Customer Reviews

Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio 8

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I'm not an audio expert by any means, but Sound Forge impressed me with its power and simplicity. I needed to clean up and edit a few audio tracks for use in Flash, and Sound Forge did the job no problem. I was able to cut and paste parts of my tracks, adjust output levels, and save them so that they were ready for my other application. There are plenty of other features that I didn't try out (e.g. special effects and various tools to improve the quality of your tracks).

I'm using the 30 day free trial version (which is full-featured but time-limited), but when I'm ready to buy, this will be the one.

I am an absolute beginner with sound recording and sound editing. However, judging from the various reviews, this program seemed easy enough to use. I bought it to help with
- restoration of digitized vinyl and tape recordings
- simple instrument and voice recordings and mixing
- editing of video sound tracks.

Initially I found the manual very frustrating and confusing. The manual covers both the full version of Sound Forge and Sound Forge Audio Studio, which is a souped down version of the former. They try to clearly identify which features are/are not available in Audio Studio, but they do not succed entirely. For example, the scrubbing tool (a tool to slow down playback for editing) is not marked as being exlusive to the full version, yet it is nowhere to be found in Audio Studio.

Another unpleasant surprise was the lack of an MPEG decoder. This is needed to edit the sound track of mpg video files. On the box it is stated that such files could be opened and saved, but when trying to do so, you are directed to Sony's web site where they offer the decoder for sale for close to $30.00. Only after that did I find the tiny note on the box (1/25 in. letter size, faded white on red background) advising that an extra purchase would be required.

If you are new to sound recording and editing, there is a bit of a learning curve to understanding what all the tools do. The manual is focused on the mechanics of the program user interface, but provides very little background information. It also took some effort to get the right sound recording equipment together: I purchased a nice microphone (Shure SM57)for $80, but then found out that the sound could not be sufficiently amplified when the microphone was plugged directly into the computer (it took a couple of trips to get all the right plugs together, too). So I tried running the microphone through my son's electric guitar amplifyer and from there into the computer and that works great.

Having overcome these initial hurdles, I now find that this program is a lot of fun and quite easy to use. Sound tracks and snippets of sound tracks can be simply cut or copied, moved around and pasted, and unwanted audio is easily trimmed off. Special effects (for example echo, reverb, etc.) can be easily pre-audited and adjusted while auditing. I particularly like the audio restoration tool. It is supposed to remove clicks and noise from digitized vinyl recordings and it really works.

Except for the deceptive advertising and the confusing manual, this is a great product.

This is an amazing piece of software. Not only does it have a vast array of recording and editing tools, but it is capable of digitally recording and restoring old vinyl LPs, which can then be burned on CDs.

We're very pleased with this product, particularly since we purchased it at a deep discount from Sony, as an "upgrade" to an old, discontinued set of Sony audio software.

Very good value.

I really can't rate the operation of this program because I couldn't load it. I now run Windows Vista and couldn't get it to load on two different computers running Vista. I went to Sony's site and found out that Sony will not support the program under any other operating system but XP and 2000. I even tried using the compatibility mode but that did not work either. So don't make the mistake I did and assume that it will work under Vista.

My daughter and myself have been looking for software, so she could record her honor band audition music. This software was very user friendly and made a fine recording. It is advanced enough to do all your track mixing. Highly recommended.

I needed a basic package to produce voiceover mp3 files for clients and audition submissions. With a little testing and advice from friends -- as well the purchase of an $80 microphone (don't use a really cheap one) -- I've become a reliable little voiceover shop. I haven't tried many of the more sophisticated editing features, but for basic recording, sound-level adjustment and conversion its very easy. It also has nice features such as instant recording re-starts so that if you begin badly you can quickly ditch the take and start a new one without creating a whole new job. The application also nice easy to use features for editing files and adding effects. I'm not an expert in this area, but for someone needing a basic but robust mono recording tool, this is a great package.

And the price is fantastic for what you get, which is a program that will allow you to immediately begin recording! We hooked up our computer to our Yamaha PA system (through the mic and earphone input/output on the computer) and began recording right away. We had a little problem with the sound level at first (being to loud for recording; spiking the Sound Forge Studio levels), but then figured out we needed to adjust the mic level on the computer (control panel, and then sound and audio devices icon). A few of the loops provided with the software were utilized to enhance our songs; however, a problem we had was getting the loops selected to match the timing of the songs (but, perhaps we need to full with the program more to figure out how to make all tracks work together timing wise). Overall - we produced a good quality CD.

I bought this product becuase of the prie and listed capabilities. I am by no means an expert, I am just an average Joe that was needing some software to edit our digital recordings at church. Sony Sound Forge Studio 8 is the perfect software package for my needs. I highly recomend for "home-studio" music editing!

Installation of Sony Sound Forge was a breeze. Then, best part of all, is the FLASH (or whatever it is) tutorials showing you exactly what buttons to hit. I hooked up a microphone and had a live audio recording in minutes. Kudos to Sony for a well designed product and tutorials.

General statements such as "everything you need" take the place or more detailed product descriptions. It was NOT everything I expected. While it is neat in some regards. It does not do everything my old tape multitrack allows me to do and that was the main point for me. I tried researching the "home recording studio" products and finally ended up taking a leap with this one because I was familiar with the credit to the software in professional productions. Details on what each product can do, even with comparables from different companies are pretty vague. When I think home studio, I think multitrack, and mixing capabilities, which on this product in my opinion are strangely limited(or at least not like any multitrack home recording studio I have used). Many of the features in the manual are only for the professional version, though finding out which specific one's proved impossible before purchase. Great for overdubbing narration apparently from other reviews, but not what I wanted it for.
Overall. I rate this buyer beware.