Audio Editing

Ratings and Reviews of Audio Editing and CD Burning Software

Audio Editing and CD Burning Software

Ready to purchase that hot audio editing or CD burning software? Making music must be important to you - or your business!

Maybe you want to "stream" some "hot tracks" or perhaps your latest speech or presentation. In any case, you'll need some audio editing software to help. And, if you want to "burn" CDs with music, presentations or just documents, you'll need some CD "burning" software (of course in addition to your CD R/W drive) to do it. But first, let's review some basics on what you should be aware of BEFORE you purchase your new software.

Your System: Audio editing and CD burning software is tough on your system. Make sure that your PC more than meets the minimum manufacturer's system requirements. If your system can't keep up, you'll be unhappy - and waste valuable time (and your money upgrading after you've experienced a good deal of frustration).
You: Know how much time you are willing to dedicate to learning and using the capabilities the software provides. If you aren't willing to spend the time, don't buy the most powerful, complex package!
Compatibility: It's important to ensure that your audio editing software is compatible with your operating system, CD R/W drive and supports the file formats you'll use on your Web site (publishing software) or as it integrates with other software programs like your presentation graphics software (i.e. PowerPoint).
Ease of Use/Training: Is the software easy to use? If the software requires time to understand and use professionally, does the manufacturer provide training (included on the software CD, Web based or partner-based)?
Support: The more complex the software, the more important it is for the manufacturer to stand behind it and help you if you run into trouble. Make sure that the software manufacturer has a robust customer support site and process before you buy!
Features and Functions: If you need it now, make sure it's there. If you think you might need it later, make sure it will BE there if it already isn't!

Web Home Office Reports
Upgrade Costs: Once you've invested in software, you'll have to keep investing in the upgrades. Make sure you look into the costs of upgrades (historically) for your software, or if it's brand new product, the track record of the company producing the software.

Ready to choose your audio editing or CD burning software? Let's get going!

Some vendors offer more than one package in this category. We'll review them in table format within that vendor's detailed review.

Audio Editing and CD Burning Software Review

Audio Editing Software*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)

Company	Best For*	Simple Start-Up	Cost	Time Savings	Ease of Use	Works With	Support	Features	Overall Rating
Ableton	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYY	pppp	iiii	%%%%
Adobe	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYY	pppp	iiii	%%%%
Alien Connections	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYY+	ppp+	iii1/2+	%%%1/2+
Amplitube	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp1/2+	iiii+	%%%%
Apple	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYY	pppp	iiii1/2	%%%%+
Arturia	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYYY	ppp+	iiii	%%%%
Ashampoo	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp	iii1/2	%%%1/2+
Bias	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY+	ppp1/2+	iiii	%%%%
Cakewalk	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pppp	iiii1/2	%%%%
Digital Juice	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp1/2	iii1/2	%%%1/2
eMedia	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp1/2	iii1/2	%%%1/2
Finale	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp1/2	iii1/2	%%%1/2+
Keyfax	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp1/2	iii1/2	%%%1/2+
Loopmasters	ARP	¹¹¹¹	Inc.	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	pp	iii1/2	Inc.
M-Audio	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp1/2	iiii	%%%%
Magix	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp1/2	iiii+	%%%%+
MOTU	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp1/2	iiii+	%%%%+
MusicLab	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY1/2	ppp	iii1/2	%%%1/2
Nero	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pppp	iiii1/2	%%%%
Neuratron	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY1/2	ppp	iiii	%%%%
NTONYX	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY+	ppp	iii1/2	%%%1/2
PowerFX	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	pp1/2	iiii	%%%1/2+
Propeller-head Software	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYYY	ppp+	iiii	%%%%
PSP	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	ppp+	iii1/2	%%% 1/2+
Roxio	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYYY	pppp	iiii1/2	%%%%
Sony	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp1/2	iiii1/2	%%%%1/2
Steinberg	ARP	¹¹¹1/2	$$$1/2	¹¹¹¹	@@@1/2	YYYY	ppp1/2+	iiii1/2	%%%%1/2
Trellian Software	AR	¹¹¹¹	$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	pp	iii	%%%
Voxengo	ARP	¹¹¹¹	$$$$	¹¹¹¹	@@@@	YYY	ppp	iii1/2	%%%1/2+

* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro

Ableton

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Ableton's Live, Sampler and Operator software install in a straight forward manner.

Cost - $$$1/2

Live is priced at $499.00 upgrades are $119.00, Operator is $149.00, Sampler is $199.00.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
Live 6	$499.00 $119.00 for the upgrade	Windows 2000, XP Macintosh OS X 10.4.x or later	Audio Editing	MIDI - Sequencing, Combination and reorganization of MIDI clips, MIDI recording, editing and pattern creation, MIDI bank and program change settings for individual MIDI files, graphically represented MIDI controller data for drawing and editing, play MIDI notes anywhere with no equipment other than the computer keyboard, manipulation of MIDI timing through quantization and swing groove settings, drag and drop import of standard MIDI files and their individual tracks, export of MIDI tracks and patterns as standard MIDI files Audio - Preview and combine AIFF, WAV and SDII audio files of any sample rate, size and bit depth without prior conversion, real-time time-stretching of any audio file to play in sync with project tempo, sample reverse of individual audio files, rhythm and time warping for notes and sections within audio files, real-time swing and groove manipulation of audio files, control of volume, pitch and timing for segments or notes within audio files through drawn curves, detailed audio file export, clip freeze, plug-in delay compensation, launchable arrangement locators, Mackie Control support, clip freeze, plug-in delay compensation Playing Performing - nonlinear audio and MIDI file organization and triggering, audio and MIDI files can be mapped to MIDI keyboard ranges and computer keys for triggering, control over launch and play properties of individual files, automatic jamming, create groups of files that can trigger each other to generate specific or random output, DJ-style crossfading between tracks, hand-son control of any interface element with a MIDI controller or computer keyboard, recording of all aspects of a set for later editing Recording Sequencing - audio and MIDI recording and sequencing, 24-bit 192kHz multitrack hard disk recording, on-the-fly recording and editing of automation for mixer, effects control movements and song tempo with continuous breakpoint envelopes, nondestructive editing with unlimited undo, drum machine-style loop overdub recording for building MIDI patterns, punch-in and -out points for recording, creation of samples and loops through optional record quantization, instant resampling of audio and Midi while music plays, automatic tempo matching, Complex Warp Mode, clip transport, MP3 automatic tempo matching Effects Instruments - Ableton audio and MIDI effects, Ableton instruments, VST and audio units plug-in instruments/effects and ReWire, automation and remote control of all instrument and effects parameters, unlimited variations from single samples and loops through user-definable effects, mixer, volume and pitch curves, Beat Repeat, Phaser, Flanger, Auto Pan, Saturator, Arpeggiator Routing I O Sync - Track-to track I/O routing for complex mixes, post effects recording, MIDI-to-audio conversion, submixing and layering, individual instrument outputs and multi-timbral instrument input and output routing, private cueing and previewing through separate audio outputs, MIDI control of ReWire clients, signal flow management of effects and instruments via drag-and-drop, pre- or post-mixer effect grouping bussing on up to twelve sends return tracks, tempo sync to any external source through MIDI Clock master or slave, MIDI Timecode slave, audio and transport sync through the ReWire protocol as master or slave, unlimited audio and MIDI tracks, unlimited audio and MIDI inputs and outputs, Mackie control support One-shot drum samples, royalty-free loops and samples from Big Fish Audio, tutorials and start sets, clip management, instrument organization Multicore and multiprocessor support Movie import Essential instrument collection - sound library Instrument and effect racks Deep freeze Project management tools	ASIO, MME, DirectX, Sound Manager, Core-Audio interface, MP3, support
Operator	$149.00	Windows 2000, XP Macintosh OS X 10.4.x or later	Synth Plug-in for Live	Software synthesizer Analog subtractive synthesis, FM effects Musical presets - basses, leads, rhythmic effects, pads, digital emulations, analog percussion Four oscillates provide selection of sine waveforms emulate aliasing artifacts of classic hardware FM synthesizers and "virtual analog" synthesis waveforms including saw, square, triangle and noise Tone global control for sound modification Time control provides global length control for all Operator envelopes Multimode resonant filter with low-pass, high-pass, band-pass and notch filter types LFO can modulate the oscillators with a variety of waveforms and is capable of operating at audible frequencies Includes seven envelopes - one for each of the oscillators, the filter, LFO and pitch, the pitch envelope is capable of modulating each oscillator and the LFO, all envelopes include loop, beat and sync modes	Live
Sampler	$199.00	Windows 2000, XP Macintosh OS X 10.4.x or later	Instrument for Live	Import third-party libraries as well as create and edit your own multisamples Hosts unlimited number of sample zones, including key and velocity ranges as well as crossfades - definable using graphical editor Plays imports from common formats - AKAI S1000, S3000, GigaStudio, EXS, SoundFont and non-encrypted Kontakt Each voice processed with a multimode filter with several filter types including morphing filters Polyphonic saturation stage for adding warmth Every sound aspect can be polyphonically modulation Dedicated modulation oscillator allows samples to be frequency or amplitude modulated Three LFOs, five multimode envelopes and MIDI inputs serve as modulation sources	Live

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

Live, Sampler and Operator can help audio professionals create, edit and produce music, sound tracks and other audio efficiently and effectively.

Ease of Use - @@@1/2

As with all robust, powerful (complex) software, the more time you invest, the more "usable" it will become. Power = complexity as always.

Works With - YYYY

Live 6 is designed for both Windows and Macintosh environments.

Support - ppp1/2+

The Ableton web site includes a user forum (where you can get help or new ideas from other users), downloads, FAQs, tutorials and helpful links to other web sites. If you need more help, you can contact Ableton via email or telephone (no "800" number, you'll pay toll charges where they apply), 7 AM to 7 PM Pacific.

Features - iiii

Live is a powerful MIDI and audio editing tool for the creative audio professional/musician. Lots of effects and control over how audio is mixed, manipulated, recorded and played. With the Operator plug-in, users can include a software synthesizer that takes advantage of Live's editing and production capabilities. And, with Sampler a means to import sound libraries (or create your own) and then process the sound to add warmth of modulate them.

Overall Rating - %%%%

Powerful software solutions - definitely not for the beginner (although Ableton includes tutorials and has tons of information on their web site to help out). Effective software for the audio professional.

Adobe

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹¹

Adobe's Audition 2.0 is easy to install and is a powerful tool for editing digital audio. So, though it installs easily be prepared to spend time with this software before using it effectively.

Cost - $$$1/2

Audition 2.0 is priced at $349.00, upgrade is $129.00.

Software	Price	O/S Supported	Overview	Features	Compatibility
Audition 2.0	$349.00, upgrade $129.00	Windows XP	Audio Editing	Audio studio - multitrack mixing, mono and stereo waveform editing, audio effects - create music with loops, burn audio CDs Edit video sound tracks, view video frames in the Timeline and import files Record mix and edit up to 128 stereo tracks, record up to 32 inputs, real-time effects and EQ on every tack, play back video and MIDI files Stream audio data in real time between Audition and other audio software such as Propellerhead Reason and Ableton Live Flexible looping tools Mastering tools including Graphic and Parametric EQs, Pan/Expander, Dynamics Processor, Hard Limiter Extract tracks from audio CDs Record, edit and mix 32-bit files using any sample rate up to 10MHz including 44.1kHz (CD quality), 88.2kHz, 96kHz (DVD quality) and 192kHz Remove hisses, hums, fix clipped audio from old vinyl Visually isolate and select sounds in frequency and time Correct off-pitch performances and create pitch-based effects 20 sample sessions included Reduce vocal or instrumental portions of a track and create a cappella or karaoke-ready tracks Transparent sample rate conversions Change tempo without shifting pitch Reverbs, delays, choruses and other delay effects Convert multiple audio files to the same overall loudness Automatic beat detection Multichannel encoder up to 5.1 surround sound Built-in analysis tools - frequency, phase, Spectral View Custom script recording Batch processing Hardware controller support - Mackie Control, Tascam US-428, Event EQbus Timecode master or slave Low latency mixing with unlimited tracks Recordable parameter automation Hardware controller automation

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