Adobe Audition 1

If you recognise that interface you're probably a Cool Edit Pro user. Adobe bought the software from its creators, Syntrillium. Beyond adding the company name to the title bar, there is little new. If you're a Cool Edit Pro 2.x user you're eligible for a free upgrade to Audition. Earlier Pro editions and Cool Edit 2000 entitle you to a subsidised update.

Audition is one of the most accomplished and easy-to-use editing packages around, and is used in many professional sound environments. A comprehensive tools library and the ability to record and mix 32bit files using any sample rate up to 10MHz, which exceeds the quality of your average DVD movie, puts this beyond the average home user app, while retaining a conservative price point. The standard editing window is complemented by a multi-track studio capable of handling up to 128 stereo channels for non-destructive mixing, in which samples can be positioned with an accuracy of one-thousandth of a second.

The tabbed interface keeps everything close at hand, with effects organised in a collapsible tree to maximise the amount of screen space devoted to the editing window. One tabbed palette is reserved for your favourite settings.

The software falls into Adobe's video product line-up and an 'edit original' command in Premier will open samples or sessions in Audition. We're guessing that by version 1.5 the interface will be more similar to the other products in its range - Premier and After Effects - but for the moment its unattractive layout is at least easy to navigate.

Contact: Adobe 020 8606 4001
www.adobe.co.uk

System requirements:

• 400MHz processor
• Windows 98SE upwards
• 64MB of Ram
• 55MB of hard disk space
• 800 x 600 colour display
• Stereo sound card
• CD-Rom drive
• Speakers or headphones recommended
• Microphone (optional)