# What Is Audio Editing? A Comprehensive Guide | Capterra > Audio editing is the process of manipulating recorded audio to create the desired effect. In this guide, we'll explain how you can use audio editing to help your business. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-audio-editing --- Video MarketingIT & Software Development # What Is Audio Editing? A Comprehensive Guide Written by: Leaman Crews Leaman CrewsAuthor Leaman Crews is a writer and technology consultant specializing in finance, HR, and enterprise IT topics. A former newspaper publisher and editor, his work h... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/leaman-crews-guest-contributor/) and edited by: Carolyn Santa Maria Carolyn Santa MariaEditor Carolyn Santa Maria is a senior editor at Capterra. Carolyn has been working in content for more than five years as an editor. With her keen eye for detail, ... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/carolyn-santa-maria/) Published June 6, 2022 | Updated on January 19, 2024 5 min read Table of Contents - [What is audio editing?](#what-is-audio-editing) - [What are the different types of audio editing?](#what-are-the-different-types-of-audio-editing) - [How does audio editing work?](#how-does-audio-editing-work) - [What are the benefits of using audio editing software?](#what-are-the-benefits-of-using-audio-editing-software) - [3 audio editing tips for beginners](#3-audio-editing-tips-for-beginners) - [Audio editing helps create professional content](#audio-editing-helps-create-professional-content) ## Get a grasp on basic audio editing to create great content. You've heard that videos and podcasts are a great way to promote your business. But as your team starts to produce this content, you will quickly learn the importance of audio editing. Whether it’s necessary for removing mistakes, polishing sound quality, or adding a professional touch, audio editing is essential in content production. If you're at square one and wondering what audio editing is and what it might mean for your business, you're in the right place. Read on for a comprehensive guide to audio editing for beginners. ## What is audio editing? Audio editing is the process of altering recorded sound to create a desired effect. You may want to edit audio for many different reasons, such as to improve the quality of the recording, to remove unwanted noise or sounds, or to change the length or pitch of a particular audio clip.  While the audio editing process can seem complex, a wide range of apps exist to help make it easier. Whether you want to add background music to a video or remove moments of silence from a podcast, audio editing software will help you get the job done. ## What are the different types of audio editing? There are three main types of audio editing: cutting, fading, and mixing. - **Cutting** is the most basic type of audio editing. To cut an audio file, select the portion of the file you want to remove, and then delete it. This is often used to remove unwanted sections from a recording, such as pauses or mistakes. - **Fading** is used to smooth out abrupt changes in volume. For example, if you have a recording of someone speaking and there is a sudden loud noise, you can use fading to reduce the recording volume until the noise is gone. - **Mixing** is used to combine multiple audio files into one. This can be used to create background music for a video or podcast. For example, you could mix several tracks to create an instrumental version of a song. ## How does audio editing work? Audio editing can be completed using a few types of apps, but the most common type is known as a digital audio workstation (DAW). Most DAWs have various tools to help you edit audio. For example, you can use equalization (EQ) to adjust high or low sound frequencies or to add pleasing audio effects such as reverb or echo. The exact methods you learn in the basics of audio editing will vary depending on the DAW software in question. However, nearly all these apps open audio files, or the audio track of a video, in a timeline. You then select portions of the timeline to perform audio editing actions on your selection. Most audio processing programs will offer tools to help you get the sound you need. This includes EQ, compression, limiting, reverb, and delay. There are many different ways to process audio, so finding a program that offers the specific tools required for your project is important. The last step in the editing process is output, when you save the edited audio file. The most common audio formats are WAV and MP3, but there are many others. WAV files are uncompressed and will take up more space than MP3 files. They are best suited for applications with paramount sound quality, such as music editing or video production. MP3 files are compressed and take up less space than WAV files. They are ideal for applications where small file size is a top priority, such as audio streaming or portable devices. ## What are the benefits of using audio editing software? The audio editing software available today provides a simple and cost-effective method to perform common tasks, such as: - **Improve the quality of your audio content**. Audio editing can help you remove background noise, boost clarity and volume, and clean up any mistakes in your recording. - **Make your audio content more engaging**. This can help you attract and retain listeners, which is especially important if you're using audio as a marketing tool. - **Repurpose existing audio content**. If you have a podcast, you can edit together different segments from different episodes to create a new episode rather than starting from scratch each time. ## 3 audio editing tips for beginners To help you get the best out of your audio editing software, you need to know all the tips and tricks of the trade. Here are some audio editing tips to help you along your way. By following these tips, you'll be on your way to becoming a proficient audio editor. ### Remove unwanted noise from an audio recording To remove background noise from a recording, use a low-pass filter. This will help eliminate some of the high frequencies that can be distracting. Many DAWs will also have built-in tools for removing background noise. If your app doesn't offer this feature, plug-ins for this task are likely available. ### Adjust the volume of an audio recording A common audio editing task is adjusting volume levels. This is usually accomplished with a simple slider. Be careful not to boost the bass or treble too much. This can make the audio sound muddy or tinny. ### Add effects to an audio recording Most DAWs allow you to add effects such as reverb, echo, or delay to a selected portion of audio. However, keep in mind the motto "less is more." Too many of these effects can make the audio sound artificial. Use effects sparingly and ensure they help make a point. ## Audio editing helps create professional content Content, such as helpful videos and engaging podcasts, can help an SMB like yours connect with more potential customers. However, you should grasp the basics of audio editing to create professional-sounding content. When choosing an audio editor, the most important thing is finding one that's easy to use and meets your editing needs. To learn more about audio editing and content production, check out these other resources from Capterra: - [Audio Editing Software Reviews](https://www.capterra.com/audio-editing-software/) - [A Guide to Content Marketing for Small Businesses](https://www.capterra.com/resources/content-marketing-for-small-businesses/) - [Video Marketing Tips From Successful Small Business Owners](https://www.capterra.com/resources/video-marketing-tips/) * * * Looking for Audio Editing software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Audio Editing software](https://www.capterra.com/audio-editing-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Authors [### Leaman Crews](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/leaman-crews-guest-contributor/) Leaman Crews is a writer and technology consultant specializing in finance, HR, and enterprise IT topics. A former newspaper publisher and editor, his work has appeared in publications across the United States, and he is a frequent contributor to Capterra. [### Carolyn Santa Maria](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/carolyn-santa-maria/) Carolyn Santa Maria is a senior editor at Capterra. Carolyn has been working in content for more than five years as an editor. With her keen eye for detail, technical experience, and cross-team collaborative expertise, she has developed new content types, briefs, and processes for a variety of different projects and teams. She has edited a large variety of content, including research reports, white papers, eBooks, email marketing campaigns, and many other types of technical papers. 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