Web-related Sound Analysis Software
With the rapid rise in the use of sound on the internet, many sound-related programs have become widely available. Many of these are directly related to either the use of sound on web pages, or the growing availability of music as downloads in different audio formats. While much if this is not directly useful to animal researchers, there are many resources that are available for free (or cheap) that provide a long list of tools for our use. Among these are a handful of good signal editors that allow for signal editing and manipulation. These also provide signal display options (spectrograms, waveform display, and Frequency Spectra via FFTs), and various noise filtering options, both of which are quite useful to animal sound researchers, particularly those "on a budget". They also often provide sound effects, format conversion options, etc. which are not as useful for our purposes, but I include them here.
There are a tremendous number of sites that offer different sound-related software options, and I simply can't keep track of all of them. These are some I've found or others have suggested to me. I think taking a look at the Multi-listing Sites is a useful place to explore. If you do find something useful to animal researchers, please let me know.
One of the most common inquiries I get is from those wanting a general exploratory system on a "graduate student" budget. I've included a separate page on this.
I've organized the different sites into the below categories, although there is some overlap among these.
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Multi-Listing Sites
These are sites that have multi-listings of sound-related software. A brief time browsing through these can yield some useful programs, particularly if you're looking for some specific application. If you find any of general interest to all of us, let me know!
Dave central-- lots of software listings, with an audio subset.
Remarkable array of available shareware/freeware etc. Mostly
music-audioclip related but has a listing of sound editors, with links.
Again, mostly web-page audio related, but lots to sort through.
Share-it shareware sound multi-listing. Mostly music-related programs, but
several editing and display programs as well.
Music-related shareware site. Mostly music-related shareware
but a number of programs for sound editing, signal-display emulation: Multi-platform.
Harmony Central- site devoted mostly to music: has many different categories of
sound-related software, mostly music, sound mixing. You begin by selecting your platform.
General Signal Editors
These are general programs that perform the tasks of signal acquisition, editing and manipulation, signal displays, and sometimes noise filtering. Many are available as downloads as trial or shareware versions.
Cool Edit. A nice sound manipulation and analysis package. Very easy to use, and
quite flexible in applications. Does simple spectrograms and FFTs, waveform manipulations
and editing, synthesis, and various sound "effects". Excellent little package-- recommended.
The original company was purchased by Adobe, but the software is still available.
Goldwave. Very similar to Cool Edit (previous listing).
Soundwave 97: sound editor, with graphics and filtering.
Download Shareware version available.
Wave Flow- simple and inexpensive wave file editor, with filtering.
Audio Suite: Sound editor/mixer, for PC/WIN9598 sound (WAV) files.
Sonic Foundry: Commercial professional sound editing/effects program.
Download Available?
Task-specific Programs
These are programs that perform specific tasks relevant to our needs.
Gram ver 11 by R.S. Horne--A program that does simple but
effective spectrograms, available as download. Actually quite simple
to use if small numbers of sonograms are desired.
CreateFX: Freeware Digital Filter designer-- builds digital filters
Digital shareware graphic equalizer
WinSpec32: Simple program for Spectrum Analysis with cursor measurement.
Sound File Formats
Miscellaneous
Computer company specializing in "realistic" computer audio
Has computer-audio links page, and technical information
A company that makes a variety of sound-related software.
Innovative Quality Software
Commercial site for professional Audio Editors
Primarily for music industry
Antex Company: Digital Audio Products
Recording Equipment
I've added a separate page devoted to:Recording EquipmentHere is the contact information for the 2 main bioacoustics suppliers in the U.S.:
Saul Mineroff Electronics has served the bioacoustics field for decades, providing both equipment and service. They have a new web site (under construction) but currently no sales from it. E-mail or send them a postcard and ask for a natural sound recording catalog:
Saul Mineroff Electronics
Marice Stith Recording Services|
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