Create professional podcasts, interviews, and narration for your next endeavor using these FREE audio editing programs.
If you’ve only just dived into the pool of audio editing, there’s no need to splash the cash out just yet. Whether you’re editing the audio for podcasts, narration, or sound effects, you want something that will allow you to make simple cuts, add transitions, and control the decibels.
If you’re looking for more in-depth and hands-on audio effects, you may need to venture into deeper waters with one of the paid programs. While they might feel limited, these programs still offer the use of some staple audio effects.
Once you decide to take the plunge and download one (or all) of these, consider our library for any music you might need, and if you’re in the business of podcasts and need good music to throw underneath your interviews and stories, check out the incredible stems we offer with almost every song.
1. Audacity: Windows, Mac, Linux
You’ve probably heard of Audacity, as I know many podcasters and anybody needing a transcription service use this program. So, why is it so popular?
First, it’s free. Second, it’s a well-made digital audio workstation (DAW) that has earned this spot at the top of the list. It’s intuitive. You can use effects like transitions, noise reduction, and even “truncate silence.”
Even though it’s a free program, Audacity still has a plethora of effects and plug-ins that are super easy to use. It has your classic reverb, delay, noise reduction, volume automation, EQ controls, pitch controls, and many more.
If you want to edit some sound effects in your library or polish a recording of your voice for a podcast, Audacity will sort you out with no problem. It has just as many features as a paid DAW would offer.
If you want help getting started with Audacity, check out our complete guide to learning the program, and what you can expect to see upon downloading it.
- 5 Tips for Getting Started Working With Audio in Audacity
2. DaVinci Resolve: Windows, Mac, Linux
This list is supposed to be for “audio editing,” as in, no video editing. But, Blackmagic Design is one of the most generous companies cranking out stellar product after stellar product, and their base software (DaVinci Resolve) is free.
It has features such as a clip inspector that automates volume, panning, EQ levels, and pitch adjustments. It also includes a professional mixer that allows you access to various channel strips, showing their levels and audio effects, providing a smooth workflow when handling multiple audio channels.
Furthermore, it has real-time EQ and dynamic processing, a de-esser and de-hummer function, noise reduction, and so much more!
The tutorial below has all the information on this awesome piece of software. It pretty much goes over every single thing you can do for your audio files within the program.
We’ve covered DaVinci Resolve quite a bit on this blog and over on PremiumBeat. If you’re new to the program and want a general overview of what to expect when opening it for the first time, check out the tutorial below.
- Video Editing Basics for Beginners and Non-Editors – DaVinci Resolve Tutorial
3. OcenAudio: Windows, Mac, Linux
Just like Audacity, this is another simple and clean audio editing software. This free software allows you to cut up an audio file in seconds.
The difference this does have in comparison to its competitor software, Audacity, is that you can apply effects in real-time. Instead of recording the effect straight into the audio, you can adjust parameters while your track plays to hear the effect instantly.
Don’t expect too much from this one as it’s just for simple editing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support multi-track sessions, so you can only work with single stereo/mono tracks.
You can apply some basic effects like fade-ins, a graphic equalizer, and the ability to reverse or speed up your file. It’s great for voice recordings.
It’s simple and free. Check it out.
4. WavePad: Mac
WavePad has been around for a while, and you’ll notice this based on the look of its interface. However, that doesn’t change the fact that this software will do exactly what you need.
Whether you’re uploading .wavs or .mp3s, WavePad allows you to cut it up and export it out just fine. It has a bunch of functions, including batch processing (applying an effect on multiple tracks), audio restoration features, basic audio effects such as reverb and delay, and spectral analysis.
This software is only available for Mac users, so the question is, should you just use GarageBand if you’re on a Mac?
Of course!
5. GarageBand: Mac
If you’re a Mac user, GarageBand comes free with the computer. It’s used for music production and is a great and easy tool to edit any audio.
If you own an iPhone or an iPad, GarageBand is also available entirely on-the-go! You can trim audio tracks, split them, and automate the volume. It has panning controls in addition to a compressor and EQ controller.
Other audio effects include reverb, delay, distortion, modulation, and many more.
GarageBand also offers several templates for you to start with, one of which is voice. This is a solid starting point for those wanting to map out or edit any interview or podcast recording.
This video below is a tutorial on how to edit a podcast on GarageBand, showing you how to map it out and edit the audio.
Bonus! FilmoraPro: Windows, Mac
In need of the total package? Free video editing and audio editing all in one. Wondershare FilmoraPro is an excellent inclusion to this list as it’s meant specifically for video editors.
Features include detaching audio from your video quickly and lowering the background music volume with the audio ducking function.
You can split and trim audio clips and to further bring out the best in your audio, use the equalizer tool to balance out those frequencies.
Adjusting the speed, pitch, volume, and adding fades are as simple as moving a slider to your desired needs. Keeping it simple, you can eliminate any background noise with just one click.
The interface looks a lot like the standard paid NLEs (your Final Cut Pro X, DaVinci Resolves, and Premiere Pro).
So, if you want to switch over to something free all-in-all, give this a shot. They’ve been perfecting this software for the past few years and I genuinely think people are sleeping on it.
License this cover image by Kostsov.