If you’ve got an old record collection you’d like to preserve, this is the software to get. Beyond the basics, such as restoration tools - scratch removal and volume normalizing - the software can rip entire LPs and automatically split each track, convert 78 rpm records from a 45 rpm player and transfer the resulting mp3 files directly to portable music players. One of my favorites is called Golden Records, a fantastic app designed for use with an analog-to-digital audio converter. In all, NCH makes more than a dozen audio applications. Like many of the company’s products, WavePad works directly with other NCH audio apps, including: MixPad, a very nice multitrack audio mixer Zulu DJ, a stunning real-time mixer and performance app and Express Burn CD Recorder, for burning your creations to disc. Batch processing allows you to apply effects or convert audio formats on hundreds of files with a single click. Built-in audio effects let you amplify, equalize, normalize, reverse, echo and reverb, while integrated VST plugin support opens the door to hundreds of third-party effects and audio tools.

The program supports every music file format you’ll likely encounter, including mp3, wav, wma, au, flac, ogg, m4a, mid, aif and real audio. The sparse interface makes it easy to find common functions such as cut, copy, paste, delete and insert. It’s simply a smarter way to work.Ī good place to begin is with the company’s best-known product, WavePad, a full-featured audio editor for PC and Mac. Unlike many publishers that charge high prices for all-in-one suites that do more than you probably need, NCH Software takes a modular approach, designing smaller apps that do specific tasks, usually for a lot less money.

Below are just a handful of NCH Software’s best products, each available for download to try before you buy.

Zulu mixpad