Though there are several free music editing software packages available, a software utility entitled Audacity is very robust and has a version for Mac, Linux, and PC.

Audacity can record live audio via mixer or microphone, as well as digitally capture recordings from cassette tapes, vinyl records, or mini-discs.

Depending on your sound card, Audacity can also grab streaming audio, and you can create multi-track recordings by dubbing over already existing tracks.

Provided that you have multi-channel hardware, Audacity will allow you to record up to 16 hardware) channels at the same time, and software tracks are only limited by your computer’s Ram and CPU capabilities.

Audacity also offers you nice level meters which can monitor pre-recording, during-recording, and post-recording volume levels, simultaneously. Plus, Audacity allows you to create AIFF or WAV files that are suitable for burning to a CD.

Audacity can edit and record 16, 24, and 32-bit samples, and straight record at up to a 96 Khz sampling rate, with file conversion done automatically (in real-time).

Audacity Audio File Compatibility

Importable File Types:

  • WAV
  • AIFF
  • AU
  • Ogg Vorbis
  • All file types supported by libsndfile
  • MP3 (and MP2 audio tracks, with libmad)

Exportable File Types:

  • WAV
  • AIFF
  • AU
  • Ogg Vorbis
  • All file types supported by libsndfile
  • MP3 (with optional encoder library)

Audacity excels at expedient editing of large files, as well as editing and mixing an unlimited number of software tracks.

Built-In Effects:

  • Alter the either the pitch or tempo, without changing the other
  • Remove hiss, static, hum, and other continuous undesirable ambient noise
  • Manipulate frequencies with EQ, Bass Boost, FFT Filter effects
  • Volume effects include Normalize, Compressor, and Amplify
  • Miscellaneous effects include Wah-wah, Echo, Reverse, and Phaser

Free Music Editing SoftwareThe advanced version of Audacity (1.3.3 beta), released this last May 18th, now also allows you to import audio from Apple QuickTime files (.mov, .aac, .m4a), as well as BWF (Broadcast Wave Format) wave files.

Plus, Audacity can now export Meta-data added to OGG files, as well as new user options added for MP3 and FLAC files.

For Windows and OSX users, a command line exporter is now supported, as well as Batch support, a new DTMF Tone Generator (effect), and numerous performance, effects, and overall stability improvements.