I use CoolEdit Pro 2.1 (or whatever the latest version was before Adobe bought it out). It's the only recording software I've ever used and I must say, even with the $20 Sony mic and the extremely outdated laptop I use to record, it is a great program. Effects, filters, equalizers, noise/hiss reducers....... the list keeps going but like I said I can't compare it to any other recording programs, mostly because once I found it I havent bothered to look for anything else. I do belive it is now called Adobe Audition.