Description
Acid Music is primarily a program to create music from loops. Loops are snippets of music that repeat. Acid does a good job of adjusting these loops so that the pitch can changed. The loops can be assembled to create a song.
Most loops are purchased on a Royalty Free basis so that you can sell the music or use them in multimedia projects without fear of violating a copyright.
As Acid Music has upgraded over the years it has evolved into a DAW (Digital Audio Workbench). It serves as a multi-track recorder of Audio, MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), Loops and Video.
Assessment/Opinion/Experience
I have been using ACID Music for more than 10 years. I have dabbled with other music programs and gave up on them in frustration. This is a program that I have kept using.
Support, DVD training is excellent and reasonably priced.
Recommendation
ACID® Music comes in three versions:
- ACID Xpress 7
- ACID Music Studio 7
- ACID Pro 7
Xpress is the free version, Music Studio is the home version and Pro is for professionals.
Xpress is quite powerful. Sony Creative software supports a website called AcidPlanet. Free sets of loops called 8Packs are available each week as well a many contests.
Start with Xpress and upgrade if you find the program worthwhile.
Computers Supported
Windows
Books
Sams Teach Yourself Acid in 24 Hours by Gary Rebholz and Michael Bryant - © 2002 - 421 pages.
I would anticipate that a newer edition is available. The book provides good coverage, but I am not fond of "lesson plan" format books.
Rating: ★★★??
ACID Power! by David E. Franks - © 2001 - 308 pages.
This book is outstanding. Especially appreciated the chapter on song composition. My copy is for Acid 3.0, I would expect more recent editions are available.
Rating: ★★★★+
Reference/Links
Acidplanet
Sony Creative Software
Comparison of Acid Music Versions