Panic today announced the release of Audion 3, the latest version of its popular digital audio player and encoder for the Mac. The new version supports the mp3PRO audio format and features a long list of new improvements.
Audion is a digital audio player that features low-CPU MP3, CD and network audio playback, extensive encoding features, a long list of “visualizers,” ID3 tag editing, linked playlists, manual cross-fading, a built-in stream guide to help find network streams, and more than 800 user-created “faces” to provide a custom interface.
New song transitions include seamless playback, so users can create “non-stop megamixes” that don’t pause in between tracks. mp3PRO is an extension of the MP3 audio format that can create better-sounding, smaller digital music files. The software also provides streaming capabilities — you can use Audio to create your own streaming Internet radio station via Shoutcast. Audion 3’s support of the iPod is completely independent of iTunes, no small engineering feat, according to Panic. The software enables iPod users to copy files onto their iPod, create playlists and transfer files off. Audion 3 sports a completely rebuilt interface for its Mac OS X version — including dock integration — and more too.
Audion 3.0 is available for download from Panic’s Web site now, in a trial version available in both “Classic” Mac OS and Mac OS X-native versions. The full kit costs US$29.95. Upgrades for users of previously registered versions cost $17.95.