Even though many elearning applications have their own audio tools, I usually don’t use them. I may for quick projects, but generally, I like to keep my audio production separate from my elearning course production. It provides more control over the audio files and dedicated audio editing software tends to have more features.
Here’s a list of some free audio editors that are more than sufficient for what you may need for most of your elearning course production. And the price is right.
Of course, working with audio isn’t necessarily as easy as plugging in a microphone and recording narration. So I included links to the free software’s learning community to help you if you have detailed questions.
Audacity is probably the most popular of the free audio editors. It’s open source with lots of users so that means there’s a lot of help available online. You can do quick basic recording or use the more advanced features for better audio editing.
The interface for this is familiar and pretty easy to use to get started. As they say, it’s “easy to use, fast and functional audio editor. It is the ideal software for people who need to edit and analyze audio files without complications.”
There’s a free and pro version. This is a nice application and probably a bit more sophisticated than what most of us are used to using. However, once you learn to use it you’ll have a lot you can do.
This is an online tool. The start page is a bit different than you might expect. To create a recording you click “new document.” This opens up an easy to use recording window. It is online and you can save to Google Drive.
I do like the ability to download and edit audio from Soundcloud.
I just took a quick look at the free audio editor so I can’t speak to how easy it is to use. However, I know that there are a few blog readers who use it. Here’s how Wavosaur describes the tool: “a cool free sound editor, audio editor, wav editor software for editing, processing and recording sounds, wav and mp3 files. The program has no installer and doesn’t write in the registry. Use it as a free mp3 editor, for mastering, sound design.”
This is another application I haven’t used yet, but was told about at a recent conference. It does bit perfect editing which apparently is important if you don’t want a corrupted dither; and who wants that?
There are a lot more free audio editors out there, but these are the ones I’ve personally used hear the most about from blog readers. And they’re not tied to non-commercial or freemium business models. That means you’re free to use them for the courses you produce at work.
Do you use a different free audio editor than the ones listed above? Feel free to share in the comments below.
*image via commons.wikimedia.org
Vancouver & Toronto Workshops: We’re planning a couple of workshops in Toronto & Vancouver. If you’re interested, let us know. Click here for more details. January 28-29 (London, UK). I’ll be at Learning Technologies, swing by the Articulate booth #42 to say “Hi.” January 30 (London, UK). Doing a couple of seminars on building interactive elearning. Click here to register. February 10 & 11 (Omaha, NE). Sign up for one day or both: Day 1: How to Build Interactive E-Learning
Day 2: Use Articulate Storyline to Build Interactive E-Learning March 10 & 11 (Phoenix, AZ). Registration page coming soon.
Day 1: How to Build Interactive E-Learning with Articulate Storyline
Day 2: Articulate Storyline Brainteasers March 25-27 (Orlando, FL). Learning Solutions. Swing by the Articulate booth to say “Hello.”April 15 & 16 (Chicago, IL). Details coming soon. May 17-20 (Orlando, FL). ATD International Conference & Expo. Swing by the Articulate booth to say “Hello.” June 3 & 4 (San Francisco, CA). Registration page coming soon.
Day 1: Learn to Create Your Own E-Learning Assets
Day 2: Use Storyline to Build Interactive E-LearningOther locations include: Philadelphia, Portland, Atlanta, Vancouver, and Toronto.
