When you want to edit an audio file or when you want to create or record your own music, you need a capable audio editing software that has all the features, can handle long sessions of recording, and even lets you make and manage music. In our previous articles we covered free audio editing software, but most of them contain ads, upgrade prompts, and even limitations. To deal with that, here are some of the best free and open-source audio editing software.
The Most Recommended Audio Editor - FilmoraPro Before getting into details with the free audio editor, there's one tool that needs a special mention when it comes to discussing the best audio editor is FilmoraPro. It is one of the finest audio editor free download options that you would love to explore. This audio editing software is a full-featured professional audio and music editor for Windows and Mac. Record and edit music, voice and other audio recordings. When editing audio files, you can cut, copy and paste parts of recordings, and then add effects like echo, amplification and noise reduction. Record and edit sound file on Mac OS X Click on the recording button and start recording. The audio will be recorded by Leawo Music Recorder completely on just one click. And it starts to record only when the sound is detected by the recorder. Amadeus Pro 2.0.8 is the last version to run on Mac OS X 10.5 and is available here. Amadeus Pro 1.x will run on Mac OS X 10.4 and is still available here. Amadeus Pro supports a variety of Plug-Ins. It is compatible with the popular VST format, as well as with Apple's Audio Units.
Read: 7 Best Audio Editor for Android (2018)
Open Source Audio Editors
1. Audacity
Audacity is one of the best in terms of features, accessibility, and plugins. I use Audacity from time to time for some minor tasks like converting M4A format to MP3, Splitting MP3 files, removing noise from old audio files, etc. The user interface is traditional and looks a bit dated but it is very user friendly and gets the job done without any hiccups.
We use audacity to edit audio for our YouTube channel
Audacity supports a wide range of audio formats including but not limited to WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AU, MP3, etc. When it comes to editing, you can do things like recording, import and export, scrubbing and seeking, cut, copy, paste, mix multiple tracks, etc. It also lets you undo without any limits, has automatic crash recovery, sync-lock tracks, and much more useful features.
Read: How to Improve Your Voice Over With Audacity
You can also add various included effects, reduce noise, change pitch and tempo, isolate vocals, generate tones, etc. The best part is, Audacity supports external plugins to improve and/or add extra functionality. Simply put, no matter who you are, just download and install Audacity. It will come in handy from time to time. After all, Audacity is completely free.
Pro Tip: You can also use Audacity to record audio coming out of the computer.
Platform support: Audacity supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Install Audacity (free)
2. Traverso DAW
Traverso DAW is a powerful audio editing and audio recording software for Linux users. You can edit multi-track audio with layers and effects. If you want to, you can record the complete band and burn it to a CD or DVD directly from Traverso DAW, no need of yet another software. Just like Audacity, the user interface looks dated but once you get comfortable, it is very user-friendly. You can connect multiple instruments to Traverso DAW and record them in multiple tracks with ease.
Traverso DAW is officially only available to Linux users and you need to know how to compile Traverso DAW from the source and then install it. That being said, on some distributions, like on Ubuntu and its derivatives, you can install Traverso DAW with a single command. Optionally, you can check for its availability on the included app store.
If you are looking for a scalable professional audio editing software that can effortlessly manage recording multiple instruments then try Traverso DAW.
Platform support: Traverso DAW is available for Linux.
Install Traverso DAW (free)
3. Ardour
Ardour is a professional open-source audio editing workstation for Windows, Mac, and Linux users. One of the best features of Ardour is its Flexible Recording. Using which you'll be able to set layered, destructive, and non-layered modes on per track basis. You can even manage individual monitoring options per track by simply clicking on the individual monitor buttons. The Mixer section of Ardour is one of the best compared to other software on this list. It has a ton of options with a friendly user interface.
Other features of Ardour include but not limited to non-linear and non-destructive track editing, unlimited multichannel tracks, ability to extract audio from video, lock audio and MIDI regions, blank frames, automation, mixing, support for external plugins, ability to import and export, etc. The source code is available for free but you'd need to compile it manually on your computer, however, you can simply donate a small amount to the dev and download the compiled file directly.
Platform support: Ardour supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Install Ardour (free)
4. Mixxx
If you are into DJing then Mixxx is the one to go for. The software is designed to be friendly for both beginners and professionals alike. Gettings started with Mixxx is easy, simply drag a song into Mixxx and you can start manipulating it using beats, cue points, and scrollable and scratchable waveforms among other things.
You will also have access to various features like sampler decks, pitch, and key control, master sync, beat looping, chained effects, built-in music library, key and bpm detection, recording, live broadcasting, etc. There is also a fun feature called Auto DJ which can take over your job in the time of need. All you have to do is point it towards a playlist and you are good to go.
Of course, being a DJ software, it has multiple skins with a customizable layout. If you not a fan of the default layout then you only limited by your imagination when it comes to layout customization.
Platform support: Ardour supports Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Install Mixxx (free)
5. Qtractor
Qtractor is an Audio and/or MIDI multi-track sequencer application. Unlike all the other applications shared in this list, Qtractor is designed for professionals. Also, it gives you the power of the Jack Audio Connection Kit. In fact, you need to have Jack Audio Connection Kit in order to work with Qtractor on your Linux machine. Unfortunately, though Qtractor is easy to use and has support for Jack Audio Connection Kit, it is not as complex or flexible as Ardour.
Features of Qtractor include but not limited to unlimited undos and redos, built-in connection patch bay control, multi-select, drag and drop, multi-track tape recorder, loop recording, unlimited location markers, MMC control surface, session or project description files, support for non-destructive and non-linear editing, Jack Audio Connection Kit transport sync, etc.
Platform support: Linux only.
Install Qtractor (free)
Final Words
These are some of the best open-source audio editors out there. Unless you have a specific need for a special feature, Audacity works just fine for most people. However, if you have a better alternative that is not listed here, let me know in the comments below.
Read: Best Audiobook Apps for Android
If you are a music lover and have numerous music tracks stored in your music folder, it becomes necessary to add important metadata to the files in order to make them identifiable while they are being played by a music player application, or any other physical music system.
Mac Audio Editor
Such metadata that is added to the music files is called ID3 tags. The ID3 tags make the files identifiable, which also becomes useful while clustering the files, i.e. when arranging the tracks on the basis of a particular criteria such as album, artist name, etc.
Nowadays ID3 v2.4 is mostly used because of its advanced features and increased number of supported file formats, and the applications that help you manage the ID3 tags of the music files are called ID3 tag editors or id3 taggers for short.
A few ID3 tag editors that you can use on Mac OS X El Capitan are listed below:
01 – MusicBrainz Picard
(Download URL:https://picard.musicbrainz.org/downloads/)
MusicBrainz Picard is a free id3 tag editor that can be downloaded from its official website. In addition to allowing the end-users to add ID3 tags to the music files, the program also allows them to organize and manage the file clustering.
Pros
• Performs online search for correct ID3 tags for the files and adds them accordingly using the acoustic fingerprinting technology.
• Allows manual ID3 tag addition/editing to the files.
• Enables file clustering.
• The program is free.
Cons
• Understanding the interface of the application might be challenging for the new users, and they may have to refer to its user manual for assistance.
02 – iSkysoft Audio Recorder for Mac
(Download URL:http://www.iskysoft.com/audio-recorder-mac/)
Mainly an audio recorder and editor, iSkysoft Audio Recorder for Mac allows you to add and edit id3 tags of the audio files as well. Simply put, with iSkysoft Audio Recorder, you can record audio, get the audio recorded from the Internet, and can also manage the ID3 tags for the files.
Pros
• An efficient multipurpose application for audio recording and ID3 tag editing on Mac OS X El Capitan.
• Can record audio from various online streaming sites such as iTunes Radio, Yahoo Music, etc.
• Capable of recording audio from online streaming video websites such as YouTube, etc.
• Available for both Mac and Windows platforms.
Cons
• iSkysoft Audio Recorder for Mac comes with a pricetag.
• Many advanced ID3 tagging features are not present in iSkysoft Audio Recorder as id3 tagger is its built-in tool.
03 – id3 editor
(Download URL:http://www.pa-software.com/release/download.php?nm&prod=BC3B2E3A )
Developed by Pa-software, id3 editor is available for both Mac and Windows platform. With the ability to support MP3 and AIFF file types, id3 editor allows you to manage ID3 tags in these types of files from a single-windowed interface.
Pros
• Offers Command Line Interface (CLI) that can be used to write scripts for batch editing.
• Allows you to mark the music files as copyrighted.
• You can add lyrics to your favorite tracks.
• Allows group editing that saves time when the information is to be added or edited to multiple files.
Cons
• Both Mac and Windows versions of id3 editor come with a pricetag.
04 – Kid3 for Mac
(Download URL:http://kid3.sourceforge.net/#download)
Yet another efficient open source audio file tag editor , Kid3 – audio tagger supports several file formats including FLAC, MP3, OGG, AAC, MP4, MP2, etc. and allows you to add, edit, and convert from version 1 to v2, v2.3, and v2.4 ID3 tags with ease.
Pros
• Kid3 is an open source program for Mac, Windows, and Linux and is free to use.
• Allows bulk tagging.
• Automatically manages the upper and lower cases of the tags whenever and wherever needed.
• Can generate filenames from tags and vice-versa.
Cons
• With too many options and fields to work on, the interface sometimes looks messy.
05 – MetaBliss
(Download URL:http://metabliss.com/)
MetaBliss, like many of its competitors, is a full-fledged id3 tag editor but with a few advancements such as better UI and easy-to-understand interface. With the ability to manage ID3 tags of the files comparatively easily, MetaBliss can help you save your decent amount of time.
Pros
• Has row-like alignment of the added files to manage their ID3 tags.
• Easy adding and removing the tag fields by checking or unchecking the corresponding checkboxes.
• Has integrated find and replace feature for bulk editing. Bluetooth file transfer between android devices.
• Has straightforward user interface.
Cons
• The MetaBliss is a shareware and must be purchased to use all its features at full.
06 – Wondershare TunesGo for Mac
(Download URL:https://www.wondershare.com/tunesgo/)
Wondershare TunesGo
04 – Kid3 for Mac
(Download URL:http://kid3.sourceforge.net/#download)
Yet another efficient open source audio file tag editor , Kid3 – audio tagger supports several file formats including FLAC, MP3, OGG, AAC, MP4, MP2, etc. and allows you to add, edit, and convert from version 1 to v2, v2.3, and v2.4 ID3 tags with ease.
Pros
• Kid3 is an open source program for Mac, Windows, and Linux and is free to use.
• Allows bulk tagging.
• Automatically manages the upper and lower cases of the tags whenever and wherever needed.
• Can generate filenames from tags and vice-versa.
Cons
• With too many options and fields to work on, the interface sometimes looks messy.
05 – MetaBliss
(Download URL:http://metabliss.com/)
MetaBliss, like many of its competitors, is a full-fledged id3 tag editor but with a few advancements such as better UI and easy-to-understand interface. With the ability to manage ID3 tags of the files comparatively easily, MetaBliss can help you save your decent amount of time.
Pros
• Has row-like alignment of the added files to manage their ID3 tags.
• Easy adding and removing the tag fields by checking or unchecking the corresponding checkboxes.
• Has integrated find and replace feature for bulk editing. Bluetooth file transfer between android devices.
• Has straightforward user interface.
Cons
• The MetaBliss is a shareware and must be purchased to use all its features at full.
06 – Wondershare TunesGo for Mac
(Download URL:https://www.wondershare.com/tunesgo/)
Wondershare TunesGo
An efficient product by Wondershare and probably the best among its competitors, TunesGo is a full-fledged id3 tagger that also allows you to transfer your music files from one device to another without losing any data or quality.
4,088,454 people have downloaded it
Pros
• Wondershare TunesGo can work in compliance with iTunes.
• Allows you to import files from your iTunes library.
Audio Editing Program For Mac
• Identifies and removes duplicate tracks from your music library.
• Allows you to fix incorrect ID3 tags and populate the tag fields with the correct values.
Cons
• Wondershare TunesGo comes with a price tag.
07 – Audacity for Mac
(Download URL:http://audacityteam.org/download/mac) Fornite android com.
Even though Audacity is mainly used as an efficient voice recorder, it has an integrated id3 tag editor that helps you add, edit, and manage ID3 tags for the audio files. Because the application itself supports several audio file formats, its built-in id3 tag editor can manage the tags of all the supported file types as well.
Pros
• Audacity is a freeware.
• Available for both Mac and Windows platforms.
• Supports various file formats.
• Allows you to add the ID3 tags to the recorded files as well.
Cons
• The program has a complicated interface that may be hard to understand, especially for the new users.
Os X Sound Editor
• Since the id3 tag editor is an integrated feature of the application, it doesn't have some advanced ID3 tagging features that other, full-fledged id3 taggers do.
Conclusion
Call of duty do. ID3 tags are an important aspect of the music files, and managing them correctly becomes equally important when it comes to organizing your music library and synchronizing the music files with other devices.
