The program had an error during the setup process. It prompted for the file ‘vc_red.msi’ but the directory it referenced did not contain the file. The setup should know where it was being installed from, and supply all needed files. Some users may not have ‘vc_red.msi’ available or know where to find it. Some users may not see this error at all.
Later in the install process, the program prompted for Virtual Dub format filters (*.vdf), prompting with an Open dialog starting in My Documents. Finally, it went past the prompt (without me canceling it), but no indication as to why the prompt occurred, or why it was not needed.
The program next displayed the Activation dialog, with the cursor placed in the “Activation code” input box. The code provided to the downloaders was referred to as a “License key” but nowhere was there any indication that the number was not intended to be entered into the Activation box, causing several users grief. Thanks to some astute users that pointed out the License key was to be entered into a form after clicking on “Activate full version” where the user also must enter their name.
If the user has any software that prevents the program from “calling home” during the Activation step, the program displayed an error reporting that the user is not connected to the Internet, which obviously is the wrong error. Instead, it should make clearer suggestions on what to look for, such as being blocked by their Firewall (rare situation because the Firewall most likely would prompt the user to allow the program to communicate with the Internet), or the program could be blocked by other software such as Win Privacy, or similar. The AV Morpher developer should adopt a more conventional method of activation that can be performed without accessing the Internet (as most good developers do).
When the program finally gets started, it does not respect the user’s desktop area, and instead has areas of the program interface below the taskbar area (for users that have more than one row for a taskbar at the bottom). Since the taskbar can be at bottom, top, or a side, the developer should check to ensure the entire program interface is not partially obscured by a taskbar.
Once the program is accessible, it is clear that the design is not a common Windows interface, which makes the program not usable for many users with accessibility needs (common short-cut keys do not operate as expected, such as Alt-F for the File menu). Drop-down box choices are hard to read, and there does not appear to be a way to change the typeface or the size of the typeface (the program does not display well on a 28 inch monitor; pity the user that has a 17 inch monitor). It appears that the developer was more interested in the appearance of the interface than making the program’s usability higher. The design is made to look like a small component bookshelf mini-stereo plastic cabinet (complete with 3D effect), similar to ones that had dual cassette players at the bottom, except this design uses the are for other displays.
There is a menu option for selecting a Skin, however only one is offered. The Help pages on the developer’s website states in the New Features section:
“A new design and has a new and improved User Interface (XP style skin) that increases its usability. AV Music Morpher Gold 5.0 also improved with a new attractive black and gold skin.”
The design probably started before XP and may not have been updated since the XP days.
Instead of a Help file, the user is taken to a help URL online, which is slow and tedious, a killer for anyone wanting to use the program without Internet access, but would like to have access to a fast manual. The URL is https://www.audio4fun.com/ug/music-morpher-gold5/
When the program creates a morphed version of an audio file, the user selects where to save the file. The default is the same as the source file, however if the output file is of the same type as the source (such as WAV), the program prompts to overwrite the original. You do have an option to rename the output file. If you choose to “Browse” to a different location altogether, the user is prompted with a tree structure dialog, starting at “”My Computer”/”Computer”. It’s fine if you want to save the output to the Desktop, or one of the immediate displayed choices, such as the root of a drive, however if you wish to save to a nested folder, you have to navigate your way to that area, which can make use more tedious. Also, you do not have an option to create a folder when you reach the parent of a non-existent folder you would like to use. Most modern software does have the option to “Create a new folder” during this process.
Some users may be put off by the flaws in setting the program up and the difficulty adapting to its interface, and therefore may never get to utilize any of the features the program has. With all the functionality explained on the developer’s website, it is unfortunate that the program may not get put to use as much as the developer intended.