In the world of multimedia PC applications, being able to effectively manipulate and convert music is very important. Fortunately there are some very good free software editors out there, as well as some truly great professional editing and production software.
Audacity (Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux)
This is the number one free audio editing and recording program. It supports Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV and AIFF sound files. It does all the basics, including cutting, coping, splicing and mixing audio files.
Traverso Daw (Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Linux)
If Audacity doesn’t have all the features that you need. Give Traverso Daw a try. It is a multitrack audio recording and editing suite, with an easy to use interface.
The proprietary software is dominated by Sony. They have 2 products out, one for home use and one for professional use.
| Sony Sound Forge 9 CD 5.2NOISE (PC) (Vista, XP) (2008) The premium product for professionals. Sound Forge has all the possible bells and whistles you could want for getting audio from it’s raw to finished state. This suite can create and edit stereo and multichannel audio files with speed and precision. |
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| Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio 9 (PC) (Vista, XP) (2008) This is the home version of sound forge, it is cheaper and easier to use. It can be used to balance sound levels, trim unwanted sections and synchronize audio with video. You will be burning CDs with Sound Forge in no time flat. Please note it comes on a DVD not CD. |
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| Magix Music Maker 14 (PC) (Windows 2000, Vista, XP) (2007)
Magix Music Maker has successfully built a community around it’s software. You can log into their server and chat with other users about how they are using Magix Music Maker. They have a 2,000 unit sound library that comes with the software. This product is more of a music making suite than strictly a music editor. |
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If you can think of a software package that belongs here, why not leave a comment and share it with us.
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I’m a big fan of Audacity, in fact I used it to do a chop job on Sarah Palin clips. Thanks for dropping by my blog.