Best FREE Audio (Music) Editing Software for PC in 2023

1. Audacity

Audacity is a free, open-source digital audio editor and recording application that can be used on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems. It was first released in May 2000 and has since become a popular choice for audio editing, podcasting, music production, and other audio-related tasks.

Features:

Audacity offers a variety of features for audio editing and recording, including:

• Recording and playback: Audacity can record audio from various sources, such as a microphone, line input, or computer playback.
• Editing tools: The application offers a range of editing tools, including cut, copy, paste, trim, and silence. It also has features like normalizing, amplifying, and fading in/out for adjusting audio levels.
• Effects: Audacity includes a variety of built-in effects, such as EQ, compression, reverb, and chorus. Additionally, users can download and install third-party plugins to extend the capabilities of the software.
• Multi-track editing: Audacity can handle multiple tracks, allowing users to mix and edit audio files from different sources.

Cost of Service:

Audacity is completely free to use. It is open-source software, which means that the source code is available for anyone to use, modify, and distribute. Additionally, there are no hidden costs or subscription fees associated with using Audacity. Users are free to use and distribute the software for personal, educational, or commercial purposes.

At last, Audacity is a powerful and versatile audio editing application that offers a range of features for users of all skill levels. Its free and open-source nature makes it an accessible option for anyone looking to edit or record audio without breaking the bank.

2. Soundop

Soundop is a professional audio editor software application that provides a comprehensive set of audio editing, recording, mixing, and mastering features. It is designed for both beginners and professionals and supports a wide range of audio file formats, including MP3, WAV, AAC, FLAC, OGG, and more.

Features:

• Audio Editing: Soundop provides a range of audio editing features, including cut, copy, paste, delete, silence, and crop. It also supports advanced editing features such as spectral editing, batch editing, and noise reduction.
• Audio Recording: Soundop allows you to record audio from various sources, including microphone, line-in, and streaming audio.
• Audio Mixing: Soundop provides a powerful mixing console with support for up to 128 tracks, and it allows you to mix multiple tracks with effects and automation.
• Audio Mastering: Soundop provides a range of mastering tools, including equalization, compression, limiting, and normalization.
• Audio Restoration: Soundop includes advanced audio restoration tools that allow you to remove clicks, pops, and other unwanted noise from your recordings.
• VST and VST3 Plugins: Soundop supports VST and VST3 plugins, which allows you to extend its functionality with third-party plugins.

Cost of service:

Soundop offers a free version with limited features, as well as a paid version with more advanced features. The cost of the paid version of Soundop depends on the license you choose:

Single License: $59.99

Volume License: Contact Soundop for pricing information

Educational License: $29.99

Overall, Soundop is a powerful and versatile audio editor software application with a comprehensive set of features that make it a great choice for both beginners and professionals.

3. Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition is a professional audio editing software developed by Adobe Systems. It is designed for audio and video post-production workflows, audio restoration, and mastering. It offers a variety of features for audio editing and manipulation, including waveform and spectral editing, noise reduction, audio restoration, and audio effects processing.

Here are some of the features of Adobe Audition:

• Multitrack Recording and Mixing: Adobe Audition supports multitrack recording and mixing, allowing you to record multiple tracks simultaneously and mix them together in real-time.
• Waveform and Spectral Editing: Adobe Audition offers advanced waveform and spectral editing tools that allow you to visually edit your audio files with precision.
• Noise Reduction and Audio Restoration: Adobe Audition includes powerful noise reduction and audio restoration tools that can help you remove unwanted noise, clicks, pops, and hums from your recordings.
• Audio Effects Processing: Adobe Audition offers a wide range of audio effects processing tools that allow you to add creative effects to your audio files.
• Integration with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps: Adobe Audition integrates seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps such as Premiere Pro and After Effects, making it easy to work on audio for video projects.

Cost of Service:

Adobe Audition is available through a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. The cost of a subscription to Creative Cloud varies depending on the plan you choose. The most popular plan for individuals is the Creative Cloud All Apps plan, which includes access to all Adobe apps, including Audition, and costs $52.99 per month. There are also discounted plans available for students and teachers. Additionally, Adobe offers a free trial of Audition for 7 days, allowing users to try out the software before committing to a subscription.

4. AudioLab

AudioLab is a powerful audio processing library for MATLAB and C++ that provides a wide range of features and tools for audio analysis, processing, and synthesis.

Some of the key features of AudioLab are:

• Audio File I/O: AudioLab supports various audio file formats, including WAV, MP3, and WMA. It provides functions for reading and writing audio files in these formats.
• Audio Processing: AudioLab provides a comprehensive set of audio processing functions, including filtering, equalization, compression, noise reduction, and other audio processing tasks. It also supports time and frequency analysis of audio signals.
• Real-time Audio Input and Output: AudioLab includes real-time audio input and output capabilities, which allow you to capture audio from a microphone or other input device, process it in real-time, and output it to speakers or other output devices.
• Speech Processing: AudioLab provides functions for speech signal processing, feature extraction, and analysis. It also includes algorithms for speaker recognition and speech synthesis.
• Music Analysis and Synthesis: AudioLab includes tools for music analysis, including beat detection, tempo estimation, and pitch detection. It also supports music synthesis, such as sound synthesis algorithms and waveform generators.

Cost of Service:

The cost of using AudioLab depends on the license type and the number of users. The pricing starts at $299 for a single-user license and goes up to $4999 for a site license that allows unlimited users. A free trial version is also available for download, which can be used for evaluation purposes.

5. AudioDirector 365

AudioDirector 365 is a professional audio editing software developed by CyberLink, designed for video makers, podcasters, and music producers. It provides a powerful set of tools for recording, editing, mixing, and enhancing audio tracks with precision and ease. AudioDirector 365 is available for Windows and can be used as a standalone application or as a plugin for CyberLink PowerDirector video editing software.

Key features of AudioDirector 365

• Multi-track Recording: Record multiple audio tracks simultaneously and edit them individually.
• Audio Restoration: Repair, clean, and enhance audio recordings by reducing noise, and removing clicks, pops, and hums.
• Vocal Transformer: Transform vocals by adjusting pitch, formant, and harmonics to create unique sounds.
• Audio Mixing: Mix and balance multiple audio tracks, add effects, and adjust levels to create a professional-sounding mix.
• Audio Effects: Apply a wide range of effects to your audio tracks, including reverb, delay, distortion, and more.
• Surround Sound: Mix and master audio in 5.1/7.1 surround sound for a cinematic audio experience.
• Batch Processing: Automate repetitive tasks and process multiple audio files at once with batch processing.
• Audio Sync: Sync audio and video tracks automatically or manually with precision.

Cost of Service:

AudioDirector 365 is available as a subscription-based service, where users pay an annual or monthly fee to access the software and receive ongoing updates and technical support. 

6. Pro Tools Studio

Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation (DAW) software developed and owned by Avid Technology. It is widely used in the professional music, film, and television industries for recording, editing, and mixing audio.

Pro Tools comes in several versions, including Pro Tools | First (a free version), Pro Tools Standard, Pro Tools Ultimate, and Pro Tools | HDX. Pro Tools Studio is not a specific version of the software, but rather a general term used to refer to the use of Pro Tools in a professional or semi-professional studio environment.

Features that make Pro Tools Studio a popular choice in the music industry include:

• Advanced audio editing: Pro Tools Studio allows users to perform precise audio edits, including crossfades, fades, and time stretching.
• Mixing capabilities: Pro Tools Studio offers a comprehensive mixing environment that includes features such as automation, bussing, and plug-ins.
• MIDI sequencing: Pro Tools Studio supports MIDI sequencing and can be used to create and edit MIDI tracks.

Cost of Service:

As for the cost of using Pro Tools, it varies depending on the version and the subscription model. Pro Tools | First is free, but has limited features and requires a monthly subscription to access some features. Pro Tools Standard requires a one-time purchase, with an optional annual support plan, while Pro Tools Ultimate and Pro Tools | HDX are only available through a subscription plan.

Overall, Pro Tools Studio is a powerful tool for recording, editing, and mixing audio in a professional studio environment. Its advanced features and industry-standard compatibility make it a popular choice among music professionals, but the cost of use can vary widely depending on the version and subscription model.

7. Ashampoo Music Studio

Ashampoo Music Studio is a comprehensive software application designed for music lovers and professionals alike. It provides a range of tools for music creation, editing, conversion, and organization. The application is available for the Windows operating system.

Features:

• Audio Editing: You can trim, mix, and adjust the volume of your tracks with ease. The software also features an automatic normalization function to ensure consistent volume levels across your music collection.
• Audio Recording: It supports various recording formats, including MP3, WMA, and WAV. You can even record multiple tracks simultaneously and mix them later.
• Audio Conversion: Ashampoo Music Studio allows you to convert audio files between different formats. It supports popular formats such as MP3, WAV, and WMA, as well as lesser-known ones like OGG and FLAC.
• CD Ripping and Burning: The software enables you to rip audio CDs to your computer's hard drive in various formats. You can also create your own custom CDs with your favourite tracks and playlists.
• Music Management: Ashampoo Music Studio provides advanced music management tools to organize and manage your music collection. You can create playlists, tag your tracks with metadata, and even use the application's built-in cover editor to create custom album art.
• DJ Mix Tape: The application comes with a unique feature that allows you to create your own DJ mixtape with automatic crossfading, gapless playback, and beat matching.

Cost:

Ashampoo Music Studio is a paid software, and the cost of the service varies depending on the edition you choose. The standard edition of the software costs $29.99, and the professional edition costs $59.99. The company also offers a 10-day free trial of the software, which you can use to try out the features before making a purchase. Additionally, Ashampoo frequently offers discounts on its products, so you can often find the software on sale.

8. AVS Audio Editor

AVS Audio Editor is a powerful audio editing software that allows users to edit, mix, and enhance audio files with ease. It is designed for both novice and professional users, and it offers a wide range of features to suit different audio editing needs.

Here are some of its main features:

• Audio editing: AVS Audio Editor allows users to cut, trim, join, mix, and apply various effects to audio files. Users can easily remove unwanted parts of an audio file, merge multiple files into one, adjust the volume, add effects, and more.
• Audio effects: The software offers a wide range of audio effects, including echo, reverb, chorus, flanger, phaser, and more. Users can also apply filters, equalizers, noise reduction, and normalization to improve the quality of their audio files.
• Audio recording: AVS Audio Editor allows users to record audio from various sources, such as a microphone, line-in, or sound card. 

Cost of Service:

AVS Audio Editor offers a free trial version, which allows users to test the software before making a purchase. The full version of the software is priced at $39, which includes lifetime access to all the features and updates. The software also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving users the flexibility to try the software risk-free.

9. FL Studio

FL Studio is a digital audio workstation (DAW) software developed by Image-Line. It is a powerful music production tool that allows users to create, record, edit, mix, and master professional-quality music tracks. The software is available for both Windows and macOS platforms.

Features:

• Step Sequencer - FL Studio's step sequencer is one of its most distinctive features. It allows users to quickly create and edit patterns of notes and beats, making it easy to create complex rhythms and melodies.
• Piano Roll - The piano roll is another essential feature of FL Studio. It allows users to view and edit MIDI notes and velocities, making it easy to create and edit melodies, chords, and arpeggios.
• Mixer - FL Studio's mixer is a powerful tool that allows users to mix and master their tracks. It supports unlimited tracks, allowing users to create complex mixes with ease.
• Plugins - FL Studio comes with a range of built-in plugins, including synthesizers, samplers, and effects. Additionally, users can purchase and install third-party plugins to extend the functionality of the software.
• Automation - FL Studio's automation features allow users to automate almost every aspect of their tracks, from volume and panning to effects and instrument settings.
• Recording - FL Studio allows users to record audio and MIDI directly into the software. This makes it easy to capture live performances and create new sounds from scratch.

Cost:

FL Studio is available in four different editions:

Fruity Edition - $99

Producer Edition - $199

Signature Bundle - $399

All Plugins Bundle - $899

Each edition includes a different set of features and plugins. The Fruity Edition is the most basic, while the All Plugins Bundle includes all of the software's features and plugins. Users can upgrade to a higher edition at any time by paying the difference in price. Additionally, FL Studio offers a free trial version that allows users to test the software before purchasing.