IMPROVE YOUR AUDIO
Edit your music
Audacity is our favourite audio-editing program, but there are plenty of online alternatives that are just as good for basic editing – and they don’t require you to download or install anything.
If you simply want to trim an audio file, use Audiotrimmer ( https:// audiotrimmer.com). Click ‘Choose file’, select the audio file, then drag the green markers to the start and end of the section you want to keep. If you want to delete your selection, click the Mode button so that it reads Remove (see screenshot above right). The other settings let you specify precise start and end points for your selection, and include fades at both points. When you’ve finished editing, select a format for the output file, then click Crop, followed by Download.
For more advanced audio edits, use Audiomass ( https://audiomass.co). Comprising just 65KB of Javascript code, this powerful online audio editor will run smoothly on even the slowest of computers and internet connections. Open your audio file, then click the Effects menu to apply everything from reverb and noise reduction, through to removing silences and changing the speed. You can also create an offline version of Audiomass, which will carry on working in your browser even if your internet connection goes down – open the Help menu, then select Store Offline Version.
Although Audiomass can remove silence from your audio files, it can’t remove the vocals from a song. If you’re planning a karaoke night or just enjoy singing along to your favourite songs, use Vocal Remove ( https://vocalremover.org) to wipe the original singer’s voice, leaving only the music. Click ‘Browse my files’, upload your MP3 file then wait for a few seconds while the website does its work.
Once it’s finished, you’ll see two tracks – one for the music (green), the other for the vocals (purple). Click the Play button to hear your MP3 file with only vocals removed. Removing vocals isn’t a perfect science and you may find some of the music also disappears. To rectify this, press Play, then slowly increase the volume slider next to the vocals track until the music sounds better (you should only need to increase it a small amount). Once you’ve achieved the perfect mix, click the ‘Music + Vocals’ button to download it. Alternatively, click the Music or Vocals button to download only that track.
Make your music sound better
If you enjoy fiddling with the graphic equaliser on your Hi-fi system, you’ll love Online Audio Equaliser ( www.snipca. com/39230), which lets you do the same for your digital audio files.
Upload the MP3 file you want to tweak, press the Play button (bottom-left corner), then select one of the preset equaliser settings (Dance, Pop and so on) or use the individual sliders to get the audio sounding just as you want. When you’ve finished, click the Save button to download your tweaked track.
As well as improving your audio files, it’s also worth checking that whatever you’re using to listen to them (headphones, earbuds or external speakers) are up to scratch. Head to the Audiocheck site ( www.snipca.com/39231), where you’ll find a series of tests for everything from checking your stereo channels are working through to low-frequency and distortion tests. Each test comes with an audio file and instructions on how to interpret what you’re listening to. We recommend ensuring your volume is set to 50 per cent or lower before running these tests – as we discovered, running the High Frequency Range Test at full volume can leave your ears ringing.
You can also use the web to make sure your physical instruments are at their best. Fender’s online tool ( www.snipca. com/39232, pictured above) lets you tune string instruments from bass guitars to ukuleles – simply select what you want to tune, then click the individual strings to hear how they should sound.
For other instruments, use Tuner Ninja ( https://tuner.ninja). Once you’ve given it access to your microphone, it will tell you what note it’s heard, letting you tune your instrument accordingly.