From Underscore Newsletter, March, 2006

Digital Audio & Video Editing Tools

One of the ways you can maximize the recordings you license from UniqueTracks is to use audio editing software to shape the music so that it works perfectly within your media project.

A simple example of this would be creating your own fade in or fade out on a portion of a track. A more complex example would be cutting an 8 measure section from the full length track and looping this segment as underscore.

Digital audio editing software lets you easily zoom in to a selection of the recording and accomplish powerful editing maneuvers.

There are a lot of digital editors available for both Windows and Mac platforms. Today I want to introduce you to a few of the lowest-priced editors available. These editors still pack a lot of editing power but at are priced at a level that will get you cutting and shaping your audio tracks for just a minimal investment.

To me, the real power of production music is attained when the end-user is free to edit the tracks. This is entirely within UniqueTracks' standard license agreement. In fact, we really encourage you to experiment with the recordings to draw as much use from them as possible. You'll just find that you can do much more with the tracks if you have the ability to massage and shape them, rather than just plop the whole thing in your timeline and live with it as is.

We've started a new Tools section on the UniqueTracks web site where we have made arrangements with various companies to offer trial versions of their audio editing software. I apologize in advance to Mac users, right now we only have Windows editors available.

So if you are a Windows user and maybe new to the whole world of digital audio editing, please browse through the various software packages we've included on the site. These are all try-before-you-buy programs that let you download a completely working version of the software to test for a certain period. If you find that the product is something of value and something you'll use, you must purchase the product at the end of the trial period or the working version will expire. Prices are very reasonable for the editing power you'll get (from $19 to $50).

Even if you already have a digital audio editor that you use, there is probably a small application here that will help you in your editing. We also have included some affordable digital video editing software and some cool little Flash apps that, if you develop for Flash, you may want to check out.

I have another reason for recommending these editors and it's because in upcoming newsletters I'd like to start offering some audio editing advice taking real examples from our music library. I field quite a few phone calls and emails from customers who are encountering audio editing issues and are looking for help.

A case in point, this week I was asked why MP3 files don't seem to loop seamlessly - you can hear a bump in the loop. This is because the MP3 spec puts a sliver of silence at the beginning and ending of the audio file. You really can't loop an MP3 file. That's why all UniqueTracks loops are delivered in WAV format. I'd like to start talking about some of these issues. So grab yourself an digital editor and we can begin examining some cool audio editing techniques.

from Acoustica Inc...
Mixcraft - great for building audio presentations including podcasts. Mixcraft is a full-blown editor that includes many different effects, some special tools like "time-stretching" which lets you expand the length of a track without damaging its audio quality.

MP3 Audio Mixer - Simple but very effective MP3 editor let's you take control of any MP3 track. Create your own loops, shorten or cut and paste the track to create your own custom mix (this is allowed under the UniqueTracks license agreement, in fact we encourage it!).

Audio Converter - This is an easy way to create your own WAV files from an audio CD or convert between formats like MP3 to WAV or visa versa. Easy program gets you up and running quickly. Great way to create your own CD-ROM Bundle.

MP3 CD Burner/Ripper - A very good CD ripper lets you create your own MP3s from CD. Also creates WAV files from CD. You can also go the other way, creating your own CDs from your MP3 or WAV content.

Simple MP3 to WAV Converter - Acoustica's MP3 to WAV Converter automatically converts MP3 & WMA files into CD compatible WAV files! Click the mouse and forget about it! No confusing bit rate calculations or rocket science know-how needed!

CD Label Creator - Easily lets you create custom CD labels for backing up your audio content or for creating label designs with more color and character.

An Audio And VIDEO editor from Blaze Media...

Blaze Media Pro- With editing tools too numerous to fully mention, Blaze Media Pro offers an incredible value for the money. This application includes almost every audio tool mentioned in all the products above PLUS a huge host of video editing tools.

A nifty Video to Flash conversion tool from Increditools...

Flash Video Studio 1.5 - Convert AVI, MOV, DIVX, WMV, MPEG video into an SWF or FLV file. Select range within video to convert. Fine tune the video brightness and contrast. Apply video effects such as emboss, motion blur, twist, negative, mosaic, etc.

Quickly build Flash sideshows with music accompaniment with this Flash SWF editor from FXWitz.

Flash SWF Editor - A little offbeat, but this program is very useful. It easily compiles digital photographs into Flash slide shows. Plenty of effects and templates are offered which makes the creation process simple and fast.