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The Rundown
- Best From Hobbyist to Pro:Final Cut Pro X at Apple.com, “A video editing software that you can use even if you don’t have much experience.”
- Most Accessible Apple Editor: Apple iMovie at Apple.com, “If you haven’t done video editing before, this is a good place to get started before moving on to more serious software.”
- Best for Pros:Adobe Premiere Pro CC at Amazon, “A powerful video editor for professionals putting out movies, short films, and the like.”
- Easiest-to-Use Cross-Platform Editor:Adobe Premiere Elements 2018 at Amazon, “An easily approachable video editing software for those just getting started.”
- Best Open-Source Software:Shotcut at Shortcut.org, “A multi-track editing software like any other serious software, and you can readily rearrange the workspace to suit your editing needs.”
- Best Starter Freeware:Lightworks at Lwks.com, “Whether or not you need the free or paid versions is a question you can answer for yourself.”
- Best Freeware:DaVinci Resolve 15 at Blackmagicdesign.com, “Plenty of functionality to take your footage, organize it with data to help you find what you need, and edit it all together.”
- Best for Tutorial and Presentation Videos:Camtasia at Techsmith.com, “It’s a screen recorder and video editor built into one product.”
- If you mean multitrack recording (and some light MIDI and/or WAV editing) then GarageBand is just fine: GarageBand for Mac - Apple. For more elaborate sound file editing, Audacity is great. Even if you use GarageBand to create your sound files, Audacity has some nice tools for normalizing and other tasks.
- The best free audio editor 2018. A great free audio editor will save you valuable time and effort. Enabling you to edit pre-recorded files, capture sound through an attached microphone,.
Our Top Picks
Best From Hobbyist to Pro: Final Cut Pro X
If you want a video editing software that you can use even if you don’t have much experience (and you plan on growing as a video editor while using it), then Final Cut Pro X is well worth your consideration. It may take a few tutorial videos to really get yourself ready to start doing much, but once you get your feet wet, you can do basic editing and learn more and more advanced tricks over time.
While Final Cut Pro X is a professional video editing tool, it’s approachable enough for hobbyist videographers to get on board with. And it has a bit more reasonable price than some of the other serious pro video editing software. As a pro software, it comes packed with handy features to help you realize your vision.
HyperEngine-AV is a free video editing software for Mac used to capture, edit, organize process, and export video, audio, and text to create DVD quality movies and slide shows. It comes with twelve studio-quality effects from Arboretum's Hyperprism suite of audio processors.
The latest version of Final Cut Pro X has the multi-track timeline needed for editing but brings in the future of video and pro features. It supports 360-degree video, graphics, and effects. You can edit together video from multi-cam recording setups and easily switching between multiple angles. And, you can create HDR content. That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Apple offers a free trial so you can see if this one is up your alley before you dive all the way in.
Most Accessible Apple editor: Apple iMovie
If you really just want to get started editing videos on your Mac, or even on your iPhone or iPad, then the easiest way is to get Apple iMovie. This is Apple’s free video editing software, and it runs on both Mac OS and iOS platforms, so you can do you video editing just about wherever you go.
For hobbyist and amateur filmmakers, Apple iMovie will have approachable tools to help you easily take your footage and edit a video with a clear flow. You’ll be able to combine multiple video files, layer different video and audio tracks, and add title screens to your video without much fuss. It even includes video filters and some special effects, including picture-in-picture.
The latest version of Apple iMovie keeps up with the trends in video, supporting 4K video editing. So, all that 4K video you capture on your iPhone can be turned into a movie in iMovie. If you haven’t done video editing before, this is a good place to get started before moving on to more serious software.
Best for Pros: Adobe Premiere Pro CC
Adobe’s Premiere Pro CC (Creative Cloud) software is a powerful video editor for professionals putting out movies, short films, and the like. Of course, it’s also a viable option for hobbyists looking to sharpen their teeth on a video editor that gets used in professional positions. If you’re not trying to go professional with your editing quite yet, you may want to check out the next pick.
Adobe Premiere Pro CC is a constantly evolving video editing software, as Adobe rolls out updates over time. Rather than buying a single edition of the software, you pay for a subscription as long as you’re using it. An added perk is that the software isn’t exclusive to Mac, so you can switch between different computers with different operating systems if you need to.
That subscription gives you access to Premiere Pro for editing all sorts of video, from 3D and even 8K. You’ll also be able to handle audio tracks, add graphics, manage light and color, and effectively put together whatever video you can imagine. If you use Adobe’s other software, like Photoshop or Illustrator, then Premiere Pro will be a great option for easily integrating different workflows.
Easiest-to-Use Cross-Platform Editor: Adobe Premiere Elements 2018
Adobe Premiere Elements 2018 is almost exactly what it sounds like. It’s a stripped down version of the pro Premiere software. This does make it a little less capable, and new features aren’t constantly rolling out to it, but it works as an easily approachable video editing software for those just getting started. And, without a subscription model, you can pay for the software once and you’re set.
If you’re an amateur just getting started with video editing, and especially if you’re not planning on going pro, then Premiere Elements 2018 will be an excellent pick for you. While Premiere Elements does give you plenty of tools for putting together multiple video, image, and audio files into one complete video, it also has some tools to help you make a better video if you’re not a savvy editor already. Plus, the software is available on both Mac and PC.
Premier Elements 2018 helps you organize the files you’ll be using in your video, and it can guide you through the editing process from beginning to end. It will also let you add in some fun little effects to spice up your video. And, in keeping with the times, it supports 4K video.
Best Open-Source Software: Shotcut
Shotcut is highly versatile free video editing software available on Mac and PC. Once you get past the somewhat steep learning curve, you’ll find you can do quite a lot with Shotcut. And, since it’s a free software, you have the option of seeing whether or not you like it without having to pay a cent.
Shotcut is a multi-track editing software like any other serious software, and you can readily rearrange the workspace to suit your editing needs. Shotcut supports a wide variety of file types for both input and output, including 4K video. Plus, you can edit audio, color, and lighting effects in Shotcut.
Though Shotcut isn’t the easiest software to just pick up and start editing videos with, the nature of being a free software means plenty of people are using it and making incredibly helpful tutorial videos or guides on how to use it. And, if you want a readily portable option, Shotcut is it, since you can run it directly off an external storage drive.
Best Starter Freeware: Lightworks
Lightworks blends the offerings of a free editing software with a paid one. Compared to Shotcut, it has an easier learning curve, but some of the features that you’ll want may be part of the paid Lightworks Pro version, such as the ability to export your final product in more video formats and higher resolutions.
Whether or not you need the free or paid versions is a question you can answer for yourself later on though, as either will let you import a wide range of file formats, easily edit together multiple files, manage your audio, add titles, and tweak your visuals.
The free version of Lightworks will be a fine option for anyone who isn’t concerned much about video resolution, as you’ll still be able to output web-ready 720p videos. But, if you try out Lightworks, like how it works, and want to stick with it as your video editor of choice, you can upgrade to the Pro software and start putting out high-quality video. Plus, Lightworks is available on Windows, Mac, and Linux, so you’ll be able to stick with Lightworks even if you stop using a Mac later on.
Best Freeware: DaVinci Resolve 15
If you’re ready to get started editing all kinds of videos and putting out the final product in a high-quality, 4K format without having to pay a cent to do so, then DaVinci Resolve 15 is a great option. While there is a paid Studio version, you’ll really only need to go with that if you’re planning to do some collaboration or want access to a few of the software’s more advanced tools and effects.
For the most part, DaVinci Resolve 15 is going to give you plenty of functionality to take your footage, organize it with data to help you find what you need, and edit it all together. Once you’re done, you can output in just about any format you need, whether you want the highest quality or something that’s ready to upload quickly to YouTube.
If you want a video editing software you can get serious with, then DaVinci Resolve 15 fits the bill. It’s just a bonus that the free version is so capable because it’ll give you a chance to try it for yourself and see if it feels like something you can really use.
Best for Tutorial and Presentation Videos: Camtasia
Camtasia is particularly handy if you’re planning to make videos that will use footage captured from your computer screen. That’s because it’s a screen recorder and video editor built into one product.
With Camtasia, you’ll be able to record the screen and audio of your computer or even your iOS device. If you’re putting together tutorial videos, this capability will be incredibly useful. Plus, you have the option of adding webcam footage on top of the screen-captured video.
Beyond screen-capture, Camtasia also gives you multi-track timeline editing and tools for transitions, animations, audio and video effects, and annotations. If you want to make a presentation video, you can also add in a PowerPoint. So, whether you’re an educator, business professional, or just trying to put some tutorials up on YouTube, Camtasia offers tools you can use to capture and edit the video you need. A free trial will give you a chance to see if its tool and features a good fit for you.
What to Look for in Video Editing Software for a Mac
Free vs. paid - If you’re a beginner just dipping your toes into the world of video editing, a free software program is probably your best bet. If you have more advanced needs, you’ll likely need to pay to access the features you’ll need. However, most software programs have free trials that let you try them before you buy them.
File compatibility - Before you commit to a new program, make sure it’s compatible with the type of video you’ll be shooting. While some programs support 4K video, others don’t, and yet others will support 3D and 4K. Be sure to consider both the input and output formats you’ll need.
Extra features - Most video editing programs can handle the basics—merging clips, adding transitions, and laying down audio—but the extra features are what will take your video from amateur to expert. Look for handy features like multi-track timelines, filters, special effects, and more.
Even if you are not a professional DJ, you may need audio tools for making simple changes in your music tracks, create ringtones, cut or join audio tracks, or download online songs. We collected paid and free audio software that may help you in various needs from listening to music to creating it. Check our list below.
SEE ALSO: 5 Simple Tools to Edit Audio Files Like a PRO
SEE ALSO: 10 Best Music Players for Windows PCs
SEE ALSO: 12 Effective Free and Paid Ways of Compressing Any Audio File [TEST RESULTS]
Audacity
Audacity is one of the best free audio software you may find on the Internet. The program can record audio through a microphone or from cassette tapes, vinyl records, CD/DVD disks and even streaming audio. With the help of this software you can change a song beyond recognition: remove background noise, adjust volume and fade in/out effects, create voice-over, compress tracks, clean out background noise and many more. The software supports additional plugins thus allowing you to add a number of effect like auto duck, bass boost, room reverb, tremolo, echo, pitch and tempo changes, wahwah, etc. Although it seems a bit difficult to work with, Audacity it’s definitely worth learning it. The app comes with links to a large collection of how-to guides to help you learn to use all of its features.
The tool supports MP3, MP2, AC3, AAC, WMA, WAV, AIFF, AU, FLAC and OGG files for import and export. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work with audio tracks in videos, so in case you need mute a video, you’d better use other tool.
MP3jam
MP3jam is an awesome application which promises to become a “must-have” for all music lovers. With Mp3jam you can search for music tracks, artists and albums, listen to them right in the program and, what is more mind-blowing, download music tracks for free. Please note that only three tracks are available for download. After you’ll have to wait for some time or buy a full software version for $0.95 per 24 hours (one time purchase) or for $9.95 for an unlimited version. The program offers fast download and only high-quality tracks (up to 320 kbps). Moreover, you can always stop and resume your downloads and track the download history by clicking the Downloads tab. If you have MP3jam, you can forget about hard torrent music past or music sites.
Freemake Music Box
Freemake Music Box is a free program that allows you to search and to listen to almost all possible online music without paying a penny. You can create playlists of your favorite bands and import playlists from various desktop music players. The program supports most popular playlist formats like M3U, ASX, TPL, KPL, WPL, PLC, PLS , SMI, etc. One more interesting feature of Freemake Music Box is that it can use audio tracks stored on your hard drive as an additional source of music. However, even if you delete a song from the PC, Music Box will find it and stream from the Web.
Freemake Audio Converter
Freemake Audio Converter is a free music software for Windows that let’s you convert almost all non-protected audio files into: MP3, OGG, WMA, FLAC, OGG, AAC and other format. It also accepts most popular video formats in case you need to extract audio from video. The free tool has a number of ready presets as well as custom mode to edit bitrate, sample rate and channel. Besides that Freemake Audio Converter can convert files in a batch and/or join them in a one long track.
Unfortunately, there are no more additional options. However, if you need to convert a track from a rare format into a more popular one, Freemake Audio Converter is right what you need.
Virtual DJ8
VirtualDJ is an audio software for DJs. Its scope is to replace the turntables and CD players with digital music. The tool has everything to make a good song mix: it lets you loop tracks, play two or more songs at the same time, change their tempo, apply effects, scratch them and so on.
Virtual DJ is very popular among mobile and karaoke DJs because of its built-in video mixing options. The software lets stream videos onto a projector or large screen while you mix. You can easily tie in the audio crossfader and the video one thus making your moves parallel for both music and video track.
The tool allows you to broadcast your mix to listeners, either through a direct PC to PC connection, a radio server connection, or podcast.
SEE ALSO: How to Make a Podcast (Step-by-step guide)
Ocenaudio
Best Program To Save For College
Oceanaudio is a free and cross-platform tool that you can use to make changes to your audio. It’s not as complex as Audacity, but also has a great many options.
The software supports all popular and some rare audio formats. The files can be added via simple drag-n-drop. Oceanaudio lets easily copy audio parts and add them into another places, invert the selection, cut the unnecessary parts, etc. You may apply dozens of free effects to change the audio completely, normalize it or to delay it. These filters can be applied in real-time to the audio file to preview them right away.
DFX Audio Enhancer
DFX Audio Enhancer is a simple tool that you may you to increase your PC or laptop volume. Its interface is intuitive and straightforward. Most of the settings can be changed right in the main window. You can improve your audio by tinkering with the settings of five components: Fidelity, Ambience, 3D Surround, Dynamic Boost and Hyperbass.
DFX Audio Enhancer offers two profiles for music: the 1st one is more generic and covers most music styles while the 2nd one is focused on modern styles. The software also provides a list with 39 presets for specific types of music like rock, pop, jazz, folk, techno, blues, country, classical, chamber, urban, hip-hop, etc.
FL Studio
FL Studio is one of the most downloaded apps for music production. There are three versions of it: Fruity edition for $99, Producer edition for $199 and Signature Bundle that will cost you $299. The Producer and the Signature editions are pretty much the same; they only differs in the sets of plugins. The Fruity edition will suit an average DJ or a devoted music fan who writes music at home. Within this edition you can use the beat sequencer, play virtual instruments, add various plugins and loops to create a new track. Unfortunately, the Fruity version has some limits. For example, it can’t record external instruments. Thus if you need this option, you’ll have to upgrade to the next level.
FL Studio is definitely a tool for advanced music creators. A novice user will have to spend a great many days exploring all its options and buttons.
What other audio tools do you use?
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