Sound Forge 5.0 to 6.0 upgrade

[elbenj]

Anybody made this move yet? I called Sonic Fondry to find out the price for registered users and they are talking $129 or $199 which would include Noise Reduction.

This seems a bit steep for me considering the fact that there are no major enhancements over SF5.

 

[TimOBrien]

That's why I'm >not< upgrading; I don't see enough improvements to spend the $130 for it. Five does everything I need.

 

[drstawl]

They offered me the 6.0 upgrade from SF XP 4.5 which makes a lot of sense for $129.

 

[Brad]

Yeah doc, we are in the same boat.

I haven't made up my mind yet. You gonna do it?

I am working on a project this weekend and I am really putting the 6.0 beta through the paces...

I may find that I just can't pass this up.

I just have to find a way to explain the $129 to my fiance.

 

[tdukex]

I think an upgrade from XP for $129 is a good deal. But from 5.0, not.

 

[drstawl]

They're also bundling a lite version of Vegas Video with it.

So you get a crippled multitracker (4 tracks audio/2 video) to play with as well.

 

[drstawl]

Clarification

Despite the confusing information at their website:

They aren't offering the upgrade from XP ver 4.5 for $129.95. This is the price of the upgrade from the full versions of Sound Forge 4, 4.5 or 5.0 to ver 6.0.

From XP it's $199.95.

 

[Brad]

BUT DOC:

I just upgraded today from an XP version, albeit XP Studio 5.0

Total was $137.95 with shipping. They didn't hassle me about not having the full version.

I think if they sent you the same email that I got - it says upgrade for $129, then they should honor that no matter what version you have.

However, whenever I upgrade a Sonic Foundry product, I do it through email directly to some guy in customer service - he usually gets right back to me. This time it took a couple of days, so I don't know if he had to pull some strings to get the upgrade to go through or not.

Even still, if you got the email...

 

[drstawl]

Oh- I gave them a piece of my mind about their e-commerce methodology. It wasn't the e-mail itself that gave out funky info.
It didn't mention any starting platforms. But the secure order page named names. They capitalized the word, "ANY" in the phrase, "ANY version" later than 4.0. And XP is a lite "version" of Sound Forge last time I checked.

Maybe it's just a marketing technique for those that would feel they got a better deal by "going through the back door".

 

[elbenj]

Agreed its not worth it..also my dissappointment in Sonic Foundry is beginning to grow..these guys seem to make sure that they have something for everything that you might need to do as far as processing and editing wave files, but..they do it at a very generic level...you know..kinda like Microsoft.. for sound they are missing something here..I was actually told by a tech at SF that the sound engine in Vegas was better than the one in SF. A little disheartening for a mastering software isnt it? You expect that these guys would be using the higher bit rates for internal processing too...I mean , for the most part all youre ever working with are 2 track wave files..why the limitation here? All of the multitracking softwares are using either 32 bit floating point or 24 bit fixed...for internal processing. You would think that if there were plug-ins that can perform at 64 bit FP..that the host software could do it too..and what about this limitation on tech support? 60 days free and then you pay?

I think its time that I start considering others..By the way..I have acid 3.0 that I am willing to sell at a real good price ..purchased directly from Sonic foundry but I have never opened the box..

 

[SPINSTERWUN]

I don't think that it is worth $130.00 to upgrade from 5.0 to 6.0, IMHO.

 

[Cuzin B]

elbenj

You sound like any SF is not for you. So just leave it at that. No problem.

I picked up SF 6.0 for 129.00 and the non destuctive editing alone is worth the upgrade.

I guess it just depends what you use the app for (and how you use it).

Cuzin B

 

[elbenj]

O K..after kinda bashing SF in the above posts, which I apologize for..we have been through alot together and I still depend on it greatly ...I went for the upgrade to 6.0 and got the noise reduction (which Ive always wanted) and Im happy with both so far..

6.0 has a new way to access the DX plug ins..you select your favorites and install them in a favorites directory..instead of having the 3 columns of endless plugs to choose from...havnt done much else with it yet...

 

[kgbjamin]

Sound Forge 5.0

Since you guys are all experts with this platform I thought I would ask this question: Does sound forge 5.0 incorporate a MP3 encoder/decoder. I know you can rip audio off of CDs, I was considering spending the chedder for 5.0, I've only been able to find it for $200 bucks though. Anyone seen it online or anywhere for a cheaper price. Any replies will be appreciated....

 

[kgbjamin]

Sound Forge 5.0

Since you guys are all experts with this platform I thought I would ask this question: Does sound forge 5.0 incorporate a MP3 encoder/decoder. I know you can rip audio off of CDs, I was considering spending the chedder for 5.0, I've only been able to find it for $200 bucks though. Anyone seen it online or anywhere for a cheaper price. Any replies will be appreciated....

 

[Cuzin B]

Since Sonic Foundry is really pushing 6.0, doubt if they are even selling 5.0 anymore...best bet is trying to find 5.0 in old stock at one of your local stores (or maybe even online).

I wouldn't even bother with 5.0...it was a waste of time if you had 4.5...but if you are new to Forge - go to 6.0. Good app. and yes - nice MP3 decode on board.

Another thought is - if you are just interested in building MP3's and have no interest in any audio editing or recording - skip Forge altogether and get AudioGrabber for about 30-40 bucks. This little app coupled with the free LAME MP3 decoder blows Forge and just about anything else out of the water. Best ripper/MP3 combo I have ever come across.

Cheers,

Cuzin B