All music production software can be audio editing software, but not all audio editing software can be music production software. If you’re looking for software that can do both music and audio editing, check out our guide on music production software here.

Audio editing software is a computer program that lets you edit, enhance, and refine sound recordings, like removing unwanted noise or adding special effects.

These programs typically include a bunch of tools and features for editing, mixing, and mastering audio files. At the most basic level, you can cut and splice audio clips, adjust volume levels, use equalization, add reverb, and remove background noise (among many other things).

Audio editing software is ideal for the following people:

• Podcasters and podcast editors: podcasters use audio editing software to record, edit, and enhance their audio content. They can remove unwanted noise, cut and rearrange audio clips, add background music, and apply other effects to make their podcasts sound more professional.
• Voiceover artists: many times, voiceover artists need to record and edit themselves from home for commercials, audiobooks, and other projects. They can remove any background noise, adjust the volume, and apply effects to make their voice sound more engaging.
• Filmmakers: a lot of filmmaking software can also edit audio, but they may want to use a separate piece of software to compile and edit sound effects, music, and voiceovers for their films. They can also clean up dialogue recordings and adjust the audio levels to create a more immersive viewing experience.
• YouTubers and content creators: half of a good piece of content is the audio, so content creators need audio editing software to enhance the overall quality of their videos.

Below are some of the best audio editing software programs for you to check out. I suggest trying them all and choosing the one you like the best.

Audacity is the simplest program on this list. Depending on what you need to do, it may not have all the features you need. But it’s a good starting place.

Here’s what’s good about Audacity:

• Free and open-source: it’s completely free to download and use, and it’s also open-source software. This means the software’s source code is available to the public, so developers can modify and improve it.
• User-friendly interface: it has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, even for beginners. The interface includes all the essential features and tools needed for audio editing, like a waveform display and built-in editing tools.
• Several features: despite being a free software, it has a wide range of features that can compete with many paid audio editing software. It can do things like remove background noise, adjust volume levels, add special effects, and much more.
• Multi-platform support: it works on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it accessible to users on various operating systems.
• Community support: it has a large and active user community that provides support and resources for users. This includes tutorials, forums, and documentation.

GarageBand comes preloaded on every Apple computer, and it’s not compatible with any other operating system.

It works as both an audio editor and a music production program. Here’s why it’s good for audio editing:

• User-friendly interface: it has a user-friendly interface that’s easy to use, even for beginners. The interface includes all the essential features and tools needed for audio editing, like sound effects and built-in plugins.
• Integration with other Apple products: it’s part of the iLife suite of software, which means it is integrated with other Apple products like iTunes, iMovie, and Final Cut Pro. This makes it easy to transfer audio files between applications and to create professional-quality audio recordings for use in videos and other projects.
• Built-in virtual instruments and loops: it comes with a range of built-in virtual instruments and royalty-free musical loops. This makes it easy for editors to add their music without needing to purchase additional software or equipment or even know how to make music.
• High-quality sound effects: it comes with a range of high-quality sound effects, including reverb, delay, distortion, and more. These effects can be used to enhance recordings and create a professional-sounding finished product.
• Multi-platform support: it works on macOS and iOS devices, which can be nice if you want to edit on the go.

Reaper is my choice of digital audio workstation for producing music, but I’ve also used it to edit podcasts. It’s definitely a solid choice, and it’s free to use.

Here’s what makes Reaper good for editing audio:

• Customizable interface: it has a highly customizable interface that allows you to tailor the software to your specific needs. You can choose from a range of themes, layouts, and customization options to create a personalized workflow.
• High-quality audio processing: it uses 64-bit internal audio processing, which ensures that recordings sound as clear and crisp as possible. It also supports a wide range of audio formats, sample rates, and bit depths.
• Extensive plugin support: it supports a range of plugins, including VST, VST3, and AU. This lets you add pretty much whatever plugin, effect, or virtual instrument to your library.
• Flexible routing: it has a flexible routing system that allows you to route audio between tracks, buses, and hardware inputs and outputs. This makes it easy to create complex audio routing configurations and to work with multiple inputs and outputs.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Reaper works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it accessible to a wide range of users.

Adobe Audition is a popular and powerful audio editing software that offers a wide range of features and benefits for both amateur and professional users.

Here are some reasons why Adobe Audition is a good audio editing software:

• Comprehensive editing tools: it provides a comprehensive set of editing tools that allows you to edit whatever audio you need to. These tools include multi-track editing, waveform editing, spectral frequency display, and much more.
• Noise reduction and restoration: one of the standout features of Adobe Audition is its powerful noise reduction and restoration tools. With these tools, you can remove unwanted noise, hiss, and hum from recordings, as well as restore damaged or degraded audio files.
• Integration with other Adobe products: it integrates seamlessly with other Adobe products, like Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop. This makes it easy for you to work on your audio projects alongside your video or visual projects.
• User-friendly interface: its interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for you to learn and navigate the software.
• High-quality effects and plugins: it comes with a wide range of high-quality effects and plugins, including reverb, delay, and EQ. These tools allow you to add depth and dimension to their audio projects.

Hindenburg Pro is a professional-grade audio editing software that’s designed specifically for podcasters, journalists, and other audio storytellers.

Here’s why Hindenburg Pro is good for editing audio:

• Non-destructive editing: it features a non-destructive editing workflow, which means you can edit your audio files without altering the original source material. This makes it easy to experiment with different edits and undo mistakes without having to start over from scratch.
• Automatic leveling and EQ: it has a unique feature called the “Magic Leveling Tool,” which automatically adjusts the volume levels of all the tracks in a project to create a consistent and balanced sound. It also includes automatic EQ, which adjusts the tonal balance of each track to optimize clarity and intelligibility.
• Integrated recorder: it has an integrated recorder that lets you capture high-quality audio directly within the software. This is super useful for podcasters and journalists who need to conduct interviews or capture on-location sound.
• User-friendly interface: its interface is intuitive and user-friendly, and it also includes a range of helpful tutorials and resources to help you get started.
• Affordable pricing: compared to other professional-grade audio editing software, Hindenburg Pro is relatively affordable. This makes it a great option for podcasters, journalists, and other audio storytellers who need powerful editing tools on a budget.