Another important point that we must also consider is the type of edition that it offers us. It is not the same to have a program that allows us to make simple edits such as cutting or joining a music file as having the complete spectrogram and being able to make the adjustments that we want. Even, of course, cut and paste any piece.
In addition, we must also assess the number of functions, or plugins, that it offers us to tweak the sound. Often useful are, for example, the functions of reducing noise, amplifying the sound, or adding a fade-in and a fade-out in certain parts of the sound clip.
Finally, the interface must also be consistent with the complexity of the program. Not all users need to make very complex adjustments to songs, and what they are looking for is a tool that allows us to make changes as quickly and easily as possible, without complications and without having to navigate through a multitude of menus.
Essential programs to edit audio for free
Perhaps the most common thing on our computer is to have a photo and even video editor in order to adapt this graphic content and share it with others. This is precisely where the social media or email that we use to send or share these multimedia contents that we have just adapted to our needs or tastes. However, these days we cannot ignore all those sound files that we can use independently, as part of video projects, or in our personal multimedia presentations.
Thus, audio editors such as the ones that we are going to show you in these same lines offer you everything you need to create soundtracks or sound files for us to use in any other project. It is very possible that we are not aware of everything we can do with a sound file as a simple MP3for example, until we take a look at the features and tools that these offer us editors.
Next, we present you with an extensive list of free programs with which you can edit your favorite music in MP3, without having to spend a single euro. We have options of all kinds, many of them popular for music and sound lovers.
In addition, one of the main advantages offered by these applications that we are going to show you is that they are much easier to use than the audio treatment might seem to us at first. Although the unusual users of this type of editor think that improving or adapting a file with these characteristics is a very complicated task, the programs that we are going to see make it much easier for us.
Audacity, the best and most popular to edit MP3
Audacity par excellence is the best-known program used by all users looking for an alternative to paid audio editing programs.
This program among other things to highlight allows us to import and export files WAV, AIFF, AU and Ogg Vorbisimport audio MPEG. Editing is simple, both for small and large files, we can remove background noise, cut, paste, copy, add new effects with the Ladspa plugins, spectrograph mode to view frequencies, among many other options. We can also edit our sound files in format WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP2, MP3, or Ogg Vorbis, and export our recordings, including multiple files at once. In addition, it is compatible with 16-bit, 24-bit and 32-bit systems, being capable of converting frequencies through high-quality sampling and dithering. In general, for all this, it is the most used free audio editor so far.
If in this case we find ourselves with one of the applications of this type that could be considered as the benchmark in the audio editing sector, it’s for a reason. Despite all the years that it has been with us and the enormous competition that has come its way, most still prefer to use Audacity for this type of work in particular.
We can download this editor from the . Of course, we remember that since this program changed hands, it began to spy on users by collecting data. Great care.
The best
If there is something that characterizes this specific open source software, it is the enormous number of functions and tools that are made available to us by default and without paying a single euro. Obviously, several features related to conversion are not offered, which are very useful if we take into account the enormous compatibility with a multitude of formats that the application offers us.
Worst
There are users who, when carrying out these conversion tasks, prefer not to complicate their lives and look for specific programs focused on these tasks. This is not the case, so the less experienced may end up getting lost among all the tools available in its endless menus.
Ocenaudio, an excellent alternative based on simplicity
The following audio editor stands out for the simplicity of its interface, even more than in the case of Audacity, sacrificing certain features and options.
This editor’s main features are to support and add sound effects with the VST plugins. In addition, it includes an application of effects in real time, with which we can equalize sounds, modify the gains or the filtering by parts…
It also allows us to separate the audio into multiple sections to modify delicate parts of the audio. As for handling large or long audio files, it doesn’t have much of a problem processing it, since it has algorithms that store the open file in the system’s cache memory without wasting much of it.
We can download this program from the .
Pros
Not everyone is used to performing these conversion tasks on music media files such as MP3. Therefore, they find in this software solution an excellent alternative thanks to the simplicity that its interface offers us by default. Here we find the most basic tools for these tasks as well as some related to editing the files.
cons
Those who seek to have maximum control over MP3 audio file conversion tasks and have professional tools for it, will have to opt for other more advanced applications in this same sector.
Ardor, the popular professional editor for Windows and Linux
It is one more audio editing tool advancedand this case implies a complex interface that makes handling more difficult for inexperienced or inexperienced users, but we have an extra plus that allows us to mix soundincludes sound effects and transition, and the possibility of add extra plugins to get new features.
Some of these features are being able to edit unlimited audio tracks, recording in 16, 24 or 32 bits, support for VST pluginsbeing able to import video files… And many more options, but we have a drawback that may be important for many, that of not being able to import files of the currently widely used “MP3” format.
We can download this editor from the .
Well
In this case, we are going to face a powerful sound file editor for multiple formats that also has a conversion tool for MP3 files. In order to already increase the complete functionality proposed, we have the possibility of installing additional plugins for certain tasks related to sound.
Bad
This is not a program for those who are new to this sector of software or who do not want to complicate their lives when it comes to converting their personal music files. It is preferable to install other simpler and more intuitive programs.
Power Sound Editor Free, essential for “rippers”
This audio editor has a somewhat outdated graphical interface, although intuitive, but as an audio editor it fulfills its function if what you are looking for is a simple edition.
Some of the actions that you can perform with this editor are to record quality audio 8KHz up to 48KHz both in mono of 8 bit as in stereo of 16 bitcopy, cut and paste audio, noise reduction, add sound effects… Some interesting features of this editor is that it includes some tools, such as a voice synthesizer, the possibility of rip the tracks on a CD.
We can download this program from the .
In favor
Some of the customizable options that this program offers us when converting our music files are striking. Without complicating our lives, it offers us some very interesting functions, how to adapt the quality of the resulting file to what we need. In addition, the application offers us some basic editing functions to improve those files.
Against
Despite the fact that it is quite intuitive, the user interface that we find here is somewhat outdated and outdated for these times. It definitely needs an update from its developers, although functionally it responds quite well.
MP3DirectCut, an excellent alternative very easy to use to edit MP3
It is an editor and audio recorder MP3with a not very complex graphical interface and intuitive. At the same time that it is attractive, thanks to its new update, which allows us to carry out the main functions of any user who works with simplified actions for the edition of this medium.
Some of the options that you have available with this free program are to normalize the volume for unexpected peaks or rises in the audio, which you want to control and improve, save time extracting audio cuts, when there are many, and cut them, paste and/or move them.
Although it is somewhat difficult to find, since its website has disappeared, we can download MP3DirectCut from the .
Top
In this case, we find another application for converting files into MP3 format that presents us with an intuitive user interface so as not to complicate this type of action. It is worth highlighting additional functions to the conversion, such as the normalization of sound files.
minus top
In other competing programs we find more advanced tools for this type of tasks related to audio files and especially suitable for professional users.
WavePad, many features and an impressive interface
Something that impresses in this audio editor, which has been maintained since its launch back in 2004, is its interface. This is quite updated compared to other current free editors, but not satisfied with it, we get a large number of features to interact with, such as amplify, normalize, equalizeecho, reverse…
It supports a large number of formats, such as MP3, WAV, VOX, WMA and many more. Batch processing allows us to apply effects or convert many files with a single function. We can also highlight that it includes tools for audio restoration, something that many programs…