Syntrillium Cool Edit Pro 2.x

Cool Edit Pro 2 was one of the first audio recording programs that where computer based that I started using I think back in 2001 or so. I must say that this program was cutting edge not just for me at the time but for anyone who wanted to get into recording on a computer. I was amazed by the potential that this program had back then, just being able to do everything right on a computer screen and no need for a bunch of hardware gear in front of you to record your songs.


SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Cool Edit Pro 2.0 was very stable during the time that I was running it. I never experienced any problems with it, That was when I had an old Dell computer with the box screen (not flat screen) and a desktop tower. Music recording programs have came a long way since Cool Edit Pro, but I still think I have my copy somewhere around in my basement. I probably will never use it again though just because I have so many other softwares that can do the same thing that this can. But 12 years ago this software was top notch.


OVERALL OPINION

Cool Edit Pro 2 was the first version of Cool Edit that I have used, I think they had an earlier version but I didn’t get a chance to see what it was like and I know that I never will because they don’t make it anymore. As far as the value for the price of this software is great, Back in 2001 the price of it was not bad at all especially if you were used to buying hardware to record this was really cheap. I am extremely happy to say that I was a Cool Edit Pro 2 user, if I recall correctly I think Syntrillium was bought out by adobe. So there will be no more Cool Edit Programs, they are all Adobe Audition now.

I've been using Cool Edit in one form or another since around 1999. The latest and last version, 2.0, is the culmination of many years of development and is a fairly stable, easy to use platform. Essentially, if the user knows how to operate a real mixer and recorder, then he or she should have no problems with the concepts of running the Cool Edit Pro virtual mixer and recorder. Whether you plan to clean up individual audio tracks or record and mix a song, Cool Edit is relatively intuitive and easy to use.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

The program is relatively small, meaning that it runs pretty efficiently on a variety of computers. I've only had it crash on me a couple of times, which I suspect is more due to Windows problems than that with Syntrillium's software. I run Cool Edit Pro 2.0 on a Pentium 3 with Windows XP Service Pack 2. I am easily able to record on 8 tracks at a time with my M-Audio Delta 1010 LT sound card.

OVERALL OPINION

For PC software it's relatively easy to use. But, I now prefer to record with a real mixer with actual knobs, rather than "virtually." If I were in the business of recording and mixing bands, I likely would use this software or Pro Tools or some other DAW mixing program as it would be very easy to make subtle changes to the mixes, as they would be saved on hard drive. But, since I'm recording for myself, I work how I prefer to, which is mixing by hand. If I were employed by a band, or were in the habit of doing so, Cool Edit Pro would be invaluable to me in order to make the minute changes to make the recording artist happy, whereas with how I work now I would have to likely start the mix all over again. Instead, I don't have the time or energy to focus hours and hours on a single song, so mixing by hand gets it done for me and keeps me happy. But, I would have no real qualms about mixing with CEP, and have done so in the past.

As this company is no longer in business, it's relatively easy to find a copy online, which is a shame they went under because future improvements to the software would have been great.

The only thing I wish this program had would be better MIDI support and a better infrastructure for slaving to MIDI Time Code (MTC). When slaving to MTC, the user has to constantly re-trigger this ability every time he or she stops the master recorder. I also wish the video integration were better on this program, but I think that's more a limitation from when the time this software was made.

Still, for cleaning up audio tracks, this is by far my favorite program to use. It's very easy to remove hiss, and with the noise reduction feature, it's quite easy to locate problem noise that was previously recorded as silence and remove just those frequencies.

The installation is done it without problem?
Yes no problem. The software is stable.

The manual is clear and sufficient?
So the manual is in English. I think it's very well done. For each element that makes up this software, the help topic is available directly to the item.

Like any software, you must spend some time in early to get your feet and tame. Once it is mastery, there is no difficulty. At first you get lost a little ... but precisely, it is because it is fairly comprehensive.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

What is the configuration of your computer?
Windows XP Sound card + Digigram VX Pocket V2 + Asio

The software runs he correctly on this configuration?
No problem.

This hardware + software is stable?
Yes.

OVERALL OPINION

How long you use it?
Several years. At first, my use was fairly brief and to the As my use has become more complex.

Did you tried many other models before buying it?
Yes ... Pro Tools, Pyramix, Nuendo etc ...

What is so special that you love the most, least?
The best: simple to use.
The least: requires the installation of a wrapper for the use of VST plug-in.

I got used to work with as part of a home studio, and I am delighted. The use is not only destructive elsewhere. I used both for Editing and Mixing. It is more precise in its use and the sound quality is satisfactory.
In my case it's fine with me so that I do not even consider changing software.