A Practical Software Directory for Solo Builders
Editing and refining recordings for different projects
Audio recordings often need a little shaping before they’re ready to share, whether you’re preparing a podcast, video soundtrack or voice recording.
Tools in this category will help you to...
Edit recordings, arrange clips, balance levels and reduce unwanted noise. Some focus on quick, straightforward changes, while others offer multitrack timelines and detailed controls. Explore options that suit the material you’re working with, the finish you’re aiming for and the amount of control your editing process requires.
Async (formerly Podcastle) is a browser-based audio editor for podcasts, interviews, voiceovers and other spoken content. Upload a recording or record within the platform, then trim clips, arrange separate tracks and adjust volume levels. Text-based editing lets you make changes through a transcript, while AI tools can reduce background noise, balance voices and remove long pauses. A free account requires no card details but limits audio exports to one file at up to 160kbps MP3. Paid plans provide unlimited exports, higher-quality MP3 and WAV downloads, and larger allowances for transcription and other features.
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Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor and recorder for Windows, macOS and Linux. Record through a microphone or import existing files, then trim unwanted sections, rearrange clips and combine voices, music or sound effects on separate tracks. Tools for reducing background noise, balancing volume and adding fades help you prepare recordings for podcasts, voiceovers and video projects. Export finished audio in formats including MP3 and WAV, with optional plugins available for additional effects. Its core recording and editing features have no subscription fees or monthly usage limits, although learning the controls takes some practice.
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Descript helps you record and edit audio or video podcasts through a written transcript. Delete words to cut them from the recording, rearrange sections and combine separate speaker tracks. Record remote interviews, improve noisy audio with Studio Sound, and use AI tools to remove filler words, draft show notes or create promotional clips. The free plan includes one hour of recorded or uploaded media per month and 100 one-off AI credits. Free video exports carry a watermark. Paid subscriptions increase monthly media allowances and AI credits and provide video exports without watermarks.
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ocenaudio is a free desktop audio editor for Windows, macOS and Linux. Use it to trim recordings, remove unwanted sections, adjust volume and apply effects to interviews, voiceovers or other audio files. You can listen to the result while adjusting an effect, helping you judge changes as you work. Optional plugins provide additional effects, while its selection tools let you apply the same changes to several parts of a recording. There are no monthly processing allowances, making it a useful option for straightforward editing on your own computer.
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REAPER is a desktop application for recording, editing and mixing audio on Windows, macOS and Linux. Arrange voices, music and sound effects on separate tracks, trim and move sections, balance volume levels and apply effects. It suits projects needing detailed control, although its extensive features take time to learn. A fully functional 60-day trial lets you explore the software before buying. Continued use requires a one-off licence: US$60 for personal use or commercial use where annual gross revenue does not exceed US$20,000; otherwise US$225. Prices exclude applicable taxes.
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