What is the current best freeware audio editing application?

July 20, 2004 1:17 PM

What is the current best freeware audio editing application? The specific need is for ripping a cd, then playing it back slower without altering the key.
posted by gnz2001 to Technology (11 answers total)

I recommend Goldwave, it's shareware not freeware, but, unless they've changed things, you can use it with full functionality forever with a pop-up registration reminder.
posted by soplerfo at 1:38 PM on July 20, 2004

There's Audacity, although I don't specifically know if it will do that. Probably. There's also a winamp plug-in called Pacemaker or some such that will do it on playback.
posted by mookieproof at 1:51 PM on July 20, 2004

The Amazing Slowdowner does just what you ask (without ripping the CD first), and I think is functional for a certain period before you have to pay up.
posted by Robot Johnny at 1:56 PM on July 20, 2004

audacity will most certainly shift tempo without adjusting pitch. it's a great tool.
posted by lescour at 1:56 PM on July 20, 2004

I also recommend Audacity. Very easy to use and gets the job done while having many other useful features. I've used it in more than one dance production to great success.
posted by jmd82 at 8:16 PM on July 20, 2004

get cdex for the ripping.
posted by Hackworth at 10:03 PM on July 20, 2004

CoolEdit has done slowdown at least as far back as CoolEdit 96 (probably before, but 96 is the earliest I can vouch for. )
posted by jfuller at 5:09 AM on July 21, 2004

OT, but not OT... is there a program that will allow you to simply adjust tempo during playback. I used to use this old MP3 player (i think it was called Sonique) that allowed it.

I know there are some WinAmp plug ins... is there anything for iTunes?
posted by benjh at 6:07 AM on July 21, 2004

Learning guitar, are we ? Well, I, for one, am glad you asked...
posted by y2karl at 6:25 AM on July 21, 2004

ableton live will adjust tempo during playback of mp3, aiff, wav, whatever files - it's not free though. traktor too
posted by soplerfo at 6:46 AM on July 21, 2004

Response by poster: Thanks everyone, these are all great suggestions. Another mefite buddy who saw this thread checked out Audacity for the first time in years, and was quite impressed.

Yes, y2karl, I'm forever learning guitar. 40 years now and still learning. But this is for my boss, who is learning mandolin. I don't have the patience (or inclination) to dissect a piece note by note.

Looks like the solution that will be used will be the plugin for Winamp.
posted by gnz2001 at 1:47 PM on July 21, 2004