ArdourLinux
vs
Cool Edit ProWindows
Ardour as a Linux alternative to Cool Edit Pro
Updated
Our verdict
Ardour is a strong replacement for Cool Edit Pro if you primarily need non-destructive multitrack mixing, MIDI support, and professional routing. It excels in recording and mixing environments, especially for musicians and engineers working on full productions. However, it lacks built-in spectral editing and advanced batch restoration tools found in Adobe Audition. Users focused on forensic or restoration work may need additional tools like Audacity or RX. Ardour’s destructive editing is possible but not as streamlined as Cool Edit Pro’s single-track workflow.
- License
- GPL-2.0+
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 9.8.0 (August 19, 2026)
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Non-destructive multitrack editing with playlists and regions
- Support for VST2 plugins via bridge (LV2 native)
- Professional mixing console with per-channel effects and sends
- Export to WAV, FLAC, MP3, and other standard formats
- Batch processing possible through scripting or external tools
What is different
- No built-in spectral editor for detailed noise removal
- Destructive single-track editing is less refined than Cool Edit Pro
- No direct successor to Cool Edit Pro's batch noise reduction presets
- MIDI editing and scoring more advanced than in Cool Edit Pro
- Linux-first design with deeper JACK integration
Opening your Cool Edit Pro files
Ardour does not directly open Cool Edit Pro .cep files. However, you can import standard audio formats like WAV, AIFF, and FLAC that were saved from Cool Edit Pro. Projects must be re-created manually in Ardour. If you have raw audio files rather than project data, migration is straightforward. For full session conversion, there is no automated tool—audio tracks must be re-imported and reorganized.
Switching from Cool Edit Pro to Ardour, step by step
- Export all audio files from Cool Edit Pro to WAV or FLAC
- Install Ardour via your distribution or Flathub
- Set up JACK or ALSA for audio I/O depending on your system
- Import exported audio into a new Ardour session
- Rebuild track layout, routing, and effects chain manually
- Use LV2 or VST2 plugins for noise reduction and processing
Key features of Ardour
- Multi-track audio and MIDI recording
- Non-destructive editing with regions and playlists
- Flexible routing and bussing with up to 192 tracks
- Support for VST2, LV2, and ReaPlugs via bridge
- Comprehensive mixing console with per-channel plugins
- Time-stretching and pitch correction tools
- Integrated piano roll and MIDI editor
- Export to multiple formats including WAV, FLAC, and MP3
How to install Ardour on Linux
flatpak install flathub org.ardour.Ardoursudo apt install ardoursudo apt install ardoursudo dnf install ardour9sudo pacman -S ardoursudo zypper install ardourFrequently asked questions
Can Ardour do spectral editing like Adobe Audition?
No, Ardour does not have built-in spectral editing. Use Audacity or RX for detailed spectral work, then import cleaned audio back into Ardour.
Is VST3 supported in Ardour?
No, Ardour only supports VST2 via a bridge, not VST3. Use LV2 plugins where possible for better stability on Linux.
Can I automate tasks like batch noise reduction?
Not directly in Ardour. Use external tools like sox, Audacity with macros, or Python scripts for batch processing before importing.
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