MP3 Remix

very good
key review info
application features
  • Beat Detection Processing detects the rhythm and dynamics of any song to create incredible "beat-synchronized" remixes.
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Even metalheads like I am know what the music industry means. You just can't help hearing old songs, old legendary hits brought back to the audience's attention by means of skillful remixes (the good way) or by unfortunate mutilations of once amazing songs or themes.

One friend of mine (composer and sound engineer) used to say once "People tend to lose their ability to write new music. Instead, they slaughter others' masterpieces". I agreed with him then and I agree with him even more after all these years. I won't say that people who are fans of the "remix everything" idea are good or bad; even myself, I like some (extremely few, indeed) remixes I have heard so far. Unfortunately, what most people (except for the aces of re-mixing) understand by remixing is a very distorted idea: instead of contributing in a truly constructive manner to creating a better track based on an already-classic song, many just add some beats, often not so well matched with the original base. And they believe this is what remixing is. Well, it's not quite so.

Creating a manual-like remix requires a lot of musical theory, let alone the necessary hearing; even more, these two aren't enough not by far. Imagination and clearly seeing the projected result in front of you are a must as well.

The MP3 Remix can really be used for remixing. But in my humble opinion, it should be regarded only as first grades in comparison with the "real thing", let's call it "remix academy". For the less-experienced musician it's a perfect tool; but for someone who wants to really advance and reach "higher grounds", other things must be considered.

The Looks

MP3 Remix has an awesome look even though it looks more toy-like than professional-like. Nevertheless, all the graphic elements of which its interface consists of are highly intuitive and offer at least enough information for both the inexperienced user and the one who already knows some things on this matter.

The general drawing is very XP-style, with neat shapes that I really loved. I said it was a bit toy-y but not in the bad way: I guess the over-intuitive commands, buttons and the hyper-readable text leave that impression. Without being at all crowded, the MP3 Remix gathers a fair amount of tweaking-possibilities and still looks easily usable, by preteens even.

The entire main window has a polished titanium color while buttons are dark orange and the loop-sections are sky-blue when active and dark deep blue when not, all denoting a very well-balanced color-scheme design. Slider bars are as well easy to see and operate. The 5 loop-sets are easily reachable and just above them is the remixer that can quickly read info on them such as User/Library/Name, indicating the categorization for ease of search, edit or use.

One thing I also liked about the MP3 Remix's GUI was the analog-style VU-meter indicating the output level of your current remix and the LED-type bridges for song/mix (dry/wet) balance. Not that it has really some vital importance (as VU's have in other programs/plugins), but it just makes this software look more familiar and warm, despite its very techno appearance. I said the VU-meter is more a graphic ornament because I haven't met a gain-adjustment tool anywhere. All completed by a large and impossible-to-miss Record button.

The Works

The biggest asset the MP3 Remix has is the fact that it can transform a hard and complicated series of operations in something much easier and quicker. Remember what I've said in the beginning: Not For The Professional Use! But if I try and imagine myself as a teenager aiming for the cool of being a DJ or a known re-mixer, the MP3 Remix seems just perfect.

The essential idea which works behind MP3 Remix's bright colors is a set of loops being triggered by the playback of the original track (the one you want to remix) and being played simultaneously. Sounds easy, doesn't it? It is, as long as you are able to set the right parameters for the triggering and are also able to make all the loops you decided to insert sound consistent material into.

Basically, you have to edit the loops as if working in a common beat-sequencer: you choose what instrument the loop will contain (things as claps, drums, scratches, vocals and so on). This sound will act like a sample and will be played only if triggered. You can choose the trigger for beat detection and it may be a steady pulse, a groove, low or high frequency or others.

The playback of the loop can be a sequence or a random one with two other options: can be repeated or can not. As for the rhythm, here the user must have at least some basic notions on how the beats are structured in both musical theory and in PC composition. Nothing "out of this world" though: note duration, beats per measure and measures per loop, each editable. All this setting up can then be saved for a specific user and categorized in a certain library under a specific name.

This can go on for up to 20 loops and you as well get to skip certain positions as to fit better with your song. Needless to say that mixing is not a one-step process: you'll have to hear the sound again and again and tweak and reset things many times until you get a groove to suit both the musical exigencies and your wish.

All described by now represent only "one load" in the MP3 Remix; and you have a total of 5 you can use in the same song, so the work can be longer than you previously thought... Depending on your vision, the MP3 Remix also lets you adjust the speed/tempo for the track you are remixing so that you get almost full freedom to change the initial source into something bearing your unmistakable mark. You must also decide the balance between the song and the loops by adjusting the Mix Level slidebar.

The MP3 Remix also has an on/off bypass button which will help you clear your mind when the loops seem to match badly with the track. After you set everything up the proper way and all things go in an orderly manner and you also learned the sequence of loads, you have to play and if the result is really a decent mix it's time to record what you are playing. And, of course, by this moment you should have bought the software since recording is a feature supported only by the registered version of the MP3 Remix. The program also requires registration if you want to add sounds of your own choice as samples from which to build your coolest loops.

The Good

MP3 Remix is definitely a fun tool. Besides fun it also helps the user learn the basics in re-mixing, gets him/her used to things as sequences, a bit of musical theory and loop-building. It can produce very nice results if the re-mixer spends enough time with the software and is also in an inspired mood. A toy with a very good price considering you can get almost pro results.

The Bad

Unfortunately, the MP3 Remix is fit for dance music only and when I said dance I meant music made for dancing around, no matter if you do it the wes'coast or gan'sta or electro-who-knows-what style. Too bad the demo won't let me either save my work or load my beats.

The Truth

Want to see what remixes are made of and how? Thinking about becoming a great personality in the remix-world? Start practicing now: the MP3 Remix is a perfect beginner and even advanced user's tool.

And now, some snapshots with MP3 Remix at work:

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user interface 4
features 3
ease of use 4
pricing / value 4


final rating 4
Editor's review
very good
 
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