Audiofile Engineering has released a public beta version (1.0rc2) of Wave Editor, their new document-based audio file editor for Mac OS X.

Wave Editor incorporates the standard audio editing features you're used to while bringing you up-to-date with the latest advances in interface design, speed and stability. Wave Editor introduces the concept of "layered audio" - layer portions of audio (in any format), Audio Units and fades on top of each other, edit to your heart's content, then flatten your file to get a result quickly. Wave Editor includes an advanced Inspector, statistical analyzer, audio processing, three advanced meters, full support for Audio Units, bezier curve-based fades, support for MP3 and AAC, and much more.

Features:

• Direct editing of AIFF, WAVE, Sound Designer, ACID Apple Loop, and µLaw audio files.
• Partial support for Recycle (REX, RX2 and RCY) files.
• Supports any sample rate or bit depth.
• Supports any number of channels.
• Supports interleaved and split channel files.
• Imports and exports MP3, AAC, AC-3 and other CoreAudio-supported files.
• Full-featured editing/processing commands.
• Inspector for file, audio and metadata info.
• Full or partial audio file analysis.
• New (patent-pending) layering feature.
• Live support for Audio Units.
• Bezier curve-based fade overlays.
• Highly advanced and detailed Loop Editor.
• Unlimited undo.
• Level meter, stereograph and spectrometer.
• Based on the familiar Aqua interface.
• Optimized for G4 and G5 with AltiVec.
• Utilizes (and requires) features in OS X 10.4 (Tiger).

During the public beta period, Wave Editor will run unencumbered until the expiration date. Pricing for the final version has not yet been announced.