MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab can import videos in AVI, WMV, MOV, DV-AVI, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, or AVCHD formats, or alternativels, can also ingest audio by itself in WAV, MP3, WMA or OGG formats. If a full video has been imported, a small preview can be shown in the lower-right corner of the program window, synced to the current point in its audio track, providing a visual reference of what's being edited.Video and audio clips are loaded through the import tab, and three other tabs provide the remainder of the program's functionality.

The Remove tab offers Equalizer, FFT filter, DeNoise, Parametric EQ, DeHisser, and Spectral Cleaning functions. Each provides a selection of miscellaneous defaults controlled via simple sliders, each tailored to common situations, such as removing popping sounds, wind noise, 50-60hz humming, and camera noise. Certain presets are even specific to removing noise from specific Canon, Grundig, JVC and Sony camcorder models. The Remove tab also includes the ability to boost bass, mids, or trebles, and to emulate sounds such as those you'd expect for a telephone call, vintage radio broadcast, etc. Each option can be enabled or disabled separately, and gives access to a more detailed control panel with direct access to the various underlying adjustments, where presets can be fine-tuned, and your own presets made.

The Enhance tab offers DeClipper, Dynamics, StereoFX, Multimax, and Reverb / Echo tools, plus a plug-in slot for another tool, which defaults to providing a De-Esser effect. Through these controls you can correct for overdriven audio, automatically adjust levels, adjust the stereo picture or swap channels entirely, boost the volume, and simulate various room types such as small rooms or cathedrals, among other things. Again, each adjustment offers a more detailed control panel to adjust underlying settings from presets, and save your own.

In an adjacent window pane, the adjustments and controls available with each effect are described, along with their potential pitfalls. The same area of the screen can be used to show a real-time graphic equalizer, or a preview of the video synchronized with the current audio position (unless working directly on an audio file). There's also an overall volume fader accompanied by buttons that select the best level to avoid clipping entirely, or to balance clipping against track volume. Beneath this window pane, some effects provide links to hear a preselected audio clip (rather than your current clip), demonstrating the results before and after application, and training your ear for what to listen for in your own audio track.

Dominating the top two thirds of the screen, there's a waveform showing the entire length of the audio track, alongside a larger window pane which shows only the currently selected portion of the audio. This lower display can offer a two-track view, separate display of left / right channels if working on a stereo track, as well as spectral display and volume curves. Interestingly, Video Sound Cleaning Lab allows you not only to draw a volume curve for use in playback, but even to draw a waveform on top of the audio track -- useful for editing out small pops and crackles manually.

When done, one can export the results in the same video / audio formats that the program can import, with the sole exception of WMV video. In addition, you can export in MAGIX' own MXV format, allowing the results to be returned to MAGIX' consumer-oriented Movie Edit Pro software, extending the audio processing capabilities of that solution. (Video Sound Cleaning Lab can also work with Video Pro X2, if you prefer its interface, but since Video Pro X2 already includes robust audio editing capabilities, much of the functionality is duplicated between the programs.) In addition to Movie Edit Pro users, MAGIX is targeting users of competing video editors such as those from Adobe and Pinnacle with its new software.

MAGIX Video Sound Cleaning Lab is available immediately, priced at US$50. An introductory discount price of US$40 is available until July 20th. More details can be found on the MAGIX AG website.