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Do you need a high-quality Audio Editing Software?
Are you a content creator, a composer, a video editor, an artist, a producer, a musician, a sound engineer, a sound designer or a mastering engineer looking for a professional Digital Audio Workstation?
Or do you want to get started in the Audio Editing world?
Great! In this Advantages Guide you will discover all the benefits and features of using the different versions of SOUND FORGE by MAGIX.
SOUND FORGE has many versions that offer tools for Audio Editing, Audio Production, Audio Mastering, Audio Cleaning, Audio Restoration and more!
Let’s see all about every version of SOUND FORGE and what they offer.
You can also jump to any version of SOUND FORGE here in the post through this quick access list:
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab
SOUND FORGE Pro
It’s been more than 30 years that SOUND FORGE Pro is trusted as the favorite DAW [Digital Audio Workstation] of renowned sound engineers and producers from all over the world.
The new SOUND FORGE Pro 16 [the latest release], is great for Audio Editing, Sound Design, Audio Recording, Audio Mastering and much more!
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 is a DAW that offers a smooth workflow boosted by multiple professional features and makes the audio creation/editing process as easy as possible. You can use its high-end plug-ins to develop masters for streaming, CD and international broadcast.
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 is compatible with:
- Windows 8 [32 bits or 64 bits]
- Windows 10 [32 bits or 64 bits]
Do you use a Mac computer? See our explanation about SOUND FORGE Pro Mac here in the post.
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 minimum system requirements are:
- Processor: 1 GHz
- RAM: 512 MB
- Graphics card: Onboard, min. resolution 1024 x 768
- Sound card: Onboard
- Hard drive space: 500 MB for installation
You can get SOUND FORGE Pro 16 as a Perpetual License.
You can also get SOUND FORGE Pro 365, which is SOUND FORGE Pro 16 offered as Subscription Plans:
Let’s discover the features of SOUND FORGE Pro 16 for Audio Editing, Sound Design, Audio Recording, Audio Mastering, Audio Cleaning, Audio Analysis/Visualization and Workflow Automation through Scripting. The features ahead are available both in the Perpetual License and also in the Subscription Plans of SOUND FORGE Pro.
Features for Audio Editing & Sound Design
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 has precise features for Audio Editing & Sound Design:
- Multichannel Editing that allows you to open, edit, convert and save audio files from multiple sources in a multi-track environment, all with high-quality precision.
- Many audio effects and plug-ins for sound design, mix and mastering.
- Expert Multitasking that saves you tons of time by editing and rendering an additional file in the background.
- Timestretching & Pitch Shifting with zplane élastique Timestretch 3.3.1 based on the modern psychoacoustic processing theory to deliver cross-channel phase coherence and sample accurate stretching without losing sound quality.
- Channel Converter that allows you to mix the channels to set up panning, swap channels in a stereo file or in a multichannel file and adjust the number of channels in an audio file.
- Workflow with Optimized User Experience that allows you to waveform and envelope color, window height and markers to suit your preferences benefit from a more streamlined workflow.
Features for Audio Recording
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 also has great features for Audio Recording:
- Multichannel sound with High Resolution recording that allows you to create razor-sharp recordings of up to 64 bits and sampling rates of up to 768 kHz.
- Professional Recording Workflow that allows you to modify up to 32 audio channels and monitor everything from the same customizable working environment.
- Input Bus Effects with plug-ins you can add to your source signal to create mixes that are great for headphones.
===> Get SOUND FORGE Pro 16 [ Perpetual License] <===
- One Touch Recording [OTR] to record with a single click while you keep your project area and the main program interface simultaneously open. You can also fully concentrate on recording by sparing heaps of time.
- Remote Recording that hides the main window just so you only see the essential recording options in one location, which frees up the screen to display your sheet music or text for undisturbed recordings.
- Direct Stream Digital [DSD] audio file support with DSD format export for mastering Super Audio CDs [SACD], reliable archiving as well as importing, exporting, recording and mixing in PCM format.
Features for Audio Mastering & Audio Cleaning
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 also has specific features for Audio Mastering & Audio Cleaning:
- Wide range of effects and plug-ins for mastering as well as cleaning audio files based on advanced DSP [Digital Signal Processing] algorithms.
- Cleaning Effects: DeHisser for removing white noise, DeClicker for removing intermittent clicks and pops in audio recordings of old Vinyl records, DeCrackler for eliminating crackling or low noise from audio files, DeClipper for rescuing records that can’t be re-recorded, such as live concerts and interviews, by repairing digital and analog clipping artifacts.
- Loudness Normalization [EBU R128 & ITU BS.1770-4] measuring and mixing loudness for TV & Radio, which gives your audio projects broadcast standards for loudness by automatic adjustments of loudness and dynamics in real time.
- Mastering Effects coreFX Suite with the most important tools for professional sound design such as plug-ins for precise dynamic control, precise dynamic control and modulating effects for richness/space matching high-quality contemporary productions.
- iZotope Ozone 9 Elements with a wide range of macro controls and presets and for producing sophisticated mastering results with ease.
- iZotope RX 7 Elements with real-time plug-ins and a stand-alone audio editor to resolve common recording issues such as unwanted background noise, clipping, clicks and humming.
===> Get SOUND FORGE Pro 365 | 1 Month Subscription <===
Features for Audio Analysis & Visualization
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 also has special features for Audio Analysis & Visualization:
- Spectroscope with latest FFT Technology offering detailed and precise frequency analysis in real-time, plus monitoring of audio wave length, audio amplitude and audio frequency.
- Voice Activity Detection with the “sensAI SINGING VAD” from audEERING, an Artificial Intelligence tool that detects lead choruses and vocals as well in music pieces and marks passages with vocals, providing you with a quick overview in more complex mixing projects.
- Peak Meter V2 to accurately measure audio signal peak levels with real-time visual display of the audio signal level.
- Clipping Identification and Selection to identify and select clipped peaks scans audio files to locate instances of clipping and remove them with the DeClipper [another tool of SOUND FORGE Pro 16].
- WaveColor tool that allows you to identify important parts of your project using succinct colors.
- Multichannel-capable Spectrum Analysis, CALM-targeted Metering, Phase Scope and Mono Compatibility Measurement.
Features of Workflow Automation through Scripting
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 also has powerful features of Workflow Automation that you can use through the Script Editor Window:
- Batch Processing to apply the same effects and process to multiple files. This way you can save a lot of editing and converting time.
- Mastering Wizard to create a professional master from your audio files with ease and speed.
- Cleaning Wizard for removing noise and other interference types from your audio files.
You can also write and implement your own scripts in the programming languages Jscript, C# and VBScript.
===> Get SOUND FORGE Pro 365 | 12 Months Subscription <===
Other Features
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 has other features for all types of Workflows:
- Disc-at-once CD BurningVST Engine The VST2/3 engine
- ARA2 Support
- Advanced Export Functions with different effects and presets
- DDP Export
- ACX Export Wizard to create audio files for streaming services such as Audible or iTunes
Now let’s see the specs of SOUND FORGE Pro Suite and how you can benefit from its exclusive features.
SOUND FORGE Pro Suite
With SOUND FORGE Pro Suite you get all SOUND FORGE Pro features plus exclusive features for Advanced Audio Waveform Editing.
The operating system compatibility and minimum system requirements of SOUND FORGE Pro 16 Suite are the same as the ones of SOUND FORGE Pro 16, all explained here in the post.
SOUND FORGE Pro 16 Suite is the new release that includes every tool of SOUND FORGE Pro 16, plus:
- SpectraLayers Pro 7, the most advanced audio spectrum editor that transforms sound into a unique visual world of multidimensional audio data
- Unmixing Layers to split and isolate music into single layers
- The latest VST 3 plug-in with VST 3 effects
- Integration of External DAWs
- wizardFX Modern Reverb Steinberg
- Vintage Effects Suite [3 vintage effects] to reproduce the full and warm sound of analog tools
===> Get SOUND FORGE Pro 16 Suite <===
- VariVerb II [versatile reverb plug-in]
- Vandal [virtual guitar & bass amps]
- Celemony Melodyne 5
- essentialFX Suite [11 high-quality effect plug-ins]
- Analogue Modelling Suite [4 mastering plug-ins]
- Sound Design with Spectral Molding
- Cleaning with Acoustic Fingerprints
You can get SOUND FORGE Pro 16 as a Perpetual License.
You can also get SOUND FORGE Pro Suite 365, which is SOUND FORGE Pro Suite 16 offered as Subscription Plan.The features above are available both in the Perpetual License and also in the Subscription Plans of SOUND FORGE Pro 16 Suite.
Now let’s discover SOUND FORGE Pro Mac, developed specially for computers running Mac systems.
SOUND FORGE Pro Mac
For Mac computers, you can get SOUND FORGE Pro Mac. This DAW [Digital Audio Workstation] is great for Audio Editing, Audio Processing, Audio Mastering and much more!
SOUND FORGE Pro Mac 3 [the latest release] is compatible with the following Mac systems:
- 10.9 [Mavericks]
- 10.10 [Yosemite]
- 10.11 [El Capitan]
- 10.12 [Sierra]
- 10.13 [High Sierra]
- 10.14 [Mojave]
SOUND FORGE Pro Mac 3 minimum system requirements are:
- Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Xeon-Processor
- RAM: 2 GB
- Hard drive space: 200 MB for installation
With MacOS optimization, SOUND FORGE Pro Mac 3 is designed to provide a smooth and easy workflow. Some of the features of this Digital Audio Workstation are:
- High resolution recording rates of 24-bit/192kHz high audio clarity allowing you to edit down to sample level.
- Élastique Timestrech plug-in by Zplane based on the psychoacoustic models and signal-processing theory that provide stable timing, top audio file length adjustments and excellent pitch-shifting.
- Disc-at-Once CD Burning that opens all files directly to a Redbook compliant, replication-ready master CD.
- Post-processing features: Bit Depth Conversion and Sample Rate Conversion.
- Up to 32 channels of simultaneous recording.
- Normalize features to reach standard peak level normalization.
- Wave Hammer Audio Mastering Tool with Audio Compressor and Volume Maximizer.
- AES/EBU loudness meters that let you use the entire dynamic range for broadcast audio with CALM Act compliance.
- Third party plug-in support.
===> Get SOUND FORGE Pro Mac 3 <===
izotope Elements
iZotope RX Elements & iZotope Ozone 8 Elements are two plug-ins that can be included with the SOUND FORGE Pro Mac 3 purchase for an extra fee [each]. Those two plug-ins can:
- Restore distorted audio
- Remove line noise
- Remove ground-loop hum
- Fine-tune vocals and dialog
- Remove clicks and crackle from Vinyl recordings
- Attenuate the “clicky” performance of a bass guitar track
- Add more than 75 professionally designed presets to audio files
- Support AAX, RTAS, VST and AU plug-ins
- Deliver high-impact masters
- Implement radio-ready and streaming-ready masters
Audio Master Suite Mac
You can also get the Audio Master Suite Mac for Audio Restoration, Sound Design & Audio Mastering. It includes [with no extra fees]:
- SOUND FORGE PRO Mac 3 [all features]
- iZotope RX Elements
- iZotope Ozone 8 Elements
- SpectraLayers Pro 4
Now let’s see what the SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab features and specs and how you can leverage from them.
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab is the easiest solution for audio cleaning and restoration!
All the features of SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab are accessible through easy workflow focusing on audio improvements such as noise removing, audio sound optimizing and video sound optimizing. This is a professional solution for audio cleaning and audio restoring.
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab is compatible with:
- Windows 10 [32 bits or 64 bits]
- Windows 11 [32 bits or 64 bits]
Do you use a Mac? Then see our specs about SOUND FORGE Pro Mac here in the post.
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab system requirements are:
- Processor: 1 GHz
- RAM: 2 GB
- Graphics card: Onboard, minimum resolution 1280 x 768
- Available hard drive space: 1 GB for program installation
- Sound card: Onboard
- Onboard Optical drive: DVD
- Optional: CD/DVD burner
- Internet connection: Required for registering and validating the program, as well as for some program features.
- Program requires one-time registration.
- Program languages:
- English
- Deutsch
With SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab 4 [the latest release] you get:
- New effects, tools and functions, and from the audio experts at Steinberg.
- Reduced latency thanks to the improved audio engine.
- Easily manage projects using the Track controls.
- Search for & find presets fast with the plug-in browser.
- Shape your own unique sound with modernEQ.
- Export flawless masters using loudness visualization.
- Reduced latency thanks to the improved audio engine.
- Digitization, Cleaning & Restoration.
- High Resolution recording such as vocals for podcasts and other projects at up to 96 kHz/24-bit.
- Video Sound Optimizer to enhance spoken parts, sound and music, sound of your videos, plus it implements noise removing features.
- Export audio files in any standard format, from MP3 and OGG to WAV and AIFF.
===> Get SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab 4 <===
- Automatic Cleaning feature that analyzes your audio and recommends optimization settings.
- Over 360 presets to get the most out of your material
- wizardFX Suite that allows you to choose any preset and apply right away. Some of the presets are: depth and warmth settings, vocal compressing and volume adjusting.
- Infobox with Tips & Tricks that doesn’t require any user manual.
- iZotope RX 8 Elements & RX 8 Elements plug-ins to eliminate noise, clicks, sibilance and other interferences from your audio files.
SOUND FORGE Audio Cleaning Lab 4 is a great choice for reaching clean sound in all your media projects!
Now let’s see the SOUND FORGE Audio Studio features and how you can benefit from it.
SOUND FORGE Audio Studio
SOUND FORGE Audio Studio is similar to SOUND FORGE Pro but it focuses on the features specific for Audio Editing.
SOUND FORGE Audio Studio is compatible with:
- Windows 11 [32 bits or 64 bits]
- Windows 10 [32 bits or 64 bits]
In case you use a Mac computer, see our explanation about SOUND FORGE Pro Mac here in the post.
SOUND FORGE Audio Studio minimum requirements are:
- Processor: 1.4 GHz
- RAM: 512 MB
- Graphics card: Onboard, min. resolution 1024 x 768
- Available hard drive space: 500 MB for program installation
- Sound card: Onboard
- Internet connection: Required for registering and validating the program, as well as for some program features. Program requires one-time registration.
- Supported languages:
- English
- Deutsch
- Español
- Français
- Polski
With SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 16 [the latest release] you get:
- modernEQ to edit audio material even better and produce better quality results during equalization.
- modernReverb to enhance your sound with lifelike space and a deep, thick atmosphere.
- Advanced editing for effects plug-ins to quickly find the desired audio media and apply changes instantly.
- Optimized multichannel handling that helps you process different parts of your project independently.
- New resampling engine that allows you to work with any format, codec, and sample rate in your project and make them compatible with each other.
- Vinyl recording and restoration
- High resolution audio recording up to 32 bits/384 kHz.
- Record podcasts and audiobooks: the built-in mixing and editing tools let you produce podcasts in excellent audio quality. Plus, an ACX Export Wizard has been developed to make audiobook compatible files for audible, Amazon, iTunes.
- Remote Recording including all the recording options. You can place the Remote Recording Window anywhere you want right next to your voiceover text while you record.
- Video sound optimization and CD authoring.
- Digitization, audio conversion and audio restoration.
===> Get SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 16 <===
- Instant Action window extension to access features with just a click.
- Truncate Silence & ACX Export Wizard to remove silent pauses, measure noise level of recordings, remove speech large pauses, all quickly and automatically.
- Editing for audio files containing 5.1 Surround data with up to 6
- Includes wizardFX Suite & iZotope Ozone 9 Elements.
Now let’s see the SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 365 specs.
SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 365
SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 365 has all the features of SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 16, the difference is that you can purchase it as a Subscription Plan.
By subscribing, you get access to all new releases, updates, upgrades, functions and patches!
Choose a version of SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 365:
- SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 365 | 3 Months Subscription
- SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 365 | 12 Months Subscription
Conclusion
Great! Now you know all the features of SOUND FORGE and how you can benefit from them!
You also know what is the best SOUND FORGE version for Audio Editing, Sound Design, Audio Production, Audio Processing, Audio Mastering, Audio Analysis, Audio Visualization, Audio Workflow Automation, Advanced Audio Waveform Editing, Audio Cleaning and Audio Restoration.
Need to implement any type of Audio Editing workflow? You already know what to do. Get SOUND FORGE: