Software : Acid XPress 5.0 from Sony

Price : Free

Web Site : http://www.sonymediasoftware.com/download/step2.asp?DID=551

System Requirements :
Microsoft Windows 2000 or XP
800 MHz processor (1GHz if using video)
200 MB hard-disk space for program installation
600 MB hard-disk space for optional Sony Sound Series Loops & Samples reference library installation
256 MB RAM
Microsoft Windows compatible sound card
Supported CD-Recordable drive (for CD burning only)
Microsoft DirectX 8.1 or later
Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1
Internet Explorer 5.1 or later

Ease of Use : Acid XPress was easy to use. The interactive "Show Me How" tutorials were very informative and took you step by step through the process.

Feasibility :I have used this trial software with my 7th and 8th grade students. It is very easy for them to learn and they can quickly create their own music using sample loops or loops that are available on the web.

Features : Acid XPress allows you to create your own music by combining music loops. Using the intuitive "pick, paint, and play" interface sudents can easily create their own music. Some of the new features in Acid XPress 5.0 are : metronome, reverse audio and enhanced interactive tutorials. Export your music to portable devices such as MP3 players, Sony® Net-MD® players and Sony CLIÉ™ handheld devices.

Editing Capabilities :The music loops can be editted and changed fairly easily.

File Inputs / Outputs :

• Wave (Microsoft) (.wav)
• MP3 Audio (.mp3)
• RealMedia 9 (.rm)
• Windows Media Audio V9 (.wma)
• Sony Perfect Clarity Audio (.pca)

My Opinion :Acid XPress is very good for a free download and is a good first step in digital music editing. However, having used the full version - Acid Pro 6, I did not feel that Acid XPress had enough capability.