If you’re in a band or a budding music producer, finding a good audio editing app for Mac can be quite difficult if you don’t know what you’re doing.
To help you with that, we have put together this list of our favorite Mac audio editing software that are free to use or get started.
We will break down the best options and explain why we think they are such good choices.
1. GarageBand
Why spend hours upon hours looking for something to edit your music with when Apple gives you a great program built directly into your Mac? GarageBand is surprisingly feature-rich for an included software, giving you plenty of tools and power to create or edit your next hit!
Interface: Like everything that Apple creates, GarageBand’s interface looks slick and minimalistic. It has that futuristic, smooth styling that you would expect from a built-in Mac app. Nothing to complain about here, just a good-looking program.
Tools: While you may not find a tool set as robust as some other paid options, you get a ton to work with here. From cleaning up noise to adding echo, you can do just about anything you can imagine.
Ease of Use: GarageBand is definitely one of the easiest programs to use on this list. Its simplistic interface and intuitive controls not only make it one of the simplest free programs out there, but they also add a layer that more expensive programs don’t have.
What We Like:
- Comes standard on all Macs
- Easy to use
What We Don’t Like:
- Not great for advanced editing
2. Audacity
Audacity has been the go-to program for podcasters and indie musicians for many years now. If you want to try something new instead of only using GarageBand, Audacity is the first stop you should make.
It’s quite easy to use, has a basic interface, and has the ability to add tons of plug-ins to its already impressive toolset. Overall, Audacity is a great music editing software that should not be overlooked.
Interface: Extremely basic, and quite ugly by today’s standards. Not overly intuitive in its layout, and a bit of a learning curve is required to understand your way around the program. However, once you get your mind around the tool layout, it’s easy to navigate.
Tools: Audacity has quite a few built-in effects to help you get the most out of your audio file, but the real magic here comes from the plethora of plugins that are available to download across the internet. Chances are if there is an effect you are looking to replicate, you’ll be able to find it.
Ease of Use: Audacity is quite easy to use. The main tools are all very simple to understand, and the basics have a low learning curve. However, the more and more filters and plug-ins you install, the more difficult it is to use. Get to know the UI before taking on more add-ons.
What We Like:
- Simple interface
- Great for spoken word such as podcasts
What We Don’t Like:
- Outdated GUI
3. WavePad
WavePad is an extremely powerful audio editing software that has a ton of tools to help edit your music. While it may not be the easiest to use out of the free apps here, it is definitely one of the most robust.
It has features that you can’t get anywhere else without spending hundreds of dollars, which makes it one of the most impressive free music editing apps out there.
Interface: The WavePad interface is minimalistic and has a rather nice look. The simple, minimalistic design is quite pleasing, even if the menu systems can get quite deep and somewhat confusing.
Tools: This is where WavePad shines. It has every tool you could imagine, allowing you endless possibilities when editing your music. Anything you need can be done right in the software. Finding the tools and learning them can take some time, but that curve is absolutely worth the payoff.
Ease of Use: WavePad is not the easiest program to use, especially for those who want to take advantage of its more powerful tools. The basic functions are rather straightforward, but if you want to do some professional editing, you’ll have to dig around a bit to find what you need.
What We Like:
- Sleek user interface
- Quick and easy to edit audio
What We Don’t Like:
- Free version lacks some functionality
4. Ocenaudio
Ocenaudio may look quite simple, but this app has a ton of features that can rival much more expensive software. This is a great choice for those who want a powerful, feature-rich audio editor for their music.
Interface: Ocenaudio comes with a simple user interface. The basic look makes it easily accessible, especially for newcomers to the editing world. From the basic button layout to the simple and intuitive menu system, you should have no problem with Ocenaudio’s interface.
Tools: This app is loaded with high-end audio editing tools. It rivals the others on this list, largely because it allows you to hear your audio in real time as you apply the effects to it. That amazing feature is unique to the program and can cut down on your editing time in a big way.
Ease of Use: Ocenaudio looks simple, and that’s because it is. However, don’t let that fool you. There are a ton of powerful tools here, and with that power comes a bit of a learning curve. Take your time and learn how it works. You won’t be disappointed.
What We Like:
- Simple interface
- Good selection of filters
What We Don’t Like:
- Can be difficult to use
Final Thoughts
Finding free Mac audio editing software is much more difficult than it is on a PC, but the apps listed above are all great. No matter which you choose, know that you’re getting well-constructed software that’s capable of editing music exactly to your specifications.
It is easy to get caught up in the fact that the above applications are free, but they all will deliver excellent results. Just pick the one that is in line with the music you want to make and you’ll be ready to go. Also, make sure you are running the software on a decent laptop that’s good for music/audio production.
What kind of music do you make? What editing app do you use on your Mac? Let us know in the comments below!
