How to Use WavePad: The Super Simple Audio Editing Tool

Audio editing has always been a daunting task, with complex tools and feature overload making it difficult to get started. But that all changed when WavePad Audio Editor came along. Its intuitive interface and simple tools changed the way people approached editing, making audio editing surprisingly easy.

Get Started with WavePad

The first step is to download WavePad from the official website. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the dedicated audio editor on your computer. Once installed, open WavePad. The interface looks familiar and user-friendly, with a large audio display window, a transfer bar, a timeline at the bottom, and a toolbar at the top with all your necessary controls.

 

Click the Settings button under the Home tab in the toolbar to configure various options, such as default input and output devices, sample rate, playback settings, and interface.

Note : WavePad is very simple and intuitive once you get used to its essential functions. However, if you run into any trouble, navigate to the top menu and click View > Command Bar > Show Command Bar to display a list of video tutorials and the quick start wizard.

Record to WavePad

Depending on your needs, you can edit existing audio files or create your own recordings in WavePad. Both processes are quick and easy to do.

Note : Before recording, make sure your microphone is properly connected and your input source is correctly configured in WavePad's preferences.

Open WavePad and click the + New button in the Home tab to start a new project. Next, click the Record button or press F5 to start recording. You can monitor the recording in real time to make sure it doesn't clip. Use the transport bar to control the recording and playback. When you're done, click the Stop button and save your work.

 

Alternatively, drag an existing audio file directly into the audio window or go to Open > Open File to load it for editing.

Edit audio in WavePad

Like all good music making software, WavePad can be as simple or as advanced as you need, with intuitive tools for editing your sounds. Here are some of its most useful features:

Cut audio parts

To trim audio sections, simply click and drag your mouse over the desired portion of the sound wave. You can adjust the start and end points of the selected section by dragging the edges and use the magnifying glass tool to zoom in for precise editing.

Once selected, click the Cut button on the toolbar or press Ctrl/Command+X to delete the section and place it on the clipboard. If you want to paste the cut section elsewhere, click the desired location in the audio file and press Paste or Ctrl/Command+V to insert it.

Join audio files together

When joining audio files together, start by opening all the files you want to combine via File > Open . Drag the second file to the right of the first file on the timeline, making sure there is no overlap unless it is intentional.

Once aligned, choose Edit > Select All , then choose Edit > Join (or right-click the timeline and choose Join ) to merge the files into a single audio track.

Split audio file

To split an audio file, navigate to the exact point you want to split. Zoom in and drag the cursor to increase precision. Once located, click the Split button in the Edit tab or press Ctrl/Command+T and select Split at Cursor . This will split the audio file into two separate pieces, which you can then move, delete, or edit independently.

 

Combine audio files

Finally, to combine the audio files, load the main audio file via File > Open . In the Edit tab, select Mix with File > Mix File Direct . From your library, select the secondary file you want to merge and click Open . You can adjust the volume of the merged file until you're happy with the mix, then complete the process by clicking Paste Mix .

Add effects to audio track

​​​​​​​​Whether editing dialog for a video or cleaning up an instrument track, WavePad offers a number of high-quality effects and tools that can dramatically improve and enhance your audio. Tools like click-and-pop removal, de-esser, high/low pass filters, compressors, and equalizers are essential for mastering your tracks.

1. Highlight the part of the audio file you want to edit. If you want to apply the effect to the entire file, press Ctrl/command+A to select all.
2. Click the Effects menu on the toolbar. You'll find a variety of effects like reverb, echo, equalizer, pitch shift, noise reduction, and more.
3. After selecting an effect, a dialog box will open where you can adjust the intensity or parameters of the effect. Preview the changes before applying them.
4. Click OK to apply the effect. The sound wave will change according to the effect adjustments.

Adjust volume levels in WavePad

​​​​​​​​​Equalizing volume is one of the basic functions of audio editing, and WavePad provides tools to adjust the overall volume and specific parts of an audio file. For example, the Normalize feature is especially useful when adding dialog to a video.

 

To adjust the volume for an entire track, navigate to Levels > Amplify on the toolbar. This will open a window with sliders that let you increase or decrease the gain. You can preview your changes before applying them, making it easy to fine-tune your sound.

If you only need to adjust the volume of a specific section, use your mouse to select the desired audio section. Once selected, a pop-up window will appear. Select Amplify and move the slider to set the volume for that section.

To get even volume across your audio, use the Normalize tool by going to Levels > Normalize . This feature automatically adjusts levels to create balanced audio.

For smoother transitions, you can apply a fade effect to selected sections. Highlight the audio section you want to edit, then go to Levels > Fade and select Fade In or Fade Out to gradually increase or decrease the volume.

Whether you use WavePad as a standalone audio editor or in conjunction with your favorite digital audio workstation, it's an intuitive, high-quality program that will get the job done quickly and easily. If you're a video editor, vlogger, music producer, or all-around audiophile, it's well worth downloading WavePad for free to get the most out of your recorded work.