Complete Audio Editing Cheat Sheet: Essential Techniques, Tools and Best Practices

Introduction: Understanding Audio Editing

Audio editing is the process of manipulating audio recordings to improve quality, remove unwanted elements, arrange segments, apply effects, and prepare files for distribution. It’s essential for music production, podcast creation, film sound design, and any media requiring high-quality audio. Good audio editing transforms raw recordings into polished, professional content that engages listeners.

Core Concepts and Principles

Audio File Formats

Key Audio Parameters

• Sample Rate: Number of samples per second (44.1kHz standard for most audio)
• Bit Depth: Resolution of amplitude values (16-bit for distribution, 24-bit for editing)
• Channels: Mono (1 channel), Stereo (2 channels), Surround (5.1, 7.1, etc.)
• Bit Rate: Amount of data per second (higher = better quality in lossy formats)

Decibel Scale (dB)

Essential Audio Editing Tools and Interfaces

Common Elements in Audio Editors

• Timeline/Arrange Window: Main workspace where audio clips are arranged
• Transport Controls: Play, stop, record, loop functions
• Track Lanes: Horizontal lanes containing audio clips
• Mixer Console: Volume, panning, and plugin controls for each track
• Waveform Display: Visual representation of audio amplitude over time
• Toolbar: Quick access to common editing functions
• Inspector/Properties Panel: Detailed settings for selected elements

Popular Audio Editing Software

Step-by-Step Audio Editing Processes

Basic Editing Workflow

1. Import/Record: Bring audio files into your project or record directly
2. Arrange: Position audio clips on the timeline
3. Edit: Trim, split, combine, and arrange audio segments
4. Process: Apply effects, adjust levels, automate parameters
5. Mix: Balance levels between multiple tracks
6. Master: Apply final processing to the complete mix
7. Export: Save in appropriate format for distribution

Recording Best Practices

1. Set Proper Levels: Peak between -18dB and -12dB to avoid clipping
2. Use Appropriate Sample Rate: 44.1kHz for most projects, 48kHz for video
3. Choose Sufficient Bit Depth: 24-bit for recording and editing
4. Monitor Input: Use headphones to catch issues in real-time
5. Record Room Tone: Capture 30 seconds of ambient noise for later editing
6. Use Pop Filters: For vocal recordings to reduce plosives
7. Document Takes: Label recordings clearly for organization

Key Audio Editing Techniques

Basic Editing Actions

Selection Techniques

• Time Selection: Click and drag on timeline to select time region
• Track Selection: Click track header to select entire track
• Clip Selection: Click audio clip to select entire clip
• Marquee Selection: Box-select multiple clips/regions (if available)
• Loop Selection: Set loop points to repeatedly play selection
• Selection to Markers: Create markers from selection boundaries
• Snap to Grid: Enable to make selections align to tempo grid

Audio Clean-up Techniques

Common Audio Effects and Processing

Audio Mixing Essentials

Level Balancing Guidelines

Panning Strategies

• Center: Lead vocals, kick, snare, bass
• Slight Panning (10-30%): Supporting vocals, toms, some lead instruments
• Moderate Panning (30-60%): Rhythm guitars, keyboards, percussion
• Wide Panning (60-100%): Stereo effects, background elements, ambient sounds
• LCR Method: Only use center, hard left, or hard right (no in-between)
• Stereo Width: Narrower low frequencies, wider high frequencies

Basic EQ Guidelines

Common Challenges and Solutions

Volume Issues

• Problem: Inconsistent levels between sections
• Solution:
  • Use volume automation to smooth transitions
  • Apply compression to control dynamic range
  • Consider clip gain adjustments before effects

Phase Problems

• Problem: Hollow or thin sound when mixing multiple microphones
• Solution:
  • Check phase correlation meter
  • Try inverting phase on one channel
  • Align waveforms to correct timing differences
  • Use phase alignment plugins for complex cases

Noise and Interference

• Problem: Recording has background noise, hum, or electrical interference
• Solution:
  • Apply noise reduction with a clean noise profile
  • Use EQ to cut problem frequencies
  • Consider multi-band expansion
  • For severe cases, try spectral editing

Mouth Noises and Breaths

• Problem: Distracting mouth clicks and loud breaths in vocal recordings
• Solution:
  • Manual editing: Identify and reduce/remove
  • De-clicker plugins for clicks and pops
  • Breath control plugins to reduce breath volume
  • Volume automation for precise control

Best Practices and Professional Tips

File Management

• Use consistent naming conventions (Project_Track_Date_Version)
• Organize projects into folders with clear structure
• Create templates for recurring project types
• Back up projects regularly to multiple locations
• Use color coding for track types
• Render/freeze processor-intensive tracks when needed

Non-Destructive Editing

• Keep original files unmodified
• Use clip gain before applying processing
• Create separate tracks for heavily processed versions
• Save alternative versions at decision points
• Use sends for effects rather than inserting directly
• Create composite tracks from multiple takes (comping)

Keyboard Shortcuts to Master

Export Settings for Different Platforms

Resources for Further Learning

Books and Publications

• “The Recording Engineer’s Handbook” by Bobby Owsinski
• “Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio” by Mike Senior
• “Modern Recording Techniques” by David Miles Huber
• “The Mixing Engineer’s Handbook” by Bobby Owsinski
• “Audio Engineering 101” by Tim Dittmar

Online Learning Platforms

• Coursera: Audio Engineering courses
• LinkedIn Learning: Digital Audio Workstation tutorials
• YouTube channels: Recording Revolution, Produce Like a Pro
• MasterClass: Audio production courses with industry professionals
• Groove3: Software-specific tutorials and courses

Communities and Forums

• Gearslutz/Gearspace
• KVR Audio Forums
• Reddit: r/audioengineering, r/WeAreTheMusicMakers
• Sound on Sound forums
• Audio Engineering Society (AES)

Software Tutorials

• Official DAW documentation
• Plugin manuals and tutorials
• Software-specific YouTube channels
• Software user communities and forums
• Manufacturer websites and blogs