When it comes to digital audio editors, Audacity is one of the best. Besides having a recording function, it can also post-process all types of audio. With this editor, you can reduce background noise, trim your clips or apply effects such as fading in and out.
What are the pros and cons of Audacity?
Before exploring alternative solutions, let’s identify the advantages and disadvantages of using Audacity. If we look at the pros, Audacity is:
Free to use;
Compatible with Windows, Mac and Linux;
Easy to learn;
Rich in plugins and analysis features.
Now let’s consider the cons of Audacity:
It isn’t a full-fledged DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) so you can only use it for simple tasks;
Multiple users have reported bugs that affect workflow and productivity.
What Audacity alternatives should you consider? Discover your ideal Audacity substitute
Although Audacity is a great tool overall, it doesn’t mean it’s right for everyone. Maybe you don’t like the intricate UI or simply wish to test out other tools. Luckily, this article will showcase several alternatives so that you can quickly identify your ideal option.
The best alternative to Audacity depending on your operating system
When researching competitors, it is important to consider special features and user-friendly interfaces that make software more convenient to use, depending on your tasks. Whether you’re searching for beginner-friendly options or more advanced features, this article will uncover ideal substitutes. Read on to discover how simple it is to record your audio, edit it on your own or collaborate with fellow artists.
Discover the top Audacity alternatives on Windows
Wavosaur
If you’re searching for a way to edit, produce music loops, record, and analyze audio, your search ends here because Wavosaur does them all. It also supports real-time effect processing, multichannel wav files and VST plugins.
WavePad
This is a full-featured professional audio and music editor. It fulfills the needs of advanced users related to audio editing. You can use it for recordings and adding different effects such as noise reduction, amplification and echo.
Ardour
Ardour is perfect for musicians as it provides creative ways to edit audio files. With this solution, you’ll gain complete control over your tools and cut, stretch, delete, trim, align, paste, snapshot, drag, swing and drop your audio files as you please.
Explore Audacity alternatives for Mac
GarageBand
If we are to compare Audacity to GarageBand, the former is a digital audio editor whereas the latter is a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). GarageBand’s intuitive, modern design enables you to easily play, record and create your audio files.
By choosing GarageBand, you’ll have access to pre-recorded loops, free lessons, MIDI recording, virtual instruments and instrument Plugins (such as virtual synths).
DaVinci Resolve Fairlight
Unlike the solutions mentioned above, DaVinci Resolve Fairlight comes with a unique feature: it is the world’s first and only audio post-production software that’s completely integrated with picture editing.
In addition to real-time track effects, Fairlight provides real-time equalization and dynamics processing making it more powerful than other digital audio workstations.
n-Track Studio 9
Looking for a studio-quality recording, editing and mixing solution? If so, you should know that n-Track Studio has them all. Choose this tool to enjoy professional audio quality and easy workflow.
What's the best Audacity alternative for Linux users?
Ocenaudio
Oceanaudio comes with great benefits. Firstly, it’s easy to use — which will satisfy the needs of beginners. Secondly, it comes with powerful features that will delight more advanced users. Unlike Audacity, Oceanaudio supports hidpi files and it has a more modern and intuitive UI. It’s also cross-platform and runs fast at native speed.
REAPER
If you’re looking for a complete digital audio production application, REAPER is your ideal solution. It offers a full multitrack audio and MIDI recording, editing, processing, mixing and mastering toolset. You won’t meet any digital roadblocks anymore as REAPER supports a vast range of hardware, digital formats and plugins.
Tenacity
Tenacity is built on top of Audacity and it’s described as a privacy-friendly, FLOSS, cross-platform multi-track audio editor and recorder. Some of the most impressive features of Tenacity are:
Recording from audio devices
Exporting and importing a wide range of audio formats
Accessibility such as editing via keyboard, screen reader support and narration support
What Audacity Chromebook alternative you should consider
TwistedWave Online
TwistedWave is a great online Audacity alternative. You can easily access it to record and edit any audio file. Since the audio is stored and processed on the server, you won’t have to download anything. More importantly, everything you create will be automatically saved. No more lost projects!
Soundation
Soundation is a fully-featured web app that will help you create songs from instruments, loops and your own recordings. One special feature is that it integrates with Google Hangouts making it easy for all users of the Hangouts app to see the studio editing screen and chat about it in real time.
Soundtrap
When we talk about Sountrap, the main benefit is global collaboration. It makes it easy to work together with other artists in real time. This digital audio workstation comes with a large selection of loops to compose your songs with. Additionally, Soundtrap makes it easy to get your music on to Spotify and iTunes.
Free alternatives to Audacity
You don’t have to spend a fortune to make the most of your audio files. In fact many great alternatives for Audacity are free (such as Ocenaudio). Let’s look at other popular ones:
MixPad
You can use MixPad as your digital mixing desk. It enables you to mix media files, add audio effects, compress output, and upload data to cloud storage. You can simply drag and drop files in the timeline — which makes the software quite efficient.
Sneedacity
Sneedacity is a free, open source, and privacy-respecting audio recording and editing suite forked from Audacity. Sneedacity allows you to record from any real, or virtual audio device that is available to the host system. You can import and export a wide range of audio formats.
Audacium
Audacium is an easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. By choosing Audacium, you will enjoy editing multi-track editing with sample accuracy and arbitrary sample rates.
Flixier
If you’re looking for a quick solution to record your audio, take a look at Flixier. Flixier allows you to record your own voice tracks, import music and voice overs from your computer or Soundcloud. It’s easy to edit your audio with features such as Gain sliders, an Equalizer, as well as fades. With Flixier you’ll add audio to your video in minutes, and your content will be fresh, impactful and touching.
Pro tips when recording audio
When recording audio it is often difficult to go for a long time without stuttering and when you finally do it but realize your sound quality isn’t great or some other noises crept in it really gets frustrating. We have a few quick tips to help you out:
Use cue cards
When talking freely, it’s only normal to pause your speech searching for the right words to say. It can also happen to digress from the original topic. To avoid such things, use cue cards. They will help you deliver a logical, natural speech flawlessly.
Put your phone in airplane mode
To avoid any unwanted phone signals, it’s best to put your phone in airplane mode rather than keeping it on silent.
Get rid of the echo
Find or create the right space for you to record your audio. Books dampen the echo and so do blankets.
With so many audio editors online, there are no limits in terms of what you can create. So get ready to share your inspiring message with the whole world! We’re excited to see what you’ll launch next.
