Basic Audio Editor Mac

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What is the best video editing software for Mac?

Most of the Mac users find this software very useful. This app comes with such brilliant editing features which prove to be of great help to both professional users as well as beginner editors. This audio software has this incredible feature called ‘Smart tempo' which helps in automatically matching the timing of various tracks. Free Audio Editor Mac free download - Free Audio Editor 2017, WavePad Free Audio and Music Editor, VideoPad Free Video Editor for Mac, and many more programs.

The best video editing software for Mac is Camtasia. It also offers a complete video editing toolset that can help you scale and fine-tune your video footages. It also has a rich selection of effects, transitions, themes, and templates to help expedite the process of video editing. Last but not least, it comes with unique features for the creation of eLearning materials.

What should you look for in video editing software for Mac? That is a question you may ask when looking for an application to edit your videos. But the better question is–where do you plan to use your videos? The answer can help you choose, as some solutions are simpler than others, allowing for the quick creation of professional-quality presentation or tutorial videos. Other platforms are the more advanced types, with an array of high-tech tools suitable for use by commercial video/film producers and editors.

You'll be surprised at the diverse range of video editing software for Mac in the market today. If you research all of them, you'll need to take a few days of leave from work. Don't worry; we have done the heavy lifting for you and came up with a lineup of the 12 best video editing software for Mac. These best video editing tools are either intuitive to casual users or powerful for pros, while some are scalable so that they can be used by both types of users. We also highlight the key features of each software to make it easier to compare them.

What are the best 12 video editing software solutions for Mac?

MacBook is one of the top 3 laptop brands in the United States, used by 23% of consumers. Eighteen percent of MacBook users expressed that they use the device to advance their careers. This is strongly related to the results of a survey wherein most employees would choose Mac for work: 97% believe that it increases their productivity. Further, 95% believe that Mac helps with their creativity, something which professionals like video editors need.

Source: Statista 2020

Since there is a significant preference for MacBooks, it makes sense for video editing software companies to develop applications for Mac. Fortunately, there are reliable names in this domain, specifically the best video editing software for Mac listed below. If your requirements are not Mac-specific, you can browse this list of the 20 best video editing tools for more options.

12 Best Video Editing Software for Mac

1. Camtasia

Camtasia is both a video editing software and a screen recording solution. Because it incorporates the two, users can create content that integrates video captured from cameras and screen records. Moreover, the platform is equipped with features that optimize the creation of eLearning materials such as quizzes and surveys that can be embedded in your videos. This is especially beneficial to educators or users who produce tutorial videos. Mac users can also look forward to Camtasia running smoothly on their machines. It can operate without trouble even when video editors only meet the minimum specifications.

If you are interested in checking what Camtasia has to offer, the software has a free trial. When that period expires, you need to sign up for a license, which starts at $249.99. This can already unlock the full feature set of Camtasia. But if you prefer an all-around solution, you can look at digital asset management software instead.

  • Screen recording with audio
  • Video templates
  • Music and audio library

2. InVideo

InVideo is ideal for brands, publishers, and marketing agencies that need an affordable and easy-to-use video editing platform. The software is known for its wide selection of video templates that are suited for various promotional content, such as Facebook videos, invitation videos, campaigns, and even real estate ads. You can then customize these templates, add additional scenes, text, and audio, and repurpose them for different channels.

Moreover, InVideo comes with powerful video editing features to help you create attention-grabbing videos in a breeze. It includes basic features found in most video editing software, such as scene trimming, resizing, transitions, animations, and audio, as well as an automated speech-to-text option. Plus, you can use different text styles to keep your viewers hooked and engaged with your promotional videos.

  • Extensive media library
  • User-friendly features
  • Fun, engaging stickers and text style options

3. Movavi Video Editor

Movavi Video Editor is an easy-to-use powerful video editor for both Windows and Mac users. It is packed with features that allow users to make their home video, presentation, or indie film look professional. Movavi Video Editor includes presets for filters, adding titles, transitions, and ready-made intros. Also, the platform is really easy to use. For people who have experience using video editing software, they can just jump right in and do work using Movavi.

There are two main versions of Movavi Video Editor for Mac and PC.

First is the basic Movavi Video Editor 2020 targeted at beginners. It has all the basic features including some built-in intros, backgrounds, music, and sounds. It also has a few filters and transitions available. The edition is great for hobbyists creating home videos for family and friends. And, it is free.

Secondly, the Movavi Video Editor Plus 2020, is packed with more features for advanced video editing. It is perfect for prosumers and professionals whose jobs require them to create fast and engaging video presentations. Additional Plus features include a media bin for quick access of project files, adjustable filter intensity, and keyframe animation of video stickers and titles among others. Moreover, it trumps the basic version when it comes to the complexity of editing allowed. This is because unlike the basic edition that only allows six tracks on the Timeline, the Plus version allows 99. The Movavi Video Editor Plus 2020 is priced at $59.95.

Mac Audio Editor Free

There are also other Movavi offerings like the Movavi Video Suite 2020 which comes with a series of nifty video features like an editor, converter, and screen recorder, among others.

  • Automatic video creator for a quick and easy content fix
  • Fast processing of HD and 4K videos
  • Built-in intros, backgrounds, videos, sound, and music

4. Final Cut Pro

Next on our list of 12 best video editing software for Mac is Final Cut Pro. It is Apple's premier professional video editing software for macOS users. The application is built to tap into the robust processing core, graphics card, and VRAM that power the latest Mac machines. With the software harnessing multi-core and multi-thread hardware capabilities of Macs, together with a huge set of cutting-edge editing tools, the result is smooth and accelerated post-production work from start to finish.

Final Cut Pro gives you the ability to import, share, and edit videos from a variety of cameras and devices with support for multiple formats. It has numerous tools for editing and timeline, trimming, effects, audio enhancement, color correction, closed captions, multimedia management, and project workflow. It can handle VR headset playback and 360-degree video editing, as well as HDR and ProResRAW sources. The software allows you to integrate dozens of third-party tools, devices, content, and plug-ins to give you an extendable platform.

The software is a standalone, on-premise solution priced at $299 (one-time payment). While it is locally deployed, the software allows you to upload, organize, and download files from online storage and stock media sites for project collaboration and sharing. It is designed for iMac and MacBook computers with macOS 10.13.6 or later versions of the operating system.

  • Advanced tools for video/audio editing, motion graphics, and delivery
  • Built on 64-bit architecture for handling complex projects and effects
  • Extendable workflow via integration with dozens of external tools

5. Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro is a video editing software for professionals and enthusiasts. Its claim of being 'a cut above the rest' has an element of truth about it. That's because it has become a popular tool for filmmakers, videographers, TV editors, and YouTube content creators. It has evolved into an industry-standard not only in video editing but also in workflow automation and media asset management. It supports all kinds of cameras, all types of formats, and any platform, including Mac and PC. This would make an excellent platform to use in conjunction with content marketing software, which could assist you in reaching out to your audience.

From its extensive R&D and the suggestions of its horde of users, Adobe Premiere Pro is a continually improving product with new features rolled out for every new release. It offers a new Freeform view for organizing and viewing storyboard and media files; rulers and guides for the precise layout of clips, text, and graphics; auto-Ducking for adding ambient sounds into your audio mix; faster mask tracking; and a dozen other enhancements on audio and video.

Of course, all the other features Adobe Premiere is known for are still there, including precise color grading, motion graphics, and animation, instant audio improvement, and integration with hundreds of partner technologies. The software also works seamlessly with its sibling Adobe products like After Effects, Audition, Photoshop, InDesign, and others. The software is part of Adobe's Creative Cloud, which means it is accessible online from any connected device. It has several packages for business, students, and schools. For individuals, the plan is pegged at $29.99/month or $239.88/year.

  • Established industry leader
  • Multi-platform, multi-format, compatibility
  • Regular roll out or updates and new features

6. Videobolt PRO

Videobolt PRO is a cloud-based video editing platform. It has an easy-to-use interface that allows both novice and seasoned editors to create professional-level videos. Its intuitive interface allows users to quickly create videos for daily social media posts, seasonal marketing campaigns, and even personal video greetings. Its main video editing features include customizable templates designed by professional animators, a project management module, and a media library. Moreover, because of being completely web-based, you can keep your computer free of video rendering load. Your video is rendered on Videobolt's onsite servers. No expensive hardware investment and maintenance required.

Even though the platform is cloud-based, users don't even feel any interface delays as they work on their projects. There are different modules that help users create different types of videos faster as well. There are modules for Facebook and Instagram stories, music visualization, logo intros, and product promos among others. Just click on which type of video you need and multiple template options will appear. Choose the best fit and customize it to match your brand.

There are many professionally-designed templates available especially for business. You can use Videobolt PRO for video campaigns in a wide array of industries. There are templates for gaming campaigns, e-commerce advertising, and even for musicians, labels, and producers. It has a useful music visualization module that allows you to create eye-grabbing visualizations synced with your music. Videobolt PRO pricing starts at $267 monthly billed annually at $3200.

  • Easy and powerful cloud rendering to keep your machine free for other activities.
  • Built-in easy-to-use templates for various business needs like video intros, Instagram stories, and music visualization.
  • The pro version allows for team-level access so the right people can collaborate on the right issues for your video campaign materials.

7. VideoPad

VideoPad is a video editing platform created by NCH Software for Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android. Designed with freelancers, small enterprises, and mid-sized businesses in mind, this platform comes equipped with an extensive set of easy-to-use editing features. From color correcting and video cropping to video transition application and speed adjustments, VideoPad can provide you with all the tools you require. With this at your disposal, you can easily create professional-looking videos for your business.

Audacity Audio Editor For Mac

One of the things that make VideoPad great is that it has a lower learning curve than most professional editing software. It comes with a drag-and-drop interface and straightforward usability, allowing novice users to edit their videos as well as experiment with a wide range of effects, transitions, and other visual elements. It even comes with its own audio-editing tools so you can reduce noise from videos, add sound effects, as well as mix your own musical scores directly on the platform.

These aside, it also comes with advanced functionalities that can provide flexibility for more advanced video editing professionals. These include 3D editing, 360-degree video editing, green screen support, and video stabilization. Last but not least, VideoPad has native integrations with YouTube and Vimeo, making it simpler and faster for users to upload their work on social media.

Mac audio editor free
  • 3D and 360-degree video editing support as well as HD resolution options.
  • Advanced video editing features on a drag-and-drop interface for faster post-production processes.
  • Built-in audio editing tools such as multitrack mixing, narration recording, and sound effect application .

8. BeeCut

BeeCut is a simple video editing solution designed to help SMEs make professional videos with no hassle. Equipped with a WYSIWYG video editor and ready-to-use video transitions, creative masks, and filters, this platform can simplify and expedite the editing process without compromising the quality of output. It not only allows you to trim, cut, and split videos; it also supports the addition of custom video intros, the creation of multiple timeline layers, as well as background audio editing. As such, it will allow you to fine-tune your video however you prefer.

The mentioned features aside, BeeCut also has other features such as speech-to-text conversion, video stabilization, mobile editing, and picture-in-picture video support to further reinforce video editing efforts. It also supports a variety of media types to help you use whatever elements you want for your videos. Last but not least, as it can support multiple aspect ratios, BeeCut will allow you to produce video content for different publishing channels.

  • Beginner-friendly WYSIWYG editor with an extensive media library.
  • Seamless video optimization through stabilization and multiple video aspect ratio support
  • Easy mobile video editing through native Android and iOS applications.

9. Moovly

This web-based video editing platform is ideal for beginners as it offers users with ready-made templates, royalty-free media objects, and a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface for creating video projects. With Moovly, users can easily customize their videos by adding visual effects and transitions, looping segments, adding overlay audio tracks, adding subtitles, and more. Other features inclue tools for splitting and/or trimming videos, resizing, rotating, cropping, adjusting the audio and playback speed, and enabling text-to-speech functionality.

Moovly also encourages collaboration among users through its user groups feature, which allows users to create groups, manage member subscriptions, and provide access to common libraries where they can have access to various media content. Sharing the videos created in Moovly is also easy as they are all ready for publishing and sharing in popular video streaming platforms, such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook.

  • It offers ready-made templates.
  • It has a library of royalty-free media content.
  • User-friendly interface.

10. Lumen5

Lumen5 is a video editing platform with powerful features to help users create videos in minutes. Through its text-to-video capabilities, Lumen5 transforms articles and blog posts into videos, automatically populating storyboards with content. Assisted by AI technology, the system dynamically determines scene length and optimizes text positioning. Additionally, through natural language processing, important keywords are highlighted. Users also have the option to further automate their video marketing workflow by using RSS feeds to automatically create videos every day.

Users can also create videos from scratch using Lumen5's built-in templates, which include templates for YouTube, Instagram stories, and social ads. Color themes, font choices, logos, and watermarks can be further customized to ensure that videos reflect company branding. A searchable media library also gives users access to milliions of free video clips, still images, and audio files.

  • AI-powered technology automatically populates storyboards with content and determines scene length and text positioning.
  • Automatic video creation from RSS feeds.
  • Customizable color themes, font choices, logos, and watermarks.

11. StoryXpress

StoryXpress offers a comprehensive set of features to help users create engaging videos from screen and webcam recordings. The software offers three recording modes—FaceCam + Screen Recording, Screen Only, and Cam Only—for users' convenience and provides annotation and editing tools. This way, users can highlight key elements onscreen and add text if needed. Video editing features such as Trim, Crop, and Blur also ensure that video outputs appear polished and professional.

Moreover, the platform is designed to support video marketing and e-commerce efforts. Users can create videos simply by uploading images and highlight key product features using pointers. Users can also add custom CTAs including buttons, forms, and banners to every video they create.

The platform also allows users to upload videos in full HD resolution, whether to webpages, Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube. Each video can be tracked through UTM tags, making it easier to keep an eye on metrics such as views, average watch time, and play rate.

Audio
  • 3D and 360-degree video editing support as well as HD resolution options.
  • Advanced video editing features on a drag-and-drop interface for faster post-production processes.
  • Built-in audio editing tools such as multitrack mixing, narration recording, and sound effect application .

8. BeeCut

BeeCut is a simple video editing solution designed to help SMEs make professional videos with no hassle. Equipped with a WYSIWYG video editor and ready-to-use video transitions, creative masks, and filters, this platform can simplify and expedite the editing process without compromising the quality of output. It not only allows you to trim, cut, and split videos; it also supports the addition of custom video intros, the creation of multiple timeline layers, as well as background audio editing. As such, it will allow you to fine-tune your video however you prefer.

The mentioned features aside, BeeCut also has other features such as speech-to-text conversion, video stabilization, mobile editing, and picture-in-picture video support to further reinforce video editing efforts. It also supports a variety of media types to help you use whatever elements you want for your videos. Last but not least, as it can support multiple aspect ratios, BeeCut will allow you to produce video content for different publishing channels.

  • Beginner-friendly WYSIWYG editor with an extensive media library.
  • Seamless video optimization through stabilization and multiple video aspect ratio support
  • Easy mobile video editing through native Android and iOS applications.

9. Moovly

This web-based video editing platform is ideal for beginners as it offers users with ready-made templates, royalty-free media objects, and a user-friendly, drag-and-drop interface for creating video projects. With Moovly, users can easily customize their videos by adding visual effects and transitions, looping segments, adding overlay audio tracks, adding subtitles, and more. Other features inclue tools for splitting and/or trimming videos, resizing, rotating, cropping, adjusting the audio and playback speed, and enabling text-to-speech functionality.

Moovly also encourages collaboration among users through its user groups feature, which allows users to create groups, manage member subscriptions, and provide access to common libraries where they can have access to various media content. Sharing the videos created in Moovly is also easy as they are all ready for publishing and sharing in popular video streaming platforms, such as YouTube, Vimeo, and Facebook.

  • It offers ready-made templates.
  • It has a library of royalty-free media content.
  • User-friendly interface.

10. Lumen5

Lumen5 is a video editing platform with powerful features to help users create videos in minutes. Through its text-to-video capabilities, Lumen5 transforms articles and blog posts into videos, automatically populating storyboards with content. Assisted by AI technology, the system dynamically determines scene length and optimizes text positioning. Additionally, through natural language processing, important keywords are highlighted. Users also have the option to further automate their video marketing workflow by using RSS feeds to automatically create videos every day.

Users can also create videos from scratch using Lumen5's built-in templates, which include templates for YouTube, Instagram stories, and social ads. Color themes, font choices, logos, and watermarks can be further customized to ensure that videos reflect company branding. A searchable media library also gives users access to milliions of free video clips, still images, and audio files.

  • AI-powered technology automatically populates storyboards with content and determines scene length and text positioning.
  • Automatic video creation from RSS feeds.
  • Customizable color themes, font choices, logos, and watermarks.

11. StoryXpress

StoryXpress offers a comprehensive set of features to help users create engaging videos from screen and webcam recordings. The software offers three recording modes—FaceCam + Screen Recording, Screen Only, and Cam Only—for users' convenience and provides annotation and editing tools. This way, users can highlight key elements onscreen and add text if needed. Video editing features such as Trim, Crop, and Blur also ensure that video outputs appear polished and professional.

Moreover, the platform is designed to support video marketing and e-commerce efforts. Users can create videos simply by uploading images and highlight key product features using pointers. Users can also add custom CTAs including buttons, forms, and banners to every video they create.

The platform also allows users to upload videos in full HD resolution, whether to webpages, Facebook, LinkedIn, or YouTube. Each video can be tracked through UTM tags, making it easier to keep an eye on metrics such as views, average watch time, and play rate.

  • Three recording modes to suit video creators' different needs.
  • Advanced annotation and video editing tools for professional-looking videos.
  • Video analytics and performance tracking through UTM tags.

12. Promo.com

A cloud-based video production and editing service, Promo.com aims to assist small and medium businesses to create videos that catch audiences' eyes. It is a timely service to marketers in any industry, as it allows them to push the enterprise using one of the most popular and effective platforms of the day. Doing the task is seamless as Promo.com has a sufficient set of tools that enable users to design videos that meet their brand specifications and quality standards.

Promo.com is not all about tools, though. If you are lacking content for your marketing videos, then you do not have to look far. The platform has a creative center where users can find more than 23 million premium video clips in high definition. There are also royalty-free audio available as well as costless stock photos that you can adapt to your liking. With the vast collection, making videos becomes an effortless task.

  • Cloud-accessible video editing tool
  • Creative hub with millions of video and audio clips and stock photos
  • Support for any format of video, such as for social media sites, blogs, and websites

Use Free Trials to Find the Best Video Editing Software for You

Reading up on a video editing software and watching demos and tutorials may not be enough. For you to find which application works best for you, you need to have hands-on experience with a platform. But subscribing to each program on your shortlist could be unnecessarily expensive. Fortunately, vendors now offer free trials of their products. You can take advantage of those to test drive tools and features.

With regard to finances, it is an easy choice to go for the most expensive video editing software from a well-known developer. This is because you can be sure it packs a punch, feature-wise. It may not be suitable for your budget, though. Still, there are other solutions on the list that could serve as an alternative to your first choice. With those, you have the powerful tools you need that will still enable you to create the best videos.

If you are reading this article it means that you are looking for the perfect audio editing software for Mac that you can use. But, before you blindly follow the list and start downloading all the audio editing software mentioned here, one thing you should keep in mind is your personal requirements. Before you even begin reading this article, you should know what you are looking for. For example, whether you are looking for audio editing software to edit podcasts or something complex enough to help you score a movie.

You should also keep your budget in mind. No matter how good a software is, the one that you can afford will always serve you better. Finally, you should also keep your skillset in mind and ask yourself whether you are ready to invest time in learning an audio editing software or not. Once you have answered all these questions for yourself, you will be able to find and focus on the software that will help you the most and will not waste time chasing the shiniest audio editing software in the market.

I have tried to structure this article, by keeping all these things in mind. So, you will find the best free audio editing software, the best audio editing software for editing podcasts, best professional audio editing software, and so on and so forth. However, note that all these classifications are not entirely exclusive as most of the audio softwares have features that overlap a lot with each other. At the end of the day, the best audio editing software for you will depend on what you need and feel comfortable working with. With all that said, here is our list of the best audio editing software for Mac that you should use:

  • Adobe Audition: Best Overall Audio Editing Software
  • Logic Pro X: Best DAW Software for Mac
  • Avid Pro Tools First: Best Free Audio Editing Software
  • Audacity: Best Audio Editing Software for Podcasters
  • ocenaudio: Best Audio Editing Software for Beginners
  • RX Post Production Suite 4: Best Audio Post Production Tools
  • Fission: Best Audio Editing Software for Fast and Lossless Audio Editing

Note: While I am focusing this article on macOS operating system, most of these apps work on Windows PC too. The only app that doesn't work on Windows is the Logic Pro X.

Best Audio Editing Software to Use in 2020

1. Adobe Audition: Best Overall Audio Editing Software

I want to start this list by using the most obvious and best overall audio editing software that the market has to offer. Whether you want to record and edit audio or want to create a background score for your upcoming movie, Adobe Audition can handle all your needs. Not only the software has all the features that you require from an audio editing program but it also has multi-track recording and editing capabilities which is something that we associate with digital audio workstations. Adobe Audition also offers one of the best audio clean-up and restoration tools on the market. It supports a ton of plugins which add even more power to the software. Whether you want to remove noise with precision or add audio effects, you can find plugins for everything here.

My favorite feature of the Adobe Audition is its waveform editing environment which allows you to pinpoint the problems and apply necessary adjustments. Adobe also brings AI enhanced tools which can make your audio editing life easier. For example, there's an 'Auto Ducking' feature which uses Adobe's AI-based ‘Adobe Sensei' technology to automatically lower the volume of background track to make the vocals more pronounced. Other features of the app include batch processing of audio files, automatic speech alignment, iXML metadata support, synthesized speech, and more. You will also appreciate the clean and user-friendly UI.

Note that Adobe Audition is a pro audio editing tool so users who have never used an audio editing software before might find it a little difficult at the start. That said, Adobe does provide free tutorials for both beginners and experienced users which should get you started.

Pros:

  • Good User interface
  • Extensive Editing Tools
  • Huge plug-in support
  • Great audio clean-up and restoration tools

Cons:

  • Subscription-based pricing makes it expensive for long-term use
  • Hard for beginners

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS

Install:Free Trial, $19.99/month

Basic Audio Editor Machine

2. Logic Pro X: Best DAW Software for Mac

I love Apple's software products just for the fact that they integrate so well with the hardware. Final Cut Pro X is my favorite video editing tool as it allows me to edit a 4K video on my 2016 MacBook Pro. The experience is the same for Logic Pro X. Despite being one of the best overall audio editing software on the market, it works without any hiccup even on the older generation of MacBook Pros. That said, let's move away from the obvious advantage that Logic Pro X has over other music editing software and talk about its features, starting with its UI. In my opinion, the user interface of Logic Pro X is probably the best among all the software listed on this list. It is clean and every tool that you want to access is accessible with just a few clicks.

Note that while you can use Logic Pro X for just editing audio files for your podcast or any other similar project, you will be under-utilizing the software and it will be hard to justify its cost. Logic Pro X is a proper DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) which is aimed at music producers. It features a varied instrument library covering almost all music genres. What surprises me the most is how close the virtual instruments sound to their real counterpart. Even people with the most discerning ears will be able to tell them apart. What few instruments or music genres it doesn't support can easily be added thanks to its support for plugins and extensive plugins library that is available for anyone to use.

My favorite music kit is the 'Drummer Kit' plugin which when enabled gives you an AI-enabled drum track (electronic or acoustic) while you add your music on top. Logic Pro X also comes with more than 7000 royalty-free music loops that can automatically conform to the tempo and key of your project. There's also support for patches which allow you to quickly load complex multichannel sounds. There are features like 'Smart Tempo' which automatically manages tempo across all the content in your project, Flex Time and Flex Pitch, Track Alternatives, automation, audio effects, music notation, and more.

The only problem with Logic Pro X is it cost. I think for people who are even going to use 10% of the features of Logic Pro X, the cost is justifiable. It's a onetime fee, after which the software is yours. There's no hidden charges and no subscription. That said, if you just want to use it for normal audio editing this will be an overkill, especially when there are a ton of good options out there.

Pros:

  • Flawless integration with Mac hardware and operating system
  • A complete DAW
  • Drummer Kit
  • Over 7000 royalty-free track loops
  • Beautiful user interface

Cons:

  • High upfront costs make it inaccessible to many prospective users

Supported Platforms: macOS

Install:$199.99

3. Avid Pro Tools First: Best Free Audio Editing Software

Avid Pro Tools First is the free version of 'Avid Pro Tools', a professional grade audio editing software, costing upwards of $500 and used by filmmakers and TV professionals to produce and score music for movies and TV shows. While the 'Avid Pro Tools First' is a toned down version of its paid counterpart, it is more than enough for most of the users. It brings a fast 64-bit audio recording and mixing engine along with a variety of session templates with preloaded instrumental tracks covering most genres so that you can start creating your music as soon as you get familiar with the software.

It brings professional grade editing tools. From editing the MIDI tracks to adjusting tempo to fixing pitch and time, Avid Pro Tools First can handle everything. The software also comes with Avid's Xpand!2 virtual instruments and UVI Workstation 3 sample player, thus giving you access to royalty free loops and beats. This free version even comes with 23 utility plugins allowing you to shape your music just the way you want to. Recording your own music or audio is as simple as connecting your mic or instrument and hitting the record button.

When recording audio, you can take advantage of the loop recording feature which allows you to record multiple takes and then use the one that you like the most. The software is also great for people who like to collaborate with others. If you buy Avid's cloud subscription ($4.99/month), your work will be saved on the cloud. You can then share it with your colleagues to work together. In fact, even the free version which we are discussing here allows you to share up to three projects with other users. So, as you can see, you are getting a ton of professional grade features inside an app made for professionals which are used by the industry leaders and you don't have to pay a penny. That's a deal that I cannot refuse and neither should you.

Pros

  • Professional grade editing tool for free
  • Free online sync for up to three projects
  • Royalty free track loops

Cons

  • Steep learning curve
  • Costs a lot to upgrade to the pro version

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS

Install:Free

4. Audacity: Best Audio Editing Software for Podcasters

Not everyone needs a complete digital audio workstation. In fact, 90% of people who are looking for an audio editing software are looking for a simple program which can help them carry out basic audio editing such as trimming, noise reduction, voice modulation, background score addition, and so on. Whether you are a YouTube or a podcaster or someone who just needs to edit audio for home videos, all of the above-mentioned audio editing software will be a bit of overkill. you need a piece of software which not only enables you to perform these essential editing actions but also which is easy to learn use. For that use case scenario, Audacity is the best tool on the market.

Don't get me wrong, you can use Audacity as a DAW (especially now that it supports MIDI import) but in my views, it's not meant for that. It's simple and approachable UI makes it best for users who don't want to spend months learning an audio editing software. It is an open-source and free audio editing tool which brings a simple and interactive user interface with all the essential tools that you will need. From recording your audio clips to editing it using cut, trim, copy, and paste tools, to using audio effects, generators, and analyzers, Audacity can handle everything. Since Audacity is popular, it is also supported by a host of plugin developers allowing you to find plugins for almost anything that you might need for your project.

Despite being open-source and free, Audacity sees new updates on a fairly regular basis so you are not left using a software of the past. Just recently, Audacity was updated to support the dark mode on macOS Mojave and it looks great. There's also the new spectrogram view which allows you to pinpoint the problems and edit them accordingly. My favorite thing about Audacity is that it will take you just a couple of hours on YouTube to learn the basics and start your editing journey. That alone makes Audacity far more approachable than any other audio editing software.

Pros:

  • Free and open-source
  • Approachable and simple user interface
  • Doesn't require you to do a Ph.D. to start editing
  • Large and helping online community

Cons:

  • If you are the right target audience, I don't think there are any cons

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Install:Free

5. ocenaudio: Best Audio Editing Software for Beginners

Just like Audacity, ocenaudio is a free and open-source audio editing software that brings a simple to understand user interface. If for some reason Audacity is doesn't feel right to you or you just want to check out other audio editing software before settling on one, ocenaudio should be next on your list. Just like Audacity, ocenaudio features a clean editing environment which makes it easy for beginners to get started. In fact, as far as looks are concerned, ocenaudio looks more modern than Audacity.

Coming to the features, ocenaudio brings all the basic audio recording and editing features. You can just connect a microphone and press the record button and start recording. When you are editing, you can access all the tools including track selection, track cutting and splitting, copy and paste, multi-trackediting and more. Just like Audacity, ocenaudio supports real-time preview for applied effects. Users can not only apply native effects but also use VST (Virtual Studio Technology) plugins to import effects which are not included with the software.

Like Audacity, ocenaudio also supports the spectrogram view. You can use it to analyze the spectral content of your audio signal for getting a better understanding of all the problems.ocenaudio is also good at handling big files. Even after uploading files which were multiple GB in size, the software didn't hiccup. I have a 2016 13-inch MacBook Pro, so it's not even that I was using it on a powerful machine like an iMac.

While ocenaudio is a good audio editing program, there is one big problem with the software that will turn many users off. The app doesn't support multi-track editing which makes it useless for many users including me. I have so much fun when using this program and I prefer it over audacity both for its UI and speed. However, the missing support for multi-track editing means that I cannot use this app for my work. Another drawback of this app is that it lacks is a thriving online community.

You won't find many online video tutorials on this one. If your work involves multi-track editing, you won't be using ocenaudio. That said, for users who are just getting started with audio editing and doesn't require a multi-track editing program, this is the best free audio editing software on the market right now.

Pros:

  • Free and open-source
  • Modern looking UI
  • Easy for beginners
  • Support for VST Plugins
  • Can easily handle large audio files

Cons:

  • Multi-track editing not supported
  • Not many quality video tutorials available

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Install:Free

6. RX Post Production Suite 4: Best Audio Post Production Tools

iZotope RX Post Production Suite 4 is without a doubt the best post-production tools available for audio editors. iZotope has been leading the industry when it comes to refining audio for decades now and no other company comes even close to it. The latest version 4 update has made its tools even more potent when it comes to editing audio. The suite comprises of multiple tools namely RX 7 Advanced, Dialogue Match, Neutron 3 Advanced, Stratus 3D, Symphony 3D, Insight 2, and RX Loudness Control. Each tool serves a specific purpose and combined they can fulfill all your post-production audio editing needs.

Starting with the RX 7 Advanced, it brings a powerful repair assistant that can automatically recognize noise, clippings, clicks, hums, and more and remove them with a click. Dialogue Match automatically learns and match the sonic character of dialogue recording. Neutron 3 is a professional tool for building great mixes. It brings a 'Mix Assistance' which can listen to all the tracks in your mix and gives you a balanced starting point. Similarly, the rest of the tools in the suite bring features to tackle a specific part of audio post-production.

But only the power of tools is not what iZotope known for, it's also known for the way it presents the tools. All the tools work in a highly visual way, giving you a good look at the problems and what you can do to solve them. Just look at the screenshots above, and see how audio is represented in a detailed way. That said, all this power comes at a cost as if there's one thing more that iZotope is known for, it's for its pro pricing. If your work revolves around fixing audio and audio post-production, these tools can save you so much time while delivering a better product that you can justify the price. However, if you are someone who is just looking to get into audio editing, it will be hard to swallow the bill.

Pros:

  • Best audio production tools on the market
  • Best noise removal
  • Available as plugin for your favorite audio editing software
  • Repair and salvage lost audio
  • Automatic audio processing tools make it easy to use

Cons:

  • Cost is too high

Supported Platforms: Windows and macOS

Install:$1844

7. Fission: Best Audio Editing Software for Fast and Lossless Audio Editing

If you find all of the above audio editing software to be too complex then check out Fission. It's a simple audio editing software that focuses on providing a fast and lossless audio editing environment. You get quick access to all the audio editing tools. You can join, cut, and trim audio, edit audio metadata, use the batch converter to convert multiple audio files at once, and more. I love that it supports multiple file formats and you can easily edit and convert files to MP3, AAC, Apple Lossless, FLAC, AIFF, or WAV.

For quick edits, you can also use Fission's smart split feature which automatically cuts audio files based on silence. Other features include gain adjustment, cue sheet support, volume normalization, and more. Fission is made by Rogue Ameba, a company that is well known in the Mac community for making splendid audio products, and Fission is no different. If you don't want to invest time in learning audio editing and want a quick and easy-to-use tool, this is the one to get.

Pros:

  • Best for quick editing jobs
  • Supports lossless editing
  • Supports multiple file formats
  • Batch processing

Cons:

  • No pro editing features presence

Supported Platforms: Windows, macOS, and Linux

Basic Audio Editor Mac

Best Audio Editing Software: Final Thoughts

There are many other pro-level DAW software on the market which have not made the list as I have no experience in music production. The article is for audio editing software and I have tried to keep my list to reflect that. The only reason I have mentioned Logic Pro X is that I know some users will be looking for a DAW software here and for them it's going to be useful. If you are just working with spoken audio and want a free editing app, very few apps can beat Audacity and hence it's on the list.

But I love the user interface and speediness of ocenaudio and hence it made the list too. I guess what I am trying to say is that every person has their own specific requirements and the software you choose will depend on that. I have chosen the seven apps that will meet the needs of 90% of users reading this article. If you want something more specific and don't know where to look, drop requirements in the comments section below and at the least, I will guide you in the right direction.





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