[sdiy] CD audio editing tools ???

[fmg]

harrybissell wrote:
> 
> OK so I'm a synth-geek, not a computer geek....
> 

You should be proud, I'm none of them.. :-)

> Can anyone recommend some freeware or low-cost shareware
> programs for editing CD audio files.
> 

I'm not up to date with audio/CD software. I'm using Sound Forge v4.5
for sound editing and Nero 4.0.9 for burning with good results, but both
are commercial ($$$) and these versions out-dated.
At www.syntrillium.com you can download the demo version of Cool Edit
(this for audio editing not for burning), also you can visit Tucows to
take a look...

> I'm really challenged... so
> 
> 1)  Is the "disk image" file written by a program such as Adaptec
> "Easy CD Creator" actually a .wav file (or does ir contain some
> non-wav info that would stop me from editing it easily) ?

As it says is a 'disk image' not a wav. It contains all data needed
by a CD player to identify an audio-CD, its contents and further,
locate and play tracks.  Imagine it as vinyl 'master' that includes
the label :-)

> 2) If its not a .wav file, how would I convert it to a .wav file ??

With Sound Forge, Cool Edit, or other software that accepts opening a
file as raw data file. Just select Open File --> Raw Data and
when asked for parameters specify to open it as a 16 bit PCM, stereo,
Intel byte order, signed byte and at 44100 samplig rate. If the file
is an image of an entire CD you will need a lot of space in disk (a
back-up copy is created while opening) and a lot of patience (to wait
finish the load). Later you could manage to edit it, cleaning the
digital data at the start of the file (in the form of noisy garbage)
and the data between tracks (in the form of 0db noise peak).
Remember to save it as a wav, overwriting will turn it no longer valid
as an Easy CD Creator disk image.

> 
> 3)  I'm interested in editing things like adding or deleting track
> markers,
> cutting out chunks etc... not fine editing like direct manipulation of
> audio...

Hard to recommend you something in the freeware/shareware spectra, mainly
due to my lack of knowledge of what-are-out-there in software these days.
CD Architect can do fades, overlaps, p-q editing or set markers wherever
you wish in a CD, but works 'only' as a plugin for Sound Forge, and
this is a very expen$$$ive software, mine is an old version, but I'm
happy with it.
( newer versions doesn't mean better products, in fact I downloaded
version 6.x some time ago, didn't have time to see the price, removing it
half a hour later.)

> TIA for any help anyone can offer me. Links appreciated (I actually DO
> read the manuals...)

well...not much:

www.tucows.com (windows/linux)
freshmeat.net (linux)
www.syntrillium.com (Cooledit)
www.sonicfoundry.com (S.F.)
...and those words one can throw to Uncle Google.

> 
> H^) harry

Fabio Gonzalez