The audio experts at BIAS Inc. are shipping SoundSoap, their new digital audio signal processing tool for Mac OS X.
A noise reduction solution targeted to both pro users and amateurs, SoundSoap is initially shipping as a VST plug-in for Mac OS X. Compatible host applications currently include version 3.2 of Peak LE, Peak DV, and Peak as well as Cubase SX. SoundSoap will soon function as a standalone application without requiring a compatible host application. The standalone version of SoundSoap will be offered soon as a downloadable update to all SoundSoap customers at no additional charge.
The product is extremely simple to use, according to Steve Berkley, CEO and president of BIAS. By adjusting just two knobs, anyone can reduce unwanted hiss, room noise, rumble, electrical hum, and other background noise from almost any digital media file, including digital video (DV) soundtracks; PowerPoint and other presentation software soundtracks; Flash and other Web tool soundtracks; digital audio workstation tracks; cassette or other analog tape recordings that have been transferred to a computer; and other sources, he explained.
SoundSoap makes it simple to “wash off” as much noise as possible while preserving the desired audio, according to Berkeley. It also removes low-frequency rumble, as well as hum — the 50Hz and 60Hz electrical “buzzing” sound common in many audio recordings. The software can even intelligently learn the difference between the noise and the desired audio.
SoundSoap is available now at an introductory price of US$99.