How to trim music online or offline

How to trim music online in a browser

There are enough services on the web for cutting music. The life hacker chose two of them: they consistently perform their tasks, do not abuse advertising and have a Russian interface.

1. Using MP3cut

Input Formats: AAC, MP3, FLAC, OGG, WAV and many others.
Output formats: MP3, M4A, M4R, FLAC, WAV.

MP3cut supports over 300 audio and video formats. You can upload files from your computer, Google Drive, or Dropbox. After loading, a scale appears on which you need to indicate the start and end times of the desired fragment. There are also special options for a smooth increase in volume at the beginning and its decay at the end of a passage. If you upload a video, the service will extract the audio track from it.

Of the additional functions, it is worth noting the ability to glue tracks. To do this, there is a "Connect Songs" button in the top menu on the MP3cut website. By clicking on it, you will be taken to another editor, with which you can combine the fragments you cut or whole songs.

MP3cut →

2. Using Audio Trimmer

Input Formats: MP3, WAV, WMA, OGG, M4R, M4A, AAC, AMR, FLAC, AIF.
Output formats: MP3, M4R.

If the previous service doesn't suit you, you can try Audio Trimmer as an alternative. It is not much different from MP3cut: you also load a music file, choose the start and end times of the desired fragment, enable smooth transitions and trim if desired. The result can be saved to the device memory in the selected format.

However, Audio Trimmer also supports several specific features: it allows you to change the tempo of music files and apply audio reverse to them.

Audio Trimmer →

How to trim music offline in special programs

1. Using Audacity

Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS (up to Catalina).
Input Formats: WAV, WMA, AC3, MP3, AIFF, FLAC, AC3, AAC, AMR and others.
Output formats: WAV, WMA, AC3, MP3, AIFF, FLAC, AC3, AAC, AMR and others.

Audacity is one of the best free music editing software for your computer. It is cross-platform, fast and highly functional. You may be put off by the outdated interface with an abundance of settings, but trimming any track in Audacity is a matter of a couple of minutes.

After starting the program, drag the music file into its window. Select the desired fragment of the song with the mouse and click "Stop". Then click on the Waveform Tool "Trim Audio Out Selected" or press Ctrl + T. After trimming, click on the double-headed arrow or press F5 and drag the remaining piece to the beginning of the timeline.

When done, click File → Export, choose a format, and save the result to your computer.

2. Using MP3 Cutter & Ringtone Maker

Platforms: Android.
Input Formats: MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A, AAC, FLAC.
Output formats: MP3, AAC.

There are many applications available to Android users that can trim songs. They are not much different, so you can download any program from the top of Google Play. Take, for example, the free MP3 Cutter & Ringtone Maker application from the developers of the popular graphics editor InShot. In Russian Google Play, this program got the crooked name "Cut music & Ringtone to make".

By launching the application, you can add a music file from the device memory. After that, all that remains is to select the desired fragment using the sliders on the timeline, as well as the format and bitrate of the final file.

The program also allows you to quickly put the selected fragment on the ringtone or set it as an alarm clock. The app displays ads, but ads can be turned off for RUB 319.

3. Using GarageBand

Platforms: iOS, macOS.
Input Formats: MP3, WAV, AAC, MIDI, CAF, Apple Loops, AIFF.
Output formats: AAC, M4A, WAV, AIFF.

On Mac, iPhone, and iPad, it's easy to trim your music using the free GarageBand software from Apple. Let's figure out how to do this on different platforms.

If using a Mac

Drag the music file into the GarageBand window. Click on the scissors icon to open the editor. Then move the cursor to the beginning and end of the track on the timeline until only the required audio fragment remains.

To save the result, click Export, select iTunes or Music (on macOS Catalina), set the file options, and confirm the save. The trimmed section appears in the application of your choice.

If using an iPhone or iPad

With GarageBand launched, click Create Song. In the next menu, switch to the "Tracks" tab and select "Audio Recorder".

Trim Music: GarageBand on iPhone or iPad

Then open the editor using the button in the upper left corner.

Trim music using GarageBand on iPhone or iPad

Click on the button with the loop.

Select the desired track on the device using the "Music" or "Files" tab. Then hold the touch on it and drag it to the editor window.

Move the beginning and end of the composition on the timeline until only the required segment remains.

When done, click on the arrow button and select "My Songs."

In the "My Songs" menu, hold down the icon of the newly created file, select "Share" and follow the prompts of the system. You can simply save the trimmed track on your device or put it on a ringtone right away.

If you want to save the resulting fragment when the export menu opens, click "Open in …" → "Save to Files". The segment will then appear in the Files application.