b. Sound editor
Just like software sequencers, there are several sound editors available. The basic function of a sound editor is to edit wave files which can be especially helpful with sample-based production. Sample-based production essentially is using samples (a portion of an audio track) as the foundation to your music. These samples can be obtained from old records, sample CDs, or recorded from an instrument. With that in mind, the sound editor is particularly helpful when “chopping” up loops or drum breaks, or sampling sounds as it gives you a close-up visual representation of the sound file you’re working on. Whether using your own samples, sound banks, or synthesizers, you’ll find a sound editor extremely helpful and essential to your home studio. Some of the more popular sound editors include Adobe Audition, Propellerhead’s Recycle, and Sony’s Sound Forge. I have personally grown accustomed to using Adobe Audition (formerly known as Cool Edit) for my own sound editing needs and it retails for $349. Just like the software sequencers I mentioned earlier, there are shareware versions available and I highly recommend trying them all to find out which you’re most comfortable with using. Fortunately, if you don’t want to spend another $349 right away, the Producer Edition of FL Studio 6 comes with a standard wave editor with some basic features such as record, cut, copy, paste, etc. Here is a quick look at wave editor in FL Studio Producer Edition.
“INSERT SCREENSHOT HERE”
As you can see, it’s basic from the bottom up, but will definitely come in handy and should be sufficient to begin with.