Most audio editing tools cost money. Audio tools are not quite as easy to find and download safely as animation or art tools – for some reason, the online space for downloadable MP3s and tools to alter them is scary, possibly a holdover from the heydays of music piracy.
However, with a little caution and some research, you can find a treasure trove of free, (relatively) easy-to-use tools for your music, podcasts, movies, et cetera. Many of them are permanently free and open-source, and most publish as MP4s or formats usable between programs, so if your trial ran out for a paid software and you’d like to jump ship, it’s worth investigating to see if there’s one compatible with the work you’ve already done.
Audacity is an older program, and one that’s well known for being simple. There are no multiple lines of crazy colors between channels – you get your channels, you get your sounds, that’s pretty much it. Audacity shows you the soundwaves you’re working with. You won’t be making the crazy mashups you see online, and it’s not great for producing music exclusively, but you’ll be able to edit out coughs or awkward pauses for your podcast or music warmups recording.
Plenty of free programs are feature-rich if Audacity is too plain for you! Alternatives include WaveForm, which has a look more familiar to younger audiences, the group expecting a night-mode-friendly UI, more channels, and less picture in exchange for better labeling choices, color and name. Meanwhile, Cakewalk has a quirkier layout that might be better for more experienced users, necessitating a couple of other downloads (including one that requires an account to use) before you can start making things. Live Lite is a free version of the Live DAW, and has tools for composing as well as live music.
The struggle of a beginner in any craft is deciding where to spend money, or if they even need to. Want to start bouldering? It’s better to rent equipment before splurging on shoes and discovering they don’t fit. Want to start playing an instrument? You probably don’t need concert-grade if you’re just bringing a guitar to campfires for some casual playing. Trying to start a podcast? It’s worth getting a good microphone, but you don’t necessarily need a top-of-the-line audio studio setup if your sound quality is already good to start with. This principle will save time and money, and if it turns out a paid plan actually has the tools you want the most? You started with a free program instead of a subscription to another plan, so you’ve saved yourself some effort on that front.
