Adobe Audition CS6

I've been using GoldWave for years and find it very capable. I tried Audacity last year, but it kept crashing on me. There's nothing more frustrating than making a bunch of edits and losing it all. Hadn't heard of Wavosaur, so that'll be worth a look. thanks for the article.

Worth the price ($19/year or $49/lifetime; there's a free version, 4.26, that is still obtainable). Loads and modifies even fairly large files quickly. Wide range of file types supported + many acoustic manipulations, including a very nice noise reduction filter function. There is an expression evaluator that permits the user to create all kinds of signals + a batch mode that has saved me hours of effort. These 5 are all decent programs, but I have recommended GoldWave to novices and found that they've had no trouble using it.

Wavepad, all hands Down. I use it to edit sound effects and voice-over tracks for my CG animation projects. It gets even better once you've downloaded and installed all of Wavepad's plugins. And, it will also use VST plugins from other audio programs.

Used it a number of times...intuitive enough that a once a year user does fine with no need to read manuals, and surprisingly good functionality....I can zoom in on the exact point when the music that I recorded begins, edit out mistakes and patch in re-takes.