Matt, My stereo file editor has been Sound Forge ever since it first came out of the old Sonic Foundry Company that developed the ACiID loop program. I’ve stuck with it through its ownership by Sony and now Magix. They are in version 13 at the moment and it’s evolved into something way beyond its initial focus as a stereo file editor but even though it is now a multiTrack DAW, it still boots up as a stereo file initially. It’s always been very stable.
Hi Matt, how have you been? Like you, I was a LONG time user of Cool Edit Pro, 1999, and all the way through until Audition started doing the subscription-based stuff a few years back. One of my main reasons for dropping Adobe after so long was that I wanted to get hot and heavy into MIDI and it kind of lacked in that area. At the time I was reading the Recording Revolution a lot and loved Graham's video demonstrations in his preferred DAW, Pro Tools. I started using the free version (Pro Tools First) to see if I liked it while I was still subscribing to Adobe. Since Graham had so many videos and tutorials in Pro Tools, I started picking it up a lot faster than I thought I would. I dumped Adobe and haven't looked back since. The first couple of years I used it, I did the subscription thing. Last fall I purchased a perpetual license since I'm not a big fan of subscription. I get a year of software updates and then I just keep the software for myself as long as I want.
So at the least Matt, give Pro Tools First a try to see if you like it. Aside from a lot of good editing features, I do love all their default plugins, very good quality. Also, all of those free Focusrite plugins we get from our hardware and all the Ozone ones work really good in the DAW.
Good luck hunting!
P.S. - The Pro Tools audio editor is very similar to multitrack mode in Adobe. To edit a single track like you would in single track mode in Adobe, you simply just grab and stretch the track you want to edit so it fills the screen.
Audacity can be used in stereo just select stereo recording see pic. You then get l&R meters for record and playback And stereo tracks, is this what you mean? Mike
Matt, My stereo file editor has been Sound Forge ever since it first came out of the old Sonic Foundry Company that developed the ACiID loop program.
I used to use Sound Forge many years ago (along with ACID Music from Sonic Foundry), didn't realize it was still around.
Does it have the ability to easily punch in audio in the middle of a track? The ability to easily punch in is the main reason I've stuck with Audition 1.5 all these years, Audition does punch in's way better than Reaper.
Maybe I'll just download the demo and try it out, the price is certainly reasonable.
Last edited by BlueAttitude; 02/16/2005:08 AM. Reason: removed comment about Studio One
Perhaps it's better to be quiet and appear ignorant than to open one's mouth and confirm it...but
From start to finish with our productions I never see a need for any kind of "editor" other than my DAW, Logic Pro X. Guess I'm missing something...for which there is ample precedent.
I will use Amadaus Pro to listen to song files and on occasion convert formats.
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
Guess I'm missing something...for which there is ample precedent.
Bud
Probably the best way to explain things is to point out that when digital recording first appeared, the work flow was to do the mixing in the DAW and the pre mastering in a stereo editor. As time went on, the existing DAWs began adding features found in Stereo Editors and the Stereo Editors started turning into DAWs. If you didn’t pay attention to the gradual evolution to common features it’s easy to understand why you would scratch your head about why someone would still include both a DAW and a stereo editor in their work flow.
One aspect of Sound Forge that has kept me in the Stereo Editor fold is the surgical precision that the software can cut at the zero crossing on a wave form. Back when I was doing a lot of my editing on a TASCAM 788, I struggled with the pops that occurred when you cut and paste together digital recordings. There was an epiphany for me when I discovered that the solution to the pops was to make your cuts at the zero point of a wave form and to put them together at cuts where the pasted waveform continues the progression across the zero line.
Knowing that, and finding software with the required resolution to consistently pull off the cuts and pasted was the problem. All software lets you look at waveforms and cut them but I’ve not found anything that does it with the precision of Sound Forge. My pre mastering workflow has also gotten tied in a big was to SF.
Years ago, I found a wave editor called WAVEPAD.... not to be confused with wavelab.
Wavepad is a free audio editor by NCH. Once the free trial expires you can elect to either buy the full version or continue to use it in a dialed back limited mode.
It easily does conversion from wave to mp3, removes the ending and start silence, it can insert silence at the start and it can normalize and do a number of other functions that I don't need, and all that from the limited mode.
It's not big and fancy, (maybe the full version is...IDK) but it does what I need.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.com Add nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
KeithS's post mentioned using TASCAM hardware. That reminded me TASCAM offers a free high resolution DSD and PCM editor. It's available from both the US and International TASCAM websites. +++ HERE +++ is a link to the US website. From the website:
Quote:
TASCAM Hi-Res Editor is a new, free application for Windows and Macintosh computers, that plays and edits up to 11.2MHz DSD or 384kHz WAV files. The software allows playback and export of DSD files without converting to PCM audio. This app is available now as a free download for Windows and Mac. Ideal for users of TASCAM’s hi-resolution recorders like the DA-3000, TASCAM's Hi-Res Editor is one of the only ways to edit native DSD master recordings.
Bud, “Master a group? How the heck do you do that?”[
When you Master an album you do it as a group so that the songs all seem to have the same flow, relative volume levels. I never viewed a song as mastered, I mix a song, I master a group of songs for release. I guess it falls under the category potato patawto, or is it tomato tawmawto? Can’t remember
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB/RB 2026, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 11 , Presonus Audiobox USB96
With Tracktion the precise need to cut at a zero crossing is eliminated with very simple non destructive fading of many different types plus full access to all of your VST plugins on clips, tracks and output bus.
Bud, “Master a group? How the heck do you do that?”[
When you Master an album you do it as a group so that the songs all seem to have the same flow, relative volume levels. I never viewed a song as mastered, I mix a song, I master a group of songs for release. I guess it falls under the category potato patawto, or is it tomato tawmawto? Can’t remember
Interesting. When I master I use a lot of different fx settings per song with the exception of “loudness” for which I approximate 13-14 LUFS for all songs. Otherwise I used different configurations based on each song. No way, for example, could I see using the same multi band compressor settings (and other mastering fx) for all the songs in an album project.
A big ole FWIW!
Bud
Our albums and singles are on Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Pandora and more. If interested search on Janice Merritt. Thanks! Our Videos
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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Another exciting new addition is the amazing new AI-Notes feature, which can transcribe polyphonic audio into MIDI. View the results in notation or play them back as MIDI, and choose whether to transcribe an entire track or transcribe specific parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac Special Offers Extended Until May 31st!
Good news- we've extended our Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® special offers until May 31, 2026!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 is packed with major new features, enhancements, and an incredible lineup of new content! The program now sports a sleek, modern GUI redesign across the entire interface, including updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, a new dark mode option, and more. The brand-new side toolbar provides quicker access to key windows, while the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, creating a flexible, clutter-free workspace. We have an amazing new “AI-Notes” feature. This transcribes polyphonic audio into MIDI so you can view it in notation or play it back as MIDI. You can transcribe an entire track (all pitched instruments and drums) or focus on individual parts like drums, bass, guitars/piano, or vocals. There's an amazing collection of new content too, including 202 RealTracks, new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 5, two RealDrums Stems sets, and much more!
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Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
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Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
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-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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