@Rol You should be able to redownload Sound Forge 8. Simply visit Magix.com and log in with your old Sony customer account e-mail address and password. Then you should find your registered version of Sound Forge 8 under 'My Products'.

Besides that, as mentioned by @PATIENT-X , Boris FX now sells Sound Forge. They don't have an Audio Studio version and are pretty expensive. Anything else available is likely old stock.

Thanks

I do have the Soundforge 8 CD and reg key but it won't work with my new laptop win11 home 64

so I have not even tried installing it

Do Boris not sell Soundforge Audio Studio 16 with free trial?

If not I can get it on Amazon for £44.99 - is there any problem with old stock?

@SP.

Soundforge 8 will not run under Windows 11.

@Rol

BorisFx now sell the expensive pro version under subscription and perpetual license.

Stephen

Forum Moderator

 How easy is it to re-create the exact classic interface layout and controls that I'm used to with my original version?

The basic interface is the same as the legacy versions, so you do have to re-learn the program. The most notable change (IMO), starting with SF-11, was the record UI and the plug-in chainer which is now modal, meaning you can process a file destructively non-destructively. The new versions naturally support 64 bit plug-ins and has the option to choose dark of light display.
You download and try out the free fully functional trial version of Sound Forge 2026. As @SP. stated, there is no longer an Audio Studio version. I personally would avoid SF 16 and 17 if you like to use 32 bit third-party VST plug-ins. which do not display correctly so you cannot access many of the parameters. This was addressed in (Magix) SF Pro 18 but there is not Audio Studio version of that either. I personally prefer SF-15 and sometimes even use SFP 10 or 11 in my old Vista PC.

@PATIENT-X @Rol Is there an error message running SF8 on Windows 11?

@Rol @SP.

What about trying compatibility mode?

Locate the Application: Go to your Sound Forge 8 shortcut on your desktop, or find the .exe file in your installation directory (usually found under C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\Sound Forge 8.0 or similar).Open Properties: Right-click on the shortcut or .exe file and select Properties.Navigate to Compatibility: Click on the Compatibility tab at the top of the Properties window.Enable Compatibility Mode: Check the box that says "Run this program in compatibility mode for".Select Windows Version: From the drop-down menu, choose Windows XP (Service Pack 3) or Windows 7.

Apply and Run: Check the box to "Run this program as an administrator" at the bottom, click Apply, then click OK.

Known Windows 11 Audio Issues.

If Sound Forge opens but throws errors regarding the Microsoft Sound Mapper or fails to detect your audio hardware, it usually means Windows 11 has hidden or changed your default audio routing.

Right-click the Speaker icon in your taskbar and select Sound settings.Ensure your correct speakers or headphones are selected under the Output section.

Scroll down to "More sound settings" and ensure your playback devices are enabled and set as the default device.

Stephen

Forum Moderator

@SP.

Soundforge 8 will not run under Windows 11.

@Rol

BorisFx now sell the expensive pro version under subscription and perpetual license.

Stephen

Forum Moderator

I own Sound Forge 16 perpetual (well, and versions back to the Sonic Foundry days, not to mention Sony). I'll tell ya, it's confusing speaking with Boris...I messaged them "hey, where is Sound Forge Pro, I may want to upgrade"...all I see is plain vanilla Sound Forge & Plus (whatever that is).

They messaged back "we have SF and Plus ...Pro was Magix".

No idea what that means. It would appear that all the features of "Pro" are in....something....of the two versions Boris sells. But comparison lists are nowhere. I almost thought Boris would have SOMETHING on their site stating "Sound Forge Pro is now called..........something". But nada.

No biggie. It'd be cool to at least see what ver of elastique Boris is on at the moment in SF.

oh well.

@theGuy Generally, it's similar to the old Sound Forge Pro and Sound Forge Pro Suite sold by Magix but with other plugins included.