Top of the Pops Mix Factory 2

Age Group: Age 8 and Up, Adults Type: Art/Creativity, Music Price: £24.99

Requires: Pentium 166+, Windows 95/98, 32 Mb RAM, 8xCD-ROM

Description:

Use this software to produce a hot music track on your PC, with the same kind of tools and techniques used in studios around the world. Create a No. 1 hit, then make a video to go with it, co-host a 'Top of the Pops' show with Gail Porter and impress friends and family by playing it 'live on air' on your PC.

Start with a tutorial by clicking 'Show Me'. Gail explains the different screens and how to use them to make a show - there is a lot to take in so it's good to listen to part of the tutorial, try a few things and then go back to it again later. There are two main sections - Hit Mix where you apply special effects to sound samples, mix and master them; and Vision Mix which allows similar modifications to bring visuals to life. There are also two smaller buttons: Playlist to organize video sequences into a show, and 'On Air' to put the show live on your PC.

Hit Mix allows you to build a score. Work with one of five demo Mixes (Chart, Club or Dance) or create a Mix from scratch and then save it. Drag samples onto twelve tracks, play the Mix and adjust it. You can apply special effects, such as change of pitch or digitizing, to any sample. They are organized under Chart, Club and Dance categories and then listed under instrument type, e.g. guitar or drums. Record your own voice or sounds, save the recording sample and add it to a track. Save the Mix, and Cut Master Track so that it can be included with a video (it's important to wait through the full playback when you do this).

Vision Mix lets you do something similar with visuals, dragging them onto foreground and background tracks, and loading an audio file (the one you just saved) to go with them. There is a huge selection of visuals, including scenes, 3D, cartoons and abstracts. You can import your own images (.pct, .bmp, .gif, .jpg formats) by copying them into the Imported Images folder. They can be input with scanners or digital cameras or downloaded from the net. I imported pictures of my sons' karate class, used Image Studio to apply special effects and dragged them onto the background tracks. Randomise is also available to make an instant video on a particular theme.

Once the Video is ready, add it to others on the Playlist, enter credits and record links for the show. Then call in your audience, put Top of the Pops on air on your PC, and wait for the deafening applause.

Features:

• 12-track Mixer
• Over 1600 music samples
• Add recorded sounds, voice
• Over 1000 visuals
• Import images
• 4 special effects
• Import Mix Factory 1 videos
• 23 page jewel case guide

Technical Aspects:

At one point when I clicked with the mouse during an 'On Air' session, the following error occurred 'Totpmf2 has caused an error in BBC_PLAY.DLL'. I was able to restart with no difficulty.

Report and Conclusions:

You can focus on the details of creation of music or on visual creativity, or have fun with both. I particularly liked the fact that you can import your own images and record sounds and voice - karaoke style if you record on top of a playback. This makes a great tool for commemorating special occasions with a matching family 'show', for example special birthdays or a graduation. You can also simply play around, see what develops, and have fun mixing. But be warned, Mix Factory 2 is addictive and absorbing!