From making podcasts and audiobooks to creating presentations or soundtracks, the best voice recording software has so many uses. The best kinds will not only record but also help with editing and mixing tracks too. Features like the ability to remove audio clicks, pops and background noises are always welcome and worth looking out for as they take the pressure off getting the recording environment exactly right. And you don’t necessarily have to pay out a lot to get this software – in fact one of the best options we found is actually free. Another feature to seek is non-destructive editing. This means you can make changes and edits without it affecting the original recording. It’s a bit like making a copy of the recording that you can edit, keeping the original intact if you ever need to roll back changes you’ve made. This works by only applying all your changes when you export the audio. Of course you may want to go even deeper with the edits in which case the best audio editing software (opens in new tab) can help. Either way be sure you have one of the best digital voice recorders (opens in new tab) so you’re starting off with the highest quality recording to work with.
1. Audacity: Best voice recording software overall
This is one of the most popular audio and voice editing programs currently available – and for good reason. It’s a completely free tool, but it still packs in all of the features you need from a high-end voice recorder. On top of that, it’s compatible with all the main operating systems: MacOS, Windows 10 and Linux. Its simple interface means that it’s perfect for beginners. The program makes it easy to connect and set up external equipment, record, edit and mix tracks, and polish your work before exporting it. The software also allows you to easily import sound from video clips and it even packs in tools that analyse sound frequency. However, it is definitely geared towards people who are recording clips for podcasts and voice overs, rather than anyone who wants to make multi-track music. This is because it’s primarily an audio editor, rather than a fully fledged digital audio workstation. It also uses something called destructive editing, which means that any changes you make will overwrite the previous version of your audio.
Read our full Audacity review (opens in new tab)
2. Adobe Audition: Best for creatives
Audition is Adobe’s podcast creation app, available as a standalone subscription or as part of the full Creative Cloud suite of apps. Those who have been in the business a long time may remember Cool Edit Pro, an app admired for its simplicity and large number of features. Audition is the spiritual successor to that app, created after Adobe bought Syntrillium in 2003. Audition is geared toward podcast production rather than musical use, but there’s no reason it couldn’t be used for that even though there’s no MIDI support - you can still import samples. Adobe’s DAW offers single- or multi-track editing, but clicking on a track isolates it from the others so you can work on it, say to clean up background hum. Adobe’s clever adaptive noise reduction makes this simple - you select a quiet section of the track, and Audition uses this reference to clean the track of the frequencies causing the hum. For anyone who’s already a subscriber to the Creative Cloud suite, it’s possible you already have Audition, tucked away in the folder of apps you don’t access very often. It’s a high-quality toolset for audio engineering and fixing up tracks for podcasts and even broadcast, but if you’re looking for something for music production work, then there are better options elsewhere.
3. Wavepad: Most easy to use
WavePad is intuitive and powerful voice recording software that’s simple enough for a novice to use. It is compatible with a multitude of audio file formats and gives you the option to convert files to an equally large array of audio formats. The program can mix and split audio files, edit silences, reduce or eliminate background noise, integrate filters and special effects, and even convert a mono audio file into stereo. The program’s layout is clean and intuitive, and meant to encourage a smooth workflow. It does an impressive job of balancing all of its features without hurting its usability. Toolbars within change as you click on different tabs, keeping features and functions organized. It lets you customize the toolbar to include or remove any tool and configure many other features to create an optimal workspace. WavePad comes with tons of effects and filters, which can be applied manually or set automatically. Whether you want to add distortion, reverb or a delay to your latest song, or you need to amplify, reverse, fade out or otherwise tweak and equalize your tracks, WavePad makes it easy to do that. And if you need to convert a file to a different format that’s compatible with your gear, such as to MP3, you can quickly do so.
Read our full Wavepad review (opens in new tab)
4. Mixcraft 9: Best for audio professionals
Although Mixcraft 8 is easy enough for people of any experience level to use, the recording application looks and works like a digital audio workstation and has an intimidating-looking interface. However, after tinkering for a few minutes, anyone can see that the software is powerful and full of features to help you not only record your audio but edit, enhance and burn it as well. And while it is the priciest program we tested, it’s also the most versatile and a great option for those focusing on audio engineering and music recording. Mixcraft is stocked with an arsenal of over 7,800 loops, special effects, filters, digital instruments and samplers. It also boasts unlimited submix nesting, allowing you to tweak each track perfectly. All of the standard effects and editing functions are available to you, including an equalizer as well as fade and reverb options. It can reduce or eliminate unwanted background noise, remove pops and clicks, and edit silences in your tracks. There is no option for converting a mono audio file to stereo. You can set a recording timer; however, the biggest downside to this particular program is that it doesn’t have a voice-activated recording option. There’s also no ripping or burning option.
Read our Mixcraft 9 review (opens in new tab)
5. Recordpad: Most recording options
Though RecordPad is technically part of a larger range of digital audio applications from NCH Software, it runs as a standalone recording tool capable of supporting audio feeds from multiple channels. You can use the other programs to complement and enhance RecordPad’s abilities, however. The software supports audio input from all sources using default application settings and the “loop cable” method, and it allows you to capture audio from internet streaming sources, a line-in device or computer playback. With this recording software, you can record, rip or burn audio, and schedule future recordings, though you may need to enable a plugin for editing, conversion and burning functions. If you want to edit or add effects to your audio, you’ll have access to noise reduction, reverb, pop and click removal, equalizing and fade among other abilities. However, keep in mind that the program’s weak point is its limited file format compatibility. It’s only compatible with WAV, MP3 and FLAC, unlike other programs that include several others.
Read our full RecordPad review (opens in new tab)
Voice recording software: Key features
We rate all of the above voice recording programs, but before you take the plunge and buy any of them you should think carefully about your recording needs. Below, we’ve outlined the important features you can find in voice recording software. Make sure that you pick a program that packs in any tools and tricks you’ll need to complete your audio project.
Audio feed/ input source for capture
Recording is traditionally done using a microphone and line-in jacks located on the audio interface panel of the computer system. But more advanced software also supports audio pick-up from media playback; CD, VCD, DVD, USB devices; internet streaming; phone recording or any audio playback by sound card. Essentially, you can record any audio being played by or through the computer. The best recording applications understand this and already have the ability to work with you if you need to work with other input sources. Consider your current input methods – and any you plan to use in the future – before choosing an application.
Record/rip/burn features
A few additional features are essential to the recording and sharing process. For example, recording timers and schedulers let you define the time frame of a particular session, ensuring that your recordings start and end exactly when you need. Similarly, voice-activated recording automates the start of a recording session whenever a predefined level of audio signal (decibels) is registered by the software. All of these can make it a little easier to record things like a podcast or a college lecture without wasting space on your computer’s hard drive. A program with both digital and analog ripping offers the most versatility for a variety of needs. Digital ripping is useful when recording digital media, and you need analog ripping with copy-protected digital media that cannot be ripped conventionally. Both are handy methods to digitize your aging CD or DVD collection, for example. Burn tools are used for saving files to optical media for storage and playback.
Filters, effects and editing
Most of the time, simply recording the audio isn’t enough; you may want to enhance the recording or edit the files before releasing your finalized product. You might need to edit a silence, add a filter or special effect, or manage background noise. Most programs can handle standard editing needs, but the best applications can handle whatever you throw at them. Many programs let you trim or insert a silence in an audio track or file, which typically smooths out the flow of a recording or makes it easier to add music or other effects later. Special effects like Sound Warmer, Bass Boost or Echo can also be applied to further enhance or achieve a particular audio effect. Whether you’re using filters and effects to enhance clarity or for fun voice morphing, a good set of filters is an essential component of voice recording software. Some programs – typically those with a DAW interface – offer far more effects and editing options, as they are closer to the software that studio audio engineers use. A program with a noise reduction function can mostly or completely eliminate background noise interfering with your actual recording, such as your air conditioner, refrigerator or a vacuum. Any program worth its weight will also have a pop and click removal option for handling additional unwanted noise. Although a frequent problem, pops and clicks can come from a variety of sources and often be fussy to track down and resolve. So, having a program that automatically monitors and limits that is essential, especially if you don’t have the extra dough to purchase things like a pop filter or a more powerful CPU for your computer. Options to change a file format and size are also useful and are often used to output files in the desired audio quality, typically to MP3. An integrated ID3 tag editor is also useful to label files appropriately for better organization for archiving and future searches. Best USB microphones 2022 Best music notation software 2022 Best beat making software 2022 Best audio converter software 2023 Best audio editing software 2023 Reviews Ableton Live 10 review orDrumbox review Waveform Free review FL Studio 20 review Magix Music Maker review
Supported formats
If the software can’t manage or play all of your audio files, what good is it? While most voice recording suites are compatible with only a few of the most common audio file types – MP3, WAV, WMA – others go the extra mile and support additional file types, like FLAC and AAC, as well as file compression and converting. Top programs are not only compatible with a wide variety of file formats but are also adept at importing and exporting files.
Ease of use
Recording your voice – or any audio, for that matter – on your computer can be difficult when you factor in things like choosing and setting up hardware or searching for the right software application to use. However, it doesn’t have to be, and choosing the best voice recording program can make things much easier. From installation to implementation to actual use, the entire process of voice recording should be straightforward and simple.
Help and support
Voice Recording Software versus DAW
You may have heard the terms “voice recording software” and “DAW” used interchangeably, but it’s important to know their similarities as well as how they differ. We’ve outlined how to identify both types of programs below – but, in brief, the larger DAW programs are much more complicated beasts that help musicians compose multi-track pieces, while voice recording software focuses primarily on capturing vocals alone.
Voice recording software
Voice recording software is the simpler of the two. You can record audio manually or set the program to run on a schedule or be triggered by sound over a certain decibel level. Afterward, you can edit the audio with special effects. In addition, this type of program has tools you can use to trim files, eliminate unwanted background noise and export. Voice recording software works on a laptop or desktop computer, and some programs even have compatible mobile apps you can use while you’re on the road. This is also the cheaper of the two types of software, making it a great choice for those on a budget as well as anyone not using it for professional audio production.
Digital audio workstation
A digital audio workstation (DAW) is a more heavy-duty version of voice recording software. This kind of software can handle more inputs and tracks, has wider file format compatibility, and generally produces higher quality audio files. Because DAWs are more powerful, they cost more and are predominantly made for audio professionals. As such, they have steep learning curves. However, once you get a handle on how to use the software, and especially if you can afford quality recording hardware in addition to it, you can churn out beautiful, complex audio tracks worthy of a Grammy.
