Auto Music Selections in v.X8.5 Pro

[saroman]

I just upgraded from v.4 Pro to v.8.5 Pro. I notice that the Auto Music selections in v.8.5 are are not nearly as good compared to those in v.4. Is there a way to download additional music files or, better yet, import the music files from v.4 into v.8.5? Thanks.

[Ken Berry]

Welcome to the forums!

Just as a general comment, I assume you mean VS X4 and VS X8.5 (well, I know you certainly meant the latter as there never was a VS 8.5). However, VS 4 came out about 15 years or so ago. Corel added a Roman X (10) to the numbering system they use for successive versions, so X4 is really 14 and X8.5 is 18.5...

Anyway, to get to your actual question, the answer, sadly, is no. In X4 (indeed in versions from X7 backwards) they were using a plug-in called SmartSound QuickTracks which has an expensive but expansive library of music. But for whatever reason, with X8, and now X8.5, they moved to a new plug-in from a completely different company called Triple Scoop. It's library is tiny compared to SmartSound, and most people would also say it is of lesser quality, comparable to Midi sound. They are incompatible with each other, and there is no way of importing QuickTracks plug-in into X8/8.5...

If you still have X4, then all I can suggest is that when you know the precise length of music you are after in X8.5, then you go back to X4 and use QuickTracks to produce the clip then import it into X8.5. But unfortunately this will also mean you have to close X8.5, open X4, produce the track(s), then close X4 and reopen X8.5, since you can't have two versions of VS open at once.

The only other alternative is more expensive. Personally, I liked SmartSound so much that I have amassed a library of over 120 of its discs over about 7 years. And I bought the 'big brother' of QuickTracks, which is a stand-alone program called SonicFire Pro (made by SmartSound). So I can still make tailor-made music tracks not only for all versions of VS, but also for my other video editing programs as well (though some of them still use QuickTracks!)

[saroman]

Thanks very much for the quick response.

This is very disappointing and, in fact, I regret having upgraded and wasted my money. VS X4 is perfectly fine as is and I assumed there would be some compelling reasons to switch over. My initial impression is that there aren't, especially considering that the music selections in VS X8 are, in a word, awful. I think I've bought my last version of VS (and I probably won't use it).

[BrianCee]

Sorry Ken - although there are some Triple scoop music files supplied with Videostudio the Auto music in X8 and X8.5 is from "Scorefitter" and I seem to have a quite comprehensive library of tracks from them

and it also does seem possible to buy additional music tracks - such as this http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/u ... refitter2/


The attachments below might give you some idea of the range I have.

[Ken Berry]

OK. I confess I only looked quickly at X8.5 because I couldn't quite remember the name of the new automusic feature, and I saw 'Triple Scoop'. My point, though, remains -- and I recall an extensive discussion when X8 first emerged with it, from Pinnacle and other users who were disappointed with both the quality of ... ahem! ... Scorefitter music, and the limited range of what is on offer from them. Are there any more discs, for instance, than the three on offer on the link you gave?

EDIT: I just found that earlier thread I was thinking about http://forum.corel.com/EN/viewtopic.php ... 13#p302713

[BrianCee]

I can't find any more at the moment - maybe there are more to come

[Ken Berry]

While you typing, I was editing my last post with a link to the earlier thread I was talking about. About halfway down the comment is made that there appear to be only three scorefitter discs and that they have been available for years...

[Andy3252]

I too have purchased an extensive smartsound library and I think its a bit unfair of Corel to encourage us to upgrade (which I have done every time since the old Ulead days) and then drop major functionality that many users have come to rely upon and spent hard cash on for a very professional audio function. The automusic is pathetic compared to Smartsound, though fortunately for me I paid a slight premium to have the Smartsound editor shipped with one set of discs, this allows me to work with the music to a specified length and mode so I can import it as a music file. However, I can no longer manage my library within videostudio or add to the automusic facility.

Sorry Corel but this error is an own goal and very disappointing.



Andy

[Ken Berry]

The automusic is pathetic compared to Smartsound, though fortunately for me I paid a slight premium to have the Smartsound editor shipped with one set of discs, this allows me to work with the music to a specified length and mode so I can import it as a music file. However, I can no longer manage my library within videostudio or add to the automusic facility.

I can only agree, though Corel seems to be limiting the licence fees it pays to other companies for their plug-ins, and I am afraid Corel now own Triple Scoop.

I also assume that the 'Smartsound editor' you had included when you bought some discs was SonicFire Express Track, which is a slimmed down version of the full SonicFire Pro, which I bought some time ago and never looked back. Frankly, I never imported any of my extensive SmartSound library into VS for management purposes. I just did all the work in SonicFire, so I will continue with that workflow and simply ignore Triple Scoop.