You and your band just recorded your new song but somebody sneezed during an otherwise perfect performance. Or maybe you recorded a song on keyboard but want to add a guitar and drums. Perhaps you have a great idea for a podcast but the recording of your first interview needs to be in better shape. These are all reasons to use audio editing to adjust and polish your music or other audio so it can sound the way you want it to – nearly perfect.
Audio editing software helps you perform tasks such as removing unwanted sounds or increasing the decibels in the signal from your instrument. Editing can include cutting audio to a specific length, such as when you need to fit two minutes of music into that 90-second video. You can add fade out or fade in, raise the sound level of a low signal, or reverse a waveform (e.g., a sound going from soft to loud is flipped so it goes from loud to soft). Editing software can help you mix soundtracks from different sources, get rid of frequencies that are too high or low or add sound effects such as reverb, wah-wah, or distortion to your already awe-inspiring guitar solo.
Your audio file and a digital audio workstation (DAW) are the tools you’ll need. A DAW may be thought of as audio editing software itself or as a program already installed on your computer. You’ll also need an audio interface to connect musical instruments, microphones, monitors, or a MIDI piano controller. Some DAWs are best for live musical performances, some are better for editing audio, and others are ideal for scoring music. Some are compatible with both Windows and Mac and many are user-friendly enough for beginners. There are even DAW apps for smartphones if you want to create while you’re on the go.
You can hire a professional sound engineer to improve your audio, but there is help available if you’re serious about taking your own editing skills to another level. Tools such as e-books, instructional videos, articles, and tips from the pros are available online to get you started in video or podcast production. There’s also help if you’re interested in creating and editing music. Online schools and classes are available for beginners and pros alike.
So with the right software, patience, and a bit of hard work you can get rid of that sneeze, air your podcast, and have a creation that you’ll be proud to make public.
