Audition 3 product reviews

After having a play with Audition 2, as bundled in the Creative Suite 2 Production Studio bundle, and finding that in CS3 they replaced this with the more user-friendly SoundBooth, I was wondering what Audition 3 was going to look like... and I was very pleased to see that it looks much the same! The GUI, and thus the feel of the application, continues with the docking-panels feel introduced across CS2 and CS3, which makes for a much easier learning curve.

Audtion retains it's 1-stop paradigm, whereby you can go from raw idea, through recording by any number of means, right through the gamut of tweaking, adjusting, enhancing and filtering, and outputting into any number of formats suitable for any purpose. With a stunning array of plug-ins available online, be they freeware or commercial, you have the raw power to literally do anything you want!

The various views, or workspaces, give you control over the various stages of composition, editing, mixing, then final processing and output. The MultiTrack view allows you to lay down the tracks one at a time, so you can lay in your drum tracks, then record and lay in your instruments, and finally vocals, then mix them down, combining multiple tracks into one where needed. Editing view allows you to focus on the various tracks one at a time if needed, filtering and fixing the hiss, pops and scratches that crop up in recording analog sounds. Edit mode has a number of view options, each of which have various strong points, so be sure to explore and experiment to find the method and manner that suits your style best. Remember, using only the right tools the right way gives the right results.

After you have finished getting all the tracks to your satisfaction, you can flip into Mixing mode. From here you operate controls based on a standard mixing board. For the experienced user, this will make things a breeze... for the novice like me, this is the point where you have to sit back and wonder what the fnord you think you're trying to do... and then dive in and play. There are all sorts of track controls here, including grouping, assigning master volume sliders to selected tracks, to keep them all moving in synch, apply effects, etc... but since I hardly understand this high level stuff, I leave it to those who have the know-how, or inclination at the very least, to get deeper into these.

After much digging around, and some online research to confirm my conclusions, it became apparent that this is basically a slightly enhanced release of version 2.0, just with a few extras added in such as VSTi (Virtual Studio Technology instruments) and MIDI support. Not much of an upgrade if you count the features, but if you look at the range of expansion afforded by these two main technologies alone... well, it's like adding 2 doors to a house, but each door leads to a new COUNTRY! Well worth considering the upgrade if you utilise, or want to utilise, either of these expansive technologies.

Also included on the discs are the 'Loopology' collection, selected sound loops you can use as backgrounds or raw materials for further maipulation, such as drums, guitar riffs, etc. Plenty here, lots to play with, and a world of possibilities at your fingertips, and only an inspiration away from reality... well, OK, an inspiration and a few hours playing and experimenting away...

Overall, far too powerful for a novice, but plenty powerful enough for the experienced user, with room to expand through the use of third-party plug-ins and modules, plus the ability to open, use, modify and output almost any sound format in common usage today. By far the best package I can find that has this much scope for a reasonable pricetag. However, taking into account my level of skill, even a stunning package like this is way beyond my needs. SoundBooth does me just fine.