Groovemaker 2.0
November 14, 2001
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Hopefully, you have your computer sound going so that you can
hear one of the results created by using Groovemaker 2.0, a
program that creates music loops for, among other things,
continuous background music for Web sites.
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There is also a possibility that you have your sound on and still
cannot hear music or you do hear the song, but it is overlapping
itself. That is likely a factor with the browser and the way it
interacts with Groovemaker.
Yes, those disco days return if you wish, but Groovemaker allows
users to create virtually any type of music desired. And, what
grooves cannot easily be created, can be purchased as add-ons.
Techno music comes with the program, but among other music styles
available are hip hop, rap, rhythm and blues, soul, ambient, drum
and bass, dub, Eurohouse, and Brazilian percussion.
Users buying the basic version pay $79.95 and get 750 loops;
those buying the "DJ" version, which sells for $129.95, get 1,250
loops. Those aforementioned add-ons seem a bit pricey at $44.95
each.
Unlike many programs we review, Groovemaker may require a quick
tour of the user's manual to fully understand how the program
works. Lacking the usual types of menus and requiring users to
choose "mix" to save a file are just two examples of how the
program can confuse those with a quick trigger.
That is not to say the program is difficult to learn; it just
requires a little extra attention in the beginning. Following the
included tutorial will shorten the learning period a great deal.
In our tests, we ran into one problem with the program: It took
repeated trial and error to get the sound clips to play in both
Internet Explorer 5.5 and Netscape 6.2.
The users manual does not address how to implement the files into
HTML coding for best results in both Netscape and IE, which is
a major shortcoming of the manual itself. A call to the company did
not produce satisfactory results, either.
The final solution was to place the following in the
<head> section:
<bgsound src="sample2.wav" loop="true" autostart="true">
and then place this in the <body> section near the end of the file:
<EMBED SRC = "sample2.wav"
AUTOSTART = TRUE
LOOP = TRUE
WIDTH = 144
HEIGHT = 15
MASTERSOUND CONTROLS = SMALLCONSOLE>
Even then, the sound acted erratically, sometimes playing
perfectly and other times playing on top of itself, particularly
in Internet Explorer. That playing on top of itself problem was
solved by selecting "no" when the program asked if I wished to
include Active X interaction on the page.
Others among our staff had problems hearing files in Netscape,
and either browser may require a plug-in download to get the
proper results.
While Groovemaker does not yet allow for the export of .MP3
files, it does allow a few more options for importing files,
including .MP3 format; however, be forewarned that importing
.MP3s can be a bit confusing for beginners.
The program allows users to mix and match drum grooves, synth
pads, sound effects, and ambient loops. The company claims a
million combinations, and, while we didn't do an actual count,
suffice it to say there are numerous possibilities.
Users, in effect, are taking control of an 8-track stereo loop
creator, with each loop able to be manipulated by changing pan,
volume, mute, solo, grouping, tempo and pitch.
Users can also record their voice or add any external audio
material. They can play the live synth parts with their mix by
using the Synth Arpeggiator, pictured at right. It allows users
to add their own touches to the loops that come with the program
or that they later purchase.
You say you don't have musical talent? Not to worry. As long as a
user has a clue about what sounds good and can use a computer,
he/she can create a myriad of grooves. Groovemaker provides a
randomized loop creator that does its thing at the touch of a
button.
To create your own groove, the first step is to select a
drumbeat, choose some other instruments and sounds, and tweak
until the sound is what you want. Tweaks include tempo, volume,
and changing certain instruments. Then save it as a remix.
Groovemaker enables Web builders to create music for addition to
their Flash files, and it is easy to string together a number of
loops to play in a series to make a full-length recording.
The program does a good job of compressing the files to make them
usable on Web pages, and its tools are reasonably easy to learn
after the initial orientation.
Groovemaker is a good program for creating and adding sound
loops, and the more loops a user purchases the more they will
like the program once they get them loaded properly into their
HTML file. They might even like it enough to break out the "John
Travolta" white suit and — with apologies to K.C. & the
Sunshine Band of the '70s and '80s — Get Down Tonight.
What is it called again?
Groovemaker 2.0
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Where can I get it?
http://www.groovemaker.com
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How much does it cost? Regular
version is $79.95 and includes 750 loops; the DJ version is $129.95
and includes 1,250 loops. Loops purchased separately are $44.95 per
set.
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How big is the download? 6.7 MB
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Do I recommend it? Yes, but it
may be difficult for some users to implement.
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