay, AM|Track, Vintage FX Filtox, Orange Vocoder ME)
• 2 additional instruments (DN-e1, Bass Machine)
• Includes 4 additional effects packs
• Includes SoundForge Audio Studio 12 (for audio editing)

Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to review any of the special edition versions of the software like Music Maker EDM or Trap, for example.

My Personal Opinion and Experience Using Magix Music Maker

I’m not gonna lie – when I first learned about software like this I thought it was just a toy music maker that couldn’t hold it’s own against software like FL Studio or Ableton.

It wasn’t a fair comparison, but I looked down on it because it didn’t seem like a “professional” tool for making music. And since we do reviews on this site, I decided I should really check it out because I know a lot of people wonder – can you really make good beats with Music Maker?

The short answer is: YES

I decided to sign up for the free version of the software for this Magix Music Maker review and run it through a typical beat making sessions for myself. Installation was easy and the user interface looked decent. And was fully customizable, so that was nice to see.

The advantage of a simple interface is that you can focus on the most important aspects of making your music. You don’t have to get stuck finding different functions, or trying to figure out how to do something that should be simple and quick.

In all honesty, it can be used as a quick, fun beat making toy. BUT that doesn’t mean you can’t make professional music with it.

But is It a “Just for Fun” Toy?

You CAN make pro music with it, there’s no doubt. That becomes apparent when you start to poke around the software.

But it doesn’t have the bells and whistles of other DAWs (digital audio workstations). It DOES have most of the things you need to REALLY make music in the same way professionals do:

• Third party virtual instrument (VST) support
• MIDI editing
• Clip arrangement
• Linear timeline
• Audio recording functionality
• Mixing functionality – levels, automation, effects processing, etc. (learn more)

And like I said, the interface and workflow make it simple to use. It’s easy – drag and drop. You can even use your computer keyboard to play the instruments (no need for other types of beat making equipment).

It really is the best option for people just getting started with making music who may not know a lot of how music works (i.e. the theory behind it).

That’s because it’s very “loop-based” meaning you can mix and match different loops, in additional to creating your own with the help of their in-app tutorials. It’s very drag-and-drop and quick to use. No, it’s not on the level of FL Studio and definitely not on the level of something like Pro Tools, but you can still use it to bust out some bangers pretty easily.

And being limited in scope doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing.

Some of the best, most successful artists in the world have used some of the most limited equipment in the world to create classics (the SP-1200 or MPC60 were powerful, but not even close to the level of DAWs we have today).

The Beauty of Boundaries When Making Beats

And here’s another thing that makes me ok with recommending this software from Magix – being tied down to a small set of options/controls/sounds/instruments actually increases your creativity because you have a small set of important aspects to focus on to get the sound and vibe you want.

You don’t get stuck because you’ve got too many options (trust me, it happens). As a beginner beat maker that means you get right to making the music you want.

Whether you want to make rap, pop, edm, trap or any other type of music – you can do it with this software. They even have special editions of the software that are cheaper (only $29) and specifically designed for specific genres like trap and edm.

And you don’t have to worry about getting lost in complicated controls of the DAW or knowing the ins and outs of music theory.

That’s really the main advantage of this software.

Am I Lying?

So now you may be thinking oh you’re just saying that because you use Pro Tools and you just want commission from this Magix review. Your opinion on the question “is magix music maker good” is biased.

Fair point, but also… Dead Wrong.

When you’re first starting out, you use what you got (or can afford).

My first beat making experience was when I was 15 or so years old. My parents bought my sister a Yamaha PSR keyboard from back in like 1984. I was always into music so when I started to explore the keyboard I found there were 3 “tracks” where you could record 2 bars each of drums, bass and chords.

That. Was. It.

Now you can see why I don’t mind limited options when making music. If the music is in you, you find a way to get it out. Period.

Even though I only had a single keyboard with 3 tracks and limited sounds (no MIDI editing, no arrangement, no mixing) I made it work and had some pretty hot shit.

So remember this – it’s not about the tool, it’s about how you use it!

And Magix Music Maker is a GREAT ENTRY LEVEL TOOL THAT’S HELLA AFFORDABLE.

I Wish…

Real talk, I wish this thing existed when I was coming up. It’s a million times more than what I had to start with.

• It includes several high quality sounding virtual instruments
• It has tons of included sounds a loops that sound great
• It lets you arrange your music clips into a full song (learn how)
• It lets you record vocals if you want
• It lets you polish your track with mixing and mastering tools

When I finally did start using computer software to make beats it was something called CakeWalk… and MIDI + plugins were so limited that everything you made sounded like a thin video game soundtrack.

It was wack.

And when you don’t have a ton of money to spend, or you don’t know if you really want to pursue music production as a career/business, you can’t afford to drop $300+ on software or $3000+ on some hardware.

So a beat maker under $100 that can actually do things those traditional DAWs/hardware do is pretty fuckin dope.

But What About…

After graduating away from CakeWalk, I tried FL Studio and eventually Reason as well.

I love both those pieces of software. They’re great sounding and super powerful/versatile. They’re truly professional music making tools. But FL Studio and Reason are expensive and very complicated to really use effectively. There’s a steep learning curve – especially for beginners.

I did end up figuring it out but it took a while, and sometimes it’d kill my creativity and flow because I’d get stuck trying to figure out what a certain feature or tool. I’d get overwhelmed at the start and it was very frustrating.

If I had Magix Music Maker back then, though…. Of course, back then the tech would’ve probably been much worse so i wouldn’t have been much better off (now that I think about it).

Final Recommendation:

Let me make something clear – I don’t think Magix Music Maker is a “substitute” for FL Studio, Reason, Logic or any other professional DAW.

However, I DO believe this is awesome software beginners can cut their teeth on and hobbyists can use to have fun on without getting lost in the more complicated software or over-spending.

It’s a better way for complete starters to learn and get proficient.

Learning the basics – looping, MIDI, VSTs, effects, arrangement, sequencing etc  – is easier with Magix’s software because of the way it’s designed.

You open it up, drag in loops, sounds and instruments, use your computer keyboard like a piano, draw in notes and arrange sections of your song without needing any other software or hardware.

Simple. And it’s got in-app tutorials to help you all along the way.

Who Should Buy Magix Music Maker

If you’re interested in beat making and want a decent piece of music making software without having to spend more than $100 just yet, you should definitely buy Magix Music Maker.

Still not sure? Download the limited free version and give it a try for yourself.

Try Out MAGIX Music Maker Yourself Today

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