All programs should include play, record, cut, copy, paste and so on; this rating goes beyond the basic editing tools to include tools such as equalizers, processors, mixers, preset effects, filters as well as analyzing tools like the waveform or spectrogram.
The best products have the ability to "record" sounds saved on the computer from a file, the sound card or from downloaded CDs as well as from outside sources such as a line-in from a stereo or a microphone.
It is also nice if the product includes burning software so that users can use their CD or DVD burner to save their edited audio files.
To be the most compatible, the product must be able to work with and convert many file formats, like the various WAV file types, OGG Vorbis or MPEG as well as Windows Media Audio (WMA).
Ease of Use
All major features of the product should be easy to find and use. It is helpful if the product contains preset effects and filters placed in the drop down menus, mouse zooms, right click edits and unlimited undos. Quick recorders that look for sound cards or streaming audio, without manually having to set the source is also a nice feature.
Help and Support
Audio editing software can be hard for inexperienced audio editors and non-professional mixers to master. Comprehensive help and support offered through FAQs, direct contact to technical support, user forums, help pages or other documentation makes learning to use editing software a snap.
This command or tool is used to convert a set of files from one format to another and/or to apply effects to a set of files.
Used to swap, mix, invert, or combine left and right channels.
Used to mark and describe or hold information pertaining to a specific position of an audio track. For example, a cue point can hold information about a singer or artist or can mark and hold looping points.
Effect Chain Editor
This tool enables the editor to chain a number of effects together to process at one time.
Before saving a new edit, this preview will play and display the changes before implementation.
A device or computer algorithm that increases/decreases the volume of specific bands of frequencies in an audio signal.
Many programs have the ability to convert file formats, for example from a WAV PCM signed 16 bit stereo file to a MPEG Audio (mp3) Layer-3 ACM 44100Hz 128 kbps joint stereo file.
Similar to an equalizer or a parametric equalizer, it is used to adjust frequencies.
Labels and Regional Markers
May also be referred to as a bookmark, it can mark or label a specific time location in an editor window.
Meta Information Editor
Enables editors to enter or edit artist, title, album, year, genre or other information of the selected file.
A device or algorithm, which enhances or directs audio signals to other destinations, singly or together. May also be used to combine selections, for example a techno music file with an audio voice file to create a new techno mix.
Mouse Scroll Zoom
A handy feature that allows users to select a section of the waveform and use the mouse scroll to zoom in and out.
An electronic filter that adjusts frequency, attenuation, amplification and bandwidth on each parametric channel, which can all be used simultaneously or individually bypassed.
A device used to alter the dynamic properties of the recording.
The process of re-recording sections of a previously recorded track, starting a punch may be called "punching in" and ending a punch "punching out."
Right Click Edits
Features accessible through the right click button of a mouse, that may include such functions as play, copy, paste or zoom.
Signal Analysis Tools
Tools used to analyze audio signals as they travel through audio cables, equipment or other system.
Many programs have the ability to separate the tracks into left and right channels, whereas others, depending on the file type, have the ability to break apart multi tracks.
Increases or decreases the playback speed.
Changes volume or loudness.
An effect in which multiple copies of a signal are played together slightly off time from each other.
Reduces the dynamic range of a signal, making loud sounds quieter and the quiet sounds louder.
Fades out one sound while fading in another.
An effect in which a copy of a signal is played back later than the original.
Dynamically changes a pitch.
Volume changes in audio.
A delay-based effect where copies of a signal are introduced then trail off to silence.
Reduces the level of a signal when it falls below a set threshold in order to overemphasize its dynamic range.
Changes level over time increasing/decreasing in amplitude from/to silence.
Delayed repeated signal that produces multiples of the original signal. Or, a loud squeal created when a channel is receiving its own output.
Generates a swirling sound by adding a slightly delayed copy of a signal in which the delay time fluctuates.
Can add odd and even multiples of a fundamental frequency to provide a characteristic (or timbre) to give each instrument or voice a unique sound.
Changes positive offset to negative and vice versa.
Smoothes out the waveform between start and finish markers, often used to remove a pop or click.
Adds a robotic or mechanical characteristic.
An electronic process, in which one source modifies the characteristics of another signal source.
Adds a noise to a selected location, often a Gaussian or White noise.
Process by which the gain of digital audio is increased to its maximum volume.
Adjusts or removes a dc offset in a selection by shifting the waveform up or down.
Adjusts the left/right positioning of a signal within a stereo mix.
An effect, which is a modified flange that adds a swirling sound to a signal.
Changes the frequency of the selected part of an audio file, increases or decreases timbre.
May reduce vocals from certain stereo recording by subtracting the left and right channels or by using a bandstop filter.
Takes a single parameter "sample rate" and recalculates existing audio data using the new sample rate.
An effect in which the ambience of a physical space is simulated, this is achieved by copying a signal many times and repeating it at decreasing levels at intervals so close together that they are heard like one sound.
Plays the audio backwards.
Can insert silence at a selected portion of the audio.
Changes the frequency, duration and pitch of a selected part of the audio.
Time Warp (stretch)
Changes the playback speed or stretches/compresses the length of the selection.
Removes sounds outside of the selected part of audio.
A rhythmic fluctuation in pitch.
Allows only the band of frequencies surrounding the cutoff frequency to pass through.
Does the opposite of Band Pass filters, blocks all frequencies within a specified range.
Only allows the frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency.
High Shelf Pass
Filters frequencies above a selected frequency.
Permits all frequencies lower than the cutoff frequency through.
Low Shelf Pass
A type of filter in which all frequencies below a selected frequency are affected.
Reduces unwanted noises within a sound, such as a background hisses, hums or interference, cannot however be used to separate or remove vocals or voices.
Often referred to as a "band reject filter", attenuates frequencies closest to the center frequency of a filter setting, used to minimize hum or acoustic feedback.
Eliminates abrupt changes in a sound, often used in restoration.
Deletes silence from a selected part of an audio file.
Reduces hiss and crackle, often used when restoring old recordings or LPs.
Applies Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) filter to a selected part of an audio file, smoothes amplitude transitions at various frequencies, points above zero amplify and filter, points below zero attenuate and filter.
A graphical representation of an audio file that is a mathematical representation of a wave, obtained by plotting a characteristic of the wave against time.
Visual display of a frequency graph, the horizontal axis is frequency in Hertz (Hz) and the vertical axis is magnitude in decibels (dB).
Displays the peak volume of the waveform.
Displays frequency information over time, the horizontal axis is time in seconds (s), the vertical axis is frequency in Hertz (Hz), and the color represents the frequency's magnitude (dB). Often used to analyze amplitude versus frequency.
Has the ability to record from a line-in such as a microphone, stereo or other device.
Can record sound from the internet, such as an internet radio station or other streaming audio.
Has the ability to either record from a downloaded CD or can rip directly from a CD.
Can pull audio from a video file.
Can record from Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) files, such as those created from a keyboard.
Has the ability to record what is playing on the sound card, which means that nearly anything can be recorded.