The Quickstart Music Suite (DVDs 1-4).(Video recording review)

The Quickstart Music Suite (DVDs 1-4). Midisoft Music Software (24325 Crenshaw Blvd., 108, Los Angeles, CA 90505). Beginner to advanced.

The bundle of applications in The Quickstart Music Suite (DVDs 1-4) is tempting, given the scope of the offerings and the very low price of the set. In theory, a teacher just getting started with technology offerings could get a pretty well-rounded start in just one purchase: with notation/sequencing, history, a few games and an audio recorder, the only thing missing is a thorough theory tutor. Unfortunately, the specifications are a little too good to be true.

The "Music Mentor" is the most attractive unit in the set, which also can be purchased individually at a very low price. It is geared toward older beginners, with very dry text and sophisticated concepts. Musical examples are well-recorded in audio (as opposed to MIDI), and the range of composers and historical material is more comprehensive than other software-based music appreciation titles. The approach to theory, on the other hand, could be more sequential, but the linked "hot" text helps alleviate this problem. The "Noodler" section is the obligatory game/reward element of the title, with a premise of assembling musical parameters like historical period, instrumentation and so on, and "noodling" around with the primary chords on either the on-screen keyboard or a connected MIDI keyboard. It's very limited but can be rewarding for beginners.

The "Digital Recorder" is the kind of software you want if you're going to create your own CD or send audio recordings over the Internet. It's quite nice to have eight tracks and some arguably professional effects options (like ...