Review: Sony Sound Forge 9 audio editor

Back in 2003, Sony made the shrewd move of acquiring Sound Forge from original developer Sonic Foundry.

This audio editor has since been extensively enhanced, each new version offering added functionality for those seeking pro-level sound manipulation, but who do not want to shell out a fortune.

Version 9 adds yet more to the mix, while retaining a very reasonable price point considering the facilities on offer.

The most significant upgrade is the means to record and edit multi-channel audio files, enhancing the program’s appeal to those working with video, in particular. Multi-channel support even extends to the Spectral Analysis function, and a 5.1 Dolby Digital AC-3 plug-in is also bundled for export.

Sound designers and musicians would still likely stick with the multi-track audio capabilities of Cubase, Sonar, et al, but will appreciate a dedicated wave editor that now hosts a tasty bundle of mastering effects from Izotope.

As with the previous version, DirectX and VST plug-ins can be used in the processing chain, although the program offers an impressive variety of real-time effects and processors as standard.

However, they’ve been freshened up with enhanced dialogs that enable you to adjust wet/dry levels as the preview plays. There’s also new real-time phase-scope and mono-compatibility metering so you can easily keep an eye on potential phase cancellation when mixing.

Workflow is more comprehensible thanks to the new facility to customise the colours of the previously rather drab interface. It’s not merely a cosmetic tweak - colour can really help you keep track of what’s going on in complex projects.

The needs of the consumer audience, such as those digitising vinyl and tape-based recordings, have also been addressed by the inclusion of the excellent Noise Reduction 2 plug-in, formerly an add-on. It does a great job of calculating out noise induced by deck rumble, tape hiss and the like and is very easy to use.

Videographers may go a bundle on it as a means of ridding wild-tracks (i.e. a recording of audio without video) of ambient noise pollution. Samplists, also, will find Noise reduction 2 an essential resource when working with dodgy source material.

People aiming to rip CDs, meanwhile, have another new gadget in the shape of Gracenote CD Album Identification, a system by which artist, track and other information can be downloaded for embedding into an audio file, and to which original song information can be submitted. However, Sound Forge really is overkill for such users.

This application sits firmly with professional wave-manglers and, in its current version, is an indispensable buy for serious videographers using the Sony Vegas suite, as well as for musicians into Sony's Acid XMC.

It’s never been particularly easy to drive for the uninitiated, but such is the nature of top-notch audio software. There are concessions made towards usability in Sound Forget 9, but the depth of this software will likely drown newcomers to audio manipulation. It eclipses Steinberg’s Wavelab thanks to a low-low price, but is hobbled in that it’s similarly PC-only - most audio creatives work on the Mac and that’s a territory to which Bias Inc, with Peak Pro, currently lays claim.

Nevertheless, if you’re a PC owner, want perhaps the best-value audio editor on the market, generally work with multiple audio channels and are up for a lesson in the basics of sound manipulation, Sound Forge 9 is an excellent buy.

See also:

Review: Steinberg Sequel music software

Steinberg takes on Apple’s Garageband with a beginner-friendly songwriting tool  11 May 2007

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