Are you looking for the best free audio editing software to make a masterpiece by yourself? If yes, you come to the right place. Here you’ll discover the best free audio editor for Windows and Mac computers. What’s more, some online free audio editing software will also be discussed here. So just pick one that suits you the best after reading this article.
Free Audio Editor Online
Tool 1 Audiotool
Do you like making music? Try Audiotool, the online music editing software right in your browser, enables you to make the music in the cloud. Considered as one of the best audio mixing tools in the markert, Audiotool allows you to compose electronic music, edit and mix the multiple channels of audio.
Pros:
It is cloud based so you don’t have to download any software or carry on music with you all the time.
It includes 7 audio tools and up to 18 different effects.
It has a large sample library, but also allows you to upload your own samples.
It enables you to save, publish and download the songs.
Cons:
To use this online free audio editor, your internet should be stable.
It works with Google Chrome browser only.
It cannot record the external sound.
Tool 2 Beautiful Audio Editor
If you are looking for some comprehensive online audio editor, try Beautiful Audio Editor. It can do more beyond the edit and cut job. Moving, duplicating, splitting, and speeding up clips of audio can easily achieve with this tool. What’s more, you’ll find a host of effects in it.
Pros:
It supports multi-track editing and adjusts the levels of each track.
It contains different effects for your usage.
It enables you to create audio envelopes. It means you can adjust the volume level of tracks at various points in time. So you can easily create fade-ins and fade-outs across your tracks.
It can speed up and speed down your audio.
Cons:
It may freeze up or crash in the middle of recording.
The audio files should be under 300MB or 45 minutes in length. This will help you avoid crashes.
You need to keep a good internet connection.
Tool 3 TwistedWave Online
TwistedWave Online is another web-based free audio editor I want to mention here. If Audiotool is more like a composer preferred tool, then TwistedWave can be assumed as the general audio editing tool for any one.
Pros:
It is a browser-based audio editor and with no installation requirement.
It enables you to record or edit any audio files.
It is compatible with Safari, Chrome, Firefox and IE.
Cons:
Internet stability is required.
You can only edit mono files up to 5 minutes if you don’t register. If you want to edit much longer, then you will be required to subscribe to its service. To some degree, it is a paid software.
Tool 4 Audio Cutter
If above-mentioned audio editing software is too complicated for you, Audio Cutter is one such app that allows you to cut and edit the audio in browser too. It is a completely free app that supports up to 300 file formats and comes with a super simple user interface.
Pros:
It allows you to extract an audio track from video.
Make ringtone in just one click. It even allows you to set the ringtone quality.
It supports over 300 different formats.
Cons:
Internet connection should be good enough, otherwise you'll lose everything you’ve created.
It is time-consuming to upload large audio files.
Require you to equip your computer with Adobe Flash.
Some ads will be shown on your screen to influence your operation.
The Bottom Line
Since all online audio editors are web-based, so internet connection is before everything. Some of them may have the audio size or audio time limitations. Another important thing you should take into consideration is the stability. If you have finished everything, but only one step to export your audio, then crash. You may lose everything. Any, the online audio editing software is always my last option.
Free Audio Editing Software for Windows/Mac
Tool 5 Audacity(Windows, Mac, Linux)
If you are new to Audio editing, then Audacity should be your first choice. As the free, opensource, cross-platform audio software, Audacity has been available for many years. It is definitely the easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, macOS, Linux.
Pros:
It is completely free and open-source audio editing software for all levels.
It is easy to mix and edit multi-tracks.
It can convert and combine any sounds you drag in, regardless of sample rate and formats.
It enables you to cut and paste, duplicate, or delete audio, arrange multiple clips on the same track, and draw in edits right down to the sample level.
The envelope tool allows you to add custom fades as well.
It supports dozens of file formats.
It has a huge library of plugins.
It features a tremendous number of basic effects right out of the box.
Cons:
The interface is a little bit complicated and not super intuitively built.
Tool 6 Ocenaudio(Win, Mac, Linux)
Ocenaudio is another multi-platform free audio editor which is available for all major operating systems: Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Compared with Audacity, it is much faster and easier to use.
Pros:
It’s bundled with loads of effects, including compression, EQ and reverb.
No matter how many files are open, it always remains responsive.
Different from other free editors, it enables you to play with the parameters of the effect and hear the changes instantly.
Cons:
It only supports single stereo/mono files. That means you cannot have a multi-track session and record several instruments, and then mix them.
Tool 7 Apple Garageband (Mac)
If you are on a Mac, you don’t have to install any software but take the advantage of its built-in free audio editor for Mac. GarageBand is a fully equipped music creation studio right inside your Mac. It has a huge library that includes instruments, presets for guitar and voice, and an incredible selection of session drummers and percussionists. All these features enable you to create music without It is the best way to learn piano or guitar on a Mac.
Pros:
Intuitive and modern design that is easy to learn.
It focuses more on creating music rather than tinkering with endless parameters.
Easy to learn, play, record, create and share.
Recording, editing and mixing are available in this software.
Cons:
It only uses the plugins available in the Apple store.
Tool 8 WavePad(Windows, Mac)
WavePad is a full-featured audio editor for windows and Mac. It enables you to record and edit audio and music in different formats. As for editing, you can cut, copy and paste parts of recordings, and then add effects like echo, amplification and noise reduction.
Pros:
Easy to use interface.
Supported formats include WAV, MP3, VOX, GSM, WMA, real audio, AU, AIF, FLAC, OGG, and more.
Supports sample rates from 6 to 192kHz, stereo or mono, 8, 16, 24 or 32 bits.
Supported audio effects include Amplify, normalize, equalizer, envelope, reverb, echo, reverse and many more audio effects.
Cons:
For Multi-track tasks, you’ll be required to download a MIXPAD(extension) to help you record and mix multiple audio tracks.
It is only free if you use it for non-commercial purposes.
The Bottom Line
Compared with the online video editor, the audio editing software downloads are more reliable and stable.
If you get the Audio editing software for personal use, then WavePad is the professional one but totally free.
If you are a new starter, Audacity can be your perfect choice.
If you are on Mac, you don’t even bother to install any software but just use the pre-installed Apple Garageband.
Iris Yan has been a passionate member of Epubor since 2017. Her mission is to enhance your ebook reading experience by sharing insightful tips and tricks. Join her on a journey towards reading excellence today!
Great article. I look forward to hearing more. I appreciate the detail along with the epros and cons.
This from an Audacity user and I am trying Oceanaudio.