Last Update: April 2015. Checked
all links; Added Naturpic Software; WaveShop, OcenAudio;
Digilogue Acoustic Cutter; CoolEditRecordPro; SionSoft's
QuickAudio; Audiodope.org; SoundEngine.jp; GFSoftware Easy
Audio Mixer; DVDVideoSoft Audio Editor; removed Digtal Sound
Planet (gone); J. Hepple's, Fx, Sound & Magic still has a
website, but the software seems to be gone; removed
Minnetonka's Fast Edit (not available)
This page provides a set of links to some of the more popular
software programs available for working with Digital Audio. Tools
to capture audio from multiple sources (cassettes, Internet
broadcasts, CDs, etc.), split albums into individual tracks, clean
up scratchy audio, and encoding into MP3 or other formats are
included.
Above is a screen grab of Acon Digital's Acoustica Editor
Acon Digital Media: http://www.acondigital.com
Acoustica Premium 6: Professional
level;
supports
multichannel
(8)
plus 5.1 & 7.1 surround sound, includes Studio
Clean/Time/Necessities, VST/DirectX, up to 32bit/384kHz. Full CD
Burner support. $119.90
Acoustica Standard 6: Well
featured 2-channel edtior with recording, DirectX and VST Plugin
support, and much more. $39.90
Acoustica Standard Free: limited free version
AudioLava (Premium and Standard Versions):
Designed to convert LPs to digital audio with ease. $24.90 and
$59.90
Studio Plugin-Suites:
Studio Time; Studio Clean; Studio Necessities
Comments: I purchased Acoustica and have been pleased with
it, although I haven't used it as much as my older Wavelab Lite
yet, so can't provide a thorough review.
Acoustica: http://www.acoustica.com
Spin It Again 2.5 (May
2009).Record 45's and
33's to CD or to MP3 player. The demo is great! Easy to use,
Wizard type recorder, track splitting, and pretty good noise
reduction. $34.95
MixCraft 7 (Apr 2015): Multi-track recording
studio, with time stretching; VST/DirectX Plug In support;
Built-In effects; and more. Home Studio $49.95; Mixcraft 7 $89.95,
Pro Studio $164.95
Comments: Acoustica offers downloadable demos of all their
programs. Acostica software seems to be well done, from the
demos that I've tried
Acoustic Labs Software: http://www.acoustic-labs.com
Audio Editor.
Record; basic editing (cut, copy, fade, etc.); Echo, Delay,
Reverb, Multi-voice effects; WAV/MP3/WMA/OGG/PCM support. Looks
fairly simple. $24.95
Multitrack Recorder and
Multitrack Plus: 8 or 24 track recorder with mixing,
track bouncing, punch in/out recording, and more. $24.95 or $44.95
(plus)
Comments: Acoustic Labs offers downloadable demos of their
products. No information on their site about version numbers
or dates of release.
Adobe: http://www.adobe.com
Audition (2014): (successor to Syntrillium's
CoolEdit): Professional level multi-track audio editor with video
functions. Part of Adobe's Creative Cloud offerings.
Comments: Very expensive, but professional level tool.
Algorithmix: http://www.algorithmix.com
Sound Rescue 3.0: Record
and Tapes to digital tool with noise reduction tools. $79.90
reNOVAtor 2.5: High
resolution audio repair processor to eliminate disturbing audio
events. EUR €2490
easyNOVA 2.10: Slimmed
down (and less expensive) version of reNOVAtor with pre-set EUR
€990
ScratchFree DirectX/VST Plug-In
v1.3: Click and crackle elimination €1490
NoiseFree DirectX/VST Plug-In
v1.3: Constant noise elimination (hiss, hum, etc.) €1490
SoundLaundry v2.5: set of
modules for cleaning and restoring record & cassette
recordings with recorder. Modules $19 - 99 each; Compact Edition
$149; Classic Suite $229; Advanced Suite $299
Easy Tools v1.1: set of
modules for AudioGrabber or as standalone. DeClicker, DeNoiser,
Equalizer, Enhancer. $19 - $59
Comments: The professional tools are quite expensive. Demos
are available. See website for latest versions.
Audacity: http://audacity.sourceforge.net
Audacity 2.1.0 March 2015. Free, Open Source audio
editor. It is available in Windows, MAC OSX and GNU/Linux
versions. It features record, OGG/MP3/WAV support, basic editing,
speed/pitch change, and support VST plug-ins through a separate
module. $0.00
Comments: Used by many and the price is certainly right!
Audiodope: http://www.audiodope.org
Audiodope 026 Beta: Audio editor supports Ogg, MP3, etc;
with VST Plugins.
Comments: Free
Blaze Audio: http://www.blazeaudio.com
Rip Edit Burn and Rip Edit Burn
Plus: (record, rip, mix, burn, etc) $55.95 and $97.95
Power Record: record
internet programs $39.95
Record Cleaner: Add-on for Wave Creator or Rip
Edit Burn $34.95
LP/Tape to Conversion Suite and
Conversion Suite Plus: $116.76 or $152.56 (plus)
Comments: Blaze Audio carries many audio related products
and hardware. Package deals with hardware are available. Beware if
you register with their site that they send quite a bit of
advertising (at least they used to!)
CakeWalk: http://www.cakewalk.com
Sonar Artist, Professional,
Platimum. Multitrack editor ranging from a home use
version to a full digital audio workstation (DAW) $99, $199, or
$499
Music Creator 7: record audio/MIDI tracks,
arrange, edit, mix, write music, rip/burn CDs, DirectX
Audio-plugin support $49.99
Comments: A demo of Sonar is available for download. Some
of the products are available as a download purchase.
CFB Software (Australia): http://www.cfbsoftware.com
LP Recorder (V11.1 Dec 2013): recorder with auto
start/stop and auto level capabilities $39.95 (US)
LP Ripper (V11 Mar 2013):
split tracks from a recording, insert silence, store MP3 tags
$39.95 (US)
LP Burner (V3.1 Jul
2010): Burn WAV files to Audio CD (does not support other formats)
$19.95
WAV Joiner (V4.0.1 Dec
2009): combine WAV files into a single file $29.95
Comments: Combo with LP Ripper & Recorder $69.95; 3
Pack with Burner $79.95. Feature limited demos available; Pricing
point seems rather high to me given the competition.
Coolmedia: http://www.coolrecordedit.com/
CoolEditRecordpro 7: record, edit, effects. Pro $19.95 and
Deluxe (adds CD Rip/Burn) $29.95
Comments: site features a few other audio tools as well.
Coyote Electronics: http://www.coyotes.bc.ca
Groove Mechanic v2.6
(last update June 2008): Click, pop, and hiss removal software.
$39
Comments: Free Trial version available. I've seem several
positive recommendations for Groove Mechanic. I would test a demo
before buying as it doesn't seem to have been updated since 2008.
Dartech, Inc.: http://www.dartpro.com
Dart Pro MT: Top end
product. Supports 24 Bit/96kHz. Audio restoration functions, audio
capture. Vista. $299.95
Dart Pro 24:
supports 24 bit, 96kHz, DeCrackel Music/Speech, MaskNoise, more
$149.95
Dart XP Pro: Record, Rip,
Edit, DirectX plug-in support, DeHiss/DeNoise Plus FFT/AR, DeClick
Plus, Retouch, DeHum, more $79.95
Dart CD Recorder 4.1: Record with timer, DeClick
& DeHiss, Equalizer, Fade In/Out, Normalize, DirectX plug-in
support, CDDB, WAV/WMA/MP3 support, convert MIDI to WAV, and CD
Burner $29.95
Comments: I
have CD Recorder 4.1. I'm not crazy about the interface, but it
works pretty well and it has done a good job removing tape hiss
from some tape to MP3 conversions I've performed. Demo versions
are available. I would check wiith DartPro on versions, as the
software doesn't appear to have been updated in some time, but the
website isn't real clear on version numbers or release dates.
Diamond Cut Productions:
http://www.diamondcut.com/store/index.php
Also: http://www.tracertek.com
DC Live Forensics8 (May
2014): Diamond Cut's flagship product adds extensive forensics
capabilities $1,499
DC 8.5 (May 2014)
Compete Audio editing , restoration, and ehnancement. Direct-X
plugins support, AVI, Live feedthrough mode, more. $199
($159 download)
DC Millenium 4.80 (Aug
2001): Audio editing, restoration and CD mastering w/24bit/96kHz
support, Noise Reduction (impulse, continuous, harmonic) $59
download only
Comments: Downloadable demos are available. A longtime
producer of audio Forensics software and professional editing.
Digilogue: http://www.digilogue.de/
Acoutsic Cutter 0.41 Preview edition - early phase of this
audio editor
Comments: I'm not sure if this is still in development,
last update was 2011
Dissidents: http://www.dissidents.com
Sample Wrench 24/96 (V5.4
Feb 2010) 24-bit / 96kHz capable, Effects, Click & Pop
removal, MIDI and Sampler support, etc. $149
Sample Wrench Classic
(V5.4 Feb 2010): 16 bit version of above $99
Sample Wrench XE (V5.4
Feb 2010): Cut down version, no noise reduction $49
Comments: Downloadable demos available.
DVDVideoSoft:
http://www.dvdvideosoft.com
Free Audio Editor 1.0.9.324 Simple audio editor.
Comments: Freeware, but installers will add a lot of junk
if you don't opt-out.
Fasoft: http://www.fasoft.com
n-Track Studio (V7, Mar 2015): 24 bit Audio & MIDI
multi-track recorder. Record, edit, mix, with DirectX, VST, and
ReWire plug-in support. $49; n-Track Studio EX $89
Comments: An evaluation version is available for download.
Now has iOS and Android versions as well!
FlexiMusic.com: http://www.fleximusic.com
FlexiMusic Audio Editor
Last update: 2011: 16bit/44kHz, Edit, record with timer and
silence detection, effects, and unique waveform drawing tool. $40
Comments: Downloadable demo is available. (Audio Editor
replaced Wave Editor)
FMJ-Software: http://www.fmjsoft.com
Awave Studio (V11):
Convert, Simple Editor, MIDI Play, MIDI to WAV, with a focus on
Instrument sound files. $99
Awave Audio (V11.1):
Audio batch file Converter with Record function and CD ripper. $49
Awave ACDR (V5):
CD-ripper with external encoder support, CDDB,
etc. $donation-ware
Comments: Downloadable demos area available.
Ganymede Test & Measurement:
http://www.wavecor.co.uk
Wave Corrector Professional
(V3.7 2011): WYSIWYG Wave editor with manual or auto declick,
dehiss, and audio filters for cleanup. Also has recording, track
splitting, fade in/out, and normalize functions. $59.
Wave Corrector Standard (V1.4 Oct 2011): Standard edition without
granular click correction, hum, normalize, and a few other
functions is $39
Comments: Limited demo available. These programs provide
all the basic functions for LP or tape to WAV, and they have good
tutorials on their website. Haven't been updated in some time, so
try a demo to make sure it works in your environment.
GFSoftware:
http://www.gfsoftware.com
Easy Audio Mixer: record, mix, edit. $19.50
Comments: also has a few other music apps.
GoldWave Inc.: http://www.goldwave.com
GoldWave Digital Audio Editor
(V6.10 Jan 2015): Record, edit, rip with clean functions (noise
reduction, pop/click removal), supports WAV/MP3/OGG/FLAC and more,
DirectX Audio Plug-in support. $59 lifetime license or $19
for a one year license (US)
VideoMeld (v1.25):
Audio/video mixer & editor program. CD audio, MIDI, WAV, MP3,
DirectX plug-in, AVI/WMV/MOV video support. $69 lifetime, $19
single year
Comments: Demo packages are available. Goldwave is a well
respected editor that has been around a long time.
High Criteria: http://www.highcriteria.com
Total Recorder Standard Edtion (V8.5 Oct 2013): Recording, timer stop,
normalize, save fragment, MP3/OGG/WMA/FLAC support, scheduler.
$17.95
Total Recorder Professional
Edition (V8.5): Adds fade in/out, auto-stop by audio
silence, added editing functions, autosave capability, batch
capability $35.95
Total Recorder VideoPro Edition
(V8.5): Adds ability to record from video sources including AVI,
WMV, FLV. $53.95
Comments: Downloadable demos are available
Illustrate: http://www.dbpoweramp.com
dBpowerAMP Music Converter R15:
dBPowerAmp no longer supports the Auxiliary Input that allowed for
recording from any source, but it is such a useful converter
program that I've left it here anyway.
Comments: Downloadable Demo available.
Klein, Jeffery: http://www.jdklein.com/clickfix/index.htm
ClickFix 3.04, Jan 2011:
Plug-in for Adobe Audition 3 or Cool Edit 2000/Pro to fix clicks
& pops using a proprietary statistical technique. $19/$49
Comments: Free and Pro versions. Downloadable demo
available. Does not work with the latest Adobe Audition software.
Magix: http://www.magix.com
Magix Audio Cleaning Lab 2014:
Full
featured
audio
editor to record, edit, clean, master, and burn to CD or DVD.
Seems to be download only. $59.99
Magix Audio & Music Lab 2014: Recording, editing,
optimizing, and converting audio files. $99.99.
Sequoia 13: Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). €2.500,00 plus
VAT
Comments: Demo available. Magix also makes other
music/video relates software as well.
MiLo Software (Mike Looijmans): http://www.milosoftware.com
CD Wave v1.98 Feb09:
Designed specifically for recording from records/LPs and splitting
the final recording. $15
Comments: Well done and simple. Downloadable demo version
available. Has not been updated since 2009.
Minnetonka Audio Software, Inc.:
http://www.minnetonkaaudio.com
Fast Edit 4.0: 32-bit /
96kHz capable professional audio editor with DirectX Plug-in
support. $199
Comments: Demo available. This program doesn't seem to have
been updated in some time (Update file date is Jun 2001)
NCH Swift Sound: http://www.nch.com.au
Golden Records: Vinyl to
CD Converter with audio restoration tools and CD burner. $36.20
WavePad: 32bit/96kHz
Audio Editing Software with recording, editing, and multiple
format support, VST Plugin support. Standard (no VST)
$59.40; Master $79.99
Comments: NCH produces a lot of other audio-related
software as well.
Naturpic Software: http://www.naturpic.com
Audio Editor Free (v2.0): Record, convert, edit, and play
Comments: Also sells a sound recorder
Nero Inc.: http://www.nero.com
Nero 2015 Platinum: More than just audio, but includes
audio record, rip, edit, burn capabilities.
Comments: Probably Nero and Roxio are the most "popular"
CD/DVD burning products available. They both offer some audio
editing capabilities, but I've never examined the capabilities in
depth.
Next Generation Software:
http://www.vdj.net/ngwave.php
NGWave Audio Editor (V5.1
Feb 2015): Full featured audio editor. $19.95
Comments: Downloadable demo available.
NITBits: http://wave-max.com
WaveMax Sound Editor (Apr
2015) Recording, editing, equalization, sound reduction, CD
ripping, Text to Speech. $39.99
RecordMax Burning Studio:.
CD Ripping & Burning $29.99
Comments: downloadable demo available; Bundle deals, other
audio-related software available.
OcenAudio: http://www.ocenaudio.com.br
OcenAudio 2.0.15: Free audio editor with VST plugin
support. Supports Mac, Windows, Linux.
Comments: Looks pretty nice from the website, I haven't
tried it yet
R.M. de Boer Software: http://www.rmbsoft.com
Soundedit Pro (V2.1.125
Dec 2004) Digital Audio Editor to edit, record, mix, and more. No
mention of Vista support. $39.95
Comments: Downloadable demo available. Various other audio
programs (CD Ripper, AV Burning Studio, etc) are available. Does
not seem to have been updated since 2004.
Roni Music: http://www.ronimusic.com
Audio Companion (V1.5.9 Aug 2014): Recorder with auto
split functionality, filter for removing clicks and crackles,
CD ripper, batch file conversion $29.95
Amazing Slow Downer
(V3.5.1 Feb 2015): Change speed in real-time without changing
pitch $49.95
Decrackler VST Audio Plugin 1.0:
advanced filter for scratch/crackle removal $39.95
Comments: Downloadable demos available. Also supports
Apple Mac systems.
Roxio: http://www.roxio.com
Roxio Creator NXT3: Full audio and video editing suite
for the consumer. $99.99
Roxio Easy LP to MP3: $49.99
RecordNow Music Lab 10
Premier: LP/Tapes to Digital, burn CDs, and more. $29.99, or
Premier edition adds DVD capabilities for $29.99
Comments Probably Nero and Roxio are the most
"popular" CD/DVD editing/burning products available. They both
offer some audio editing capabilities, but I've never examined
those capabilities in depth.
SionSoft: http://www.sionsoft.com
QuickAudio 2.1: free Audio editor with VST support
Comments: Sionsoft offers this free tool to accompany their
Music Composition software, Quickscore Elite.
Softdiv Software: http://www.softdivshareware.com
Dexter Audio Editor (V4.4
Mar 2015): Audio edit, effects, filters, recorder, CD
ripper, conversion, noise reduction, and more. $45
Comments: Downloadable demo. Softdiv also makes audio
conversion software, video converter, etc.
Sony Media Software: http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/
Sound Forge Pro 11: Professional
audio
editor.
Recorder,
editor, effects, and more. High-end. $399.95
Sound Forge Audio Studio 10:
DirectX & VST Plug-in support, Flash support, Record, rip,
edit, burn, Video synchronize, click, pop, & noise
cleaning. $59.95
Comments: Downloadable demos a5vailable. Also has Mac
versions.
SoundEngine.jp: http://soundengine.jp/software/soundengine
SoundEngine 5.21 June 2014.
Steinberg Int'l: http://www.steinberg.net
Cubase 8 family:
Multitrack recorder. Comes in two editions: Cubase Pro $549.99,
Cubase Artist $299.99, Cubase Elements $99.99
WaveLab 8.5: Professional
mastering, high resolution multi-channel audio editing, audio
restoration, sample design and radio broadcast work. $499.99
WaveLab Elements 8: streamlined version with podcasting
tools. $99.99
Comments:
Steinberg products have always been good (though expensive). In
the past they have introduced a few less expensive products such
as Clean!, and WaveLab Lite has been available as part of
other packages, but they don't seem to be supporting these
products anymore, nor are they offered separately. Supports
Windows and Mac versions. Full versions require a USB-eLicenser,
which is a pain.
Virtuosa: http://virtuosa.com
Virtuosa Gold (v5.20 Feb
2005): Rip, normalize,
convert, mix, burn CD/DVD, etc. $39.99
Comments: 30 day demo available, hasn't been updated
since 2005!
Waschbusch, Ulf M: http://www.waschbusch.com
Encounter 2003 (V4.1
2006): Free sound editor with recorder function $0.00
Comments: Developed by Ulf during his college days.
Although development has discontinued since 2006, website states
the program works in Windows 7.
Waveshop http://waveshop.sourceforge.net/
Waveshop 1.0.14 Nov 2013. Open-source audio editor.
Comments: Supports LADSPA plugins, but not VST.
Wavosaur: http://www.wavosaur.com
(France)
Wavosaur Audio Editor (1.1
Dec 2013):
Includes
ASIO
and
VST
support, 64 bit edition available. $0.00 Freeware
Comments: Several VST plugins are also available at the
website. Recording has been added.
Wieser SW Ltd: http://www.wieser-software.com
RIP Vinyl v4.05: Simple
but to-the-point recording tool with automatic splitting, track
detection, and MP3 support, designed for LP/Cassette
conversion UK £6.25
Comments: simple, effective, and low cost. Works on Windows
8. Trial version available.
Yamaha Corporation: http://www.yamahasynth.com/download/twe.html
Tiny Wave Editor v2.3.1
(2002): Free Wave Editor for basic functions.
Comments: Decent free audio editor. I can't find an information
page, but the following download link seems to work (as of April
2015):
http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/ProductMedia/Software/TWE.exe.
Note: lossless encoding preserves the sound quality, but takes up
more space. Also, there are fewer playback tools available to play
these formats as is. Useful for storing on CD, and converting to
MP3 as needed for portable players.A few players support these
formats natively.
Ashland, Matthew: Monkey's Audio v4.06 Mar 2009 (Win) $Free; http://www.monkeysaudio.com
Coalson, Josh: Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) v1.2.1 Sep07 (Win, Linux, Solaris, BSD) $Free; http://flac.sourceforge.net
WavPack: WavPack (Win) v4.60.1 Nov 2009 $Free http://www.wavpack.com
Note: MP3 encoding capability is built into many commercial software packages. Listed here are the major encoders. I haven't listed the Apple formats used in iPod.
Ogg Vorbis: http://www.vorbis.com (V0.82.16930 Feb 2010) Fully open source with no licensing problems, but sadly not as widely supported (though support is continually growing)
Fraunhofer IIS-A http://www.iis.fhg.de Patent holders for the MP3 format. Many players licence code from Fraunhofer.
LAME http://lame.sourceforge.net/
(V3.98.4 March 2010) alternate free MP3 encoder widely used