Audio files can be used in a variety of ways, from creating music to providing additional sound effects and soundtracks for movies. Whether you’re a professional or just someone who’s curious about how to work with audio files, this guide provides an overview of the basics.
Firstly, you need to make sure you have the right software. Most computers come with basic audio editing software, such as Audacity, but if you want to do more advanced work then you may need to fork out for a digital audio workstation (DAW). Popular DAWs include Logic Pro X, Pro Tools and Ableton Live, amongst others.
Once you’ve got your software set up, you’ll need to start importing your audio files. There are lots of different file formats, including the traditional WAV and AIFF, as well as more modern compressed formats such as MP3 and AAC. With your audio imported into your DAW, you’ll be able to start manipulating the sound.
You can alter the pitch, speed and other characteristics of the audio, as well as adding effects such as reverb, compression, EQ and delay. It’s also possible to create new sounds, either by sampling existing recordings or using synthesizers.
When editing audio, it’s important to pay attention to levels. Making sure that your audio doesn’t clip, or peak, is essential for maintaining a good overall sound quality. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to keep all tracks at around -12 dB to -6 dB.
Exporting your edited audio is fairly straightforward and usually just involves selecting your file format and destination folder. Once you’ve finished, you should always listen back to make sure everything is sounding as you’d expect.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that there are plenty of tutorials and courses available to help you learn more about audio production. Taking the time to educate yourself can really pay off, helping you to become more efficient and creating better sounding audio files.