If you’re reading this, chances are you’re looking to get into best audio editing software. Whether it’s for audio editing YouTube videos, a hopeful future in the movie business as the next Hans Zimmer, a profession in music production and editing, or simply making some nasty ringtones for your phone, best audio editing software will be at the core of your setup. So, today, we’ve compiled a list of the top 15 audio editing programmes for your Mac or Windows computer.
In 2022, the best audio editing software for Mac and Windows will be available.
Choosing a best audio editing software or a digital audio workstation (DAW) may be a difficult undertaking, given the wide range of software available. Others are free, some have extra features, some are restricted to a single operating system, and so on. So, in order to assist you in deciding where to invest your time and money, we sifted through the many audio editing software to discover the best ones, the crème de la crème if you will. So, here are 15 of the best audio editing software options for you to consider.
1. Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition is without a doubt one of the best audio editing programmes available. The app has some fantastic features that have been developed by Adobe’s team’s many years of expertise in designing strong applications for professional users. Audition has tools such as multi-track editing and mixing that will make your best audio editing software experience easier and more efficient.
The software also has a tool called ‘Auto Ducking,’ which utilises Adobe’s own AI-based ‘Adobe Sensei’ technology to determine where you would want to reduce the level of a background track in order to make the vocals, speaking, and so on sound clearer, making your work much simpler.
2. Logic Pro X
Obviously, a storey on creative apps will feature Apple in some form. Logic Pro X, Apple’s DAW for macOS-based devices, would have been my choice for the best audio editing software, but because it’s only accessible on macOS, its accessibility suffers significantly (not every artist uses a Mac, after all). Having said that, Logic Pro X adds some absolutely wonderful tools to the mix, making it an best audio editing software for both novice and experienced users.
Logic Pro X has all of the fundamental audio editing capabilities you’ll ever need, as well as incredibly complex features such as the ability to automatically synchronise the time of multiple tracks in a project using ‘Smart Tempo.’
3. Audacity
I’m sure you’ve heard of the website Audacity. For good reason, free and open-source software is discussed in practically every single best audio editing software forum on the internet. As previously said, Audacity is absolutely free, making it the most simply accessible software for anybody wishing to get started with audio editing. It’s also not a slouch when it comes to features. It includes nearly all of the functions you’ll require. There are several effects available, including bass, treble, distortion, noise reduction, and others. Audacity also includes analytical tools such as a beat finder, quiet finder, sound finder, and others.
4. Reaper
Reaper is another best audio editing software that is highly strong and feature-rich while still being less expensive than some of the other alternatives on our list. To begin, Reaper supports many tracks and boasts exceptional multichannel support, with 64 channels in each track. It also has the ability to directly record audio to mono, stereo, or even multichannel audio files, as well as the option to record to many discs at once for data redundancy if desired.
5. FL Studio
If you want to be the next big thing in EDM (or even if you simply want a great piece of audio editing software), FL Studio is a must-have. FL Studio is a top-tier audio editing software that is used by musicians like as Martin Garrix, Porter Robinson, and others. FL Studio, like other top-tier DAWs, enables multi-track recording, time-stretching, and pitch shifting. It includes a mixer with effects chains, automation, delay correction, and other features.
6. Ableton Live
Ableton Live is also a brand that is linked with music creation, which is understandable given the plethora of functions it offers. For starters, Ableton Live offers an infinite number of audio and MIDI tracks, allowing you to pack as many layers of sounds as you need into your project. There is also support for MIDI capture, as well as 256 mono input and output channels. You also receive up to 70GB of pre-recorded sounds to utilise in your projects, 15 software instruments, and 46 audio effects.
7. Cubase
Steinberg’s Cubase is another best audio editing software that you might want to look at. The DAW has a long history of famous musicians using it, including Zedd, Junkie XL, and others. Cubase also has a plethora of functions. There’s a frequency equalisation that allows you to make extremely fine frequency tweaks to your recordings, as well as an Auto-Pan option that allows you to quickly experiment with your music.
8. Presonus Studio One
Another piece of audio editing software to consider is the Presonus Studio One 4 DAW, which is a flexible DAW with a slew of fascinating and helpful features. Multiple tracks are supported and using Studio One’s Chord Track function, you can simply create a short prototype of songs to get an idea of how they sound. Chord Track includes features like as key modulation, chord replacement, and more for simple prototyping. Studio One can automatically detect chords in your audio track, and you may even move a portion to the Chord Track for reference.
9. Hindenburg Pro
Hindenburg Pro is another best audio editing software worth mentioning. It is cross-platform, supporting both Windows and macOS. It also includes the non-destructive multitrack recording. Hindenburg Pro can also import and work with 24-bit audio files, as well as operate in 24-bit sessions. Aside from that, the DAW has a plethora of effects like compressors, EQs, loudness metres, and compatibility for third-party plugins, allowing you to expand your effects arsenal to the limit of your imagination.
10. Ardour
Last but not least, Ardour is a rather sophisticated audio editing software that is enhanced by the fact that it not only works on Windows and macOS, but it also fully supports Linux, allowing you to use it on nearly any machine. Ardour has practically every audio editing function in the book, from making recordings simpler with microphones and MIDI devices to editing using simple editing capabilities like cuts, crossfades, transposition, swing, and more.
11. Avid Pro Tools
There aren’t many best audio editing software products that can compete with Avid Pro Tools’ ability to be both feature-rich and user-friendly. The software most likely features the clearest audio editing interface that can easily fit into any workflow. It’s also pretty effective at increasing productivity, because to its quick 64-bit recording and mixing engine.
When it comes to productivity, Pro Tools provides an effective solution to handle massive sessions. For example, to work with additional freedom, you may organise your tracks into collapsible folders. Another important feature is the ability to aggregate folders within folders and colour-code objects, which simplifies navigation.
12. Magix Sequoia
If you’re looking for a one-stop platform crammed with high-end tools, Magix’s Sequoia may be the solution. What sets this audio editing software apart from the competition is its capacity to thrive in all main areas such as audio creation, post-production, broadcasting, and mastering. It has extremely proficient capabilities for source destination cut and multi-synchronous cut, allowing you to easily integrate a variety of concert recordings into one.
And, with seamless collaboration at their disposal, it enables music composers to work in sync with their team throughout post-production.
13. Sound Forge
Sound Forge is a digital best audio editing software that provides high-end features for pros while being simple enough for novices and enthusiasts to utilise. There are several versions of Sound Forge available on the market right now. Sound Forge Pro 14 is the first, while Sound Forge Audio Studio 15 is the second. There’s also a Sound Forge Pro Suite with extra features. Sound Forge is a well-known digital audio editor that provides recording, audio editing, audio mastering, and audio processing services.
14. WavePad
WavePad Audio Editor for Windows and Mac is a full-featured professional audio and music editing software. It is one of the best audio editing software for enthusiasts and beginners, with a highly accessible interface that allows anyone to use it with ease. Not only can you record and edit music, speech, and other audio, but you can also clip, copy, and paste sections of recordings and apply effects such as echo, amplification, and noise reduction.
15. GoldWave
GoldWave is a digital audio editor developed by GoldWave Inc., a Canadian software company. It is primarily aimed at novices and amateur enthusiasts, and it includes everything from simple voice and stream recording and editing to complex audio processing, restoration, improvements, analysis, and conversions.