thanks for you feedback.

So, I have been having issues with my MMM not wanting to read some of my soundpools.
I have tried to reinstall the software, I have tried to relocate where the soundpools are stored, and I have tried to load a copy of the soundpools to a different name and location to see if it was when the software was reading the location.

Nothing so far has worked and it's getting really frustrating to try and figure out what sounds I can use, and which I can't.

I tried to look out for when the destination for the soundpools came up under the installation, but the destination was grayed out, and I couldn't change it. It would seem that the .mxcogg file format is the cause of what is going on though, cause any other format seems to be working just fine.

@LFQS0on

Hi, welcome to the Magix forums.

Which version of MMM do you have? I ask because I know the .mxcogg file format is only usable with the most recent versions.

Jeff

Hi,

The only purchase that I made through the Store recently was installed automatically here:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\MAGIX\Common\Soundpools\Shop

Note that this is the user Public, not a particular user. Take a look there. You should also find all other Soundpools and loops under ...Common\Soundpools\

@emmrecs

I'm using version 25.0.2.44 and running Win 8.1

I got the software from a Humble Bundle that was available some weeks ago, it came bundled with a voucher of $30 to use in the store. When I first started using the software, I had no issues listening to and using the loops in my soundpool.

I have 2 Soundpools that I am able to use and listen to, and 6 I can't, they all have the .mxcogg file type.

For anyone who has the same issue, check where Magix Music Maker installs - for some reason it ended up under 'Public' rather than my user account (Hence the permissions issue).

• Uninstalled the software
• Reinstalled under correct user account
• Updated software to version 24.1.5.119 (UDC3)
• Re-downloaded sound pools
• All working!

Also, for version 27.0.1.23, yo can go as follows and it will work without uninstalling/reinstalling:

• Press "P" on keyboard it will open program settings
• In General Options tab, click on "Rescan Soundpools button"

Wait till it finishes and soundpools will work again.

I had trouble with mxcogg, because Music Maker 28 refused to play those files. I would get error messages such as "can't find it", "cannot be read by Music Maker", to "You do not authorization to play this file", etc. I rang Microsoft to see if the problem was with the operating system. I was told that the company that owns Ogg has made a legal complaint that Magix committed Intelectual Property theft by unlawfully taking ownership of the Ogg file type by prefacing it with "mxc" in order to unlawfully claim ownership. In other words, mxcogg is not legally registered as a file type and not recognized by Windows 10 because it is stand-alone and does not have a file association nor a registered codex. Basically, it's an illegal file type.

@wildeprods

I doubt that this is an "illegal' file type. It does not have to be recognized by Windows 10 and has nothing to do with Microsoft because it is a proprietary format, available only to those with the correct program to play them. If not, they would be pirated.

As far as I know, the subscription for unlimited loops is the only version that currently uses mxcogg files. If you stop paying, the files remain on your hard drive but you can't use them. Otherwise, everyone would sign up for 1 month, download all Soundpools, and then stop their subscription.

If you have mxcogg files from an older version of Music Maker and purchased through the Store but not by subscription that do not work in the present version, select the Soundpool, right click, uninstall Soundpool, Program Settings, Cleanup Store, quit, restart, log in, go to Downloads and the Soundpool for ogg or wave format should be there to download and install. I suggest that you make a backup of the Shop folder first because the one that I tried did not come onto the downloads list. For some reason, t actually had both ogg and mxcogg files. Try it on a Soundpool that has mxcogg files, if you have one.

John CB

I've bought commercial versions of soundpools and I just get mxcogg instead of the wav file or it is a mixture of wav and mxcogg (I've set it up so I only get wav files). When I update a soundpool that has wav files, it changes the loops to mxcogg. Then there's another major problem with the program. mxcogg files on MM2021 do not work on MM2020. To make matters worse, in MM2021, they have removed Song Maker and replaced it with Live Performance (Live Pads & Sets) program and renamed it Song Maker 3 that is unusable, only has a couple of soundpools to choose from, which only plays the Live Pads & Sets demo songs. (Do they think we are stupid??). The songs it makes are so short it spits out a song under 2 minutes when the medium length of a song is 4 1/2 minutes. The MM2021 manual under Sound Maker shows a pic of the program similar to Song Maker 2. Now you can't do anything with it. Music Maker used to be #1 on the list of DAWs, now its plummeted to 105. The word has got out that the Music Industry tells people NOT to buy ANY Music Maker program later than 2020. They don't give any 2020 updates but force people to update to 2021. If they want to drop Music Maker as a program and stop people buying it, this complete destruction of Music Maker is the way to do it.

@wildeprods 

Are you subscribed to Loops Unlimited? This subscription will only give you mxcogg files.

If you have some problems downloading your Soundpools in WAV format you can download them from Producerplanet.com. Just go to this website, log into your user account and download them as WAV or OGG.

You can mix multiple Soundpools into one Soundpool (be sure all loops have the same tempo) by copying loop files into one Soundpool folder and use it as a basis in SongMaker to get a more interesting results.

If you think the songs are to short you can still use version 2020 parallel to version 2021. Just install it in another directory and then use the old SongMaker in 2020 for your songs.

I've bought commercial versions of soundpools and I just get mxcogg instead of the wav file or it is a mixture of wav and mxcogg (I've set it up so I only get wav files). When I update a soundpool that has wav files, it changes the loops to mxcogg. Then there's another major problem with the program. mxcogg files on MM2021 do not work on MM2020. To make matters worse, in MM2021, they have removed Song Maker and replaced it with Live Performance (Live Pads & Sets) program and renamed it Song Maker 3 that is unusable, only has a couple of soundpools to choose from, which only plays the Live Pads & Sets demo songs. (Do they think we are stupid??). The songs it makes are so short it spits out a song under 2 minutes when the medium length of a song is 4 1/2 minutes. The MM2021 manual under Sound Maker shows a pic of the program similar to Song Maker 2. Now you can't do anything with it. Music Maker used to be #1 on the list of DAWs, now its plummeted to 105. The word has got out that the Music Industry tells people NOT to buy ANY Music Maker program later than 2020. They don't give any 2020 updates but force people to update to 2021. If they want to drop Music Maker as a program and stop people buying it, this complete destruction of Music Maker is the way to do it.

@wildeprods

I'm not sure what you're talking about. If you have a subscription to unlimited loops, then you get mxcogg files. You haven't stated exactly what you have or what you are doing.

How do you update a soundpool that has wave files and then it changes to mxcogg? Why would you update a Soundpool that is already there and has wave files?

Song Maker - wrong on all counts. It does not use Live Performance. It has 9 Genres, each with one or more Templates - 35 templates in total. Each of these can use one or more Soundpools - not the ones from Live Pads - if they are available on your computer and under Loops. You can choose the instruments that you want, if available or don't want, and the Song parts that you want/don't want. The songs are not 2 minutes, they vary. The one in the image below is 4 minutes, 25 seconds.

John CB

@wildeprods

Hi

. . . . mxcogg files on MM2021 do not work on MM2020 . . . .

IIRC they are locked to the program they were purchased for.

. . . . they have removed Song Maker and replaced it with Live Performance . . . .

As you have found Song Maker it has been moved. Do you mean Live Pads or Live Arranger?

. . . . Song Maker 3 that is unusable, only has a couple of soundpools to choose from, . . . .

If you have upgraded from 2020 to 2021 and used the 2020 serial number then the features are restricted. MMM 2021 is a the first 64 bit version and for full functionality requires a new serial number and all the Extra Content downloading and installing as this has also been updated along with some new components. To allow use of the older 32 bit VST's you must have the VST Bridge component - purchasable for the Free and Plus version, included with the Premium.

. . . . The MM2021 manual under Sound Maker shows a pic of the program similar to Song Maker 2 . . . .

This known and has been reported

John EB
Forum Moderator

@johnebaker

Hi John,

In MMM2021, as far as I can tell, the length is determined by the number of parts and the length as per the xml file. The time duration is dependent on the BPM and the number of bars as per the number of parts selected.

As below, if the default of all parts is selected, there would be 92 bars at 120 BPM = 92 bars x4 beats per bar/120 BPM = 3 min 4 sec, and that is what shows. Setting the range bar has no impact.

-<Template songKey="a" signatureDenominator="4" signatureNumerator="4" name="Chart Hits - Temptation" genre="Pop" bpm="120" minSongmakerVersion="2" version="2">

• -<SongParts>
• <SongPart name="Intro" id="0" length="4"/>
• <SongPart name="Verse 1 A" id="1" length="8"/>
• <SongPart name="Pre Chorus" id="2" length="4"/>
• <SongPart name="Verse 1 B" id="3" length="8"/>
• <SongPart name="Pre Chorus" id="4" length="8"/>
• <SongPart name="Chorus" id="5" length="8"/>
• <SongPart name="Break" id="6" length="4"/>
• <SongPart name="Verse 2 A" id="7" length="8"/>
• <SongPart name="Pre Chorus" id="8" length="4"/>
• <SongPart name="Verse 2 B" id="9" length="8"/>
• <SongPart name="Pre Chorus" id="10" length="8"/>
• <SongPart name="Chorus" id="11" length="16"/>
• <SongPart name="Outro" id="12" length="4"/>
• </SongParts>

John CB

@browj2

Hi John

I have just found that out when checking something else - will update my post.

The longest song possible that I have found is ~ 133 bars.

Thanks

John EB

@johnbaker You wrote: "IIRC they are locked to the program they were purchased for".

Well, how incredibly stupid is that? I can understand Magix's protectionism so their mxc loops can't be used on another company's products. But to be SO protectionist against a version of your own product is INSANE!

You wrote: "As you have found Song Maker it has been moved. Do you mean Live Pads or Live Arranger?"

Clearly, you have not remotely seen Music Maker version 2020 or any other earlier version of Music Maker. You moved Music Maker to the bin and redesigned Live Pads/Live Arranger and renamed it Song Maker. In Song Maker you DO NOT have to install Live Pads/Live Arranger in order for Song Maker to work, because they are completely separate elements of Music Maker. Because you have to install Live pads/Live Performer for Song Maker to work, even a person with an IQ of 2 would see you threw out Song Maker (NOT moved it) and renamed the Live Pads/Live Arranger "Song Maker".

Go to Song Maker on MM2020. Now see how the user can select instruments. Now, look at PLAY to the right of it. Do you see the sliders for Speed and below it, Phrase Length. now play with the elements to see if the user can change them.

Now go to MM2021. Does it remotely resemble Song Maker in MM2020?? Now play with the same elements of Song Maker 2020 in fake Song Maker MM2021 (actually redesigned Live Pads/Live Arranger).

Can you change the Instruments? (No. The program says "fuck you, you can't change the instruments. You will play what I want to play).

Now change the speed and phrase length of the soundpool (like you did with Song Maker 2020) you want to use so you aren't stuck with a 2-minute song on medium at 120BPM (1950's length of song) and have it a song that's about 4 minutes 30 sec at Long (medium length on a 1970s to 2020 song).

Oh, sorry. The program says, you can't do that because the elements no longer exist because it's not Song Maker and DOES NOT function as Song Maker, but as Live Pads/Live Arranger", so you are stuck with a 2-minute Live pads demo song that you can Master to sound like a movie score, Hip Hop or Rock or EDM (which it does extremely badly).

Mike

@wildeprods

Hi

. . . . The program says, you can't do that because the elements no longer exist because it's not Song Maker and DOES NOT function as Song Maker, but as Live Pads/Live Arranger", so you are stuck with a 2-minute Live pads demo song that you can Master to sound like a movie score, Hip Hop or Rock or EDM (which it does extremely badly). . . . .

Did you purchase an upgrade to, and activate MMM 2021 with a new serial number and download/install all the Extra Content - this you must do to get all the features?

If not then you did not activate with a new serial number, then the errors and messages you are getting, and limited Soundpools suggest MMM 2021 is activated with the MMM 2020 serial number.

The upgrade to MMM 2021 requires a new serial number as it is in effect an all new program with many design changes, and is now a 64 bit program. MMM 2020 is the last of the 32 bit versions and older design.

The issue with the mxcogg files is as @browj2 has commented because you have an Unlimited loops subscription, or you are trying to use loops from a much older version of Music Maker which as I said above are locked to that version.

. . . . Clearly, you have not remotely seen Music Maker version 2020 or any other earlier version of Music Maker. . . . .

FYI - I have been using Music Maker through all versions since MMM 2015.

While we understand the frustration that venting them against other members of the forum is against the Community rules - link is at the bottom of the page.

John EB
Forum Moderator

@wildeprods

No one here works for Magix, so please stop saying that we changed the program. John Baker is a moderator and does not work for Magix.

You are missing something about how the new Song Maker works. The old one was very limited, the new one is more flexible and much better. There are a couple of things missing or that you can't do, but these are not things that you mentioned.

Neither the old nor the new version had anything to do with Live Pads/Live Arranger. Live Pads uses a completely different limited set of Soundpools and loops. Song Maker, both of them, use your normal Soundpool Loops.

OLD SONG MAKER

To put you in the context of the use of Song Maker, here is what the manual says:

"With the help of the Song Maker, you can automatically arrange multiple audio objects (loops) using included samples for songs or song parts without having to drag them individually from the Media Pool into the corresponding tracks. Considering the relatively random selection of loops that are combined you shouldn't expect the Song Maker to produce a chart-topping hit, but it can be very helpful as a basis for making your own adjustments and additions to create a cool project."

In the old Song Maker, you have to scroll through your Soundpools one by one - no menu. It took me about a hundred clicks to get to the one that I wanted. Only 1 Soundpool can be selected. The only instruments that show up are those that are in the Soundpool. Don't believe me? Check them yourself. If the Soundpool has 9 instruments, those 9 show up in Song Maker - you cannot select more because there are no loops to go with them. As well, Song Maker uses only the loops of the selected Soundpool - it does not create anything new; it does not use loops from other Soundpools

You cannot adjust the duration directly as you seem to imply - all that you are adjusting with the slider is the BPM which, obviously, changes the duration - this is just a change of Tempo. Extreme changes may not sound good. The default BPM is the one for the Soundpool selected. This is not required as you can do this as soon as the Song is on the Arranger - simply change the tempo which will increase or decrease the duration of the song.

Components = Song Parts - almost identical in both old and new versions, but the new version likely has more.

I don't know what Phrase length does. My guess is that putting it short causes the algorithm to select loops up to a certain number of bars, like 4, and long would go to 8. Maybe you know. This feature is not in the new Song Maker.

Likewise, Chaos and Generate Automatically are not in the new Song Maker as far as I can tell. According to the manual, "Chaos" draws a different loop of the corresponding instrument for each new object. Normally, the same loop is continuously used in various pitches for each element of the song such as verse, chorus etc. If you use "Automatic", a new song in a randomly generated style will be created automatically, as soon as a song has been played.

There is no standard song length in either Song Maker, and the standard +/- duration that was played on the radio 50 years ago went out the window with Hey Jude.

In my example of Chillout - Ballearic Islands - the old Song Maker shows 12 instruments and 8 components.

NEW SONG MAKER

Genre Templates - this is new. In the old Song Maker, there was only 1 template for everything and it would randomly select the loops to use. Now, some thought has been put into making more rational templates based on the genre and model of Soundpools selected.

Select a genre - I have selected Chillout - Ballearic Islands. This is the Genre, not the Soundpool - it's a model. Note that no Soundpool has been selected, so no instruments have been turned on. This is probably what you are talking about.

Select a Soundpool. Note that the sort under Soundpools puts those with the same BPM as the selected Genre first, then the rest follow alphabetically. As soon as I select Chillout - Ballearic Islands, the instruments show up. Except, guess what, there are more than were in the Old Song Maker, so your argument is totally false. These are the same instruments as those in the Soundpool, but there are some repeats which means more flexibility as defined by the template xml file.

Only loops from the Soundpool Chillout - Ballearic Islands will be used.

Click on a second Soundpool, like Chillout - Ballearic Islands Part 2 and Song Maker will use loops from both Soundpools. Click on a third Soundpool, and Song Maker will use loops from all three. The old Song Maker did not do this. As well, instruments will be added if they are available in a newly selected Soundpool.

Click on Create Song. Once done, change the Tempo if you want a different duration.

John CB

@johnebaker Yes, I downloaded and installed ALL elements. I have been using Music Maker since version 12 (we're now up to version 29). So Yes I know how to use the program. You admit you have only been using it since 2015 (MM2016). I do not use Loops Unlimited because you don't get to keep the soundpools you pay for. The monthly payment you make is equivalent to a full version of the soundpool. In Loops Unlimited you are RENTING an mxccogg soundpool for the full price for a wav file soundpool. You unsubscribe from Loops Unlimited and you LOSE every soundpool you bought under Loops Unlimited. That's why I only buy full commercial versions.

When this Community started, the Moderator was a member of the Magix Tech staff so that any problems with the program could immediately be investigated, fixed or advanced for that problem element to work better, so your program updates can fix the problem. Now it looks like we're on our own and Magix doesn't give a shit, and any schmuck can call himself "Moderator". In that case, since Magix refuses to give us any assistance and can't give a damn about our problems with their products, let's close down this forum and tell them to shove it up their asses until they start listening to us by their tech staff returning to govern (Moderate) the forum.