Technology: Sound Track To Go

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For aspiring auteurs, there's no shortage of moviemaking software. But try to cut your film to match a song in your MP3 library, and it gets more difficult. SmartSound Movie Maestro ($50) makes it easy by automatically layering in your sound track. The basic software package offers a fair variety of styles, from Blockbuster (heavy orchestra, eerie synth) to Vacation (steel drums, Dixieland brass), but the best stuff comes from the six optional Movie Music CDs ($30 apiece). The drawback is that you're stuck with their music; the program doesn't enable you to use tracks from a personal collection. But if you want a snap-to-fit sound, this is a good match. --By Wilson Rothman