Music Maker is arrangement software: using it you can create music by arranging small snippets called samples and by recording instruments to go with them.
This kind of software is well used in modern dance music but Music Maker comes with samples and tools for a much wider range of styles including swing and even movie scores.
As with all music software that comes with samples a large amount of hard disk space is required to install Music Maker: around 3GB, to be precise.
There is the option to leave the music samples on the DVD but we don't recommend this as the pause when previewing samples then becomes frustratingly long.
One improvement in this version is the Soundpool view, in which samples are arranged by style and by instrument so it is easier to find the right ones without having to worry about which it might be in. Music Maker can also import samples from other collections so you are not restricted to the supplied selection.
Experienced musicians coming to this software for the first time may be frustrated that there is no chord information with the samples, although the pitch can be adjusted and there are some conventions in some of the sound styles.
Samples are not the only way to create tracks. Melodies can be recorded using a Midi keyboard or set by hand using the program's Midi editor. There are good quality pianos, guitars (both acoustic and electric) and a variety of orchestral instruments includes, with several synthesisers if your musical tastes lean that way too.
Music Maker can also be used for live performances. As with its nearest rival Steinberg Sequel, sections of a track can be labelled and then played in any order.
Unlike Sequel the keyboard shortcuts for cueing sections are in the order of the keys on the keyboard rather than in alphabetical order, which is far more intuitive. Individual samples can also be played live. It's not as powerful as Ableton Live, but then it is much cheaper.
Another area where Music Maker scores over Sequel is its support for VST instruments. VST is a standard format for electronic instruments (think of them as being like fonts), and are a great way of expanding the musical possibilities and many are available for free such as MDA ePiano. If you can live without VST instruments there is a cheaper version of Music Maker 14 (£50) that doesn't support them.
It can also import photos and videos into projects, apply a variety of effects if required and export the whole project in a variety of video formats. Music Maker remains one of the best ways of getting started with making music with a computer. The ability to use other samples and VST instruments also means that it won't become limiting in a hurry.
