Open the song
Drag an MP3, WAV, FLAC, M4A or other audio file onto the window, or use File › Open. Several files open as separate tabs, so you can copy between songs.
Select and edit
- Drag across the waveform to select a part. The start, end and length appear so you can type exact times.
- Press Space to listen to the selection.
- Use Cut, Copy, Paste or Delete from the Edit menu, or the usual Ctrl+X, Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V.
- Turn on Snap to zero crossings before cutting. It moves your edit to a point where the wave crosses zero, which avoids clicks.
- Select the first or last few seconds and apply Fade In or Fade Out.
Make a loop or a shorter version
To shorten a song, cut a repeated chorus or verse and paste with a short crossfade so the join is smooth. For a loop, use Seamless Loop: preview the loop, adjust the crossfade, and apply it.
Nothing is final until you save. The history drawer keeps each step, so you can go back several edits at once.
Compare before and after
Store the current version as an A/B snapshot, keep editing, then swap between A and B to hear which you prefer.
Questions about this task
Can I join two songs into one?
Open both as tabs and use Concatenate tabs (press Ctrl+K and type “concatenate”), or paste one song onto the end of the other.
Will editing an MP3 reduce quality?
Edits happen on a high-precision working copy. Quality only changes when you export to a lossy format such as MP3 again, so use a high bitrate.
How do I make a ringtone from a song?
Select a 20–30 second part, add a short fade in and fade out, then use Export Selection or trim the file and export it as MP3 or M4A.
Can I change the tempo or speed of a song?
Yes. Use Speed / Playback Rate or Speed Up / Slow Down in the Effects menu. Moderate changes sound most natural.
Try It On Your Own Audio
Audio Recorder Editor Free costs nothing. Install it and follow along.
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