Sony Media Acid Pro 6 Description

Music Creation Reformulated

In the world of digital music creation, ACID Pro software has always stood out from the crowd. Its automatic loop time-stretching and tempo-matching technology is second-to-none, and its straightforward pick, paint, and play functionality has helped make ACID Pro software the favorite loop-based music creation tool for millions of users worldwide. Now reformulated to add multitrack recording and full MIDI sequencing to its superior looping functionality, ACID Pro 6 software delivers a new formula for ground-breaking music creation: loops + multitrack + MIDI. Together, these key components add up to a full-featured professional music workstation unlike any other.

Innovative Loop-Based Music Creation

ACID Pro software has been the leader in loop-based music creation for nearly ten years. Version 6 has all of the core ACID Pro features—automatic pitch and tempo matching, real-time loop previewing, unlimited tracks, and our signature pick, paint, and play interface—and new enhancements such as support for multiple media events per track, and automatic crossfades. ACID Pro 6 software also includes over 1,000 Sony Sound Series loops so you can start creating music right out of the box.

Multitrack Audio and MIDI Recording

For uncompromising 24-bit, 192kHz sound quality production live or in-studio, ACID Pro 6 software has an expanded set of features for maximum audio performance. Whether you're on stage tracking a combo, or recording MIDI-based studio sequences, ACID Pro 6 software is the optimal platform for reliable multitrack production: on-the-fly punch in/out, unlimited tracks for audio and MIDI, control surface support, powerful plug-in processing, and 5.1 surround mixing.

Comprehensive MIDI Support

ACID Pro 6 software has unparalleled support for MIDI sequencing, with real-time MIDI processing and precise control over MIDI events. All note and controller data can be recorded and edited on the timeline as easily as audio tracks. Use new track envelopes to automate and modify modulation, expression, or other types of MIDI controller data over time. Other new features let you record multiple tracks of MIDI, apply real-time MIDI quantization, perform filtering and processing, create and edit drum patterns.

Superior Mixing and Editing

Nondestructive editing, unlimited tracks, and real-time pitch and tempo matching—ACID Pro 6 software has all of the essentials. ACID Pro 6 software includes our patent-pending Groove Mapping and Groove Cloning quantization tools, real-time event reverse, freehand envelope drawing, and support for alternate time signatures. Our unique Beatmapper tool makes remixing easy, and the Chopper tool helps you create impressive drum fills, stutters, and DJ-style effects.

Professional Effects and Soft Synth Support

Expand your sound palette with native support for VST instruments, as well as VST and DirectX audio plug-ins. ACID Pro 6 software includes the Native Instruments KOMPAKT Sony ACID Pro edition and over 20 DirectX effects. Create resonant sweeps, dramatic fades, EQ changes and add effects with parameter automation. Integrate ACID Pro 6 software with your existing studio: full ReWire host and device support, ASIO, and control surface automation for devices such as the Mackie Control and Frontier Design TranzPort.

Exclusive Quantization Tools

Transform loops and MIDI tracks into fresh, new sounds with our exclusive Groove Mapping and Groove Cloning quantization tools. Change the groove of a track, apply different grooves to the same track, extract a groove from one file and apply it to another, or even create custom grooves.

Professional Workflow Features

The Media Manager is a powerful way to tag, organize, and search your collection of content. Use new project sections to quickly audition different arrangements of a project. Maximize efficiency with folder tracks and cluster editing. Use the convenient Clip Pool to easily choose and arrange the events you want to use in your compositions. Place multiple media clips on one track—automatic crossfades tie everything together. Deliver projects in nearly any format without leaving the ACID Pro 6 environment: integrated DAO CD burning, AC3, AIF, ATRAC, AVI, MOV, MP3, MPEG-1 & MPEG-2*, OGG, PCA, RM, W64, WAV, WMA, WMV.

System Requirements

  • Microsoft® Windows® 2000 (SP4) or XP
  • 1 GHz processor (1.2 GHz if using video)
  • 150MB hard-disk space for program installation
  • 600 MB hard-disk space for optional Sony Sound Series Loops & Samples reference library installation
  • 2.2 GB hard-disk space for installation of Native Instruments Kompakt Sony ACID Pro edition
  • 256 MB RAM, 512 MB recommended
  • Windows-compatible sound card
  • DVD-ROM drive (for installation from a DVD only)
  • Supported CD-Recordable drive (for CD burning only)
  • DirectX 9.0c or later (included on DVD-ROM)
  • Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0
  • Internet connection (for Gracenote MusicID™)
  • Internet Explorer 5.1 or later (included on DVD-ROM)

Sony Media Acid Pro 6 Reviews

ACID Pro 6

Dominic A
January 1, 2007

Rating: 8/10

First impressions…
I upgraded from ACID pro 5 and needed a simple ACID Pro 6 serial to get things going.

Interface and navigation
ACID pro is the easiest application to navigate in my experience along with Zynewave’s Podium

My pick of the key new features in ACID Pro 6

MIDI
Well The Midi changes are impressive. For instance Inline Midi has made it’s way into ACID Pro 6 and it really speeds things up when editing and recording midi. This even extends to editing drum patterns as well. This is made possible by the inclusion of a dedicated drum grid mode, which works very well with the inline midi feature. Creating and editing drum maps is also possible and not difficult at all. I successfully created a drum map to use with Stylus RMX in a very short time for example. Automating VSTi parameters is also now possible.

Multiprocessor support
I doubt one can buy a PC that does is not at least have a dual core processor. Many quad processors are appearing already. It is good to see ACID Pro support in this area. As ACID Pro does not have its own CPU meter (puzzling omission), I used Windows task manager to check CPU usage and it does indeed successfully use a dual core processor as efficiently as one would expect. I even compared ACID Pro 6 to Sonar 6 and the CPU usage in both is identical as far as I could tell (I use a dual core system).

Envelope automation recording.
A very welcome addition. Many would consider this long overdue.

Unlimited media clips per track
Personally, I think this was a strange limitation to begin with. It is great to see the limitation removed but perhaps the limitation should not have ever been present.

ACID makes KONTAKT
A surprise inclusion here. A fully featured sampler from NI. The one problem I had with this is while the installation for ACID Pro6 was very easy and simple, the activation process for Kontakt was in stark contrast. Once installed I had to go through the challenge and response system that NI use. Perhaps Sony can avoid this next time.

Competition
Sonar has deeper midi and audio features but no CD burning which ACID Pro 6 has.
Cubase again is deeper in the midi and audio editing departments but ACID is still easier to use.

Pros
Perhaps not that well known but sister products Vegas, DVD architect, Soundforge and CD architect all share the same interface as ACID Pro 6, indeed identical in many places so if you want to extend you use of Sony product the learning curve is minimal.

Rewire host and slave allowing for great flexibility.

Cons

No track meters on tracks unless recording is armed.

No CPU meter.

Summary
If you want to work fast, manage large quantities of loops (using Sonys superb built in media manager) arrange video and audio as well as burn your audio projects to CD, then ACID Pro 6 will deliver the goods.

Sony Media Acid Pro 6 News

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    Danger Mouse is one of the most creative minds in the music industry right now: He's half of Gnarls Barkley and produced their hit albums St. Elsewhere and The Odd Couple. He produced the second Gorillaz album, 2005's Demon Days, as well as Beck's 2008 record, Modern Guilt. He has been nominated for a Grammy Award in the Producer of the Year category and mashed up Jay-Z and The Beatles...and even made music for Cartoon Network! Find out more about him, here.

  • NAMM 2007: Sony Media Software Unveils Vital Drums Loop Collection

    Sony Media Software, a leading provider of professional video and audio editing software applications, announced today the availability of Vital Drums: The Vitale Collection, the newest addition to the Sony Sound Series Premium Collection.

  • ACIDplanet.com delivers the rawk with the Pick of Destiny Video Mash-Up!

    Get ready to have your minds completely blown as we offer up video and audio samples from The Pick of Destiny and the Tenacious D movie website. Mix and match elements to create your own movie trailer or homage to the greatest band in Rock and Roll. Win fabulous prizes!

  • Part 1: Sequencers and software studios.

    The sequencer is the most important piece of software you will buy to make music on your computer. Here we run through the different types and make recommendations for all types of musicians…

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