Adobe has announced Audition 3 software, a major new release for pro audio production. New features include VSTi virtual instrument support with MIDI piano roll, enhanced spectral editing options, fast fade and crossfade controls and advanced multi-core support. New effects include Analog Delay, Convolution Reverb and Tube-modeled Compressor. The Guitar Suite adds analog-modeled effects, and Radius time stretching, from iZotope, lets users accurately change tempo and pitch independently. With new multi-core processor support and optimized mixing engine, users can save time by working with more tracks and effects on the same machine. In addition, on-clip fade handles, a dedicated Top/Tail mode in Edit View, automatic cross fades, and the ability to edit grouped clips together make mixing and editing easy. Adobe Audition 3 also includes new features for visual editing and restoration.

Adobe Audition 3 for Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista is expected to ship in the last quarter of this year. $349 full version; $99 upgrade.