Rating of the best software for working with sound for 2020

In this article, we will talk about the best programs for working with sound for 2020 - applications for processing final tracks and in order to carry out other manipulations with musical compositions - to record vocals through a microphone, process it with effects and even carry out final processing of musical track.

The best free software for working with sound

This TOP starts with free programs designed to work with musical compositions. Thanks to them, it is possible to work with the elements of the audio file and most often apply ordinary effects.

6th place: mp3DirectCut

A small program that is designed to handle snippets of audio files. Thanks to her, ringtones for smartphones are often created. From the auxiliary functionality of the program, it is necessary to single out only the ability to smoothly increase or decrease the playback volume.

This program has support for only one format - MP3, and therefore it cannot be used to make ringtones for devices created by Apple Corporation.

• Cut MP3 files without decoding;
• Intuitive interface.

• Reduced functionality;
• Supports MP3 format exclusively.

5th place: Free Audio Editor

Nice application with a simple interface in Russian. Formally, this application should be called an "improved modification" of the above editor, since the application has a large number of formats, and it is also possible to use it even as an audio file converter.

By the way, the latter is done in a limited way - there is no batch conversion mode in the application, and therefore, during the transcoding of many tracks, it will be necessary to constantly insert files into the editor interface.

Other functionality of this utility is similar to mp3DirectCut.

• Supports MP3, AAC, M4A, FLAC, OGG and WMA formats;
• Shutting down the computer after processing.

• Lack of effects;
• No batch editing mode.

4th place: Nero SoundTrax

An exclusive tool for making long-lasting tracks. Like other programs, the utility is designed to record the final tracks on optical discs, but you can always save the final project to a WAV file.

You can add a musical composition to the interface by ordinary drag and drop. If you "dig deeper" in the parameters of the application, then in its "more often" settings, you can even find a synthesizer, drum regulator and mixer. By the way, the mixer is good enough, but does not pull up to a professional level like Traktor Pro. Experts recommend the program for recording tracks for amateurs.

• Able to function with sound in 7.1 format;
• Supports side effects.

• Incomprehensible interface;
• Saving tracks exclusively in WAV format.

3rd Place: Nero WaveEditor

Another software from the popular creator Nero. These two utilities even have similarities - both programs have support for DirectX / VST plugins. On this, however, the similarities end.

The application in question is a traditional audio file editor that supports compression to mp3PRO format and has two dozen integrated effects.

The program has a built-in equalizer, noise gateway, and a karaoke filter. It should be noted that there are special algorithms in order to optimize the sound of specific instruments (for example, drums).

• Sound optimization mode;
• There is a karaoke filter.

• Only two dozen integrated effects;
• You cannot open audio tracks from clips.

2nd place: Audacity

Perhaps one of the most popular free audio file editors. The program won users over with its own functionality.

The application has tools for recording sound, a set of basic and "amplifying" effects, a de-click mode, support for clips and objects in RAW format.

It should be noted that this utility is an exclusive program for working with sound, which allows you to immediately start working in the "Multitrack" mode - blanks from the studio.

The disadvantage of the application is that the interface is not very comfortable. For example, effects are applied through a large opening window.

• Advanced functionality when compared with other programs from this category;
• Supports "Multitrack" mode.

• Not a very comfortable interface;
• For full support of the MP3 format, you need to install auxiliary libraries.

1st Place: WavePad

It is a great music editor with built-in audio converter. The utility's area of ​​use is quite wide - from cutting ringtones for iOS devices (M4R format is supported) to editing songs in the "multitrack" mode.

By the way, for this purpose it will be necessary to install a paid plugin in addition. The program makes it possible to recover audio recordings from vinyl, is able to burn tracks to CDs and run files from certain cloud services directly.

The application is free for personal use.

• Integrated batch audio converter;
• Processing tracks in MP3 format without sacrificing quality.

• Multitrack mode is available after installing a paid add-on;
• The sample rate has been reduced to 69 kHz.

The best audio software with powerful functionality

This heading presents programs for working with sound with extensive functionality, the full edition of which needs money investment from the sound engineer.

These apps are more feature-rich and usually include more tools when compared to free alternatives.

2nd place: AVS Audio Editor

Program for processing audio recordings with the ability to import tracks from Audio CD. The application is often used to change the voice, it has renders of sound vibrations - spectral shape, envelope view and wave indicator.

Other options of the utility are similar to other similar programs: tools for making ringtones, a set of add-ons and the ability to record a voice.

For all final projects that were made in the free edition, the sound logo of the manufacturer is being adjusted. The average price of the full edition, according to most users, is exaggerated and amounts to 5,700 rubles.

• Supports M4R format;
• Special algorithms for voice processing.

• Supports a limited number of effects;
• Overpriced, according to users, the price of the license.

1st place: GoldWave

A fairly versatile program that has not only extensive functionality in order to edit recorded vocals, but also the function of capturing sound from various sources (including sounds from other applications).

The utility has a batch conversion option, makes it possible to synthesize a voice, is able to increase the capabilities through plug-ins from the developer or third-party effects. Trial-edition of the program reduces the number of operations on one project. The average price of the full version is 2,850 rubles.

• Supports multichannel sound;
• Sound recording cleaning mode from clicks.

• Lack of Russian in the menu;
• Overly saturated interface tones.

The best software for working with sound with a Trial license

In this section, programs for working with sound are presented, which make it possible to study your own functionality for free for a certain time.

1st place: Sound Normalizer

A special-purpose program designed to normalize the loudness of audio recordings by converting the deviations of all sound vibrations. As a result, the user gets a track without sacrificing quality.

The utility has support for the batch processing option, there is a preview mode for the specified transformations. The application is capable of functioning with most of the well-known formats, among which it is worth highlighting FLAC, OGG, MP3 and WAV.

In addition, the application can be used as an audio editor. The utility is in great demand among DJs and professional artists. The free edition of the application is limited to a month of use, it has a limit on the number of tracks in batch processing.

The average cost of the full version is 450 rubles.

The best programs with mastering function

The three programs discussed below have support for the mastering option - the final editing of professional-grade tracks before their official release.

3rd place: Sound Forge Pro

At first it seems that this application is absolutely identical to the standard audio editor, but in reality this is not true.

The minimalist interface and extensive functionality are the achievement of the popular manufacturer Sony Creative Software. This utility is a multifunctional audio recording editor, which is based on an innovative engine.

The program makes it possible to qualitatively adjust your own or third-party plug-ins, it can be used to clean the compositions from noise. In addition, it has support for all popular formats, including multitrack presets.

It should be noted that there is a useful option to download track data from the Web. The application is often used to edit vocals while preparing an IVR menu. The trial version of the program is limited to 30 days of use. The average cost of a full edition is quite high and amounts to 25,500 rubles.

• Uncomplicated appearance of the interface;
• High quality plugin execution.

• Experts recommend installing the utility on productive computers;
• Overpriced, according to users, the price.

2nd place: WaveLab

This is, in a way, a lightweight edition of the popular digital-type studio Cubase from renowned manufacturer Steinberg. The utility is often used for final processing - mastering, as well as for preparing covers for musical compositions.

As befits a program for professionals, the utility has support for a high sampling rate, which reaches 384 kHz.

Of course, the functionality of the application makes it possible to perform all standard tasks, but using this utility in order to make ringtones is highly impractical, since the program loads the OS quite heavily and does not stand out from the competitors in terms of availability. The average cost of a license is 6,900 rubles.

The free period is limited to 30 days of use.

• Nice bundle of plugins;
• High quality song editing.

• Experts recommend installing the program exclusively on powerful computers;
• Lack of a Russian-language interface.

1st place: Adobe Audition

It is a multi-functional digital studio designed for vocal editing. The program is popular, first of all, due to the high-quality set of plugins and libraries. The application area is quite extensive and starts with voice processing and ends with mastering.

Some musicians use this utility in order to record new compositions based on available presets.

The application includes a metronome and a frequency monitor, it uses a special noise suppression algorithm, in connection with which the studio is often used to clean the tracks from third-party sounds. The free application period of the utility is typical for this group of software and is equal to 30 days.

The average monthly subscription price is RUB 600.

• High-quality set of filters;
• Perfect operation of the voice removal mode.

• Certain formats are missing from the standard set, such as Apple QuickTime;
• Requires a lot of disk space.

Which one to choose?

Among the free programs for working with sound, the most universal software in the heading should be distinguished, namely the Audacity application. The application scenarios are quite wide due to the fact that it has support for the option of importing multitrack workpieces.

Even in spite of the discussion interface, the application is quite comfortable in the process of performing standard tasks (creating ringtones, gluing and exporting).

In the category of applications for professionals, it is worth noting the Adobe Audition utility. It has a large number of plugins, from which it is even possible to create your own processing chain. In addition, the application stands out from the competition with good functionality in the basic configuration, and also supports the "multitrack" mode, which is an excellent basis for performing tasks of different levels.