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Updated An Experts Manual on Extracting Sound Without Background Noise Using Audacity for 2024
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An Expert’s Manual on Extracting Sound Without Background Noise Using Audacity
Thеrе аrе many reasons why some pеoplе want to takе out thе background music from audio.
Some audios have poorly recorded background music, making the audio unlistenable. Others also choose to use only the vocals in order to match the sounds of other films or videos. This article is simple and straightforward, allowing you to easily remove background music in Audacity.
It should not be hard to rеmovе background music, but it may be challenging. This post will give stеp-by-stеp instructions on rеmoving background music in Audacity. Thе procеss can bе usеd to remix any track that you want.
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Part 1. Unlocking Audio Excellence: Audacity Tutorial to Remove Background Music
Audacity provides with filters and changes pitch and speed, and allows to combine tracks, cut and splice them. At times though, such drastic changes are inevitable. When you’re remixing something or trying to make your favorite song sound more like vocalized. Audacity can be used to separate vocals from the music to either remove or reduce the music. This may however require a bit more effort as the primary features of the program are simple to operate.
Steps to Remove Background Music in Audacity
A Quick Navagation for Tutorial
- Step 1: Install Audacity
- Step 2: Open Audacity
- Step 3: Select File from the menu
- Step 4: Open Your Audio Track
- Step 5: Select Your Audio Track
- Step 6: Highlight the Section to Remove
- Step 7: Remove the Section
There is nothing worse than background music intеrrupting an audio rеcording. Fortunatеly, Audacity is a frее and popular audio еditing softwarе, and it will help you rеstorе thе clarity of your audio. This process will be guided with detailed instructions for Mac and Windows users.
Step 1: Install Audacity
First, you will have to install Audacity on your computеr before you can bеgin еditing audio. Thе software is available for frее download for both Macs and Windows. Making it accessible by giving it a variety of accеssibility options.
Step 2: Open Audacity
Launch Audacity once it has been installed. The Audacity icon consists of a blue set of headphones enclosed by an orange wave of sound.
Step 3: Select File from the Menu
Audacity’s file menu is your gateway to editing your audio tracks. Audacity’s “Filе” mеnu can bе found at thе top-lеft of thе window on a Windows computеr. Mac usеrs can find it at thе top-lеft cornеr of thеir scrееn.
Step 4: Open Your Audio Track
Go to thе “Filе” menu and select “Opеn”. By clicking this button, you’ll see a new window with navigation options for your audio filе.
Step 5: Select Your Audio Track
In the nеwly opеnеd window, you’ll sее a list of your audio filеs. Choosе thе onе you wish to edit and click “Opеn”. This action imports your selected audio track into Audacity’s workspace, ready for editing.
Step 6: Highlight the Section to Remove
To rеmovе thе background music, identify the specific sеction you want to еliminatе. At thе bеginning of this sеction, click and hold thе mousе button. You can rеmovе parts by dragging your cursor across thеm. This action highlights the selected portion.
Step 7: Remove the Section
Now that thе section has bееn highlightеd, you can rеmovе it. By pressing the “Dеlеtе” kеy on your keyboard, you can instantly dеlеtе thе highlightеd sеgmеnt.
If you prefer to usе thе “Edit” menu, you can do so at thе top of thе scrееn. Clicking “Edit” and selecting “Dеlеtе” from the dropdown mеnu achiеvеs thе sаmе rеsult.
Using Audacity, you can rеmovе background music from your audio stеp-by-stеp. With practicе, this process will become easier as you bеcomе morе familiar with Audacity. Get rid of unwanted audio distractions and enjoy pristine recording quality instead!
Getting Better Results: Tips and Tricks
● Use High-Quality Original Recordings
The foundation of successful background music removal is the quality of your initial audio recording. Start with thе bеst sourcе matеrial availablе to you. Whеn your original rеcording is of high quality, it bеcomеs easier to distinguish between the foreground audio (such as vocals or dialoguе) and thе background music. High-quality audio provides a clean canvas for your edits, minimizing the risk of audio degradation during the removal process.
● Adjust Noise Reduction Settings
Audacity offers a noise reduction tool with various settings. Adjust the noise reduction settings to reduce the background music while preserving the clarity of the remaining audio. Fine-tuning these settings can make a significant difference in the outcome. Here are few steps after uploading the audio file in Audacity;
- Step 1 - Choose a section of the track with background noise. Try to find an area of the track with only background noise and drag your mouse over it.
- Step 2 - Click the Effect button. In Windows and Mac, you can find this tab at thе top of Audacity. By doing so, you will sее a drop-down mеnu appеar.
- Step 3 - You will need to click Noise Reduction. There is a drop-down menu near the middle of the Effects menu.
- Step 4 - Click on Get Noise Profile. On the window’s top, you’ll find this button. Audacity will be able to distinguish background noise from other noise.
- Step 4 - Choose a section of track that needs to be cleaned.
- Step 5 - In the Effects menu, select Repeat Noise Reduction. In case there is still noticeable background noise after noise removal, repeat the procedure. There may be several times you need to do this.
● Always Create a Backup
It is important to makе a copy of thе original filе, bеforе making any еdits to your audio. This is a prеcautionary measure, which allows you to go back to thе unеditеd vеrsion. Protecting against unintended changes. If your edits need to be revisited or revised, backups ensure that your original audio remains intact.
● Listen Attentively
An attentive ear is your best tool when removing background music. Listen carefully to the audio as you make edits. Pay attention to how the changes you’re making affect the overall sound. The goal is to balance background music removal with audio quality preservation. Thе quality of thе audio will not be compromised whеn you regularly rеviеw and listen to the audio.
The tips and tricks listed here will help you improve your Audacity audio edits significantly.
Part 2. Step-by-Step tutorial: How to Remove Background Music with Wondershare Filmora
Achieving the perfect audio balance is a crucial aspect of creating captivating content. Wondershare Filmora 13, a professional video editing software, is your trusted ally in achieving this balance. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to effectively remove background music using the latest version of Filmora 13, along with tips and tricks to help you attain outstanding results.
Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)
Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later
Introduction to Wondershare Filmora: Your Professional Video Editing Companion
Wondershare Filmora is a robust video editing software that caters to both novice and professional video creators. With its intuitive interface and multitude of advanced features, it’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to enhance their video editing capabilities.
What’s New inFilmora 13 ?
Before delving into the background music removal process, let’s take a moment to highlight the exciting new features and improvements in Filmora 13:
● Audio Ducking
During the recording process, you can automatically lower the volume of the music under speech so another track can be heard clearly. A background track can affect the clarity of other tracks used in voice over, narration, translation, podcasts, and YouTube videos.
● Enhanced Noise Reduction
The latest version includes improved noise reduction features. ensuring your audio remains clear and free from unwanted background noise.
● AI Audio Stretch
Almost instantly retime a video’s audio track to match the length. It’s easy and fast to manage audio levels with audio ducking when capturing voiceovers or other audio productions.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove Background Music with Wondershare Filmora
Learn how to remove background music from a video in the following.
Step 1: Launch Filmora
From your Windows computer, launch Wondershare Filmora.It takеs a couplе of sеconds for thе interface to appеar. Oncе you have selected thе video aspеct ratio, click on “Nеw Projеct. “ Import media files by selecting “Import Media.”
Step 2: Import the File
Import the file from the Media Library by dragging and dropping it to the timeline. Make the resolution or frame rate whatever you want. In the timeline, the user should right-click on the media. From the menu, click “Audio.”
Step 3: Split Audio and Video
The “Audio” sub-menu contains the option to “Detach Audio.” This will sеparatе thе audio from thе primary vidеo and display it sеparatеly on thе timеlinе. You can now dеlеtе thе audio by right-clicking it.
It can also bе dеlеtеd by clicking on it and prеssing “Dеlеtе. “
Step 4: Exporting Process
To check whether thе audio has been permanently rеmovеd from thе vidеo, you can prеviеw it. Clicking on “Export” allows thе usеr to еxport thе vidеo. Save the video without background music on your computer by selecting the output format and clicking “Export”.
Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)
Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later
Conclusion
In conclusion, this guide has shown you how to remove background music using Audacity and Wondershare Filmora. It is easy to remove unwanted background music using Audacity, a free audio editing program. As a professional video editing tool, Wondershare Filmora offers advanced audio editing features.
Using high-quality recordings, adjusting noise reduction settings, and practicing patience are key to improving your results. You can produce cleaner, more professional audio and video content with these tools and techniques. Take advantage of Audacity and Filmora to hone your skills and enjoy the benefits of pristine audio.
Free Download Free Download Learn More
Part 1. Unlocking Audio Excellence: Audacity Tutorial to Remove Background Music
Audacity provides with filters and changes pitch and speed, and allows to combine tracks, cut and splice them. At times though, such drastic changes are inevitable. When you’re remixing something or trying to make your favorite song sound more like vocalized. Audacity can be used to separate vocals from the music to either remove or reduce the music. This may however require a bit more effort as the primary features of the program are simple to operate.
Steps to Remove Background Music in Audacity
A Quick Navagation for Tutorial
- Step 1: Install Audacity
- Step 2: Open Audacity
- Step 3: Select File from the menu
- Step 4: Open Your Audio Track
- Step 5: Select Your Audio Track
- Step 6: Highlight the Section to Remove
- Step 7: Remove the Section
There is nothing worse than background music intеrrupting an audio rеcording. Fortunatеly, Audacity is a frее and popular audio еditing softwarе, and it will help you rеstorе thе clarity of your audio. This process will be guided with detailed instructions for Mac and Windows users.
Step 1: Install Audacity
First, you will have to install Audacity on your computеr before you can bеgin еditing audio. Thе software is available for frее download for both Macs and Windows. Making it accessible by giving it a variety of accеssibility options.
Step 2: Open Audacity
Launch Audacity once it has been installed. The Audacity icon consists of a blue set of headphones enclosed by an orange wave of sound.
Step 3: Select File from the Menu
Audacity’s file menu is your gateway to editing your audio tracks. Audacity’s “Filе” mеnu can bе found at thе top-lеft of thе window on a Windows computеr. Mac usеrs can find it at thе top-lеft cornеr of thеir scrееn.
Step 4: Open Your Audio Track
Go to thе “Filе” menu and select “Opеn”. By clicking this button, you’ll see a new window with navigation options for your audio filе.
Step 5: Select Your Audio Track
In the nеwly opеnеd window, you’ll sее a list of your audio filеs. Choosе thе onе you wish to edit and click “Opеn”. This action imports your selected audio track into Audacity’s workspace, ready for editing.
Step 6: Highlight the Section to Remove
To rеmovе thе background music, identify the specific sеction you want to еliminatе. At thе bеginning of this sеction, click and hold thе mousе button. You can rеmovе parts by dragging your cursor across thеm. This action highlights the selected portion.
Step 7: Remove the Section
Now that thе section has bееn highlightеd, you can rеmovе it. By pressing the “Dеlеtе” kеy on your keyboard, you can instantly dеlеtе thе highlightеd sеgmеnt.
If you prefer to usе thе “Edit” menu, you can do so at thе top of thе scrееn. Clicking “Edit” and selecting “Dеlеtе” from the dropdown mеnu achiеvеs thе sаmе rеsult.
Using Audacity, you can rеmovе background music from your audio stеp-by-stеp. With practicе, this process will become easier as you bеcomе morе familiar with Audacity. Get rid of unwanted audio distractions and enjoy pristine recording quality instead!
Getting Better Results: Tips and Tricks
● Use High-Quality Original Recordings
The foundation of successful background music removal is the quality of your initial audio recording. Start with thе bеst sourcе matеrial availablе to you. Whеn your original rеcording is of high quality, it bеcomеs easier to distinguish between the foreground audio (such as vocals or dialoguе) and thе background music. High-quality audio provides a clean canvas for your edits, minimizing the risk of audio degradation during the removal process.
● Adjust Noise Reduction Settings
Audacity offers a noise reduction tool with various settings. Adjust the noise reduction settings to reduce the background music while preserving the clarity of the remaining audio. Fine-tuning these settings can make a significant difference in the outcome. Here are few steps after uploading the audio file in Audacity;
- Step 1 - Choose a section of the track with background noise. Try to find an area of the track with only background noise and drag your mouse over it.
- Step 2 - Click the Effect button. In Windows and Mac, you can find this tab at thе top of Audacity. By doing so, you will sее a drop-down mеnu appеar.
- Step 3 - You will need to click Noise Reduction. There is a drop-down menu near the middle of the Effects menu.
- Step 4 - Click on Get Noise Profile. On the window’s top, you’ll find this button. Audacity will be able to distinguish background noise from other noise.
- Step 4 - Choose a section of track that needs to be cleaned.
- Step 5 - In the Effects menu, select Repeat Noise Reduction. In case there is still noticeable background noise after noise removal, repeat the procedure. There may be several times you need to do this.
● Always Create a Backup
It is important to makе a copy of thе original filе, bеforе making any еdits to your audio. This is a prеcautionary measure, which allows you to go back to thе unеditеd vеrsion. Protecting against unintended changes. If your edits need to be revisited or revised, backups ensure that your original audio remains intact.
● Listen Attentively
An attentive ear is your best tool when removing background music. Listen carefully to the audio as you make edits. Pay attention to how the changes you’re making affect the overall sound. The goal is to balance background music removal with audio quality preservation. Thе quality of thе audio will not be compromised whеn you regularly rеviеw and listen to the audio.
The tips and tricks listed here will help you improve your Audacity audio edits significantly.
Part 2. Step-by-Step tutorial: How to Remove Background Music with Wondershare Filmora
Achieving the perfect audio balance is a crucial aspect of creating captivating content. Wondershare Filmora 13, a professional video editing software, is your trusted ally in achieving this balance. In this tutorial, we’ll explore how to effectively remove background music using the latest version of Filmora 13, along with tips and tricks to help you attain outstanding results.
Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)
Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later
Introduction to Wondershare Filmora: Your Professional Video Editing Companion
Wondershare Filmora is a robust video editing software that caters to both novice and professional video creators. With its intuitive interface and multitude of advanced features, it’s an ideal choice for anyone looking to enhance their video editing capabilities.
What’s New inFilmora 13 ?
Before delving into the background music removal process, let’s take a moment to highlight the exciting new features and improvements in Filmora 13:
● Audio Ducking
During the recording process, you can automatically lower the volume of the music under speech so another track can be heard clearly. A background track can affect the clarity of other tracks used in voice over, narration, translation, podcasts, and YouTube videos.
● Enhanced Noise Reduction
The latest version includes improved noise reduction features. ensuring your audio remains clear and free from unwanted background noise.
● AI Audio Stretch
Almost instantly retime a video’s audio track to match the length. It’s easy and fast to manage audio levels with audio ducking when capturing voiceovers or other audio productions.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Remove Background Music with Wondershare Filmora
Learn how to remove background music from a video in the following.
Step 1: Launch Filmora
From your Windows computer, launch Wondershare Filmora.It takеs a couplе of sеconds for thе interface to appеar. Oncе you have selected thе video aspеct ratio, click on “Nеw Projеct. “ Import media files by selecting “Import Media.”
Step 2: Import the File
Import the file from the Media Library by dragging and dropping it to the timeline. Make the resolution or frame rate whatever you want. In the timeline, the user should right-click on the media. From the menu, click “Audio.”
Step 3: Split Audio and Video
The “Audio” sub-menu contains the option to “Detach Audio.” This will sеparatе thе audio from thе primary vidеo and display it sеparatеly on thе timеlinе. You can now dеlеtе thе audio by right-clicking it.
It can also bе dеlеtеd by clicking on it and prеssing “Dеlеtе. “
Step 4: Exporting Process
To check whether thе audio has been permanently rеmovеd from thе vidеo, you can prеviеw it. Clicking on “Export” allows thе usеr to еxport thе vidеo. Save the video without background music on your computer by selecting the output format and clicking “Export”.
Free Download For Win 7 or later(64-bit)
Free Download For macOS 10.14 or later
Conclusion
In conclusion, this guide has shown you how to remove background music using Audacity and Wondershare Filmora. It is easy to remove unwanted background music using Audacity, a free audio editing program. As a professional video editing tool, Wondershare Filmora offers advanced audio editing features.
Using high-quality recordings, adjusting noise reduction settings, and practicing patience are key to improving your results. You can produce cleaner, more professional audio and video content with these tools and techniques. Take advantage of Audacity and Filmora to hone your skills and enjoy the benefits of pristine audio.
Audio Wizardry in iMovie: Expert Advice on Editing and Enhancing Soundtracks
All You Need to Know About iMovie Audio Editing
Marion Dubois
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
iMovie offers a fantastic platform for video editing where you can merge multiple video clips to create something very phenomenal. Plus, it’s simply here to navigate between different scenes, edit video clips and save results directly to the digital format without making any videotape transformations.
It provides lots of things to beginners and professionals with its easy-to-use interface without any quality loss for your results even after adding lots of transitions, changes, and effects.
However, it is not accessible to master software, precisely when you’re not familiar with it, or you’re not its professional user. So today, we’d like to explore or pay attention to iMovie’s audio editing steps, tips, and tricks to help you become an iMovie master quickly.
What’s more, a practical yet professional iMovie alternative software is also advisable in this guide. So when the iMovie cannot fulfil your editing requirements, why don’t you hop on an iMovie alternative software?
Now, let’s get started!
Part 1: How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie?
To learn how to edit audio clips in iMovie, you can use actions in the menu along with the quick shortcuts to make adjustments to your audio clips in iMovie on Mac. It’s a tip for your convenience!
Trim Audio Clips
There are a couple of options to trim an audio clip in iMovie.
#1. Trim to Playhead
You can place the playhead in your timeline. Now, trim an audio clip to that exact spot. Next, start moving the playhead and do one from the following.
- Select Modify > Trim to Playhead option in the menu bar.
- Right-click the audio clip and select the option of Trim to Playhead in the shortcut menu.
#2. Use the Clip Trimmer
You can use the Clip Trimmer to trim an exact section of the clip.
Step 1. Right-click the audio clip and select Show Clip Trimmer in the shortcut menu.
Step 2. After the Clip Trimmer shows, select a section you wish to trim by dragging the arrows right and left while holding the white lines. The area within those lines is what will get entirely deleted.
Move the entire clip but keep the trim area in place if arrows turn to a film strip icon.
Step 3. Click Close Clip Trimmer after you finish this section.
Shorten or Lengthen Audio Clips
You can easily shorten or lengthen an audio clip in iMovie. Just choose the pin in the timeline and drag one of its edges. The duration of the clip change will change as you carry. And a new course will be displayed after you finish in the upper left menu.
You can also set the clip’s duration to an exact time. Select the clip in the timeline and hit the Clip Information (small letter “i”) tab located above the Viewer. Put the value of the time you want in seconds in the Duration box on the right.
Change the Speed of an Audio Clip
You may want to speed up or slow down an audio clip while editing music in iMovie. So, here’s what you need to do!
Method 1. Click the Speed button above the Viewer. Next, select Custom in the Speed drop-down box and enter a percentage next to it. You can also set a different speed in that box if you prefer.
Method 2. Right-click the clip and select Show Speed Editor from the shortcut menu. A slider will then display at the top of the clip that you can move to change the speed.
Adjust the Volume of an Audio Clip
You can set the audio clip’s volume at higher or lower, or even mute it. Just select the clip and then do one of the following.
- Select the Volume tab above the Viewer option and move the slider to the percentage of volume. Hit the Mute button to mute the audio clip.
- Tap inside the clip, and when the two-sided arrow appears, drag up or down to adjust the volume.
Fade an Audio Clip
While editing audio in iMovie, you can also fade in or out the clip. Choose a clip in the timeline and then drag the fade handle (small circle) at either the ending or the beginning of the clip to make a fade-out or a fade-in effect.
As you drag, you will see the arcs displaying the shadow for the clips fade in or fade out.
How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie on iOS?
The iMovie timeline is where you sort or organize all your audio clips, such as the special effects and background music. Audio clips are always present below the video clips in the timeline. To edit audio clips in iMovie on your iPhones or iPads, you can follow the guide belo
Move an Audio Clip
You can transfer the whole audio clip, except the background music, to another location.
- Touch and hold the purple or blue audio clip with your project open in the timeline until it comes over the timeline bar.
- Drag the clip to another place and release.
Adjust the Audio Clip’s Duration
Step 1. While the project is launched in the timeline, tap the audio clip (in blue or purple) or the background music clip you wish to adjust.
Step 2. Now, you can see the display of yellow trim handles. Drag them either at the end of the clip to the points where you wish the audio to start and end. If a trim handle won’t move left or right, it simply indicates there is no additional audio to work with on that clip’s end.
Step 3. Tap outside the audio clip and let the trim handles disappear.
Split an Audio Clip
There are around two options to split audio clips in iMovie. You can remove unwanted parts or adjust each section’s duration, volume, or speed while you split a clip.
Step 1. With your launched project in the timeline, scroll the timeline to the playhead’s position where you want to split the audio.
Step 2. Click the audio clip to display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 3. Now, click the Actions button, and select the Split tab.
Or, you can tap the clip (it becomes outlined in yellow), then swipe above the playhead as if you were placing your finger to slide over it.
Detach the Audio Part from a Video
You can detach the video clip’s audio to remove or edit it as a separate video clip.
Step 1. When the project is open in the timeline, select a video clip and display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 2. Tap the Actions button, then tap Detach.
Step 3. A new blue-colored audio clip will then appear below the video project. You can now move, edit, or delete the audio clip separately from its parent video clip.
Move Audio to the Foreground or Background
To ensure the sound in your video clips can listen above the background music, iMovie implies audio “ducking”. Ducking lowers the background music clips’ volume whenever there’s a video clip whose sound is playing simultaneously.
You can select which audio clips are in the foreground or the background.
Step 1. Select the timeline’s audio clip to display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 2. Hit the Actions tab and proceed with selecting the Foreground or Background.
The clip color changes to indicate whether it’s the background music (green) or foreground audio (blue or purple).
Part 2: An Easier Way to Edit Audio Clips
Windows users might be wandering for an alternative to iMovie as this software tool is only compatible with Mac and iOS devices. You will be thrilled to know that Wondershare Filmora can serve you with all synonymous and extra features more than the iMovie, and it works significantly in the Windows environment.
This latest software tool also assists users with easy video editing tricks and the intuitive interface that best serves quality editing to beginners and professionals.
Despite the basic video editing features, such as trimming, splitting, merging, cutting, and cropping, Filmora also offers various advanced editing elements that are far better than iMovie. And, with its video editing features, you can make a green screen effect, stabilize your video footage, reverse your video clip, and more.
Moreover, you can enjoy royalty-free music tracks for different themes, such as Young and Bright, Tender and Sentimental, Rock, Folk, Electronic Rock, and Hipster Folk, for selection.
All this will be available with a single program called Wondershare Filmora to take advantage of them for free. You do not have to search the background music files like a needle in a haystack. The program has nicely organized the music themes into six different folders. You can apply it for your video and make advanced editing, such as split/trim the clip, adjust the playback speed, pitch, volume, etc.
How to Edit Audio with Wondershare Filmora?
In Wondershare Filmora, you can insert background music and other files from the audio library or your computer. You can even record your voiceover using it.
Add Background Music
Filmora provides a royalty-free music library you can access or import your music within the program. You can select a song from the royalty-free audio library and use it for free.
The audio library has categorized into: YOUNG & BRIGHT, TENDER & SENTIMENTAL, ROCK, FOLK, and ELECTRONIC. The different kinds of sound effects are also available under the Sound Effects tab.
Once you find a sound effect or a song, either right-click on it and go with the Apply or drag and drop it into an audio track in the timeline.
Or, you can click the Import button above the Media Library panel to browse for audio files in your PC system. Then, select and import it into the Media Library when you find the song or other audio files you wish to add.
Once you place the song in the timeline, double-click to edit it in the Audio editing panel. You can apply fade-in or fade-out effects or adjust the pitch and volume. Filmora lets you add up to 100 audio tracks.
Split Audio Clips
Choose your audio clip and place the playhead where you want to split it, then right-click on the clip and choose the Split tab or click the Split icon right above on the toolbar.
Adjust Audio Settings
Double click on the audio clip to make adjustments to your audio. Open a panel with adjustment sliders in the timeline for pitch and volume.
Another element that you’ll find in this panel is Denoise, which is a feature that can remove background noise from your audio clips.
For a more professional audio editing experience, you can also access the Audio Equalizer from this panel. Select from presets or make manual adjustments by hitting the Customize tab.
Play it when you are done and, if you’re not happy with the results, tap the Reset button to start over.
Audio Equalizer (EQ)
All videos have plenty of sounds like speech, music, or sound effects. Changing the strength of sound waves will help you to mix these sounds within a coherent soundtrack.
Locate your audio clip in an audio track and double-click on it to open the Audio settings menu window. A drop-down menu next to the Equalizer feature will display presets such as Classic, Default, Rock’n’Roll, Techno, Sparkle, Bass, Hard Rock, Pop, Ska, Blues, Folk, Acoustic, Custom, or Country. Choose the preset that best fits your current needs and hit the OK tab to apply it.
Now, hit the Customize tab next to the drop-down bar to adjust the Audio Equalizer manually. Drag the sliders up or down and make the adjustments until you find their ideal value. Finally, hit OK and save your settings.
Besides the included music tracks and sound effects in Filmora initially, you can also find more audio files from Filmora’s effects store – Filmstock, and even get some free music and sound.
Part 3: iMovie Audio Editing Tips & Tricks
iMovie is a great video editor for Mac computers. After understanding the best alternative of iMovie sound editin g, let’s check out some tips on editing audio in iMovie best.
The explanations and screenshots below are for iMovie 10 only. However, the steps are a bit similar to older versions.
So, here we go!
1. Use Waveforms to See What You Hear
To properly edit the audio track in iMovie, you need a good pair of headphones and speakers to hear the sound, but you also need to check the sound.
You can check the sound in iMovie by considering the waveforms on each clip. If the waveforms can’t be seen, go to the View drop-down menu and choose the Show Waveforms option. The clip size for your project can also adjust to get an even better appearance for each video clip.
The waveforms will display the volume level of a clip and give you a good idea of what sections will require to turn up or down. You can also check how the levels of different clips compare to one another.
2. Audio Adjustments
With the help of Adjust tab in the top right, you can access some basic audio editing tools for changing your selected clip’s volume or changing the volume of other relative clips in the project.
The adjustment window of audio also provides basic audio equalization and noise reduction tools, along with a range of effects - from echo to robot - that will change the way people in your video sound.
3. Edit Audio with the Timeline
iMovie assists you in adjusting the audio within the clips themselves. Each pin has a volume bar, moving up and down to decrease or increase the audio level. The clips also contain Fade In and Fade Out tabs at the beginning and end, dragging to adjust the fade’s length.
By adding a short fade effect, whether in or out, the sound becomes relatively smoother and less conflicting to the ear when a new clip begins.
4. Detach the Audio
By default, iMovie keeps the video and audio sections of clips together for convenience. Yet, you want to use the video and audio sections of a clip separately sometimes.
For this purpose, choose your clip in the timeline, visit the Modify drop-down menu, and hit the Detach Audio button. You’ll now have two clips - one with the images and another with the sound.
A lot you can do with the detached audio. For instance, you could extend the audio clip to begin before the video plays, or so that it plays for a few seconds even after the video fades out. You could also cut out pieces from the audio’s middle portion while leaving the video intact.
Conclusion
Coming towards the end of the discussion, after understanding iMovie audio editingand going through an elaborated alternative of iMovie application, we decided that Wondershare Filmora sounds the best out of it. It allows you to flawlessly edit video and audio files on your desktop, with various inbuilt royalty-free music tracks to select from that can further improve your project’s presence.
Marion Dubois
Marion Dubois is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Marion Dubois
Marion Dubois
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
iMovie offers a fantastic platform for video editing where you can merge multiple video clips to create something very phenomenal. Plus, it’s simply here to navigate between different scenes, edit video clips and save results directly to the digital format without making any videotape transformations.
It provides lots of things to beginners and professionals with its easy-to-use interface without any quality loss for your results even after adding lots of transitions, changes, and effects.
However, it is not accessible to master software, precisely when you’re not familiar with it, or you’re not its professional user. So today, we’d like to explore or pay attention to iMovie’s audio editing steps, tips, and tricks to help you become an iMovie master quickly.
What’s more, a practical yet professional iMovie alternative software is also advisable in this guide. So when the iMovie cannot fulfil your editing requirements, why don’t you hop on an iMovie alternative software?
Now, let’s get started!
Part 1: How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie?
To learn how to edit audio clips in iMovie, you can use actions in the menu along with the quick shortcuts to make adjustments to your audio clips in iMovie on Mac. It’s a tip for your convenience!
Trim Audio Clips
There are a couple of options to trim an audio clip in iMovie.
#1. Trim to Playhead
You can place the playhead in your timeline. Now, trim an audio clip to that exact spot. Next, start moving the playhead and do one from the following.
- Select Modify > Trim to Playhead option in the menu bar.
- Right-click the audio clip and select the option of Trim to Playhead in the shortcut menu.
#2. Use the Clip Trimmer
You can use the Clip Trimmer to trim an exact section of the clip.
Step 1. Right-click the audio clip and select Show Clip Trimmer in the shortcut menu.
Step 2. After the Clip Trimmer shows, select a section you wish to trim by dragging the arrows right and left while holding the white lines. The area within those lines is what will get entirely deleted.
Move the entire clip but keep the trim area in place if arrows turn to a film strip icon.
Step 3. Click Close Clip Trimmer after you finish this section.
Shorten or Lengthen Audio Clips
You can easily shorten or lengthen an audio clip in iMovie. Just choose the pin in the timeline and drag one of its edges. The duration of the clip change will change as you carry. And a new course will be displayed after you finish in the upper left menu.
You can also set the clip’s duration to an exact time. Select the clip in the timeline and hit the Clip Information (small letter “i”) tab located above the Viewer. Put the value of the time you want in seconds in the Duration box on the right.
Change the Speed of an Audio Clip
You may want to speed up or slow down an audio clip while editing music in iMovie. So, here’s what you need to do!
Method 1. Click the Speed button above the Viewer. Next, select Custom in the Speed drop-down box and enter a percentage next to it. You can also set a different speed in that box if you prefer.
Method 2. Right-click the clip and select Show Speed Editor from the shortcut menu. A slider will then display at the top of the clip that you can move to change the speed.
Adjust the Volume of an Audio Clip
You can set the audio clip’s volume at higher or lower, or even mute it. Just select the clip and then do one of the following.
- Select the Volume tab above the Viewer option and move the slider to the percentage of volume. Hit the Mute button to mute the audio clip.
- Tap inside the clip, and when the two-sided arrow appears, drag up or down to adjust the volume.
Fade an Audio Clip
While editing audio in iMovie, you can also fade in or out the clip. Choose a clip in the timeline and then drag the fade handle (small circle) at either the ending or the beginning of the clip to make a fade-out or a fade-in effect.
As you drag, you will see the arcs displaying the shadow for the clips fade in or fade out.
How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie on iOS?
The iMovie timeline is where you sort or organize all your audio clips, such as the special effects and background music. Audio clips are always present below the video clips in the timeline. To edit audio clips in iMovie on your iPhones or iPads, you can follow the guide belo
Move an Audio Clip
You can transfer the whole audio clip, except the background music, to another location.
- Touch and hold the purple or blue audio clip with your project open in the timeline until it comes over the timeline bar.
- Drag the clip to another place and release.
Adjust the Audio Clip’s Duration
Step 1. While the project is launched in the timeline, tap the audio clip (in blue or purple) or the background music clip you wish to adjust.
Step 2. Now, you can see the display of yellow trim handles. Drag them either at the end of the clip to the points where you wish the audio to start and end. If a trim handle won’t move left or right, it simply indicates there is no additional audio to work with on that clip’s end.
Step 3. Tap outside the audio clip and let the trim handles disappear.
Split an Audio Clip
There are around two options to split audio clips in iMovie. You can remove unwanted parts or adjust each section’s duration, volume, or speed while you split a clip.
Step 1. With your launched project in the timeline, scroll the timeline to the playhead’s position where you want to split the audio.
Step 2. Click the audio clip to display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 3. Now, click the Actions button, and select the Split tab.
Or, you can tap the clip (it becomes outlined in yellow), then swipe above the playhead as if you were placing your finger to slide over it.
Detach the Audio Part from a Video
You can detach the video clip’s audio to remove or edit it as a separate video clip.
Step 1. When the project is open in the timeline, select a video clip and display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 2. Tap the Actions button, then tap Detach.
Step 3. A new blue-colored audio clip will then appear below the video project. You can now move, edit, or delete the audio clip separately from its parent video clip.
Move Audio to the Foreground or Background
To ensure the sound in your video clips can listen above the background music, iMovie implies audio “ducking”. Ducking lowers the background music clips’ volume whenever there’s a video clip whose sound is playing simultaneously.
You can select which audio clips are in the foreground or the background.
Step 1. Select the timeline’s audio clip to display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 2. Hit the Actions tab and proceed with selecting the Foreground or Background.
The clip color changes to indicate whether it’s the background music (green) or foreground audio (blue or purple).
Part 2: An Easier Way to Edit Audio Clips
Windows users might be wandering for an alternative to iMovie as this software tool is only compatible with Mac and iOS devices. You will be thrilled to know that Wondershare Filmora can serve you with all synonymous and extra features more than the iMovie, and it works significantly in the Windows environment.
This latest software tool also assists users with easy video editing tricks and the intuitive interface that best serves quality editing to beginners and professionals.
Despite the basic video editing features, such as trimming, splitting, merging, cutting, and cropping, Filmora also offers various advanced editing elements that are far better than iMovie. And, with its video editing features, you can make a green screen effect, stabilize your video footage, reverse your video clip, and more.
Moreover, you can enjoy royalty-free music tracks for different themes, such as Young and Bright, Tender and Sentimental, Rock, Folk, Electronic Rock, and Hipster Folk, for selection.
All this will be available with a single program called Wondershare Filmora to take advantage of them for free. You do not have to search the background music files like a needle in a haystack. The program has nicely organized the music themes into six different folders. You can apply it for your video and make advanced editing, such as split/trim the clip, adjust the playback speed, pitch, volume, etc.
How to Edit Audio with Wondershare Filmora?
In Wondershare Filmora, you can insert background music and other files from the audio library or your computer. You can even record your voiceover using it.
Add Background Music
Filmora provides a royalty-free music library you can access or import your music within the program. You can select a song from the royalty-free audio library and use it for free.
The audio library has categorized into: YOUNG & BRIGHT, TENDER & SENTIMENTAL, ROCK, FOLK, and ELECTRONIC. The different kinds of sound effects are also available under the Sound Effects tab.
Once you find a sound effect or a song, either right-click on it and go with the Apply or drag and drop it into an audio track in the timeline.
Or, you can click the Import button above the Media Library panel to browse for audio files in your PC system. Then, select and import it into the Media Library when you find the song or other audio files you wish to add.
Once you place the song in the timeline, double-click to edit it in the Audio editing panel. You can apply fade-in or fade-out effects or adjust the pitch and volume. Filmora lets you add up to 100 audio tracks.
Split Audio Clips
Choose your audio clip and place the playhead where you want to split it, then right-click on the clip and choose the Split tab or click the Split icon right above on the toolbar.
Adjust Audio Settings
Double click on the audio clip to make adjustments to your audio. Open a panel with adjustment sliders in the timeline for pitch and volume.
Another element that you’ll find in this panel is Denoise, which is a feature that can remove background noise from your audio clips.
For a more professional audio editing experience, you can also access the Audio Equalizer from this panel. Select from presets or make manual adjustments by hitting the Customize tab.
Play it when you are done and, if you’re not happy with the results, tap the Reset button to start over.
Audio Equalizer (EQ)
All videos have plenty of sounds like speech, music, or sound effects. Changing the strength of sound waves will help you to mix these sounds within a coherent soundtrack.
Locate your audio clip in an audio track and double-click on it to open the Audio settings menu window. A drop-down menu next to the Equalizer feature will display presets such as Classic, Default, Rock’n’Roll, Techno, Sparkle, Bass, Hard Rock, Pop, Ska, Blues, Folk, Acoustic, Custom, or Country. Choose the preset that best fits your current needs and hit the OK tab to apply it.
Now, hit the Customize tab next to the drop-down bar to adjust the Audio Equalizer manually. Drag the sliders up or down and make the adjustments until you find their ideal value. Finally, hit OK and save your settings.
Besides the included music tracks and sound effects in Filmora initially, you can also find more audio files from Filmora’s effects store – Filmstock, and even get some free music and sound.
Part 3: iMovie Audio Editing Tips & Tricks
iMovie is a great video editor for Mac computers. After understanding the best alternative of iMovie sound editin g, let’s check out some tips on editing audio in iMovie best.
The explanations and screenshots below are for iMovie 10 only. However, the steps are a bit similar to older versions.
So, here we go!
1. Use Waveforms to See What You Hear
To properly edit the audio track in iMovie, you need a good pair of headphones and speakers to hear the sound, but you also need to check the sound.
You can check the sound in iMovie by considering the waveforms on each clip. If the waveforms can’t be seen, go to the View drop-down menu and choose the Show Waveforms option. The clip size for your project can also adjust to get an even better appearance for each video clip.
The waveforms will display the volume level of a clip and give you a good idea of what sections will require to turn up or down. You can also check how the levels of different clips compare to one another.
2. Audio Adjustments
With the help of Adjust tab in the top right, you can access some basic audio editing tools for changing your selected clip’s volume or changing the volume of other relative clips in the project.
The adjustment window of audio also provides basic audio equalization and noise reduction tools, along with a range of effects - from echo to robot - that will change the way people in your video sound.
3. Edit Audio with the Timeline
iMovie assists you in adjusting the audio within the clips themselves. Each pin has a volume bar, moving up and down to decrease or increase the audio level. The clips also contain Fade In and Fade Out tabs at the beginning and end, dragging to adjust the fade’s length.
By adding a short fade effect, whether in or out, the sound becomes relatively smoother and less conflicting to the ear when a new clip begins.
4. Detach the Audio
By default, iMovie keeps the video and audio sections of clips together for convenience. Yet, you want to use the video and audio sections of a clip separately sometimes.
For this purpose, choose your clip in the timeline, visit the Modify drop-down menu, and hit the Detach Audio button. You’ll now have two clips - one with the images and another with the sound.
A lot you can do with the detached audio. For instance, you could extend the audio clip to begin before the video plays, or so that it plays for a few seconds even after the video fades out. You could also cut out pieces from the audio’s middle portion while leaving the video intact.
Conclusion
Coming towards the end of the discussion, after understanding iMovie audio editingand going through an elaborated alternative of iMovie application, we decided that Wondershare Filmora sounds the best out of it. It allows you to flawlessly edit video and audio files on your desktop, with various inbuilt royalty-free music tracks to select from that can further improve your project’s presence.
Marion Dubois
Marion Dubois is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Marion Dubois
Marion Dubois
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
iMovie offers a fantastic platform for video editing where you can merge multiple video clips to create something very phenomenal. Plus, it’s simply here to navigate between different scenes, edit video clips and save results directly to the digital format without making any videotape transformations.
It provides lots of things to beginners and professionals with its easy-to-use interface without any quality loss for your results even after adding lots of transitions, changes, and effects.
However, it is not accessible to master software, precisely when you’re not familiar with it, or you’re not its professional user. So today, we’d like to explore or pay attention to iMovie’s audio editing steps, tips, and tricks to help you become an iMovie master quickly.
What’s more, a practical yet professional iMovie alternative software is also advisable in this guide. So when the iMovie cannot fulfil your editing requirements, why don’t you hop on an iMovie alternative software?
Now, let’s get started!
Part 1: How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie?
To learn how to edit audio clips in iMovie, you can use actions in the menu along with the quick shortcuts to make adjustments to your audio clips in iMovie on Mac. It’s a tip for your convenience!
Trim Audio Clips
There are a couple of options to trim an audio clip in iMovie.
#1. Trim to Playhead
You can place the playhead in your timeline. Now, trim an audio clip to that exact spot. Next, start moving the playhead and do one from the following.
- Select Modify > Trim to Playhead option in the menu bar.
- Right-click the audio clip and select the option of Trim to Playhead in the shortcut menu.
#2. Use the Clip Trimmer
You can use the Clip Trimmer to trim an exact section of the clip.
Step 1. Right-click the audio clip and select Show Clip Trimmer in the shortcut menu.
Step 2. After the Clip Trimmer shows, select a section you wish to trim by dragging the arrows right and left while holding the white lines. The area within those lines is what will get entirely deleted.
Move the entire clip but keep the trim area in place if arrows turn to a film strip icon.
Step 3. Click Close Clip Trimmer after you finish this section.
Shorten or Lengthen Audio Clips
You can easily shorten or lengthen an audio clip in iMovie. Just choose the pin in the timeline and drag one of its edges. The duration of the clip change will change as you carry. And a new course will be displayed after you finish in the upper left menu.
You can also set the clip’s duration to an exact time. Select the clip in the timeline and hit the Clip Information (small letter “i”) tab located above the Viewer. Put the value of the time you want in seconds in the Duration box on the right.
Change the Speed of an Audio Clip
You may want to speed up or slow down an audio clip while editing music in iMovie. So, here’s what you need to do!
Method 1. Click the Speed button above the Viewer. Next, select Custom in the Speed drop-down box and enter a percentage next to it. You can also set a different speed in that box if you prefer.
Method 2. Right-click the clip and select Show Speed Editor from the shortcut menu. A slider will then display at the top of the clip that you can move to change the speed.
Adjust the Volume of an Audio Clip
You can set the audio clip’s volume at higher or lower, or even mute it. Just select the clip and then do one of the following.
- Select the Volume tab above the Viewer option and move the slider to the percentage of volume. Hit the Mute button to mute the audio clip.
- Tap inside the clip, and when the two-sided arrow appears, drag up or down to adjust the volume.
Fade an Audio Clip
While editing audio in iMovie, you can also fade in or out the clip. Choose a clip in the timeline and then drag the fade handle (small circle) at either the ending or the beginning of the clip to make a fade-out or a fade-in effect.
As you drag, you will see the arcs displaying the shadow for the clips fade in or fade out.
How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie on iOS?
The iMovie timeline is where you sort or organize all your audio clips, such as the special effects and background music. Audio clips are always present below the video clips in the timeline. To edit audio clips in iMovie on your iPhones or iPads, you can follow the guide belo
Move an Audio Clip
You can transfer the whole audio clip, except the background music, to another location.
- Touch and hold the purple or blue audio clip with your project open in the timeline until it comes over the timeline bar.
- Drag the clip to another place and release.
Adjust the Audio Clip’s Duration
Step 1. While the project is launched in the timeline, tap the audio clip (in blue or purple) or the background music clip you wish to adjust.
Step 2. Now, you can see the display of yellow trim handles. Drag them either at the end of the clip to the points where you wish the audio to start and end. If a trim handle won’t move left or right, it simply indicates there is no additional audio to work with on that clip’s end.
Step 3. Tap outside the audio clip and let the trim handles disappear.
Split an Audio Clip
There are around two options to split audio clips in iMovie. You can remove unwanted parts or adjust each section’s duration, volume, or speed while you split a clip.
Step 1. With your launched project in the timeline, scroll the timeline to the playhead’s position where you want to split the audio.
Step 2. Click the audio clip to display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 3. Now, click the Actions button, and select the Split tab.
Or, you can tap the clip (it becomes outlined in yellow), then swipe above the playhead as if you were placing your finger to slide over it.
Detach the Audio Part from a Video
You can detach the video clip’s audio to remove or edit it as a separate video clip.
Step 1. When the project is open in the timeline, select a video clip and display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 2. Tap the Actions button, then tap Detach.
Step 3. A new blue-colored audio clip will then appear below the video project. You can now move, edit, or delete the audio clip separately from its parent video clip.
Move Audio to the Foreground or Background
To ensure the sound in your video clips can listen above the background music, iMovie implies audio “ducking”. Ducking lowers the background music clips’ volume whenever there’s a video clip whose sound is playing simultaneously.
You can select which audio clips are in the foreground or the background.
Step 1. Select the timeline’s audio clip to display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 2. Hit the Actions tab and proceed with selecting the Foreground or Background.
The clip color changes to indicate whether it’s the background music (green) or foreground audio (blue or purple).
Part 2: An Easier Way to Edit Audio Clips
Windows users might be wandering for an alternative to iMovie as this software tool is only compatible with Mac and iOS devices. You will be thrilled to know that Wondershare Filmora can serve you with all synonymous and extra features more than the iMovie, and it works significantly in the Windows environment.
This latest software tool also assists users with easy video editing tricks and the intuitive interface that best serves quality editing to beginners and professionals.
Despite the basic video editing features, such as trimming, splitting, merging, cutting, and cropping, Filmora also offers various advanced editing elements that are far better than iMovie. And, with its video editing features, you can make a green screen effect, stabilize your video footage, reverse your video clip, and more.
Moreover, you can enjoy royalty-free music tracks for different themes, such as Young and Bright, Tender and Sentimental, Rock, Folk, Electronic Rock, and Hipster Folk, for selection.
All this will be available with a single program called Wondershare Filmora to take advantage of them for free. You do not have to search the background music files like a needle in a haystack. The program has nicely organized the music themes into six different folders. You can apply it for your video and make advanced editing, such as split/trim the clip, adjust the playback speed, pitch, volume, etc.
How to Edit Audio with Wondershare Filmora?
In Wondershare Filmora, you can insert background music and other files from the audio library or your computer. You can even record your voiceover using it.
Add Background Music
Filmora provides a royalty-free music library you can access or import your music within the program. You can select a song from the royalty-free audio library and use it for free.
The audio library has categorized into: YOUNG & BRIGHT, TENDER & SENTIMENTAL, ROCK, FOLK, and ELECTRONIC. The different kinds of sound effects are also available under the Sound Effects tab.
Once you find a sound effect or a song, either right-click on it and go with the Apply or drag and drop it into an audio track in the timeline.
Or, you can click the Import button above the Media Library panel to browse for audio files in your PC system. Then, select and import it into the Media Library when you find the song or other audio files you wish to add.
Once you place the song in the timeline, double-click to edit it in the Audio editing panel. You can apply fade-in or fade-out effects or adjust the pitch and volume. Filmora lets you add up to 100 audio tracks.
Split Audio Clips
Choose your audio clip and place the playhead where you want to split it, then right-click on the clip and choose the Split tab or click the Split icon right above on the toolbar.
Adjust Audio Settings
Double click on the audio clip to make adjustments to your audio. Open a panel with adjustment sliders in the timeline for pitch and volume.
Another element that you’ll find in this panel is Denoise, which is a feature that can remove background noise from your audio clips.
For a more professional audio editing experience, you can also access the Audio Equalizer from this panel. Select from presets or make manual adjustments by hitting the Customize tab.
Play it when you are done and, if you’re not happy with the results, tap the Reset button to start over.
Audio Equalizer (EQ)
All videos have plenty of sounds like speech, music, or sound effects. Changing the strength of sound waves will help you to mix these sounds within a coherent soundtrack.
Locate your audio clip in an audio track and double-click on it to open the Audio settings menu window. A drop-down menu next to the Equalizer feature will display presets such as Classic, Default, Rock’n’Roll, Techno, Sparkle, Bass, Hard Rock, Pop, Ska, Blues, Folk, Acoustic, Custom, or Country. Choose the preset that best fits your current needs and hit the OK tab to apply it.
Now, hit the Customize tab next to the drop-down bar to adjust the Audio Equalizer manually. Drag the sliders up or down and make the adjustments until you find their ideal value. Finally, hit OK and save your settings.
Besides the included music tracks and sound effects in Filmora initially, you can also find more audio files from Filmora’s effects store – Filmstock, and even get some free music and sound.
Part 3: iMovie Audio Editing Tips & Tricks
iMovie is a great video editor for Mac computers. After understanding the best alternative of iMovie sound editin g, let’s check out some tips on editing audio in iMovie best.
The explanations and screenshots below are for iMovie 10 only. However, the steps are a bit similar to older versions.
So, here we go!
1. Use Waveforms to See What You Hear
To properly edit the audio track in iMovie, you need a good pair of headphones and speakers to hear the sound, but you also need to check the sound.
You can check the sound in iMovie by considering the waveforms on each clip. If the waveforms can’t be seen, go to the View drop-down menu and choose the Show Waveforms option. The clip size for your project can also adjust to get an even better appearance for each video clip.
The waveforms will display the volume level of a clip and give you a good idea of what sections will require to turn up or down. You can also check how the levels of different clips compare to one another.
2. Audio Adjustments
With the help of Adjust tab in the top right, you can access some basic audio editing tools for changing your selected clip’s volume or changing the volume of other relative clips in the project.
The adjustment window of audio also provides basic audio equalization and noise reduction tools, along with a range of effects - from echo to robot - that will change the way people in your video sound.
3. Edit Audio with the Timeline
iMovie assists you in adjusting the audio within the clips themselves. Each pin has a volume bar, moving up and down to decrease or increase the audio level. The clips also contain Fade In and Fade Out tabs at the beginning and end, dragging to adjust the fade’s length.
By adding a short fade effect, whether in or out, the sound becomes relatively smoother and less conflicting to the ear when a new clip begins.
4. Detach the Audio
By default, iMovie keeps the video and audio sections of clips together for convenience. Yet, you want to use the video and audio sections of a clip separately sometimes.
For this purpose, choose your clip in the timeline, visit the Modify drop-down menu, and hit the Detach Audio button. You’ll now have two clips - one with the images and another with the sound.
A lot you can do with the detached audio. For instance, you could extend the audio clip to begin before the video plays, or so that it plays for a few seconds even after the video fades out. You could also cut out pieces from the audio’s middle portion while leaving the video intact.
Conclusion
Coming towards the end of the discussion, after understanding iMovie audio editingand going through an elaborated alternative of iMovie application, we decided that Wondershare Filmora sounds the best out of it. It allows you to flawlessly edit video and audio files on your desktop, with various inbuilt royalty-free music tracks to select from that can further improve your project’s presence.
Marion Dubois
Marion Dubois is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Marion Dubois
Marion Dubois
Oct 26, 2023• Proven solutions
iMovie offers a fantastic platform for video editing where you can merge multiple video clips to create something very phenomenal. Plus, it’s simply here to navigate between different scenes, edit video clips and save results directly to the digital format without making any videotape transformations.
It provides lots of things to beginners and professionals with its easy-to-use interface without any quality loss for your results even after adding lots of transitions, changes, and effects.
However, it is not accessible to master software, precisely when you’re not familiar with it, or you’re not its professional user. So today, we’d like to explore or pay attention to iMovie’s audio editing steps, tips, and tricks to help you become an iMovie master quickly.
What’s more, a practical yet professional iMovie alternative software is also advisable in this guide. So when the iMovie cannot fulfil your editing requirements, why don’t you hop on an iMovie alternative software?
Now, let’s get started!
Part 1: How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie?
To learn how to edit audio clips in iMovie, you can use actions in the menu along with the quick shortcuts to make adjustments to your audio clips in iMovie on Mac. It’s a tip for your convenience!
Trim Audio Clips
There are a couple of options to trim an audio clip in iMovie.
#1. Trim to Playhead
You can place the playhead in your timeline. Now, trim an audio clip to that exact spot. Next, start moving the playhead and do one from the following.
- Select Modify > Trim to Playhead option in the menu bar.
- Right-click the audio clip and select the option of Trim to Playhead in the shortcut menu.
#2. Use the Clip Trimmer
You can use the Clip Trimmer to trim an exact section of the clip.
Step 1. Right-click the audio clip and select Show Clip Trimmer in the shortcut menu.
Step 2. After the Clip Trimmer shows, select a section you wish to trim by dragging the arrows right and left while holding the white lines. The area within those lines is what will get entirely deleted.
Move the entire clip but keep the trim area in place if arrows turn to a film strip icon.
Step 3. Click Close Clip Trimmer after you finish this section.
Shorten or Lengthen Audio Clips
You can easily shorten or lengthen an audio clip in iMovie. Just choose the pin in the timeline and drag one of its edges. The duration of the clip change will change as you carry. And a new course will be displayed after you finish in the upper left menu.
You can also set the clip’s duration to an exact time. Select the clip in the timeline and hit the Clip Information (small letter “i”) tab located above the Viewer. Put the value of the time you want in seconds in the Duration box on the right.
Change the Speed of an Audio Clip
You may want to speed up or slow down an audio clip while editing music in iMovie. So, here’s what you need to do!
Method 1. Click the Speed button above the Viewer. Next, select Custom in the Speed drop-down box and enter a percentage next to it. You can also set a different speed in that box if you prefer.
Method 2. Right-click the clip and select Show Speed Editor from the shortcut menu. A slider will then display at the top of the clip that you can move to change the speed.
Adjust the Volume of an Audio Clip
You can set the audio clip’s volume at higher or lower, or even mute it. Just select the clip and then do one of the following.
- Select the Volume tab above the Viewer option and move the slider to the percentage of volume. Hit the Mute button to mute the audio clip.
- Tap inside the clip, and when the two-sided arrow appears, drag up or down to adjust the volume.
Fade an Audio Clip
While editing audio in iMovie, you can also fade in or out the clip. Choose a clip in the timeline and then drag the fade handle (small circle) at either the ending or the beginning of the clip to make a fade-out or a fade-in effect.
As you drag, you will see the arcs displaying the shadow for the clips fade in or fade out.
How to Edit Audio Clips in iMovie on iOS?
The iMovie timeline is where you sort or organize all your audio clips, such as the special effects and background music. Audio clips are always present below the video clips in the timeline. To edit audio clips in iMovie on your iPhones or iPads, you can follow the guide belo
Move an Audio Clip
You can transfer the whole audio clip, except the background music, to another location.
- Touch and hold the purple or blue audio clip with your project open in the timeline until it comes over the timeline bar.
- Drag the clip to another place and release.
Adjust the Audio Clip’s Duration
Step 1. While the project is launched in the timeline, tap the audio clip (in blue or purple) or the background music clip you wish to adjust.
Step 2. Now, you can see the display of yellow trim handles. Drag them either at the end of the clip to the points where you wish the audio to start and end. If a trim handle won’t move left or right, it simply indicates there is no additional audio to work with on that clip’s end.
Step 3. Tap outside the audio clip and let the trim handles disappear.
Split an Audio Clip
There are around two options to split audio clips in iMovie. You can remove unwanted parts or adjust each section’s duration, volume, or speed while you split a clip.
Step 1. With your launched project in the timeline, scroll the timeline to the playhead’s position where you want to split the audio.
Step 2. Click the audio clip to display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 3. Now, click the Actions button, and select the Split tab.
Or, you can tap the clip (it becomes outlined in yellow), then swipe above the playhead as if you were placing your finger to slide over it.
Detach the Audio Part from a Video
You can detach the video clip’s audio to remove or edit it as a separate video clip.
Step 1. When the project is open in the timeline, select a video clip and display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 2. Tap the Actions button, then tap Detach.
Step 3. A new blue-colored audio clip will then appear below the video project. You can now move, edit, or delete the audio clip separately from its parent video clip.
Move Audio to the Foreground or Background
To ensure the sound in your video clips can listen above the background music, iMovie implies audio “ducking”. Ducking lowers the background music clips’ volume whenever there’s a video clip whose sound is playing simultaneously.
You can select which audio clips are in the foreground or the background.
Step 1. Select the timeline’s audio clip to display the inspector at the screen’s bottom.
Step 2. Hit the Actions tab and proceed with selecting the Foreground or Background.
The clip color changes to indicate whether it’s the background music (green) or foreground audio (blue or purple).
Part 2: An Easier Way to Edit Audio Clips
Windows users might be wandering for an alternative to iMovie as this software tool is only compatible with Mac and iOS devices. You will be thrilled to know that Wondershare Filmora can serve you with all synonymous and extra features more than the iMovie, and it works significantly in the Windows environment.
This latest software tool also assists users with easy video editing tricks and the intuitive interface that best serves quality editing to beginners and professionals.
Despite the basic video editing features, such as trimming, splitting, merging, cutting, and cropping, Filmora also offers various advanced editing elements that are far better than iMovie. And, with its video editing features, you can make a green screen effect, stabilize your video footage, reverse your video clip, and more.
Moreover, you can enjoy royalty-free music tracks for different themes, such as Young and Bright, Tender and Sentimental, Rock, Folk, Electronic Rock, and Hipster Folk, for selection.
All this will be available with a single program called Wondershare Filmora to take advantage of them for free. You do not have to search the background music files like a needle in a haystack. The program has nicely organized the music themes into six different folders. You can apply it for your video and make advanced editing, such as split/trim the clip, adjust the playback speed, pitch, volume, etc.
How to Edit Audio with Wondershare Filmora?
In Wondershare Filmora, you can insert background music and other files from the audio library or your computer. You can even record your voiceover using it.
Add Background Music
Filmora provides a royalty-free music library you can access or import your music within the program. You can select a song from the royalty-free audio library and use it for free.
The audio library has categorized into: YOUNG & BRIGHT, TENDER & SENTIMENTAL, ROCK, FOLK, and ELECTRONIC. The different kinds of sound effects are also available under the Sound Effects tab.
Once you find a sound effect or a song, either right-click on it and go with the Apply or drag and drop it into an audio track in the timeline.
Or, you can click the Import button above the Media Library panel to browse for audio files in your PC system. Then, select and import it into the Media Library when you find the song or other audio files you wish to add.
Once you place the song in the timeline, double-click to edit it in the Audio editing panel. You can apply fade-in or fade-out effects or adjust the pitch and volume. Filmora lets you add up to 100 audio tracks.
Split Audio Clips
Choose your audio clip and place the playhead where you want to split it, then right-click on the clip and choose the Split tab or click the Split icon right above on the toolbar.
Adjust Audio Settings
Double click on the audio clip to make adjustments to your audio. Open a panel with adjustment sliders in the timeline for pitch and volume.
Another element that you’ll find in this panel is Denoise, which is a feature that can remove background noise from your audio clips.
For a more professional audio editing experience, you can also access the Audio Equalizer from this panel. Select from presets or make manual adjustments by hitting the Customize tab.
Play it when you are done and, if you’re not happy with the results, tap the Reset button to start over.
Audio Equalizer (EQ)
All videos have plenty of sounds like speech, music, or sound effects. Changing the strength of sound waves will help you to mix these sounds within a coherent soundtrack.
Locate your audio clip in an audio track and double-click on it to open the Audio settings menu window. A drop-down menu next to the Equalizer feature will display presets such as Classic, Default, Rock’n’Roll, Techno, Sparkle, Bass, Hard Rock, Pop, Ska, Blues, Folk, Acoustic, Custom, or Country. Choose the preset that best fits your current needs and hit the OK tab to apply it.
Now, hit the Customize tab next to the drop-down bar to adjust the Audio Equalizer manually. Drag the sliders up or down and make the adjustments until you find their ideal value. Finally, hit OK and save your settings.
Besides the included music tracks and sound effects in Filmora initially, you can also find more audio files from Filmora’s effects store – Filmstock, and even get some free music and sound.
Part 3: iMovie Audio Editing Tips & Tricks
iMovie is a great video editor for Mac computers. After understanding the best alternative of iMovie sound editin g, let’s check out some tips on editing audio in iMovie best.
The explanations and screenshots below are for iMovie 10 only. However, the steps are a bit similar to older versions.
So, here we go!
1. Use Waveforms to See What You Hear
To properly edit the audio track in iMovie, you need a good pair of headphones and speakers to hear the sound, but you also need to check the sound.
You can check the sound in iMovie by considering the waveforms on each clip. If the waveforms can’t be seen, go to the View drop-down menu and choose the Show Waveforms option. The clip size for your project can also adjust to get an even better appearance for each video clip.
The waveforms will display the volume level of a clip and give you a good idea of what sections will require to turn up or down. You can also check how the levels of different clips compare to one another.
2. Audio Adjustments
With the help of Adjust tab in the top right, you can access some basic audio editing tools for changing your selected clip’s volume or changing the volume of other relative clips in the project.
The adjustment window of audio also provides basic audio equalization and noise reduction tools, along with a range of effects - from echo to robot - that will change the way people in your video sound.
3. Edit Audio with the Timeline
iMovie assists you in adjusting the audio within the clips themselves. Each pin has a volume bar, moving up and down to decrease or increase the audio level. The clips also contain Fade In and Fade Out tabs at the beginning and end, dragging to adjust the fade’s length.
By adding a short fade effect, whether in or out, the sound becomes relatively smoother and less conflicting to the ear when a new clip begins.
4. Detach the Audio
By default, iMovie keeps the video and audio sections of clips together for convenience. Yet, you want to use the video and audio sections of a clip separately sometimes.
For this purpose, choose your clip in the timeline, visit the Modify drop-down menu, and hit the Detach Audio button. You’ll now have two clips - one with the images and another with the sound.
A lot you can do with the detached audio. For instance, you could extend the audio clip to begin before the video plays, or so that it plays for a few seconds even after the video fades out. You could also cut out pieces from the audio’s middle portion while leaving the video intact.
Conclusion
Coming towards the end of the discussion, after understanding iMovie audio editingand going through an elaborated alternative of iMovie application, we decided that Wondershare Filmora sounds the best out of it. It allows you to flawlessly edit video and audio files on your desktop, with various inbuilt royalty-free music tracks to select from that can further improve your project’s presence.
Marion Dubois
Marion Dubois is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Marion Dubois
Discovering the Top 8 DAW Platforms for Authentic Urban Soundscapes
Top 8 Best DAW for Hip Hop Music Production
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A fully-function DAW software, also known as Digital Audio Workstation, is the essential tool in a music producer’s arsenal. Whether you’re starting your career with your first song or have finally got that break you were looking for, a DAW software will help you handle different elements of music production, including composing, mixing, mastering, etc.
While there are dozens of DAW tools to choose from, it is essential to pick the right one, especially if you’re planning to produce a hip-hop track. Unlike other genres, hip-hop is everything about playing the right beat at the right time. So, it becomes quite essential that you have the best DAW for hip-hop that’ll allow you to master your track perfectly.
To help you in the journey, we’ve put together a list of 8 of the best hip-hop DAWs you can use to mix and master a hip-hop track.
Best Dawfor Hip Hop
1. FL Studio
Image-line’s FL studio is hands-down, the best audio workstation out there. For several years, it has been the go-to tool for music producers across the globe, especially to master hip-hop and EDM tracks.
Being the most popular hip-hop DAW, Image-line always puts in the work to add new features and make it easier for artists to compose their tracks. Thanks to its free upgrade policy, you’ll have access to all the future upgrades for free. The tool is perfect for people who are looking forward to sailing their music careers towards the professional world.
Pros
- Perfect for Hip-Hop & EDM Genres
- Free Upgrades
Cons
- Sluggish User-Interface
- Steep Learning Curve for Beginners
2. Logic Pro
Logic Pro is Apple’s contribution to the world of Digital Audio Workstations. It’s probably the best option if you’re looking for a straightforward DAW for mixing hip-hop tracks on your Macbook.
Having hundreds of built-in plugins, it becomes quite easy to add different audio effects to your track. Moreover, you can use these plugins to take your sound mixing to the next level by adjusting pitch and time for different recordings.
In a nutshell, Logic Pro is one of the most optimal choices for Mac users and a complete value for money.
Pros
- Easy to Manage Workflow
- A variety of built-in plugins
Cons
- Being produced by Apple, Logic Pro is a Mac-only DAW
- Working on large projects can become a bit hectic due to too many windows
3. Cakewalk
If you have just stepped into the world of music production and don’t want to make any investments, Cakewalk is the best DAW for hip-hop you can install on your system. Since 2018, the software has been made free for everyone after it got acquired by BandLab.
Although it might not have advanced features like other professional audio workstations, Cakewalk can help you understand the basics of music composition. With an easy-to-use interface, Cakewalk completely justifies its name. If you’re a beginner, working with this audio station would be a complete cakewalk for sure.
Pros
- Advanced Pro Channel Modules
- Perfect for Novice Music Composers
Cons
- Only Available for Windows
- You’ll have to install BandLab Assistant to Operate Cakewalk
4. Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Studio is yet another professional DAW for composing hip-hop tracks. Bitwig was launched back in 2015, which makes it the modern-day audio station for music composition and mixing.
A modular interface makes it easier to customize the software as per your requirements. Moreover, it offers dozens of user-friendly tools for audio mixing and sound-recording, making it easier to connect different instruments and record sounds.
Pros
- Easy Learning Curve
- Modular Interface
Cons
- Too much resemblance to Ableton Live
- Frequent UI crashes
5. Steinberg Cubase
Cubase has been the best hip-hop DAW in the market ever since digital music production became a reality. Despite being one of the oldest digital audio workstations, Steinberg Cubase has everything you’ll need to compose and mix a hip-hop track.
Recently, the company released Steinberg Cubase version 10, which focuses on automation over everything. With several built-in plugins, you can expect a quick workflow. Also, Cubase offers a user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate through different features.
Pros
- Quick Workflow
- The latest version includes several bundled plugins
Cons
- The “traditional” design may seem a bit underwhelming for modern-day composer
- Cubase lacks a few features that several modern DAWs offer.
6. Acoustica
Acoustica is a cross-platform hip-hop DAW that can be used on Mac as well as Windows systems. However, cross-platform compatibility is not the reason why you should pick Acoustica. The tool offers several features that make it a reliable tool for composing hip-hop tracks. Spectral editing and multi-channel support are such few features that’ll help you compose the entire track in a hassle-free manner.
Pros
- Easy User Interface
- Advanced functionalities
Cons
- You can only record one track at a time
- Works only with Mac OS X 10.11 and later
7. PreSonus
Presonus can be considered an underdog in the world of hip-hop DAW, which has now started to pick up the pace and match the performance of high-end audio workstations like FL Studio. In the latest version, Presonus offers a variety of features like Harmonic Editing that’ll make your music production a hassle-free task. The latest version also majorly focuses on enhancing the workflow.
Pros
- Easy Workflow
- Perfect for Moderate Audio Mixing
Cons
- The single-window interface can be annoying
- Now Suitable for large projects
8. Mixcraft Pro Studio
There are only a few digital audio workstations that offer a beginner-friendly interface. Fortunately, Acoustica Mixcraft Pro is one of them. With its sleek design, it’ll become quite easier to start composing your tracks, even if it’s your first time working on a DAW. The software also offers a decent amount of plugins that’ll help you add professional-touch to your tracks.
Pros
- Perfect for Beginners
- Enough Built-In plugins to start with music production
Cons
- Fewer software upgrades
- Not an ideal tool for advanced projects
Conclusion
We understand that choosing the best DAW for hip-hop can be a bit hectic, especially when you’re looking forward to starting a career as a professional. The truth is, picking the right tool depends on what you want to achieve. So, analyze your requirements and use the above list to pick the right software accordingly.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A fully-function DAW software, also known as Digital Audio Workstation, is the essential tool in a music producer’s arsenal. Whether you’re starting your career with your first song or have finally got that break you were looking for, a DAW software will help you handle different elements of music production, including composing, mixing, mastering, etc.
While there are dozens of DAW tools to choose from, it is essential to pick the right one, especially if you’re planning to produce a hip-hop track. Unlike other genres, hip-hop is everything about playing the right beat at the right time. So, it becomes quite essential that you have the best DAW for hip-hop that’ll allow you to master your track perfectly.
To help you in the journey, we’ve put together a list of 8 of the best hip-hop DAWs you can use to mix and master a hip-hop track.
Best Dawfor Hip Hop
1. FL Studio
Image-line’s FL studio is hands-down, the best audio workstation out there. For several years, it has been the go-to tool for music producers across the globe, especially to master hip-hop and EDM tracks.
Being the most popular hip-hop DAW, Image-line always puts in the work to add new features and make it easier for artists to compose their tracks. Thanks to its free upgrade policy, you’ll have access to all the future upgrades for free. The tool is perfect for people who are looking forward to sailing their music careers towards the professional world.
Pros
- Perfect for Hip-Hop & EDM Genres
- Free Upgrades
Cons
- Sluggish User-Interface
- Steep Learning Curve for Beginners
2. Logic Pro
Logic Pro is Apple’s contribution to the world of Digital Audio Workstations. It’s probably the best option if you’re looking for a straightforward DAW for mixing hip-hop tracks on your Macbook.
Having hundreds of built-in plugins, it becomes quite easy to add different audio effects to your track. Moreover, you can use these plugins to take your sound mixing to the next level by adjusting pitch and time for different recordings.
In a nutshell, Logic Pro is one of the most optimal choices for Mac users and a complete value for money.
Pros
- Easy to Manage Workflow
- A variety of built-in plugins
Cons
- Being produced by Apple, Logic Pro is a Mac-only DAW
- Working on large projects can become a bit hectic due to too many windows
3. Cakewalk
If you have just stepped into the world of music production and don’t want to make any investments, Cakewalk is the best DAW for hip-hop you can install on your system. Since 2018, the software has been made free for everyone after it got acquired by BandLab.
Although it might not have advanced features like other professional audio workstations, Cakewalk can help you understand the basics of music composition. With an easy-to-use interface, Cakewalk completely justifies its name. If you’re a beginner, working with this audio station would be a complete cakewalk for sure.
Pros
- Advanced Pro Channel Modules
- Perfect for Novice Music Composers
Cons
- Only Available for Windows
- You’ll have to install BandLab Assistant to Operate Cakewalk
4. Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Studio is yet another professional DAW for composing hip-hop tracks. Bitwig was launched back in 2015, which makes it the modern-day audio station for music composition and mixing.
A modular interface makes it easier to customize the software as per your requirements. Moreover, it offers dozens of user-friendly tools for audio mixing and sound-recording, making it easier to connect different instruments and record sounds.
Pros
- Easy Learning Curve
- Modular Interface
Cons
- Too much resemblance to Ableton Live
- Frequent UI crashes
5. Steinberg Cubase
Cubase has been the best hip-hop DAW in the market ever since digital music production became a reality. Despite being one of the oldest digital audio workstations, Steinberg Cubase has everything you’ll need to compose and mix a hip-hop track.
Recently, the company released Steinberg Cubase version 10, which focuses on automation over everything. With several built-in plugins, you can expect a quick workflow. Also, Cubase offers a user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate through different features.
Pros
- Quick Workflow
- The latest version includes several bundled plugins
Cons
- The “traditional” design may seem a bit underwhelming for modern-day composer
- Cubase lacks a few features that several modern DAWs offer.
6. Acoustica
Acoustica is a cross-platform hip-hop DAW that can be used on Mac as well as Windows systems. However, cross-platform compatibility is not the reason why you should pick Acoustica. The tool offers several features that make it a reliable tool for composing hip-hop tracks. Spectral editing and multi-channel support are such few features that’ll help you compose the entire track in a hassle-free manner.
Pros
- Easy User Interface
- Advanced functionalities
Cons
- You can only record one track at a time
- Works only with Mac OS X 10.11 and later
7. PreSonus
Presonus can be considered an underdog in the world of hip-hop DAW, which has now started to pick up the pace and match the performance of high-end audio workstations like FL Studio. In the latest version, Presonus offers a variety of features like Harmonic Editing that’ll make your music production a hassle-free task. The latest version also majorly focuses on enhancing the workflow.
Pros
- Easy Workflow
- Perfect for Moderate Audio Mixing
Cons
- The single-window interface can be annoying
- Now Suitable for large projects
8. Mixcraft Pro Studio
There are only a few digital audio workstations that offer a beginner-friendly interface. Fortunately, Acoustica Mixcraft Pro is one of them. With its sleek design, it’ll become quite easier to start composing your tracks, even if it’s your first time working on a DAW. The software also offers a decent amount of plugins that’ll help you add professional-touch to your tracks.
Pros
- Perfect for Beginners
- Enough Built-In plugins to start with music production
Cons
- Fewer software upgrades
- Not an ideal tool for advanced projects
Conclusion
We understand that choosing the best DAW for hip-hop can be a bit hectic, especially when you’re looking forward to starting a career as a professional. The truth is, picking the right tool depends on what you want to achieve. So, analyze your requirements and use the above list to pick the right software accordingly.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A fully-function DAW software, also known as Digital Audio Workstation, is the essential tool in a music producer’s arsenal. Whether you’re starting your career with your first song or have finally got that break you were looking for, a DAW software will help you handle different elements of music production, including composing, mixing, mastering, etc.
While there are dozens of DAW tools to choose from, it is essential to pick the right one, especially if you’re planning to produce a hip-hop track. Unlike other genres, hip-hop is everything about playing the right beat at the right time. So, it becomes quite essential that you have the best DAW for hip-hop that’ll allow you to master your track perfectly.
To help you in the journey, we’ve put together a list of 8 of the best hip-hop DAWs you can use to mix and master a hip-hop track.
Best Dawfor Hip Hop
1. FL Studio
Image-line’s FL studio is hands-down, the best audio workstation out there. For several years, it has been the go-to tool for music producers across the globe, especially to master hip-hop and EDM tracks.
Being the most popular hip-hop DAW, Image-line always puts in the work to add new features and make it easier for artists to compose their tracks. Thanks to its free upgrade policy, you’ll have access to all the future upgrades for free. The tool is perfect for people who are looking forward to sailing their music careers towards the professional world.
Pros
- Perfect for Hip-Hop & EDM Genres
- Free Upgrades
Cons
- Sluggish User-Interface
- Steep Learning Curve for Beginners
2. Logic Pro
Logic Pro is Apple’s contribution to the world of Digital Audio Workstations. It’s probably the best option if you’re looking for a straightforward DAW for mixing hip-hop tracks on your Macbook.
Having hundreds of built-in plugins, it becomes quite easy to add different audio effects to your track. Moreover, you can use these plugins to take your sound mixing to the next level by adjusting pitch and time for different recordings.
In a nutshell, Logic Pro is one of the most optimal choices for Mac users and a complete value for money.
Pros
- Easy to Manage Workflow
- A variety of built-in plugins
Cons
- Being produced by Apple, Logic Pro is a Mac-only DAW
- Working on large projects can become a bit hectic due to too many windows
3. Cakewalk
If you have just stepped into the world of music production and don’t want to make any investments, Cakewalk is the best DAW for hip-hop you can install on your system. Since 2018, the software has been made free for everyone after it got acquired by BandLab.
Although it might not have advanced features like other professional audio workstations, Cakewalk can help you understand the basics of music composition. With an easy-to-use interface, Cakewalk completely justifies its name. If you’re a beginner, working with this audio station would be a complete cakewalk for sure.
Pros
- Advanced Pro Channel Modules
- Perfect for Novice Music Composers
Cons
- Only Available for Windows
- You’ll have to install BandLab Assistant to Operate Cakewalk
4. Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Studio is yet another professional DAW for composing hip-hop tracks. Bitwig was launched back in 2015, which makes it the modern-day audio station for music composition and mixing.
A modular interface makes it easier to customize the software as per your requirements. Moreover, it offers dozens of user-friendly tools for audio mixing and sound-recording, making it easier to connect different instruments and record sounds.
Pros
- Easy Learning Curve
- Modular Interface
Cons
- Too much resemblance to Ableton Live
- Frequent UI crashes
5. Steinberg Cubase
Cubase has been the best hip-hop DAW in the market ever since digital music production became a reality. Despite being one of the oldest digital audio workstations, Steinberg Cubase has everything you’ll need to compose and mix a hip-hop track.
Recently, the company released Steinberg Cubase version 10, which focuses on automation over everything. With several built-in plugins, you can expect a quick workflow. Also, Cubase offers a user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate through different features.
Pros
- Quick Workflow
- The latest version includes several bundled plugins
Cons
- The “traditional” design may seem a bit underwhelming for modern-day composer
- Cubase lacks a few features that several modern DAWs offer.
6. Acoustica
Acoustica is a cross-platform hip-hop DAW that can be used on Mac as well as Windows systems. However, cross-platform compatibility is not the reason why you should pick Acoustica. The tool offers several features that make it a reliable tool for composing hip-hop tracks. Spectral editing and multi-channel support are such few features that’ll help you compose the entire track in a hassle-free manner.
Pros
- Easy User Interface
- Advanced functionalities
Cons
- You can only record one track at a time
- Works only with Mac OS X 10.11 and later
7. PreSonus
Presonus can be considered an underdog in the world of hip-hop DAW, which has now started to pick up the pace and match the performance of high-end audio workstations like FL Studio. In the latest version, Presonus offers a variety of features like Harmonic Editing that’ll make your music production a hassle-free task. The latest version also majorly focuses on enhancing the workflow.
Pros
- Easy Workflow
- Perfect for Moderate Audio Mixing
Cons
- The single-window interface can be annoying
- Now Suitable for large projects
8. Mixcraft Pro Studio
There are only a few digital audio workstations that offer a beginner-friendly interface. Fortunately, Acoustica Mixcraft Pro is one of them. With its sleek design, it’ll become quite easier to start composing your tracks, even if it’s your first time working on a DAW. The software also offers a decent amount of plugins that’ll help you add professional-touch to your tracks.
Pros
- Perfect for Beginners
- Enough Built-In plugins to start with music production
Cons
- Fewer software upgrades
- Not an ideal tool for advanced projects
Conclusion
We understand that choosing the best DAW for hip-hop can be a bit hectic, especially when you’re looking forward to starting a career as a professional. The truth is, picking the right tool depends on what you want to achieve. So, analyze your requirements and use the above list to pick the right software accordingly.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
A fully-function DAW software, also known as Digital Audio Workstation, is the essential tool in a music producer’s arsenal. Whether you’re starting your career with your first song or have finally got that break you were looking for, a DAW software will help you handle different elements of music production, including composing, mixing, mastering, etc.
While there are dozens of DAW tools to choose from, it is essential to pick the right one, especially if you’re planning to produce a hip-hop track. Unlike other genres, hip-hop is everything about playing the right beat at the right time. So, it becomes quite essential that you have the best DAW for hip-hop that’ll allow you to master your track perfectly.
To help you in the journey, we’ve put together a list of 8 of the best hip-hop DAWs you can use to mix and master a hip-hop track.
Best Dawfor Hip Hop
1. FL Studio
Image-line’s FL studio is hands-down, the best audio workstation out there. For several years, it has been the go-to tool for music producers across the globe, especially to master hip-hop and EDM tracks.
Being the most popular hip-hop DAW, Image-line always puts in the work to add new features and make it easier for artists to compose their tracks. Thanks to its free upgrade policy, you’ll have access to all the future upgrades for free. The tool is perfect for people who are looking forward to sailing their music careers towards the professional world.
Pros
- Perfect for Hip-Hop & EDM Genres
- Free Upgrades
Cons
- Sluggish User-Interface
- Steep Learning Curve for Beginners
2. Logic Pro
Logic Pro is Apple’s contribution to the world of Digital Audio Workstations. It’s probably the best option if you’re looking for a straightforward DAW for mixing hip-hop tracks on your Macbook.
Having hundreds of built-in plugins, it becomes quite easy to add different audio effects to your track. Moreover, you can use these plugins to take your sound mixing to the next level by adjusting pitch and time for different recordings.
In a nutshell, Logic Pro is one of the most optimal choices for Mac users and a complete value for money.
Pros
- Easy to Manage Workflow
- A variety of built-in plugins
Cons
- Being produced by Apple, Logic Pro is a Mac-only DAW
- Working on large projects can become a bit hectic due to too many windows
3. Cakewalk
If you have just stepped into the world of music production and don’t want to make any investments, Cakewalk is the best DAW for hip-hop you can install on your system. Since 2018, the software has been made free for everyone after it got acquired by BandLab.
Although it might not have advanced features like other professional audio workstations, Cakewalk can help you understand the basics of music composition. With an easy-to-use interface, Cakewalk completely justifies its name. If you’re a beginner, working with this audio station would be a complete cakewalk for sure.
Pros
- Advanced Pro Channel Modules
- Perfect for Novice Music Composers
Cons
- Only Available for Windows
- You’ll have to install BandLab Assistant to Operate Cakewalk
4. Bitwig Studio
Bitwig Studio is yet another professional DAW for composing hip-hop tracks. Bitwig was launched back in 2015, which makes it the modern-day audio station for music composition and mixing.
A modular interface makes it easier to customize the software as per your requirements. Moreover, it offers dozens of user-friendly tools for audio mixing and sound-recording, making it easier to connect different instruments and record sounds.
Pros
- Easy Learning Curve
- Modular Interface
Cons
- Too much resemblance to Ableton Live
- Frequent UI crashes
5. Steinberg Cubase
Cubase has been the best hip-hop DAW in the market ever since digital music production became a reality. Despite being one of the oldest digital audio workstations, Steinberg Cubase has everything you’ll need to compose and mix a hip-hop track.
Recently, the company released Steinberg Cubase version 10, which focuses on automation over everything. With several built-in plugins, you can expect a quick workflow. Also, Cubase offers a user-friendly interface, making it easier to navigate through different features.
Pros
- Quick Workflow
- The latest version includes several bundled plugins
Cons
- The “traditional” design may seem a bit underwhelming for modern-day composer
- Cubase lacks a few features that several modern DAWs offer.
6. Acoustica
Acoustica is a cross-platform hip-hop DAW that can be used on Mac as well as Windows systems. However, cross-platform compatibility is not the reason why you should pick Acoustica. The tool offers several features that make it a reliable tool for composing hip-hop tracks. Spectral editing and multi-channel support are such few features that’ll help you compose the entire track in a hassle-free manner.
Pros
- Easy User Interface
- Advanced functionalities
Cons
- You can only record one track at a time
- Works only with Mac OS X 10.11 and later
7. PreSonus
Presonus can be considered an underdog in the world of hip-hop DAW, which has now started to pick up the pace and match the performance of high-end audio workstations like FL Studio. In the latest version, Presonus offers a variety of features like Harmonic Editing that’ll make your music production a hassle-free task. The latest version also majorly focuses on enhancing the workflow.
Pros
- Easy Workflow
- Perfect for Moderate Audio Mixing
Cons
- The single-window interface can be annoying
- Now Suitable for large projects
8. Mixcraft Pro Studio
There are only a few digital audio workstations that offer a beginner-friendly interface. Fortunately, Acoustica Mixcraft Pro is one of them. With its sleek design, it’ll become quite easier to start composing your tracks, even if it’s your first time working on a DAW. The software also offers a decent amount of plugins that’ll help you add professional-touch to your tracks.
Pros
- Perfect for Beginners
- Enough Built-In plugins to start with music production
Cons
- Fewer software upgrades
- Not an ideal tool for advanced projects
Conclusion
We understand that choosing the best DAW for hip-hop can be a bit hectic, especially when you’re looking forward to starting a career as a professional. The truth is, picking the right tool depends on what you want to achieve. So, analyze your requirements and use the above list to pick the right software accordingly.
Benjamin Arango
Benjamin Arango is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Benjamin Arango
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