Which is the best software for voice editing?

After my last post, Audacity vs. Adobe Audition: Should You Switch?, I received several interesting questions via email, including:

• “What is the best software for audiobook narration, voice-over, or podcasts?”

• “If I ignore the price, which software is the best?”

• “Are you recommending Adobe Audition?”

• “Is there anything Adobe Audition can do that Audacity can’t?”

Some readers also asked, “If Audacity isn’t the best, why do you have so many courses and videos on it?”

These are great questions, and I’ll explain everything throughout the Audacity vs. Adobe Audition Series.

How Do You Choose the Best Software?

When picking audio editing software, there are three main factors to consider:

1. The cost of the software

2. How easy or difficult it is to use

3. Can it fulfill your audio editing goals?

In this post, I’ll focus on points 1 and 2. I’ll talk about point 3 in the next post.

1. Cost: Free vs. Paid Software

Let’s look at cost in two ways:

• The money you spend right now

• The hidden costs that show up later

Audacity:

• Audacity is completely free to use. There’s no cost to download and start using it.

• However, there are hidden long-term costs:

  • It doesn’t work well with many third-party plugins that professionals use.

  • Editing tasks can take more time in Audacity because it lacks advanced tools.

  • If you’re working on professional projects like audiobooks or voice-overs, these limitations can cost you opportunities (like missing auditions due to lower-quality output).

Adobe Audition:

• Adobe Audition is paid software. You either pay a monthly subscription fee or buy it as part of a bundle.

• The benefit? You get access to powerful tools that make editing faster and produce higher-quality audio.

Key Takeaway:
Audacity is free and great to start with. Adobe Audition costs money but is worth it for professional, long-term work.

2. Ease of Use: Learning Curve for Beginners

Ease of use is important, especially when you’re just starting out.

Adobe Audition:

• Adobe Audition is powerful but complex.

• The interface has a lot of tools, buttons, and options that can feel overwhelming.

• Beginners often feel lost or discouraged because it takes time to learn.

Audacity:

• Audacity is simpler and easier to navigate.

• While it still looks intimidating at first, it’s much easier to start recording and editing quickly.

• The tools are basic, which makes it easier to learn the fundamentals of audio editing.

Why I Recommend Starting with Audacity

Here’s what I’ve learned from teaching audio editing:

1. Audacity Keeps You Motivated

   • If you’re a beginner, starting with Audacity helps you stay on track.

   • The simple tools allow you to focus on learning basic audio editing skills without feeling overwhelmed.

2. You Learn Skills That Apply Everywhere

   • The skills you learn in Audacity—like noise reduction, EQ, and compression—apply to all audio software.

   • If you switch to Adobe Audition or another advanced program later, your learning will not be wasted.

3. Start Simple, Then Upgrade

   • Audacity is great for learning and starting small projects in podcasts, audiobooks, and voice-overs.

   • When you’re ready to take on professional work or upgrade your skills, you can switch to Adobe Audition.

   • By then, the Adobe Audition interface will be much easier to understand.

What About Long-Term Use?

• Audacity is perfect for the short term—free, easy to use, and beginner-friendly.

• Adobe Audition is better for the long term if you plan to work in audio editing for years to come.

Professionals have been using Adobe Audition (and earlier versions) for over 20 years. If you want to build a career in audio editing, Adobe Audition is worth the investment.

Why I Create Courses on Audacity

Many people ask me: “If Audacity isn’t the best, why do you focus on it so much?”

Here’s why:

• It’s the perfect starting point for beginners.

• You can build confidence in your editing skills and will most likely pursue your dream or goal.

• Once you’re ready, you can easily switch to advanced tools like Adobe Audition.

I’ve seen many students start with Audacity, build their skills, and move on to professional audio work. The journey is smoother when you start simple.

That’s why I built my courses and videos around Audacity. It is more likely to keep people on track to pursue their journey.

Even if you take all my Audacity courses and training, the cost is insignificant compared to the usable value they provide.

Usable value means you can use this skill forever, and if you are persistent enough, you can make a lucrative career over voice-over.

You can produce your own audiobooks rather than always outsourcing them to others. However, if you must always outsource your audio tasks, you must be willing to spend a significant amount of money (which never stops).

Final Thoughts

• If you’re new to audio editing, start with Audacity. It’s free, simple, and effective for small projects.

• Move to Adobe Audition when you’re ready for professional tools and workflows.

In my next post, I’ll explain the third factor:
3. Can the software fulfill your audio editing goals?

We only established that Adobe Audition is better for the long term. By long-term, I mean you will use it for the next 5/10/15 years or more.

People have been using similar Adobe Audition software for the last twenty years. Unlike Audacity, which requires relearning and adjusting workflow, Adobe Audition’s interface does not change drastically.

If you want to get started with Adobe Auditon today, I suggest taking the Adobe Audition Bundle: https://www.patreon.com/master_editor/shop/adobe-audition-bundle-beginner-to-240352