If you are on the look out for the best music editing software but you are not a pro yet, you’re in luck! We have a compiled a list of 10 easy-to-use programs that receive the most appreciation online for their usability and music editing features. You might not need to go to school in order to become a DJ but you will have to make sure you choose the right program for your needs. A good starting tip might be to look at free software but if these don’t quite cut it for you, we have also included the easiest-to-use programs that you can buy.
Before Choosing Music Editing Software
Since you are a beginner, a few tips and tricks might make the difference. Before you run out to buy a professional program, you should also consider some general advice.
- Operating System: Your first concern should be the operating system of the computer you intend to use in order to edit your music. Make sure that the software you want to download or buy is compatible with your version of Windows, Mac OS or Linux.
- Usability: If you are just starting out in your musical venture, a program that is accessible and does not take long to get used to is what you should have in mind. Even though the graphics might seem too simple or rudimentary, a music editor that gets the job done is all that you need.
- Extended editions: If you are paying for your software, you should also have in mind extra features of the program that you might want to use later on when you become really good at mixing those tunes. Extended versions of the program might cost more, but they can make all the difference when proficiency is what you need.
- Editing features: This is the main focus of your search. If the program just doesn’t have what you need, there is no point in getting it. Make sure that the software you are downloading has filters that remove unwanted sounds or that enhance a specific portion of a track. Effects can also change the way a tune sounds and they might help you obtain that perfect song.
- Recording: In order to edit a song you need to have one available. Sometimes you just want to improve the audio of that homemade video you posted on youtube. It is a lot easier to have a software that does both the recording and editing for you, but also helps you burn those files on a CD.
Now that you have all the advice needed, let’s look at our top 10.
Audacity
The best thing about Audacity is that it is an open-source software. This does not only mean that you don’t have to pay for it, but also that the program is constantly being improved by users. Make sure you get the latest edition! You could also modify it yourself to suit your needs. It is available for download at the SourceForge website. Audacity offers pretty much all you could desire from a music editing program, especially if you are a beginner. It supports a great number of formats for your audio files from MP3, WAV, FLAC and MP2 to Ogg Vorbis. You can even extend the supported formats with the use of optional libraries. The usual cut, copy, and paste functions are available, together with filters, effects and mixing functions. You can record live audio, but you can also convert analog music to a digital format. Audacity is also very user-friendly when it comes to its basic editing functions, which makes it ideal for a beginner. Not to mention its great online reviews!
Ocenaudio
If you want to do your editing in the morning before your cup of coffee, Ocenaudio might be your program since it is so user-friendly you could probably use it with your eyes closed. Yet another royalty-free program, Ocenaudio is quite a powerful tool especially if you are a multitasker that likes to edit more than one file at a time. You can open and edit several tracks at the same time, use a decent amount of effects, and even create your very own iPhone ringtone. The operating system of your PC won’t be a problem either since Ocenaudio is available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. It might be 2nd in our top 10, but it is a full editor, ready to do all you require of it.
mp3DirectCut
Copy, paste, trim and let the program do its job in the background. If that’s all you need, then you should consider mp3DirectCut. The graphic interface will take you back to the 90s, but if you are only interested in basic audio editing features, why bother with more complex programs? This software will do the job and you won’t lose any sound quality regardless of how many times you edit your tracks.
Magix Music Maker
If being a DJ is not your thing, but you want to professionally edit and record music, Magix Music Maker will most certainly get your song to the top ten downloaded iTunes. This one is not for free, but it is worth every penny. Magix is a very user-friendly program, offering a wide variety of effects and filters from reverbs to distortions. It supports all of the popular file extensions, but if your operating system is iOS, you should turn to other options on the market. Magix Music Maker is only available for Windows users.
WavePad
Another excellent software for recording audio, WavePad is not a budget friendly alternative. A little less expensive than Magix Music Maker, WavePad, offers a similar range of options for editing music, with one single problem: the rendering of your track might take longer than with other software.
AVS Audio Editor
Coming in 6th, this program ranks quite high in most online reviews, making it a great program for those with more advanced mixing techniques. But don’t worry, if you are a beginner! The user-interface is just as amazing and you will be able to catch up quickly with everything.
Wavosaur
If disk space is your problem, our 7th choice will make a difference. Occupying no more than 289KB, Wavosaur will help you edit, record or convert your tracks. The only problem is that it supports only a few file formats: OGG, WAV and MP3.
Ringtone Maker
With a self-explanatory name, our 8th music editing software is actually an Android app. But don’t let it fool you, this simple program supports a number of formats and helps you turn that tune you heard on the radio into a ringtone.
Lexis Audio Editor
Right behind Ringtone Maker comes Lexis Audio Editor, which is part of the android apps you can download and learn how to use quite fast. In a nutshell, this app will give you editing, mixing, and filtering and it comes in a free trial version.
Hokusai Audio Editor
Coming in 10th, Hokusai Audio Editor is not new on the market, but it has a free edition and does what most music editing programs do. It is an iOS app with a long history behind it, which can only mean lots of features that allow you to add your music to the program and edit it to your heart’s content.
These were our top 10 picks for music editing software which will get you started. If you feel you are still struggling with all those commands, don’t forget about youtube videos. They might come in handy!
That’s the smart thkiinng we could all benefit from.