Best Free Audio Editing Software

Audio editing software and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) have revolutionized the world of audio recording, podcasts, voiceovers, music production,...

Audio editing software and Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) have revolutionized the world of audio recording, podcasts, voiceovers, music production, and even video editing. Understanding the working, types, and differentiating aspects between traditional DAWs and their AI counterparts can help users to make the best choice for their requirements.

What is an Audio Editing Software

Audio editing software is a tool that allows you to manipulate audio files. With an audio editor, you can trim or extend tracks, adjust the volume, normalize audio levels, add sound effects and much more. They are essential tools for creating music, podcasts, ringtones, and for the overall manipulation of sound files.

What is a DAW?

A Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), on the other hand, is a comprehensive software suite for recording, editing, and producing high-quality audio. DAWs like Pro Tools, GarageBand, and Adobe Audition offer a plethora of features, including multi-track recording, waveform visualization, batch processing, real-time editing tools, and compatibility with a range of audio formats such as WAV, FLAC, and OGG.

How Does an Audio Editing App Work?

Audio editing software and DAWs work by allowing users to import audio files in various formats into the program. The waveform of the audio clip is then displayed, enabling users to visually navigate and make changes. They offer a variety of editing tools that can manipulate the audio's volume, timing, pitch, and more. With a good audio editor or DAW, users can apply audio effects such as reverb, equalizer adjustments, and noise reduction to enhance the audio's quality.

Furthermore, they often provide features for non-destructive editing, allowing users to make changes without permanently altering the original audio file. DAWs typically have capabilities for recording audio as well, turning them into a one-stop solution for all audio recording and editing needs.

Types of Audio Editing Apps: Traditional and AI

There are two primary types of audio editing software: installable programs that you download onto your device, and AI-based software that runs in your web browser.

Traditional audio editing software like Audacity, WavePad, and Ocenaudio are installable programs. These offer robust editing features, a user-friendly interface, and wide-ranging compatibility with Windows, MacOS, and Linux systems. They support various audio formats and have extensive VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins support, enabling users to add numerous effects and enhancements to their audio clips.

On the other hand, AI-based audio editing tools utilize artificial intelligence to streamline the editing process. These tools can automatically transcribe audio, remove background noise, and optimize audio quality. They work within your browser, meaning you don't have to download anything, and often offer free versions with robust functionality.

Differences Between Traditional DAWs and AI

Traditional DAWs and AI-based audio editing software have their unique strengths. Traditional DAWs provide a granular level of control over the audio editing process. They enable users to tweak every aspect of their audio files and offer comprehensive features, including multi-track editing, MIDI capabilities, presets, batch processing, and a broad range of VST plugins.

AI-based tools, however, simplify the process significantly. They can automatically apply effects, balance audio levels, remove noise, and perform other editing tasks quickly and effectively. This makes them ideal for beginners or those who need to edit audio quickly without extensive technical knowledge.

Pros of Traditional DAWs

1. Comprehensive Tools and Features: Traditional DAWs offer extensive audio editing tools, including multi-track editing, MIDI support, waveform visualization, real-time effects, and much more.
2. High-Quality Audio Production: Given their advanced features, traditional DAWs are capable of producing professional-grade audio quality. They allow fine-tuning of each audio aspect, leading to a polished, high-quality final product.
3. Plugin Support: Traditional DAWs support a wide range of VST plugins, which can drastically expand their capabilities. Users can add new audio effects, instruments, and other features through these plugins.
4. File Format Compatibility: Most traditional DAWs offer compatibility with various audio file formats, including WAV, FLAC, OGG, MIDI, and more.
5. Non-destructive Editing: Many traditional DAWs feature non-destructive editing, meaning that you can make changes to your audio files without altering the original file. This is a vital feature for preserving the original audio while experimenting with different effects and edits.

Cons of Traditional DAWs

1. Steep Learning Curve: Traditional DAWs often come with a multitude of features, making them complex and challenging to learn, especially for beginners. Some users might find the user interface intimidating due to the sheer number of options and controls.
2. System Requirements: Traditional DAWs, given their advanced functionalities, often require powerful hardware. Users might experience performance issues on older or less capable machines.
3. Price: While this article is focused on free audio editing software, many traditional DAWs, especially those used by professionals, come with a price tag. Free versions might have limited features and capabilities.
4. Compatibility Issues: Some DAWs are platform-specific. For instance, GarageBand is exclusively for Apple devices, which limits its accessibility for Windows or Linux users.
5. Installation Required: Unlike browser-based AI tools, traditional DAWs need to be downloaded and installed on your machine. This can be an issue for those with limited storage space.

Pros of AI DAWs

1. Ease of Use: AI audio editing tools are typically user-friendly and have a lower learning curve compared to traditional DAWs. They're designed to make audio editing accessible to everyone, regardless of technical knowledge.
2. Automated Processes: AI DAWs can perform automatic adjustments, such as noise reduction, equalization, and leveling. This can significantly speed up the editing process and provide consistent results.
3. Transcription Services: Many AI tools, like Descript, can automatically transcribe audio, making them a fantastic choice for podcasters, journalists, or anyone working with spoken word content.
4. Web-Based: Being browser-based, AI DAWs don't need to be installed and can run on any device with an internet connection. This makes them highly accessible and versatile.
5. No High-End Hardware Requirement: Since AI DAWs operate in the cloud, they don't demand high-end system requirements like some traditional DAWs do.

Cons of AI DAWs

1. Limited Control: While AI tools can automate many aspects of the editing process, they usually don't offer the same granular level of control as traditional DAWs. If you need to fine-tune specific parts of the audio, an AI tool might not be sufficient.
2. Internet Dependency: Since they're browser-based, AI DAWs require a reliable internet connection. This could be a hindrance for those with unstable or slow internet.
3. Privacy Concerns: As audio files need to be uploaded to the cloud for editing, privacy could be a concern for some users, especially when working with sensitive content.
4. Subscription-Based Pricing: While most AI DAWs offer free versions, advanced features are often locked behind a subscription-based pricing model.
5. Limited Plugin Support: Unlike traditional DAWs, AI-based tools might not support a wide range of third-party plugins.

Best Traditional Audio Editing Software

1. Audacity: An open-source, cross-platform audio editor, Audacity is one of the best free audio editing software available. It offers a wide range of tools, supports various audio formats, and is compatible with numerous plugins. It's ideal for podcasts, music editing, and even for basic video editing.
2. GarageBand: A macOS and iOS exclusive, GarageBand is a user-friendly DAW for beginners and pros alike. It comes preloaded with an array of sound effects, presets, and loops. Its intuitive interface makes it great for creating music, editing vocals, and crafting high-quality sound files.
3. WavePad: Available for Windows and MacOS, WavePad is a solid choice for audio editing. It offers advanced features like batch processing, real-time effects, and compatibility with a wide range of file formats. However, its free version has limited capabilities.
4. Ocenaudio: A cross-platform tool, Ocenaudio is an excellent free audio editor that offers a clean user interface and powerful editing features. It provides real-time previews of effects, making it a top choice for beginners.

Best AI Audio Editing Software

1. Acoustica: Acoustica is a browser-based AI tool that can effectively clean up and enhance audio. It offers automatic noise reduction, volume normalization, and other audio editing tools. The free version is quite capable, making it an excellent choice for beginners.
2. Descript: Descript is a unique tool that uses AI to transcribe and edit sound files. It's particularly useful for podcasters who want to edit their audio files as easily as a text document.
3. Spleeter by Deezer: This AI tool is excellent for separating vocal and instrumental tracks. It's ideal for creating karaoke versions of songs or isolating vocals for remixes.

Selecting the best audio editor depends on your requirements, skills, and the platform you're using. While Audacity is a fantastic free audio editing software for Windows, Linux, and MacOS users, GarageBand is a great choice for Apple device users. Acoustica and Descript, on the other hand, are brilliant browser-based tools that harness the power of AI for streamlined audio editing.