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Have you been travelling to a gig and heard a sound that would be perfect as an atmospheric texture in a track? 

 

Are you a vocalist who wants to record a scratch vocal while creativity is flowing?

 

Maybe you just want to try music production for the first time? 

 

Or you want to edit a podcast or voiceover work?

 

An online audio editor could be the tool for you.

 

Online audio editors are audio tools that can be accessed with a web browser or using an app that requires an internet connection. They generally offer features for basic audio editing and recording, as long as you are connected to the internet. Many have additional features, and there are a number of fully-fledged online digital audio workstations (DAW’s) available now as well. 

 

Online audio editors are typically not as powerful as offline DAW’s, but they are often cheaper, or even free. They can be simple to use. Plus, they can be accessed on a wide range of devices, allowing you to edit on the move, whenever inspiration comes.

 

Here are our suggestions for the best online audio editors for producers, ranging from really simple to full online music studio packages.

 

 

1. Soundtrap

 

A full online DAW (digital audio workstation) with a range of collaboration features, new, exclusive and trending samples every 2 weeks, plus more.

 

 

Soundtrap is a cloud based digital audio workstation (DAW) made by music producers, songwriters, and audio experts. In addition to the virtual instruments, FX and samples that it offers, it has a number of features for audio editing online.

 

Soundtrap’s features for audio editing include:

 

• Copy
• Remove
• Reverse
• Adjustable looping
• Transpose
• Merge
• Split
• Automation

 

Soundtrap has a number of collaboration features - you can collaborate in real-time, communicating through video and chat, in the online studio. You can leave comments on projects and there is an auto-save function to help keep the creativity flowing. 

 

Every 2 weeks there are new and exclusive royalty-free samples added to the ever-growing sound bank that Soundtrap also provides. Such as an exclusive vocal pack from award winning vocalist Tinashe, and samples from trending genres such as Phonk and Lo-Fi.

 

There is also a selection of virtual instruments, software synths, and drum kits. Plus, a range of FX, including reverb and delay, automation features, and more. 

 

Soundtrap could be a great option for people that want to try their hand at music production, vocalists, or those that want to edit a podcast, and want access to a wide range of tools in one place online.

 

There is a free pricing option and the tiers above this start at £10.99 per month which gives you unlimited projects, 26,710+ loops, automation functions, and more.

 

 

2. TwistedWave

 

This simple browser-based editor could be a great option for quick and simple edits when you are on-the-go or in creative flow.

 

 

TwistedWave offers a browser based audio editor that doesn’t look incredible but is simple to use for quick edits or recordings.

 

TwistedWave’s browser based audio editor’s functions include:

 

• Record
• Copy and paste
• Fade in and fade out
• Normalise
• Amplify
• Undo/redo

 

You can edit mono files, up to 5 minutes long, with a free account.

 

This simple editor could be a great option for quick and simple edits when in creative flow or on-the-go. There are also offline versions for Mac, Windows, iPhone and iPad.

 

 

3. Bear Audio Editor

 

This only MP3 cutter and trimmer uses HTML5 audio technology, which allows you to upload quickly.

 

 

Bear Audio Editor is a free online MP3 cutter & audio trimmer. This is a simple audio editor that can be used to upload audio files quickly and edit them, directly in your browser. It supports a number of different formats. Plus, you can record audio.

 

Bear Audio Editor’s functions include:

 

• Cut
• Merge
• Record
• Fade in and fade out
• Mute and adjust volume
• Pitch changer
• Undo/redo

 

Bear Audio Tool describes the editor as “Powerful, easy to use” with an “Easy interface”.

 

The Bear Audio Editor uses HTML5 audio technology, which allows you to upload audio quickly. You can upload and save a number of different file formats.

 

This editor could be a good option for those looking to do quick and basic edits, such as producers that are away from the studio.

 

 

4. Soundation

 

Soundation could be a good choice for beginner producers or those that want to collaborate online.

 

 

Soundation is a cloud based real-time collaborative DAW (digital audio workstation) that lets you produce music with your team remotely in the same studio project at the same time.

 

Aside from a range of virtual instruments, FX, an online sound library and other features, Soundation has an online audio editor.

 

Soundation’s online audio editor’s features include:

 

• Trim and cut
• Record
• Fade in / Fade out
• Mix - blend your audio with other samples - adjust volumes, pan and add FX
• Automate
• Timestretch

 

Soundation offers 12 software instruments including samplers, drum machines and a selection of synths such as the Wub Machine and the Mono Synth. Plus, FX and a selection of filters such as the Butterworth Filter and the Wubfilter.

 

With Soundation you can collaborate within the same studio project in real-time, and it shows other users' cursors and actions they are taking. Plus, you can share your projects and presets with one simple link.

 

Soundation has an online sound library that has over 20,000 royalty-free audio samples from genres such as Drum and Bass, Hip Hop and more, and over 300 software instrument presets.

 

Soundation could be a good choice for beginner producers or those that want to collaborate online. There is a free tier available, and the above tiers start at £4.99 a month which gives you unlimited projects, more than 12,000 loops, and other features.

 

 

5. Audiotool

 

A “community driven”, free online DAW that helps you to collaborate, unleash creativity, and share your music.

 

 

Audiotool is an online DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) with a range of features to make and mix music in your web browser, without installation. Alongside synths, drum machines and FX, it has Probe, the Audiotool sample editor, that you can access whenever you are online.

 

Probe’s features include:

 

• Copy, cut and paste
• Crop 
• Add fades
• Normalise 
• Reverse 

 

Audiotool allows users to record audio up to 10 mins long, and upload their own samples.

 

In addition to Probe, Audiotool has 28 FX, including Rasselbock - a resampler time synced to your arrangement, with 7 built-in effect types to shift your groove in directions you may never have thought of before. Plus, stomp boxes, 3 drum machines, a range of compressors, synthesisers - including subtractive and spectral synthesis, and a huge number of presets, over 200,000!

 

Audiotools workflow mirrors that of early electronic musicians, you can add all of its devices to the app desktop, connecting them through input and output with virtual cables.

 

The platform describes itself as “community driven”. This is because it offers a community of fellow producers, creatives and music-lovers that you can collaborate with in real-time, share your music and projects with, get feedback, and more.

 

Audiotool could be a good option if you are a new producer, or you want to collaborate and interact with a community of like-minded people.

 

 

6. Loopcloud

 

Loopcloud allows you to shape millions of royalty-free samples to your sound. You can edit, layer, and combine them with your own existing library, and more.

 

 

Loopcloud is a sample library with a difference. Offering over 4 million royalty-free samples from Lo-Fi, Hip Hop, House, Techno, Dub, Funk, DnB, Cinematic and more, that you can shape in your own style, alongside your own samples, all in the Loopcloud sample editor.

 

The Loopcloud sample editor is not strictly an “online” audio editor, but you can browse the entire Loopcloud library when you are online and it offers a range of features and FX that we just had to share.

 

The Loopcloud sample editor syncs to the timing of all the major DAW’s, so you can use it during your production sessions right there in your DAW.  

 

Loopcloud sample editor’s features include:

 

• Split tool
• Drag tool
• Slip tool - shuffle audio around
• Pitch
• FX

 

The sample editor is multitrack, so you can individually edit and layer 8 tracks together to create something fresh and exciting. 

 

With Loopcloud you can consolidate all of your samples into one location, so you have access to the samples you own, your recordings, plus Loopcloud’s extensive royalty-free library, all in one place. 

 

The platform offers 10 FX, including delay, reverb and GrainStretch - a granular manipulation tool. Plus you can connect two plugins - Loopcloud PLAY and Loopcloud DRUM, that turn samples into playable instruments. These feature sounds from top artists, producers and labels, another win for creativity.

 

Loopcloud can be a great option for both new and experienced producers that want access to a high-quality, royalty-free sample library, and editing features, within their DAW, that can help to create fresh sounds and develop their style. 

 

There is currently a free 14 day trial available and the first subscription tier starts at a monthly subscription of £5.99 per month. This gets you 100 points which can be used to download sounds, presets and plugin expansions. Plus, Loopcloud DRUM and PLAY, and more. 

 

 

FAQs

 

What is an online audio editor?

Online audio editors are audio editors that can be accessed with a web browser or using an app that requires an internet connection. They generally offer features for basic audio editing and recording, whilst you are online. Many have additional features, and there are a number of fully-fledged online digital audio workstations (DAW’s).

 

What online audio editors are free?

Bear Audio Editor is free to use. TwistedWave - browser based audio editor offers free and paid versions. Audiotool is a free online digital audio workstation (DAW). Whilst Soundtrap and Soundation both offer free tiers. 

 

What features do online audio editors typically have?

Online audio editors typically offer features for basic audio editing and recording such as delete, cut, copy and paste functions. Some include a range of FX and full online digital audio workstations (DAWs) have the tools needed to create and mix entire songs.