Name: Sound Forge
Rating: 10 (4 reviews)
Author: MAGIX Software

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### Audio Editing Techniques
Users generally agree that Sound Forge excels in its audio editing capabilities. The software's audio editing techniques are praised for their ease of use and efficiency in processing audio files. Many users appreciate the quick editing features, such as cutting, joining, and cleaning audio tracks, which contribute to a smoother editing workflow. Additionally, the ability to apply effects, normalize audio levels, and utilize hotkeys for faster editing tasks are highlighted as valuable tools within Sound Forge's audio editing toolkit. Despite some minor drawbacks mentioned by users, such as limited presets and occasional complexities in mastering specific sounds, the overall consensus leans towards Sound Forge's audio editing techniques being a strong asset of the software.

### Recording and Production
Users generally praise Sound Forge for its robust recording and audio editing capabilities. The software is commended for its ease of use in capturing audio from various sources and its efficiency in editing and mastering audio recordings. While some users find the noise reduction feature lacking, overall, Sound Forge is lauded for its reliability and versatility in handling recording and production tasks. Users appreciate the intuitive interface and the ability to work on various audio projects with precision and efficiency.

### Mastering and Mixing
Users generally praise Sound Forge for its robust mastering and mixing capabilities. The software's intuitive interface and professional toolset make it a go-to choice for many users looking to achieve high-quality audio production. While some users have encountered challenges with mastering and mixing, particularly in terms of complexity and learning curve, the majority appreciate the software's ability to handle various audio editing tasks efficiently. Sound Forge's mastering and mixing features have been instrumental in helping users achieve polished and cohesive final mixes, enhancing the overall audio quality of their projects.

### Sound Effects and Plugins
Users generally praise Sound Forge for its diverse range of plugins and effects, enhancing its audio editing capabilities. The feedback highlights the positive impact of plugins like Spectralayers Pro and Melodyne, along with standard EFX plugins, contributing to a well-rounded audio editing experience. However, some users have encountered challenges with certain third-party plugins, particularly related to saving settings and applying changes consistently. Despite minor setbacks, the majority of reviewers appreciate Sound Forge's ability to salvage audio mishaps and deliver high-quality results through its robust selection of plugins and effects.

### Noise Reduction Strategies
Users have varying opinions on the effectiveness of Sound Forge's noise reduction capabilities. While some find the noise cancellation feature to be helpful in their projects, others express concerns about its limitations in filtering out unwanted noise effectively. The mixed feedback suggests that the noise reduction strategies of Sound Forge may not meet the expectations of all users, with some highlighting the need for more advanced features to address specific noise issues.

### Music and Vocal Processing
Users generally praise Sound Forge's music and vocal processing capabilities. The Vocal Activity Detection (VAD) feature, utilizing AI to identify human vocals in audio files, has been particularly lauded for its effectiveness in enhancing vocals without affecting background music. However, some users have expressed concerns about the limited noise reduction options, especially when dealing with outdoor noise and studio ambiance. Despite this, many users appreciate the ease of inserting music, editing voiceovers, and achieving a professional finish with Sound Forge. The application's support for VST and VSTI Effects plugins further enhances its appeal for music enthusiasts and professionals alike.

### Audio File Management
Users generally appreciate Sound Forge's diverse audio editing capabilities, especially its efficient handling of audio files in various formats. While some users find the software's audio file management to be straightforward and effective for basic tasks like trimming and batch exporting, others note limitations in more complex audio file manipulation and noise reduction features. Despite these drawbacks, many users find Sound Forge's audio file management tools to be reliable and suitable for a wide range of audio processing needs.

### Audio Formats and Exporting
Users generally appreciate Sound Forge's diverse audio formats and efficient exporting capabilities. The ability to save files in various formats such as WAV, MP3, WMA, RM, and AVI is seen as a strong point by many. However, some users have expressed concerns about the export quality, noting that it can lead to larger file sizes and may require optimization. Despite some mixed opinions, the general consensus leans towards Sound Forge's audio formats and exporting functionalities being beneficial for a wide range of users, from beginners to experts.

### Audio Restoration
Users have expressed mixed opinions regarding Sound Forge's audio restoration capabilities. While some find it to be a quick and efficient tool for cleaning up sound files and enhancing audio quality, others have noted limitations in noise reduction, particularly when dealing with noisy voiceovers or ambient studio sounds. The application's ability to digitize audio and apply various effects has been praised for adding depth and quality to sound channels. However, concerns have been raised about the speed and efficiency of processing large audio files for restoration purposes.

### Software and Tools for Audio Quality
Reviewers consistently highlight Sound Forge's software and tools for audio quality as a standout feature, praising its ability to enhance and refine audio output. Users appreciate the diverse range of editing tools available within the software, enabling them to achieve high-quality audio results with ease. While some users find the interface simplistic, they acknowledge the software's efficiency in capturing and manipulating sound for various projects. Additionally, the compatibility with different file formats and the option to export files in multiple formats are noted as valuable functionalities by reviewers. Despite some minor drawbacks such as the need for moderate computer specifications and occasional RAM usage issues, Sound Forge remains a reliable choice for those seeking professional audio editing solutions.

### Audio Software Updates and Upgrades
While some users appreciate the efficiency of Sound Forge's audio software updates and upgrades, others find the frequency of upgrade prompts to be excessive. The cost of upgrading to a newer version has also been a point of contention among users. Despite the software's ability to capture and manipulate audio effectively, the constant push for upgrades may deter some users from fully enjoying its capabilities. Ultimately, the decision to upgrade to a newer version of Sound Forge may depend on individual preferences and needs in audio editing software.

### Digital Audio Workstations (DAW
User feedback on Sound Forge's digital audio workstations (daw) functionality is somewhat divided. While some find it intuitive and suitable for beginners, others feel it lacks the complexity needed for advanced voice processing tasks. The software's large file size may pose challenges for users with lower-end computer specifications. Despite its user-friendly interface, some reviewers suggest that it falls short in providing a comprehensive solution for audio producers seeking a full-featured DAW.

Users commonly recommend the following:

1. Use Sound Forge if you want to edit samples like a professional. The software provides the necessary tools for high-quality audio editing.

2. Before purchasing Sound Forge, try out other audio editors. Some users have experienced limitations or difficulties with certain aspects of the software, so exploring alternatives is advised.

3. For single track audio editing, Sound Forge is highly recommended. Users appreciate its intuitive interface and efficient workflow for working on individual audio files. However, for tasks such as multi-track editing or editing audio for video purposes, considering other software options may be beneficial.

Versatile and useful audio editing software: Users find Sound Forge to be a versatile and useful audio editing software for a variety of tasks, including music production and audio for video. Many reviewers have stated that they appreciate its powerful editing tools, such as the Normalize and Pitch Shift features, which help in achieving consistent volume levels and adjusting tuning for different songs.

Easy-to-use recording tool: The recording tool in Sound Forge is praised by users for its ease of use and ability to capture audio from various sources. Many reviewers have mentioned that they find Sound Forge easy to use for editing as well, with a simple process for applying effects.

Wide range of effects: Sound Forge offers a wide range of effects that users can use to shape the sound of their tracks and add depth to their mix. The extensive library of audio effects, including plugins like Spectralayers Pro and Melodyne, is seen as a valuable addition to the software by many customers.

Outdated Interface: Some users have expressed that the basic interface of Sound Forge has remained largely unchanged for the past 20 years, making it difficult to determine if any new features have been added. This lack of visual updates can give the impression that the software is stagnant and may not meet modern design standards.

Limited Capabilities: Many users found that Sound Forge had limited capabilities beyond basic audio editing tasks like trimming files. They felt that when it came to more advanced editing techniques or adding effects, other software options provided better features and functionalities.

Export File Size: Some users mentioned that exporting files created with Sound Forge resulted in larger file sizes compared to other similar software. This could be a concern for those looking to optimize their storage space or share files online efficiently.

Sound Forge is a versatile and reliable audio editing software that seamlessly integrates into digital audio workstations, allowing users to directly edit sound files in their projects. Users appreciate its user-friendly interface and wide range of tools, including noise reduction and compression, making it a top choice for sound editing tasks. The software's compatibility with both Windows and Mac platforms has made it accessible to a diverse user base. It has been a trusted audio editing platform for many years, serving beginners and professionals alike. Sound Forge is commonly used for creating personalized music mixes, collaborating with other software like FL Studio, or editing audio tracks for videos. Users have successfully fixed various audio issues with the software, such as incidental noise, hum, or plosive sounds. Its markers and hotkey features make audio editing tasks effortless, allowing users to combine songs, create overlays, and match tunes seamlessly. With its efficient performance and support for VST plugins, Sound Forge is well-suited for producing podcasts, voice-over projects, and radio broadcasts. The software also provides advanced features like graphical fade options to remove clicks and pops from audio files. Users find Sound Forge valuable for processing audio files, improving audio quality, removing vocals for karaoke music, mixing music and songs, as well as checking pitch using the synthesis plugin. Sound Forge's simplicity and efficiency make it suitable for quick editing tasks in video projects without straining the system when running alongside other software like Premiere and After Effects. Despite some users finding other software more efficient for specific situations, Sound Forge continues to be favored for its ease of use and ability to ensure pristine audio quality for high-profile projects. Whether it's recording audio quickly, restoring recordings, or removing noise effortlessly, Sound Forge provides peace of mind knowing users have access to a reliable audio editor whenever needed.

Magix Software offers Sound Forge, the company's audio editing  and digital audio workstation. Magix acquried Sound Forge from Sony in 2016.

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Express Scribe

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Web & Mobile Developer

Sound Forge 2020-02-28 11:58:12

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Large files

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Audio editing

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Audio Editing Software

We use Sound Forge for audio editing, noise reduction, mastering, and file conversion. The audio tracks range from customer development interviews to presentations, product demos, and soundtracks to rich media EPUB3 ebooks. Additionally, I have used Sound Forge ever since I went to school for audio engineering back in 2000, on both a personal and professional basis for such applications as normalizing and mastering music, as well as editing speech such as interviews and podcasts.

Markers - You can rapidly edit spoken audio to remove pauses, "ums" and "ahs," by using the marker feature while listening to the audio in realtime. Then, you go back and cycle through the markers and make the edits very quickly.
Hotkeys - Once you've learned the Sound Forge hotkeys, you can rapidly perform a number of tasks related to audio editing and mastering.
Fixing Clicks and Pops - The Graphical Fade feature allows you to easily draw volume envelopes in extremely short spans of audio, to successfully remove clicks and pops without affecting the rest of the sound.
Organizing VST Plugins - Sound Forge has a nice way of organizing VST effects into folders so you can put your most regularly-used plugins in a "Favorites" folder while organizing others in a sensible way.

Batch Processing - While I like a lot of things about the batch audio processing in Sound Forge, the inability to hear the effects chain is limiting.
Performance - Sound Forge takes a long time to open large files the first time they are opened, as it draws the waveform. It also takes a long time to save large files, every time.
Inability to Listen to VST FX in Realtime - Technically you can listen in realtime, but only from the beginning of the waveform, rather and it is not easy. You have to open the VST effect and turn on the "Preview" mode which starts the audio from the very beginning, without being able to seek.
Inability to Chain VST FX - You have to apply one, then apply the next, then the next, in a destructive mode. The only non-destructive way you can test out different FX chains is by applying them one at a time, and then hitting "Undo" over and over to get back to an earlier state. But you couldn't, for instance, add a reverb, then add compression, then go back and change the reverb. You'd have to undo the compression first.
FX Preset Management - You can save FX presets but it does not save your last-used settings from session to session, and with some VST FX plugins, it doesn't even save them between application, undoing, and attempting to apply again.

Sound Forge has had a very positive impact in saved time editing files. It would have taken me hours longer using WaveLab, Audacity, Adobe Audition, or some of the other competitors for tasks like editing interviews.
Sound Forge has also had a positive impact in saved time through its batch processing features which allow me to normalize and apply effects to a huge set of files all at once.
Sound Forge has not had any negative impacts that I am aware of beside the cost.

WaveLab, Ableton Live, Adobe Audition, Audacity

Sound Forge

Overview

What is Sound Forge?