Quick Answer
mixcraft.exe is safe. It is the official executable for Acoustica Mixcraft, a professional digital audio workstation; it runs multiple threads for the audio engine, UI, and plugin hosting.
Is it a Virus?
✔ NO - Safe
Must be in Program Files\Acoustica Mixcraft 9\Mixcraft64.exe
Warning
Many processes normal
Mixcraft uses separate processes for UI, audio engine, plugins, and rendering; heavy projects or exports can spawn multiple threads.
Can I Disable?
✔ YES
Close Mixcraft to free resources. To stop startup, disable Mixcraft in Windows Startup settings or Task Manager.
What is Mixcraft64.exe?
mixcraft.exe is the main executable for Acoustica Mixcraft, a full-featured digital audio workstation used to record, edit, mix and master music projects. The process coordinates the audio engine, UI, and plugin hosting, enabling real-time playback, effects processing, and project management across tracks and buses.
Mixcraft64.exe launches the core audio engine and the UI, coordinating project data, track routing, and VST plugin hosting. It uses multi-threading to separate real-time audio processing from the interface for better latency, stability, and responsive editing.
Quick Fact: Mixcraft pioneered efficient multi-threaded audio processing, keeping playback smooth even with many plugins and tracks.
Types of Mixcraft Processes
- UI Process: Main user interface and project window
- Audio Engine Process: Real-time audio processing and playback
- Plugin Host Process: VST/AU plugin loading and processing per project
- Background Render Process: Rendering and exporting audio in the background
- Library Loader Process: Scanning and loading sample libraries
- Utility Services Process: Autosave, recovery, and miscellaneous tasks
Is mixcraft.exe Safe?
Yes, mixcraft.exe is safe when it's the legitimate file from Acoustica downloaded from official sources (acoustica.com or pre-installed by manufacturer).
Is mixcraft.exe a Virus or Malware?
The real mixcraft.exe is NOT a virus. Malware can masquerade with similar names. Verify the path and signature.
How to Tell if mixcraft.exe is Legitimate or Malware
- File Location: Must be in
C:\Program Files\Acoustica Mixcraft 9\Mixcraft64.exe or C:\Program Files (x86)\Acoustica Mixcraft 9\Mixcraft64.exe. Any mixcraft64.exe elsewhere is suspicious.
- Digital Signature: Right-click the process in Task Manager → Open file location → Right-click Mixcraft64.exe → Properties → Digital Signatures. Should show "Acoustica, Inc.".
- Resource Usage: Normal usage is 3-40% CPU per core and 120-1200 MB total memory. Extremely high usage when the app is idle is suspicious.
- Behavior: Mixcraft should only run when you launch it. Multiple unintended instances or background activity may indicate malware.
Red Flags: If mixcraft.exe is located in unusual folders (like Temp, AppData\Roaming, or System32), runs when Mixcraft isn't open, has no digital signature, or uses excessive resources constantly, run a full antivirus scan. Beware of similarly-named files like "mixcraft.exe.backup".
Why Is mixcraft.exe Running on My PC?
mixcraft.exe runs when you open Acoustica Mixcraft or when the program is configured to render, scan libraries, or manage background tasks. It may also run during startup if configured to launch on login.
Reasons it's running:
- Active Project Editing/Playback: You're actively editing or playing back a project; the audio engine and UI threads are running to process and render audio in real time.
- Background Rendering or Export: Exporting a project or rendering stems can keep mixcraft64.exe active in the background until completion.
- Library and Plugin Scans on Startup: During startup, Mixcraft may scan libraries and host plugins, causing additional CPU and I/O activity.
- Audio Driver Initialization: On launch, the program initializes ASIO/Windows drivers to route audio, which can briefly increase resource use.
- Autosave and Recovery Tasks: Autosave, project recovery, and background housekeeping run continuously to protect work, occasionally sustaining activity.
Can I Disable or Remove mixcraft.exe?
Yes, you can disable mixcraft.exe. It's safe to close Mixcraft when not in use, and you can uninstall it completely if you prefer a different DAW.
How to Stop mixcraft.exe
- Stop Playback and Close Project: Click the Stop button in the transport bar or press Space to halt playback, then close the project.
- Exit Mixcraft: File → Exit or click the close button to shut down the UI and engine safely.
- Disable Startup: Open Task Manager → Startup tab → Disable Acoustica Mixcraft to prevent auto-launch.
- Disable Background Rendering: In Preferences or Settings, turn off background rendering to reduce ongoing activity when idle.
- Uninstall Mixcraft: Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Acoustica Mixcraft → Uninstall; follow prompts to remove the software.
How to Uninstall Mixcraft
- ✔ Windows Settings → Apps → Apps & Features → Acoustica Mixcraft → Uninstall
- ✔ Control Panel → Programs → Uninstall a program → Acoustica Mixcraft → Uninstall
- ✔ Consider alternative DAWs: Ableton Live, FL Studio, Reaper, or Logic Pro (macOS)
Common Problems: High CPU, Latency, and Crashes
If mixcraft.exe is consuming excessive resources or crashing, use these targeted checks and fixes to restore stability.
Common Causes & Solutions
- Too Many Tracks or Heavy Plugins: Freeze tracks, bounce in place, or disable non-essential plugins to reduce CPU load.
- Resource-Intensive Plugins: Disable unnecessary effects or replace heavy plugins with lighter alternatives; consider rendering stems.
- Small Audio Buffer: Increase buffer size in Audio Settings to reduce dropouts and crackling; balance latency vs stability.
- Outdated Audio Drivers: Update sound card drivers from the manufacturer’s site and ensure proper ASIO/WDM configuration.
- Missing or Broken Plugins: Rescan plugins in Mixcraft’s Plugin Manager; reinstall missing VSTs and verify plugin paths.
- Slow Disk I/O: Move samples and projects to a fast drive; ensure enough free space and disable antivirus scanning on project folders.
Quick Fixes:
1. Use Pause/Stop to quick-stop playback and inspect active tracks
2. Increase audio buffer size temporarily in Settings
3. Disable non-essential plugins in the mixer or track view
4. Update Mixcraft to the latest version
5. Enable Memory Saver or reduce project sample rate if supported
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mixcraft.exe a virus?
No, the legitimate mixcraft.exe from Acoustica is not a virus. Verify the path is in C:\Program Files\Acoustica Mixcraft 9\Mixcraft64.exe and that it has a valid digital signature from "Acoustica, Inc.".
Where is mixcraft64.exe located?
The safe default locations are <code>C:\Program Files\Acoustica Mixcraft 9\Mixcraft64.exe</code> or <code>C:\Program Files (x86)\Acoustica Mixcraft 9\Mixcraft64.exe</code>. If you installed elsewhere, verify the folder and signature.
Can I disable mixcraft.exe from starting with Windows?
Yes. Use Task Manager → Startup tab to disable Acoustica Mixcraft, or remove the shortcut from Startup, so it only runs when you manually launch it.
Why does Mixcraft use so much CPU?
CPU usage rises with many tracks, heavy plugins, and real-time effects. Use fewer active plugins, freeze tracks, and adjust buffer size. Updating drivers and software also helps.
How do I uninstall Mixcraft?
Open Windows Settings → Apps & Features, select Acoustica Mixcraft, and choose Uninstall. You can reinstall later from acoustica.com or the retailer you used.
What should I do if Mixcraft crashes on startup?
Check for missing plugins, reset preferences, run a plugin scan, update to the latest version, and verify drivers. If needed, reinstall Mixcraft with a clean setup.