General Question

asmonet's avatar

What are some good free music editing programs?

Asked by asmonet (21445points) December 2nd, 2008

I’m looking for some solid programs, with the ability to add instrumentation like drums or bass if possible that are free and do not restrict the amount of time you can save of any particular music file. It must be able to handle multiple layers of music files so I could record things separately and combine them later. Any ideas?

I’m not interested in ‘free trial programs’ I need this to be a full program. :)

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16 Answers

forestGeek's avatar

Audacity is great, been around for years, and is open source.

wilhel1812's avatar

One more for Audacity here!

jtvoar16's avatar

Final Cut Pro… Adobe Soundbooth, Garageband…
Oh wait… you meant—legal free programs…
Ya, in that case: One more vote for Audacity! I don’t use it much, but my friend uses it all the time.

wilhel1812's avatar

I’d say Logic Studio if you were to talk about professional programs. Final Cut is for video editing.

tonedef's avatar

A-baby, are you looking for software that has prerecorded samples that you can record other layers over? If so, it really is worth it to nab yourself a copy of Garageband (if you’re on a Mac). It’s perfect software for audio amateurs.

I know that you specifically did not ask for shareware, but I’m finding a lot of good stuff about Mixcraft for Windows. From Wikipedia: “A free 7-day unlimited trial is available on the Acoustica web site. Unlike most trials, most features are still active when the trial expires, with the exception of burning CDs and outputting music mixes to a single audio file.” If you’re looking for software like this for free, I really don’t think that it exists

Sony Acid Xpress has a 10-track limit, but is free and powerful.

Whatever you record, if you use any of the software that jellies recommended, you’re obligated to post a sample for us to hear! ;)

Foolaholic's avatar

Audacity yet again

tonedef's avatar

Everyone is suggesting Audacity, but I really can only use it for taking samples out of existing files, or recording simple files. It can’t facilitate you in creating a song if you don’t have professional recording equipment or a backing band. It’s good at what it does, but sort of quirky, and limited.

Edit: I’m bringing this up due to questioner’s criterion of, “the ability to add instrumentation like drums or bass if possible.”

fireside's avatar

Yeah, Audacity is definitely a mixing program, not music creation.
I figure as long as I have the audio files already set, i can do any amount of editing and mixing with the waveforms.

cookieman's avatar

Garage Band and Audacity together are great for amateur (low-level pro?) audiophiles.

I use them to produce radio commercials and the occasional podcast for my day job.

Of course, GarageBand is only on a Mac. I don’t know, but I assume there must be something similar for PC users.

wilhel1812's avatar

I’d choose Logic Express over the Garage Band-Audacity combination. Audacity and Garage Band is very different

cookieman's avatar

@wilhel1812: I would agree with you, except that asmonet is looking for free applications.

Logic Express 8.0 is $199.00 at the Apple Store.

jtvoar16's avatar

Oops, your right. I wrote that at 4 in the morning. I never know what I am doing at that time in the morning! Sorry.

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GlennBFisher's avatar

Hey, If you are looking for online music editing program online than there are number of options available through which you will best music experience. It is also very beneficial for the new talent who don’t get chance in music industries may enhance their talent with online music editing program.

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