Sony have finally stepped up and introduced a completely new, native Mac OS X version of their popular audio editor, Sound Forge Pro. Sure, we hoped for it... but how does the Mac version measure up?
Employ Sound Forge Pro Mac in your studio workstream and open smooth new pathways to audio excellence in OS X. Focused editing Sound Forge Pro Mac is the second-generation audio editing application designed exclusively for OS X, with expanded editing features incorporated by popular demand. Configurable viewing panels allow you to toggle to any. 8/10 (6 votes) - Download Sound Forge Mac Free. Sound Forge is the most complete professional suite for digital audio production. Download Sound Forge and get everything you need to process audio. Regarding the great amount of tools on the market to produce and edit audio, few can be compared to. SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 12 allows you to play and edit audio files recorded with your linear PCM recorder, imported from an audio CD, downloaded from a website or copied from your computer. You can also burn an audio CD and enjoy a variety of features available in SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 12.
The Mac OS has always has its fair share of industry-leading DAWs and music applications. Many consider it the platform for us audio types. However, until recently, it was missing one of the most highly acclaimed audio editors: Sound Forge. In truth, when I was first given a tour of Sony's flagship audio editor back in the days of Windows XP, I was green with envy. As much as I enjoyed using Soundtrack Pro (now unavailable), and tinkering in BIAS Peak (also gone the way of the dodo), I recognized that Sony had created something special.
So, there was with much waving of arms and general cheering within the Mac community when Sony recently announced the arrival of Sound Forge Pro for Mac. I was initially tentative as many apps ported from Windows just don't behave in the same way as native Mac apps. Fortunately, Sony has created Sound Forge for Mac from scratch, and not only does this give it an integrated Mac OS X GUI, the speed and feel of the app makes it a pleasure to use.
Installation & Interface
A simple and fairly speedy download was pretty much all that was required. The complete app weighs in at under 200 MB, and once downloaded you're instructed to simply drop it into your Applications folder, and enter the serial number once you've launched it. All in all a painless process.
Sound Forge Pro for Mac sports a clean and uncluttered interface.
The interface is clean, uncluttered and split into re-sizable panes, perfect for editing audio without extra distractions, or bells and whistles (yes, I'm pointing an accusing finger at a number of DAWs). Over on the left is the Media Browser which can be hidden away using the disclosure arrow. Of note is a favorites section. Simply right-click on an audio file and choose to add to your favorites to find it quickly in the future. The search field makes finding audio files a simple task... and of course you can preview any files in the browser by clicking on the play button next to its name.
Effects & Info
The central area is taken up by the wave editor. This can be set up to display multiple editors either along the horizontal or vertical axis as desired. A nice touch! The right pane contains usefully colored level meters, plug-in chain and chooser, where you can choose from a number of effect plug-ins, including the included iZotope Mastering and Repair Suite. You can access all your own AUs and VSTs very easily too. Plug-in interfaces can be opened by clicking the gear icon, and you can also choose to view an envelope for each parameter of your plug-in. More on that later.
Using effect plug-ins is very intuitive.
Sony Sound Forge 10
The bottom central pane can be customized to display a host of info as well as a nice large recording level meter. It's simple enough to select your input audio device from here too. The Transport and Tools selection areas are fairly self-explanatory for anyone who has used any audio application before. Don't be fooled by the clean and tidy interface, as there are a number of useful panels and options neatly stored within a click or two, but hidden away to help you concentrate on the most important tasks, namely recording and editing!
Sound Forge for Mac comes with excellent plug-ins by iZotope!
Recording & Editing
When it gets down to the nitty gritty, Sound Forge Pro is a very capable editor. You can quickly record single or multiple tracks, and of course edit them quickly. I particularly enjoyed having quick access to sections of an audio file by inserting Regions by hitting 'R' on the keyboard. This essentially creates two markers either side of a selection. Then clicking on the Region number in the Regions list will engage that selection. A great way of being able to quickly define and navigate to important sections of dialogue.
Sound Forge for PC users will likely be familiar with the Envelope mode. It's straightforward to adjust plug-in parameters over time (e.g. lower gain) by selecting the parameter in the right-hand pane, enabling the envelope, and then drawing directly in the waveform editor. Each level of automation can also be bypassed with a single click in the same area. Very neat. Right-clicking on an envelope segment allows you to change the fade type, flip the automation envelope and more. It's also possible to cut, copy and paste envelopes too.
Try right-clicking on an envelope segment to choose alternative fade properties.
What's Missing?
Considering that Sound Forge Pro has been completely re-written for Mac and is less expensive than its Windows counterpart, Sound Forge Pro 10, it may come as no surprise there are some differences. I was hoping to be able to assign custom keyboard shortcuts to menu commands, but as yet this is not possible. Importing video is not yet supported, and batch editing is also not possible, yet. The later is something I'd love to see Sony introduce soon. Being able to batch edit multiple files would surely be welcomed by many Mac-based musicians and audio editors. I also missed the 'Repeat' command, which is very handy to repeat the last process via a shortcut key.
Of course, this is just the beginning for Sound Forge for Mac and, considering there have already been a couple of updates with bug fixes and new features added, I am quite confident that the above features will be added in future updates.
Conclusion
Sound Forge Pro is likely to comfortably fill the void of audio editing apps in the Mac community. That it is less expensive than its Windows cousin is an unusual bonus, and that there are some features not yet implemented might put off some users. But there's plenty to like here. Overall, Sound Forge Pro is a very capable and quick multi-track audio editor. It's complimented by a clean and easy to navigate interface which can be easily customised to suit whatever task you wish to perform. If you're in the market for an audio editor Sony's Sound Forge Pro for Mac deserves a closer look.
Find out more on the Sony Sound Forge Pro for Mac website.
MIDDLETON, Wis., Jan. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Creative Software, a leading global provider of professional editing and authoring solutions, today released a free 2.5 update to Sound Forge™ Pro Mac, and a Version 3 upgrade to SpectraLayers™ Pro [WIN/MAC]. Sound Forge Pro: Advanced Audio Waveform Editor [WIN/MAC] is the application of choice for a generation of audio editors. The free 2.5 update for OS X features disc-at-once CD burning, the classic Wave Hammer compressor/limiter plug-in, and other improvements. The award-winning SpectraLayers Pro: Advanced Audio Spectrum Editor stands at the forefront of the audio spectrum editing movement. Parallel developments in program design and core engine performance combine to deliver the most highly-evolved and surgically precise spectral editing platform available.
While Sound Forge and SpectraLayers Pro are standalone applications, both are configured to work seamlessly with each other, providing a comprehensive editing environment that combines deep waveform and spectrum editing capabilities.
'We're pleased to announce significant upgrades and updates to our audio software product line,' said John Freeborg, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. 'Sound Forge Pro Mac users are invited to install the free 2.5 update. Now with CD burning capability, the stand-alone Convrt Batch Processing Automation Tool, and our classic Wave Hammer compressor on board, Sound Forge for OS X has hit a highly anticipated benchmark. On the spectral editing side, our SpectraLayers 3.0 upgrade is extensive, reflecting a deep rethinking and reworking of the spectral editing paradigm. The list of new features is impressive, and they're backed by core performance enhancements that contribute to a remarkably enhanced feel.'
Sound Forge Pro Mac 2.5 Advanced Audio Waveform Editor: New Features
The free 2.5 update delivers top-line user-requested features, including:
- Disc-at-once CD burning. Create tracks and burn a disc from a single file, or burn all open files to disc.
- Wave Hammer Compressor/Limiter. A Sound Forge classic plug-in, now available on the Mac.
- Convrt: Plug-in processing preview. Audition Plug-In Chain signal and effects processing scenarios from directly within the program.
SpectraLayers Pro 3 Advanced Audio Spectrum Editor: New Features
The 3.0 upgrade is extensive. New features include:
- Layers Panel Redesign. The new editing paradigm starts here, with a colorful, customizable system that makes working with complex multi-layer projects easy and intuitive.
- Selection Tools Redesign. The Selection Tools panel has been significantly upgraded to provide more power and versatility than ever for carving precise, tailor-made selections out of the spectral graph.
- New Waveform Display. The new Waveform Display shows selections, color-coded project layer content, relative amplitudes, and more.
- Overview Bar. The Overview Bar provides graphic, color-coded information about selection range, layer program length and location, layer phase status, mute state, and marker/region positions.
- Displacement Pad. Go multidimensional instantly with The Displacement Pad, a joystick control for changing the 3D view that features continuous access for a super-smooth 3D workflow.
- Audio Scrubbing. Use the cursor to scrub audio in both directions.
- Preferences panel. Standard configuration option controls, and all the new feature customization options, including custom routing, color-coding, and keyboard command options, are centralized here.
- Faster Processing. Engine performance is upgraded yet again for SpectraLayers Pro 3. The new logic and comprehensive CPU and GPU support translates into pure speed and silky smooth program response.
- 24-bit/192 kHz performance. Now available in SpectraLayers Pro 3.
- Surround Support. Up to eight channels of surround sound support.
- Hardware support. Including touch, trackpad, pen, Retina/high-DPI displays, and automatic detection when used with convertible laptops.
Price and Availability
Sony Sound Forge 10 Pro
SpectraLayers Pro 3 ($399.95 WIN/MAC), Sound Forge Pro Mac 2.5 ($299.95), and upgraded, cross-platform Audio Master Suite bundles are now available. For more information, or to purchase, please visit:
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/spectralayerspro
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/soundforgepromac
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/audiomastersuitemac
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/audiomastersuite
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/soundforgepromac
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/audiomastersuitemac
http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/audiomastersuite
About Sony Creative Software
Sony Creative Software is a leading provider of innovative professional and consumer software solutions that inspire creativity, discovery, and productivity. We encourage artistic expression with our award-winning line of digital video, audio, and music production applications. Our customer base is extensive and includes film, television, and recording professionals as well as students, educators, and independent artists worldwide. For more information about products from Sony Creative Software, please visit www.sonycreativesoftware.com.
© 2015 Sony Creative Software Inc. All rights reserved. All trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
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Sony Sound Forge For Mac Os X
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