Musicians, podcasters, and hobbyists with a passion for tinkering with audio files know that having the right tools can make all the difference. If you are editing audio files on a Mac computer, you have already taken the right first step. Mac computers are known for their user-friendliness and vast lineup of applications and programs for trimming audio. Some of them come in-built with macOS.
So, if you were wondering how to crop audio files on Mac to create a ringtone for your iPhone, create unique content for social media, or simply trim the music file to save space on your computer, you need the following tools. These tools are available for free, so you can effortlessly trim the tracks.
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iTunes
iTunes comes pre-installed on Mac computers and is a useful tool. The software serves as a media player and media library to manage your playlists and music without a fuss. The default application is also equipped with the capability to trim or cut MP3 files by customizing the start and stop times.
Import the MP3 files you want to trim on your Mac via iTunes. Click File > Add file to library. If you are using macOS Catalina and later, open the Apple Music application and click Music > Add audios. Play the audio file in iTunes and right-click to get more information. Then, click Options and select Start Time and Stop Time. Enter the specific time you want and click OK. Next, choose Advanced > Create AAC Version from the iTunes menu and save it by clicking Convert to MP3.
GarageBand
GarageBand is another bundled software on your Mac computer. You can use this software to trim MP3 files. Besides trimming audio files, the app is useful in creating music.
Open GarageBand to trim your audio files and select an Empty Project panel. Then, choose the audio file you want to trim from iTunes. Move your mouse, and when the cursor becomes a line with arrows, click and then hold and drag it to trim the file. Listen to the trimmed clip by clicking the playing button. If you are satisfied, click Share and select Export Song to Disk. You can save the trimmed audio file in MP3, AIFF, AAC, etc.
QuickTime Player
QuickTime Player is a convenient, user-friendly application that lets you easily trim MP3 songs on your Mac computer. Follow these steps to trim the MP3 file:
- Copy a clean version of the original audio file you want to trim and right-click on the file to open it with QuickTime.
- Choose Trim from the Edit menu and use the yellow sliders to adjust the start and stop time of the song.
- Click Play to listen and confirm the length of the song.
- If you are satisfied, click the Trim button and save the changes.
- Go to the File menu > choose Save As > select the file format and click Export if you want to save to another device.
Audacity
Audacity is an open-source, free audio editing tool. You can download the software for free and then easily trim audio files in Audacity.
The first step is to open Audacity and then select File > Open > import the desired audio file > click the Selection Tool icon > move the cursor to go to the specific area > click the View option > select Enlarge to confirm > click the Cut button and start trimming the MP3 file. Before cutting the file, you must remember to click the Stop button to stop playing because you cannot edit the file when it is playing.
MixPad
MixPad is a multi-track mixing application for Mac computers. You can use the application for free. The app is primarily designed to merge multiple audio tracks into a new file. Additionally, the app can be used as an MP3 splitter to cut audio files into different pieces in just a few clicks. Moreover, the app can be used to record and edit audio files. So, you can trim, join, edit, and record audio using this one application.
You can start trimming the music file of your choice with MixPad on your Mac computer by loading the MP3 file > moving the vertical selector line over the clip to the starting point of the section you want to trim > and clicking Split. If there are more sections you want to trim, you can repeat the same steps. Finally, click File > Export Clip > save the MP3 cuts.
Conclusion
Leveraging these free MP3 music trimming tools for Mac, you can unlock a world of audio creativity at your fingertips. Use these applications to trim and edit your tracks with ease. Since most audio trimming and editing tools come in-built with your Mac computer, you don’t have to look elsewhere.
If you have any suggestions for third-party audio trimming tools for Mac, leave a comment.
