BIAS Peak Express 6 (Mac) Download of the Month

Sep 1, 2009 12:00 PM, By Len Sasso

           
 

If you've been hoping for a Peak experience, BIAS (bias-inc.com) has just made it easier with the release of Peak Express 6 (Mac, $39.95). Previously available only as an OEM edition, Peak Express has been significantly enhanced for this release. It now offers Mac users a broad complement of core sample-editing features. It is designed for easy audio editing, cleanup, restoration and 24-bit/48kHz recording; audio-file conversion including importing cassettes and vinyl recordings; and basic sound design for iLife projects. Peak Express also offers complete WiFi integration with BIAS' iPhone and iPod touch recording software, iProRecorder.

Peak Express will open and save most popular standard and compressed audio-file formats, including AIFF, WAV, SDII, MP3, QuickTime, AAC and FLAC. For DSP you get gain processing, mixing with audio from the clipboard, sampling rate conversion and reverse playback. You can apply and bounce BIAS built in (EQ, reverb, compression and delay), Audio Units and VST effects plug-ins, and you can send files to iTunes and let either Peak Express or iTunes convert them to your favored compressed format. Sample-accurate pencil-tool editing and loop creation are also featured.

Needless to say, there are some things Express won't do. For recording directly through plug-ins, full Red Book CD mastering and burning, non-destructive playlist editing, cross-fades, additional plug-ins, QuickTime movie sync and more advanced DSP, you'll need to upgrade to Peak LE ($89). For advanced looping tools, batch processing, full-featured dithering, Vbox effects management and even more DSP, you'll need to move up to Peak Pro ($499). But for a bread-and-butter sample editor, Express is a real bargain.