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Many people believe that to edit audio files and music, you need advanced audio editing software that is both expensive and complex to use. In today’s modern world of digital technology, that is not the case as there are plenty of free audio editors available today! There is a range of accessible sound editors for beginners.
Some audio software like Audacity offer downloadable software that you can install on your computer. Other song editors like Hya-Wave are web applications and you can use them through a standard web browser like Google Chrome.
This improved accessibility means that audio editing is now available to a much wider audience. If you want to edit audio files, create music, or produce backing tracks for videos, we have listed 5 of the best free audio editors available:
1. Audacity – Open source audio recorder and editor
Audacity is widely regarded as the best free audio editing software available. It is completely free to use and offers excellent control over the audio editing process. If you want an easy-to-use audio editor with excellent functionality, Audacity is the top choice.
Using this free music software you can edit audio files or record new tracks. Also, you can easily change parameters like volume, pitch, and playback speed. In addition, you can quickly mute different sections of the audio file and selective mute sections too. The controls are incredibly versatile.
The audio recording is also a great experience. You can quickly record audio files and have excellent control over the process. We also like that this free music editor is available on Windows, MAC, and Linux devices.
The only drawback of this sound editing software is the slightly outdated interface – it is an older program, and therefore looks a little dated compared to some of the newer web applications. This in no way hampers its functionality, however.
OS: Windows, MAC, Linux
Licensing: Open Source
Our Rating: 10 / 10
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2. Hya-Wave – online audio editor and audio recorder
Hya-Wave was first released in 2015 and has become one of the best-known free audio editors. This online music editor is available in browsers like Chrome and Firefox. We love the simplicity of the interface. It is clean and not cluttered with too many toolbars.
You can easily upload new audio files or use the audio recorder feature and record audio using your microphone. Once you have recorded or opened a file, there are various options for audio editing such as cutting, copying, and clipping.
Also, there is a list of cool effects you can apply in this online audio editor like amplification, highpass filter, and a highshelf filter. This gives you great control and allows you to experiment with a range of cool sounds. As a free audio editor online, Hya-Wave is an excellent choice.
OS: Web-based
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 10 / 10
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3. WavePad – basic free audio editor
WavePad is an older piece of music editing software but remains one of the best free audio editing software available. It is easy to install and runs smoothly too – it is not a power-intense sound editor.
Using this audio software you can edit audio files with great flexibility. You can alter parameters like pitch and speed easily. Also, you can audio scrub, and apply effects like compression and reverbs. There is also a great batch processing feature that allows you to edit multiple files simultaneously. This free audio editor also features the audio recorder, audio cutter and trimmer and audio merger.
OS: Windows, MAC, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook
Licensing: Freeware
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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4. TwistedWave – online audio editor with MacOS and iOS versions
TwistedWave is another popular free music editor. It is available as downloadable audio software for MacOS and iOS, or as a web-based application. The only downside is that the free demo version only allows you to save audio files up to 5 minutes in length.
The online audio editor is easy to use – it has a clear layout with a soundbar, and a toolset that is easy to access. All the different features and effects are clearly accessible in menus. Both beginners and professionals will find this sound editor easy to adapt to.
The available features are extensive, and you can quickly manipulate audio files, remove noise, and cut different sections of the track. Also, it has a cool feature that allows you to automatically remove silence from your audio file.
OS: MAC, iOS, Web-based
Licensing: Subscriptions start at $5/month; in Free Demo version you have certain limitations
Our Rating: 9 / 10
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5. Soundation — sound editor for music production
Soundation is both an online audio community and an online audio editor. The free subscription does have its limitations – you can only create a set number of audio projects per month, for example.
The interface is a little more complex and this song editor may not be suitable for beginners. However, it offers amazing control. Users can benefit from 700+ sound loops and effects. Also, you can edit audio using multiple audio channels and work on the same files with your teammates. Soundation is a great audio editing application if you predominantly want to create music.
OS: Web-based
Licensing: Subscriptions start at $1.99/month ; Free version is limited
Our Rating: 8 / 10
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What are you waiting for? Download or use one of these top free audio editors today or head to their websites to start dabbling in audio editing. This is an exciting process and you can have fun creating music, or even things like audiobooks and voiceovers.
When choosing a free music software, always check the compatibility. Web applications are available on any device – providing you have a web browser that supports the program. Also, check what file formats the program supports. Common audio file types include MP3, WAV, AVI, Vorbis, AIFF, and PCM. Merge audio files offline or online before edition if needed.