Best Free Audio Recording and Editing Software 2024
Audio recording and editing software, also called Digital Audio Workstation, refers to software used for recording, editing, and producing audio for various functions, including podcasts, music, sound effect, audiobook, or other functions.
These audio recording and editing software can be downloaded on a laptop or desktop.
This article will examine the seven best free audio recordings and editing software and their various features, pros, and cons.
Best Free Audio Recording and Editing Software
1. AudioDirector
AudioDirector is regarded as the best overall audio recording and editing software due to its multi-tasked ability to record, edit and mix audio for windows. It is simply swift and easy to operate and a free software containing all the audio tools you need for professional recording, editing, mixing, and producing audio.
AudioDirector helps record professional and highly qualitative audio (podcasts, music, or audiobook). Also, it has standardized sound effects, which can be used to create an excellent voiceover. Also, you can reduce noise from audio and restore tracks from noisy video shoots which are poorly recorded.
The best part of this software is that it is beginner-friendly, so you don’t have to be skilled or have experience before knowing how to use the app. With no or little experience, you can easily navigate your way through the app.
Also, AudioDirector has a vocal balance and instrumentals from any music. You can easily use it to create your cover for a home party.
Features
- Excellent noise reduction
- Pitch adjustment
- Beginner-friendly
- It contains all necessary audio tools
- It’s compatible with windows
- It is multitasking
Pros
- It is easy to use and navigate
- It has a PowerDirector integration feature
- It helps you to access an external sound clip library
Cons
- It can only be used on Windows
2. Garageband
Garageband is an apple product regarded as the best free software for recording music. You can quickly create, edit and share music using this software. Also, it contains a large instrument sound library and over 255 audio tracks that allow you to re-create orchestra sounds with no instruments easily. It has external plug-in support but cannot create quality and professional sounds like other professional audio recording software. It is not easy to operate and navigate.
Also, Garageband contains advanced audio recording features such as Groove Track and Flex Time.
Features
- Aids 24-bit recording
- It saves tracks as ringtone
- It has an internal customized instrument for learning lessons
- MacBook compatibility
Pros
- It has a large instrument sound library
- It has a streamlined interface
- It contains Groove Track and Flex Time.
Cons
- It is only compatible with Apple/IOS system
3. WavePad Audio Editing Software
WavePad features an extensive toolbox of effects that enables you to amplify, equalize, envelope, normalize, reverb, reverse, echo audio, and so many more, making it the best free audio recording and editing software for sound effects.
In addition to the extensive toolbox of effects, WavePad has audio restoration tools such as pop removal and noise reduction, including voice changer and text-to-speech options.
Using WavePad, you can cut, insert, silence, copy, paste, compress, delete, auto-trim, and pitch shift sound effects that are highly qualitative. This software is used in creating professional voiceovers for external and official voiceovers.
Wavepad conations advanced audio editing tools that make it compatible for official and home use. Also, it is easy for beginners to use and operate.
Features
- It is both compatible with Windows and MacBook
- It has extensive support for popular audio formats
- It is beginner-friendly
Pros
- Contain an extensive collection of audio editing tools
- It is easy for beginners to use
- Its royalty-free sound effects help you to create ringtone form your recordings and music collection easily
Cons
- It does not have the multi-tracked recording
- Rendering can be very slow
4. Audiotool
Audiotool is an audio recording and editing software designed to connect artists in real-time to support collaboration making it the best free audio recording software for artist collaboration.
With Audiotool, producers can work simultaneously on projects and connect them. It has an internal built-in publishing platform that helps you to publish audio products and get instant feedback on them.
Also, Audiotool provides a video and audio text chat to aid the collaboration process.
It is one of the best software to produce music at an affordable rate and is excellent for mixing and testing music tracks. Additionally, it contains an extensive collection of audio editing tools that helps to route, chop, split and merge two or more music tracks.
This free audio collaboration software features 200K presets for effects and synthesizers, many virtual instruments, and a library of user-created music samples.
The drawback is that it is not suitable for recording other audio packages apart from music, such as interviews, voiceovers, podcast, audiobook, or any form of spoken-word project.
Features
- MIDI effects
- Powerful collaboration tools
- Audio and video text chat
Pros
- It is browser-based, enabling you to access audio files from any computer.
- It has an extensive library of user-created music samples
- Perfect for producing and collaborating on music projects on budget
Cons
- It uses a lot of space in the computer, which can slow down the computer and possibly cause crashing.
- It can only record 30-second samples, which is inadequate for other audio projects.
5. OcenAudio
OcenAudio is the best free audio recording and editing software for a beginner because of its great and super easy interface.
Using the OcenAudio, you can easily access and download files from your local storage or cloud servers and, at the same time, edit them using keyboard shortcuts. This helps to minimize time.
One helpful feature of the OcenAudio is that it gives you the opportunity to preview your sound effects in real time before producing them. Also, you can quickly try out different sound effects on the audio to check which is most suitable for your audio package.
The drawback of this app is that it is not regularly updated, making it slightly unsuitable for professional use, which demands the need to use the latest audio editing feature.
Features
- It is compatible with Mac, Windows, and Linux
- Super easy interface
- Background audio encoding
Pros
- Easy interface
- It helps to preview audio in real time
Cons
- It has a slow rate of updating
- It doesn’t support recording multi-track session
6. Ashampoo Music Studio
Ashampoo Music Studio features an extensive and embodied managing and editing program, making it the best free software for CD creation. Ashampoo allows you to design CD labels, creates playlist/mixtapes, and burn discs.
You can use the Ashampoo Music Studio to perform many functions, from filing metadata tags and recording to extracting audio tracks from a video file.
You can use modified and recorded features to produce audio using the Ashampoo Music Studio. However, it is not very suitable for professional use. It is advised to use the Ashampoo Music Studio if your music editing needs are pretty straightforward and easy,
Features
- It is only compatible with Windows
- Comprehensive managing and editing audio program,
- It has a flexible cover search
- Excellent synchronization
Pros
- Support the making of CDs and mixtapes
- Easy interface which makes sit suitable for novice
Cons
- It does not multitrack support
- It is only compatible with Windows
- Not ideal for professional and complex use
7. Acoustica
Are you looking for professional, cost-effective recording and editing audio software? Then Acoustica is your best pick.
Acoustica features a professional interface and unlimited abilities to undo and redo audio files and supports non-destructive edits and DirectX plug-ins. The rate of editing is fast and comes out in professional quality. You can record audios from various sources using this free software, such as analog gear, sound card, or line-in.
The Acoustica comes in both free and premium versions. The free version lacks some professional tools you will need for professional or corporate purposes. In this case, you can upgrade to the premium version.
With Acoustica, you can access many Legacy software without paying for them, such as DJ Twist, Audio Converter, Burn, and Beatcraft.
The drawback of this software is that it has not been updated since 2019 and may never be updated. Also, the software lacks some features, such a multitrack audio mixing, pre-set filters, and audio restoration tools. However, you must upgrade to the premium version to access these features. The free version is limited in function.
Key Features
- It is compatible with Windows
- It comes in free and premium versions
- Features layer effects
- The professional interface that makes it suitable for advanced projects
- CD ripping support
Pros
- Editing is fast and very qualitative
- Unlimited ability to undo and redo the audio
- Support recording of audio from various sources
Cons
- It has not been updated since 2019
- It can only be sued on Windows
- Lack of pre-set filter, multitrack mixing, and restoration tools.
Conclusion
Your recording and editing needs, including the laptop software you use, will determine the choice of your free recording and editing software. They have their different designation, uses, and supported platforms. Ensure you carefully review their pros and cons to choose the one that best suits your need.