Railfan Technology > Sound Editing Software Suggestions, Please

I recently purchased several open reel tapes of railroad sounds at an estate sale and I've been having them digitized and put on CDs. I would like to do a little editing, just basic stuff, like fading in and out and track separation. Can someone recommend a basic sound editing software. I want a program that is easy to use and understand, I just want to make my own CDs with the sounds edited to my liking.
Thanks,
Ken Gear

Wavepad by NCH Software.  Inexpensive, well featured, and easy to learn.

 

radar Wrote:
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> Wavepad by NCH Software.  Inexpensive, well
> featured, and easy to learn.

Thanks for the recommendation. I downloaded it have have been working on some files. You are correct, it works great and is easy to figure out.
Ken

I've had fantastic luck with using Audacity for about 15 years now.  Never had a problem with it.  And it's FREE!  The latest version adds a ton of features that work quite well at cleaning up 20-30 year old audio cassette tapes (church sermon/teaching series) that haven't been touched since they were recorded. 

Like any software product, it takes a little time to figure out all the controls, what to use, what not to use, etc.  I'd like to say I can get the sound back to what it sounded like when recorded, but magnetic tapes degenerate with age.  My biggest problem is a continous pop pop pop that if fully removed, makes it sound like our pastor is under water, holding is nose, and talking.  So, I end up with a compromise of edits that is different for every tape!  It also helps to have a fast computer otherwise you'll 'wait forever' for each edit to take effect.

I'll second Audacity, it's an incredibly powerful program at its price point (free!). I've referred to it as a recording studio all in one program. The basic controls are easy to use, and I don't think the more advanced ones are difficult, just takes time to explore what they do.

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Darren Boes
Lethbridge, AB
Southern Alberta Railfan

I was able to use Audacity to play some 1940's era 78 rpm records on my turntable, which has a maximum speed of 45 rpm.   The Audacity software includes an option to 
"speed up" the sound track to "near normal" speed and frequencies.  I was surprisingly pleased with how well it worked.   A second option took much of the hiss and pop out of the recorded sounds.