Cool Edit Pro 2.0
Well first of all I would like to welcome myself to Forest Pro. ”Welcome Johnny”, “Thank you, thank you very much.” And to all of you out there welcome to Forest Pro News and Reviews. I remember when a friend of mine introduced me to my first multitrack recording device it was a Tascam 4 Track that recorded to a cassette tape. We used to set around for hours recording or own music. Now, with the advent of computer technology, for the price of a 4 track you can have 128 tracks. If you search the stores or the internet you will find that you can get a program that far surpasses most recording equipment that you can purchase for the same price. And you already have a computer to start using this software while equipment you would have to go purchase the 4 track, cables and so forth. Each month I will try to bring you just a little bit of information about some of this software that is available for the musician out there, and my opinion about it. Just remember what Gary said about opinions, everyone has their own. But unless you are already a big musician making lots of money so you can purchase the mixing board, effects machine, and a whole host of things that you can get from one program I say try it here first then invest.
Cool Edit Pro 2.0 claims up to 128 tracks of audio playback, even with relatively slow computers. What makes this possible is a clever premixing technique that works in the background as you record and edit... If you use a laptop with a 5400-RPM hard drive and an older/slower Pentium, CEP2 is about the only multitrack audio program that won't leave you screaming in frustration. For stereo audio editing, CEP2 is great...I particularly like some of the little touches, like scripting and being able to define a loop length down to the single sample. CEP has always had legions of devotees who appreciate being able to get something this good at such a reasonable price. I'm sure their devotion will only increase when they see 2.0's array of new features.
128 stereo tracks
32-bit processing, 24-bit/192kHz and higher sampling
Powerful wave editing with multi-level instant undo and redo
More than 45 DSP effects
Real-time effects
Real-time EQ on every track
Busses for track grouping
Direct-X plug-in support
CD ripping
Loop-based song creation, including session tempo and key matching
Compressed loop file format (*.CEL file)
Thousands of free loops from Loopology.com
High quality sample rate conversion
Video (.AVI) soundtrack editing
MIDI playback support
Mixer window
Envelope control of Volume, pan, effects mix and some effects parameters
Function scripting
Batch-Processing and file conversion
BETA CD-Burning Plug-In
Automatic silence removal
Beat sensing
Zero cross adjust
Timed recording
Cue/Play lists, with auto-cue features
Wave properties including labels, loop info, EBU extensions and sampler info
Metronome
US-428 and Red Rover hardware controller support
Data Analysis, including Spectral View, Frequency Analysis, Phase Analysis, Statistic and Histogram
SMPTE/MTC master and slave
MIDI trigger support for program control
Supports over 20 file formats, including:
Windows PCM (.wav), mp3PRO® (.mp3), Windows Media Audio 8 (.wma), Cool Edit Loop (.cel), CD Audio (.cda), Windows Video (.avi), Apple AIFF (.aif), Next/Sun (.au), Amiga IFF/8SVX (.iff, .svx), ACM Waveform, Dialogic ADPCM (.vox), Raw PCM Data (.pcm), Sound Blaster Voice (.voc), 8-bit signed raw (.sam), Diamond Ware Digitized (.dwd), Sample Vision (.smp), IMA/DVI ADPCM (.wav), Microsoft ADPCM (.wav), Windows IEEE float (.wav)
Friendly, customizable interface, with dockable windows and customizable keyboard shortcuts
And more!
Cool Edit Pro has been long venerated as a high-quality audio editing tool. For many of my friends and colleagues, this program is their audio production tool of choice. This is my first time using the program, and I have to say that I was pleased with how well it worked, as well as all its cool effects, especially the restoration and forensic tools...So here's the deal: If you're looking for a powerful Windows digital audio editing program, download a demo of Cool Edit Pro and check it out. And if you don't want to spend an extra $625 on controller hardware, have Syntrillium send Red Rover right over when you buy your copy of Cool Edit Pro. At $378 for both, it's a bargain. "
Next month Ill look at Sonic Foundry's "Soundforge 6.0" and if anyone knows of a freeware equivalent to any of the software that I review please send a link to it so that I may be able to offer a free download to those that cant afford the software I review. Take care till next time and happy recording.
