What's a good user-friendly audio editing program?

[jbbrown211]

I like to mess around in audio editing; adding effects, etc. What is a good program that is not extremely technical, but still offers quality editing options?

[morriswindgate]

Audacity, not only is it pretty good with a easy learning curve, but it is FREE! It also uses any of the VST and DirectX plugins. Also they have several free ones on the site.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

[jbbrown211]

Nice, I noticed it doesn't have an mp3 encoding feature (because it is free, and the mp3 encoding feature is not). Any retail programs that are user-friendly with good ability? I don't mind shelling out a bit of cash for it.

[DrZaius]

Give GoldWave a look.

[jbbrown211]

I'll check it out, thanks!

[Panama Red]

I've been using Audio Cleaning Lab 2004 for a while now to record and clean up audio form old LP's and cassettes. Has option of Wizards or operator manipulation of wave forms. I really like it. I bought it online from Magix, the maker, but I've seen it at Circuit City and Best Buy since. I got mine before it hit the stores.

[jbbrown211]

Can you do things like remove the vocals easily. I like the idea of wizards.

[Panama Red]

I've never needed to do that, so I don't know. Here's a link to Magix site. Maybe you can get your questions answered better there.

http://europe.magix.com/index.php?id=411

[SonicVanguard]

Originally posted by jbbrown211 Can you do things like remove the vocals easily. I like the idea of wizards.

Well not easily. It's actaully quite difficult. One of the few software plugin's that will do a halfway decent job is Analog-X vocal remover. For example, my partner has been doing audio work for around 12 years, and he's only seen (or heard) it done properly a handfull of times.

HTH.

[jbbrown211]

thanks for the tip. I'm not into it enough to do a thorough job, just wanted to mess around a bit and see what I can come up with