10 Best Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project

Become familiar with the 10 best music editing software for studio-grade audio tracks. Among them, you'll find tools like CapCut that's free for all.

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CapCut
CapCut06/09/2024
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Ever wondered what it takes to make your favorite song sound so perfect? Music editing software will do! A lot of work goes into creating cohesive and polished soundtracks. From the timing of the beats to balancing the vocals, you must perfectly mix the different elements of a song to turn it into a masterpiece. This is the power of music editing, the secret sauce that makes great-sounding hit songs. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you need powerful, reliable music editing software for studio-quality sounds.

Table of content

Introducing music editing software

Music editing software is a computer program that offers users the digital tools required to record, manipulate, and produce high-end audio files. It makes music production a walk in the park for DJs, producers, TikTokers, podcasters, video editors, and other media creators.

With good music editing software, you can fine-tune your songs with these functions:

  • Record, playback, and edit audio to bring out the best in every drum beat and vocals.
  • Cut and trim to remove audio from the start or end, or choose the best bit and delete the rest.
  • Save or output audio in different file formats and at different quality settings.
  • Tag audio by adding information about the audio to the file, e.g., author and credits.
  • Remove background noise such as hissing, whistling, buzzing, whining, humming, etc.
  • Normalize or remove spikes and dips in volume to ensure sound consistency.

Best tips to select the perfect music editing software

There are a few important things to consider when choosing the best music system for your audio projects.

  • Ease of use: consider how effortless and quick it is to learn, discover content, and edit music with song editing software.
  • Rich editing features: find a tool to help make cuts and fades, adjust volume, speed, and pitch, and support multi-track recording, mixing, and removing background noise.
  • Templates and effects: check for premade music editing assets, styles, options, and audio effects, including reverb, delay, compression, and equalization.
  • Compatibility: consider the finished audio file formats supported by the music editing program, including MP3, AAC, and WAV.

The 10 best music editing software - beginner and pro-friendly

1. CapCut video editor

CapCut is an all-rounded multimedia editor offering a boatload of AI features, preset assets, and advanced media editing options. You can use CapCut's video editor for audio speed adjustment, cutting, song integration, looping, shuffling, reversal, etc.


CapCut video editor

You can upload your own music tracks or use their preloaded samples and sound effects. The best part is its detailed timeline allows you to control all aspects of your soundtrack. It is easy to edit and mix multiple audio tracks, and you can delete or add a portion of the song to improve your final results.

Why CapCut video editor for music editing?

  • Adjust speed and pitch: Control the tempo and shift the frequency to define how your notes sound.
  • Add sound effects: Easy to amplify, equalize, normalize, reverb, envelope, and add echo, LoFi, high, low, deep, and more effects.
  • Automatic noise reduction and beat detection: Eliminate unwanted background sounds and trim your soundtracks to the beat.
  • Fade in and out: Lowly increase the volume as you introduce a song and gradually diminish it to silence as it ends.
  • Transcript-based MP3 editing: Use artificial intelligence to transcribe music so you can select text to edit songs based on the lyrics.
  • AI tools: Simplify your music editing process with AI-powered tools such as the audio extractor to separate lyrics from the music.
  • Vast templates: Choose from hundreds of preloaded infographics and ready-to-use content blocks for your music visuals.
  • Cloud space and team collaboration: Save projects in your CapCut cloud space for easy cross-platform access and allow simultaneous music editing by colleagues.
  • Free to use: You don't have to pay a dime to enjoy the full potential of the CapCut music editing program.

How CapCut's music editing software works

Using CapCut is straightforward, with all music editing options easily accessible. Here you will see our comprehensive guide, by which you can follow effortlessly:

    Step
  1. Upload
  2. Begin by downloading and installing CapCut. Once that's complete, proceed to create your project. When you're set to edit, select the Import button to incorporate your materials. Alternatively, drag and drop them for convenience.
  3. 
    import on CapCut
  4. Step
  5. Edit
  6. The uploaded music will appear on the timeline in waveform, and you can upload multiple songs or use the music samples from the audio tab on the left-side panel. Use the right panel to add fades and voice effects and change volume, speed, and pitch. You can also reduce background noise, add visuals, cut, trim, duplicate, delete unwanted portions, and mix all the different elements of a song.
  7. 
    edit audio on CapCut
  8. Step
  9. Export and share
  10. With your music edited to the perfect sound, export it for use. Click Export to share the link for preview, as a presentation, or directly to TikTok or Youtube.
  11. 
  12. 

  • Robust feature set and AI tools for professional music editing
  • Many stock music and sound effects to explore and apply
  • Multi-track editing potential
  • Cloud-based nature for quick access on the go
  • Drag and drop capabilities on a super-intuitive user interface
  • Short learning curve even for beginners
  • All-in-one media editing solution for audio and video

  • CapCut lets users download their projects in MP4 and MOV file formats only

2. MP3Cut.net

MP3Cut.net is a remarkable online MP3 cutter and joiner. You can cut an audio track in simple clicks and save it to your hard drive. Just upload a file, select the fragment you want, and click Cut. This multifunctional online MP3 editor offers users audio fade-in and fade-out features and the opportunity to make iPhone ringtones. Also, if you have a movie or music video whose soundtrack struck your nerves, it will extract the audio track for you.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - MP3Cut.net

It's free, supports over 300 formats, and requires no special skills to use the app. Besides, it provides a user guideline on the lower part of the official site to improve your user experience.

Key features for music editing

  • Audio trimming: Easily and freely shorten the length of an audio file to upload it on your socials.
  • Online audio equalizer: Find the perfect tune by boosting and reducing specific frequencies of an audio file.
  • Reverse audio: There are no limitations. You can now reverse your audio online and make it play backward to understand that specific lyric.
  • Audio converter: With no limit to file size, convert an audio file or multiple files simultaneously to your desired format with zero installations.

  • Supports batch audio conversion
  • Zero installations
  • Multi-language and audio support
  • Beginner-friendly and free

  • Presence of ads
  • A bit slow to upload large files

3. GarageBand

Since its inception in 2004 by Apple, GarageBand has become a widely used audio software. It comes pre-installed on iPhone, Mac, and iPad and is a perfect tool for anyone interested in track recording or online digital audio composition. It comes with a built-in sound library, and on top of that, its Apple iCloud integration allows you to add tracks across devices, at home or on the go.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - GarageBand

Novice musicians and veteran engineers get an equal chance to play and record live instruments by plugging them into their computers. Plus, you can adjust volume levels throughout the track and the rhythm of multiple tracks using the Groove Track Feature without getting them out of sync.

Key features for music editing

  • Touch instruments: From keyboards and guitars to drums, GarageBand offers a chance to play that sound and feel it like the real thing.
  • User-intuitive: It has a welcoming layout and a Quick Help button for beginners that triggers yellow text boxes explaining each button's function upon hovering.
  • Multi-track recording: Though resource-demanding, you can record multiple voice inputs and edit audio recordings on-screen.
  • Built-in lessons: Sharpen your guitar and piano skills with over 40 genre-based lessons to follow along while using the touch instruments.

  • Excellent tool for beginners and advanced sound engineers
  • User-friendly interface
  • Fully functional and complete sound library
  • Live instruments recording

  • Only available on Apple devices
  • The keyboard interface is limited to landscape mode

4. Audio Director

AudioDirector is a comprehensive audio workstation that offers the ability to edit, mix, record, and restore audio. This tool is visually intuitive and is available for various platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. It integrates smoothly with other creative apps in CyberLink's director suite, such as PowerDirector or ColorDirector, to make audio creation easier.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - Audio Director

With artificial intelligence, you can auto-detect unwanted noises and restore audio clips with a single click. Achieve the perfect tune by using this audio app to apply effects such as reverb, phaser, or chorus so dialogue and ambient sounds are clearly heard.

Key features for music editing

  • AI speech enhancement: Use this feature to adjust the smoothness and loud speech differences in a single audio file.
  • Import media: Get audio and video files from your hard drive or removable device or record your own soundtrack into the sound library.
  • Ambiance match: Add ambiance or background noise to your audio clips in the edit or mix workspace. Or, extract the noise from the clip.
  • Audio mixer: Use the Mix room to mix audio together and create customized audio files or soundtracks for videos.

  • Pro AI tools
  • Excellent integration with Cyberlink creative apps
  • Free online audio editor
  • Dedicated work rooms

  • PC only
  • Steep learning curve

5. Ocenaudio

Like the ocean, Ocenaudio is a vast audio editing tool that can analyze, edit, and record audio files across different OSes, such as Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It's an easy-to-use and functional tool whose powerful features allow users to listen to processed audio while applying configuration and equalization effects. With this tool, you can select multiple portions of an audio file and listen, edit, and apply effects altogether, thanks to the multi-selection feature.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - Ocenaudio

There is no limit to the length or quantity of audio files you can edit, and the changes happen instantly. It is available for free and supports VST(Virtual Studio Technology) for real-time editing and audio preview.

Key features for music editing

  • Memory management module: Perform audio editing functions such as copy, cut, and save or paste processes without using the system's memory.
  • Fully-equipped spectrogram: Examine the full spectrum of your audio signals while updating frequency bands and window type or size in real-time.
  • Multi-selection: Speed up complex audio file editing by selecting different portions of an audio file and applying effects to them simultaneously.
  • Real-time preview: Besides access to numerous effects, this tool aids configuration in real-time as you can listen to the audio while adjusting the controls.

  • Cross-platform support
  • Smooth large file editing
  • Free to use
  • Supports virtual studio plugins

  • Minimal built-in effects

6. Audacity

Audacity is an open-source music editor with a multi-track audio recorder and manipulator for Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, Windows, and other operating systems. Anyone can use it for free and without prior music editing experience.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - Audacity

You can use the platform to edit, shuffle, mix, and enhance your audio tracks. Audacity online music editing software lets users apply sound effects to songs, perform intricate edits, and export them in various file formats.

Key features for music editing

  • Advanced editing features: Allows users to cut, copy, and paste and offers smooth volume mixing.
  • Supports multiple file formats: Import, convert, and export files in MP3, M4A, FLAC, WAV, AIFF, etc.
  • Third-party plugins: Elevate your editing capacity to the next level with a huge selection of plugins.

  • UI is simplified for easy understanding and a short learning curve
  • You can edit multiple tracks simultaneously
  • Allows users to reduce or extract vocals in stereo tracks
  • Supports live recording using a mixer or microphone

  • Some large files might take longer to upload, load, and download

7. FL Studio

FL Studio is a one-stop music production software for users to create, mix, and master music to top-class professional standards. It comes with a graphical user interface containing a pattern-based music sequencer for quick, easy editing.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - FL Studio

Key features for music editing

  • Multiple audio effects: Users can use common effects like flanger, phaser, vocoding, chorus, maximization and limiting, etc.
  • Cross-platform use: FL Studio works on all Windows and macOS devices.
  • Lifetime free updates: After your one-time purchase, you get the latest version now and in the future without ever paying again.

  • FL Studio is a low-cost app that's very simple to use
  • It offers users thousands of templates, tutorials, and inspirations
  • Supports countless third-party plugins

  • You may need a computer with good, powerful specs to run the tool efficiently

8. Soundtrap

Soundtrap is a versatile digital audio workstation that is completely web-based and fully equipped with high-end audio recording and editing tools. Musicians and podcasters alike can enjoy real-time editing for their project collaborations.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - Soundtrap

It is an easy music editing software with a vast sound collection of more than 24k loops and hundreds of presets. Users are able to adjust the volume and pan and correct the pitch in their music. They can also leverage a pattern beatmaker to perfect their output.

Key features for music editing

  • Automation: Users can increase or decrease volume, tweak the pan, and apply the filter sweep effect.
  • Plug and play: It is effortless to get started by easily connecting your own microphone and any other musical instrument.
  • Pattern beatmaker: It is easy to create your own beat or sequence a unique beat to add to your next track.
  • Vocal tuning: Soundtrap lets you achieve pro-sounding vocals with every take by leveraging the pitch corrector capabilities.

  • Cross-platform accessibility
  • Cloud-based for real-time collaborative creations
  • Extensive library of loops and instrument presets
  • Integrated podcasting tools

  • The advanced music editing elements and controls may be overwhelming for novices

9. AudioTool

Audio tool is a cloud-based digital music workstation to help users create and produce music professionally. You don't have to download or install software to unleash your creative potential.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - AudioTool

You also get a vast sample library to help you find any sound you can dream of. After you've finished editing your music, you can use the built-in publishing platform to release songs to the community for feedback.

Key features for music editing

  • Collaborate and control: Allows live collaborations using the built-in sequence to optimize your workflow.
  • Drum machines: It has a machiniste to tweak drum samples, and beatboxes 8 and 9 to compose rhythms.
  • Effects: Offers various devices for sound effects from rasselbock, graphical EQ, autofilter, exciter, stomp boxes, stereo enhancer, and so on.

  • Web-based with no download or installation
  • Easy to use user interface
  • Drag and drop functionality
  • Powerful music editing concepts and effects

  • Challenging for novices and beginners to use advanced features

10. Ashampoo

Lastly, we have the Ashampoo music editing software that you can use to organize, edit, rip, and burn music. It offers a complete music production environment with access to topline features, previously only known to PCs.


Music Editing Software to Elevate Your Audio Project - Ashampoo

You can use it to create playlists, the perfect mix tapes for different events, extract audio from videos, edit audio files, and record audio.

Key features for music editing

  • Split and mix audio: The app can auto-split your music files with its smart splitting element.
  • Files converter: Helps convert your finished music into different audio formats, including FLAC, OGG, and WAV.
  • Keyboard shortcuts: Get faster music editing results using the provided keyboard shortcuts.

  • More than an editor; it can burn and produce quality music
  • Easy-to-navigate dashboard for all-level editors
  • Comprehensive music editing tools to cut, mix, modify, and enhance audio

  • So many features can be overwhelming at first sight

Conclusion

In summary, we've discussed the top ten professional music editing software that is pro and beginner-friendly, including CapCut. Its comprehensive editing tools and an expansive collection of music samples and voice effects surely beat its competitors to set it apart.

Moreover, CapCut is more than a simple music editing software as it can be used for video too. It is a all-in-one editor for all media editing needs and can transform and elevate your music editing journey.

FAQs

  1. Can I use song editing software to record my voice over a music file?
  2. Yes, it is possible to record your voice over a music file. CapCut, the best music editing software, has a voice recorder function to capture and record high-quality voiceovers. It is ideal for making audio files for songs, podcasts, audiobooks, videos, and more.
  3. How to split a song into many pieces line by line with a music editing program?
  4. Add the song you want to split to the CapCut editor interface. Click on the Caption->Auto lyrics icon to generate the lyrics line by line. Determine where you want to split the song and drag the positioning tool following the transcribed text. After placing the positioning tool at the desired point of splitting, click on the Split icon or press Ctrl + B to split the audio track.
  5. How do I combine two audio files into one longer file (one song after the other) with professional music editing software?
  6. Professional music editing software like CapCut allows multi-track uploading, and you can use it to combine two audio files into one. Simply upload the two audio files, and their different waveforms will appear on the timeline. Click and drag the second audio waveform to the right and drop it at the ending mark of the first audio file. This combines the two files to form a continuous, longer audio track that you can download or share as a single file.
  7. How do I remove the vocals (lyrics) only from a song?
  8. There are numerous open-source music editing software that can help separate vocals from a song. For CapCut, simply click on the Import button and select the Extract audio option. The audio extractor will remove lyrics from a song free of charge.
  9. What's the best music editing software to reduce background noise when I edit my MP3 files?
  10. CapCut is hands-down the best yet simple music editing software for all your MP3 editing needs. Its advanced auto noise reduction tool leverages artificial intelligence to automatically detect and reduce background noise. You can use it to remove background noise from audio when editing MP3 files for crisp and clear audio outputs.
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