SoundEdit

SoundEdit icon

SoundEdit was the first popular GUI-based audio editor for digitized audio. It was not only one of the first important audio applications for Macintosh, but one of the first significant audio applications for personal computers in general.

SoundEdit was one of three audio applications created during a sabbatical by Steve Capps during 1986. The Macintosh had no built-in sound input, so SoundEdit first shipped in January of 1988, as part of a hardware product called MacRecorder Sound System, by a company called Farallon (which eventually became Netopia).

One of the major drivers for SoundEdit was Apple's HyperCard. With MacRecorder Sound System, stack makers could finally create alternatives to HyperCard's two built-in sounds.

SoundEdit was later bought by Macromedia (now Adobe Systems). Macromedia discontinued sales of SoundEdit as of 1 December 2004, continuing its official support through 1 June 2005 and still offering some downloads for this application to this date.