Other Windows Applications
- Gale 16Dec16: The open source MP3 decoding library we use (libmad) has been unmaintained for 12 years. Does that mean we should stop using it? I think it needs a case by case approach. Psycle and Virtual Dub are examples that should be retained I would think. But of course it depends if in practice it works on modern OS'es. Many apps notionally not developed since Windows XP days still work on Win 10.
- Peter 16Dec16: ah and that's why I didn't just blunder in an straightaway delete stuff. Maybe you could take and express a view on each individual one in their ednotes. I feel that it would not be unfair to add to each one a little note or some additional test advising the user that the project/product may be no longer tended or supported.
- Gale 18Dec16: It is a shame about CDex because it has a good feature to rip any part of the CD to one file, which is useful e.g. for live or continuous CD's. The old versions here http://www.oldversion.com/windows/cdex/ are safe and once installed give you no way to update to the crapware versions. I think those old versions of CDex could have a cautious listing here (and in the Manual).
| This is a page of links to specialized, standalone Windows software that you might find useful in your audio work in addition to Audacity. The programs listed include tools for recording, sequencing, audio creation, extracting audio from video and file format conversion.
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Contents
Psycle
I suggest we consider removing this from the list
Open source modular tracker for Windows, with VST/VSTi support. Great for creating drum beats, synthesizer work, etc. Recommended for people who don't mind learning a new way of writing electronic music. Not necessarily for the technologically impaired (this is a general rule for all trackers).
VirtualDub
I suggest we consider removing this from the list
Free, Open Source, program to mix audio and video. Also useful to extract audio from a video, and compress video files. See also VirtualDubMod for some extra features.
EAC
Exact Audio Copy. Rips wave files from CD. This is not Open Source, but it is freeware. It's reputed to be more accurate at ripping songs than other Open Source ripping software available.
ImgBurn
I suggest we think about removing this from the list, but maybe it still has a place.
CD and DVD writing (burning) software. This one is not Open Source, but it is freeware. It works with a wide variety of CD and DVD burners.
Quartz Audio Master
Records audio and MIDI, includes full MIDI editing support. The freeware version doesn't have all the features of their commercial product (example: limited to four audio tracks maximum), but it is still quite usable in its own right.
Anvil Studio
Anvil Studio™ is a freeware program for Windows supporting Windows 10/8/7, Windows XO and Vista . Designed for people who want to:
- record music with MIDI and Audio equipment
- compose music for MIDI and Audio equipment
- Sequence music with MIDI equipment
- play with music using a computer and soundcard.
There is a free version and a commercial version. The free version will not convert midi to .wav, but you can use another program to record the midi file to a .wav file as it plays, however it is not accessible for people using a screenreader, due to its design.
OpenSebJ
As this was apparently last updated ten years ago, I propose that we remove this entry.
OpenSebJ is an Open Source pre and post production music mixing tool; allowing both realtime composition and pre-setup replay. This unique mix makes OpenSebJ a creative and versatile audio tool. Written in C# .Net 2.0 utilising DirectX 9c.
WaveSurfer
I recommend we remove this from the list
WaveSurfer is an Open Source tool for sound visualization and manipulation. It has been designed to suit both novice and advanced users. WaveSurfer has a simple and logical user interface that provides functionality in an intuitive way and which can be adapted to different tasks. It can be used as a stand-alone tool for a wide range of tasks in speech research and education. Typical applications are speech/sound analysis and sound annotation/transcription. WaveSurfer can also serve as a platform for more advanced/specialized applications. This is accomplished either through extending the WaveSurfer application with new custom plug-ins or by embedding WaveSurfer visualization components in other applications.
Timidity
I recommend we remove this from the list
Timidity can turn a midi file into a wav file that can then be edited with Audacity. The program is Open Source. An easy to install Windows version of Timidity is available here .
You can use soundfonts from sites like Freepats (which has Open Source sound samples and soundfonts) to customize instrument sounds in Timidity.
To create midi and karaoke files yourself, you can use some of the abc notation tools such as abc2midi . Other abc notation tools let you convert midi back to abc (midi2abc) or create sheet music (abcm2ps) for viewing and printing.
Kristal Audio Engine
I recommend we remove this from the list
Freeware for personal, non-commercial use. It has a very nice GUI interface, supports VST plug-in (w/ GUI). Very intuitive to use too.
UltraStar Deluxe
I recommend we remove this from the list
This is a Karaoke game. It's an Open Source clone of a commercial program.
Timidity can be used with Audacity to create songs to use in the game from kar or abc files. Files with .kar extension are MIDI files with embedded lyrics. Use Timidity to turn the kar files into wave files, then use Audacity to save them in Ogg Vorbis or MP3 format. Use MidiKar2UltrastarTxt to create the txt file needed by UltraStar Deluxe from the kar file. Copy the ogg or mp3 file and txt file to the same subdirectory under the Songs directory, and you're ready to play the new song in UltraStar Deluxe.
- Gale 18Dec16: They don't offer any free or even trial downloads any more. It looks like the software that was cited was primarily call recording software so probably not a good recommendation for most users. I've removed the entry.
Other Open Source applications
See also this page with other Open Source (free to download and free to use) applications:
