SONY'S SOUND FORGE

The Sony Sound Forge actually comes in two options to include the Sound Forge 8, the current full version, and Screenblast Sound Forge, a stripped down version of the full version, which is also less expensive. Both systems work exceptional well but if you need to keep to a tight budget, the Screenblast Sound Forge would work just fine for auditing audio files, extracting material from CDs, burning songs, making acid loops, and even adding basic effects.

However, if you want a sound system that will do it all, then Sound Forge 8 is the better choice. Today, we see many people mastering audio material. The features associated with Sound Forge 8 include Acoustic Mirror, Spectrum Analysis tools, WaveHammer, DX plug-ins, digital samplers supporting SCSI, and so on. Just remember that both Sound Forge 8 and Screenblast Sound Forge are capable of importing and saving MP3, as well as adding audio to video files.

Many users like Sony's Sound Forge because of the customizing abilities of the program. Because just about all windows are what are known as "docking windows", the interface can be connected in numerous ways. Without doubt, this Sony program is robust and loaded with all the latest and greatest OS features. However, it is important to understand that Sony Sound Forge is not a multi-track recorder but two-track editors. Therefore, while several files can be opened simultaneously, Sony Sound Forge is not made for over-dubbing or mixing, instead, it is designed to record and edit audio files.

In the new version 8, several new and exciting features have been added with two being the most impressive. First, there is now Asio driver support, meaning drivers on low latency soundcards and audio interfaces using Asio can be used. The result is a snappier application that does not affect sound. Second, the feature VST effect support has been added. In this case, you would have the ability to use more plug-ins. A third feature that users like is the full CD burning capability. Just as it sounds, this feature means full CD mastering, as well as full sub-code editing.

Sony Sound Forge has been around for quite some time and is only getting better with time and technological advancements. Even dating back to Sound Forge 2 and 4, users were happy with the solutions offered. Now, Sound Forge 8 has really impacted the way in which things are done. Just as every good thing has a negative side, some issues do exist. While considered as one of the greatest audio editors and mastering encoders on the market, most users believe version 7 was more robust than version 8 is. Even so, the challenges of the latest version are considered mere annoyances when compared to the overall capabilities.