Edit MP3 Files and Apply Filters

The interface is pretty straightforward and very easy to use. All that’s needed to operate the program is a basic understanding of your computer system.

In order for the program to start, you need to unpack the archive; and then launch the executable file. We should mention that, during the setup process, you are offered the possibility to install the Facemoods pack, which also attempts to change your default search engine and homepage. However, you will be able to uncheck it and go on with the normal installation process.

The first screen of the program gives you the possibility to open an MP3 or WAV file (the only audio formats that the program supports) and start editing it. The program also features the option to convert mono music to stereo, but it just redirects you to the developer’s website, where you can download another program that does that; so this option doesn’t really serve its purpose.

Two of the program’s most important buttons, Play and Stop, are present just under the application’s title bar, accompanied by other useful buttons: “Set Start”, “Set End”, “Select All” and “Deselect”. Your audio files are represented just under this menu as a graph that can display both mono and stereo.

The main editing functions are self-explanatory and accessible, occupying most of the bottom part of the program. A nice touch comes in right at the end, where a couple of time counters display the exact length of your audio file and your selector’s placement. As you can see in the attached image, all the options and graphic elements are well organized and easy to access.

Obviously, the program's main purpose is to cut audio files, which it handles rather well. Guided by the available time indicators, the selection is done with very little effort. After the selection is completed, you can either delete the selected zone or keep it and delete everything else that is not included.

The manual mouse selection is very simple, but not as accurate as it could be. The selection could have been more precise if there were input boxes in which you could specify the exact duration of your selection. As a solution to this problem, I recommend the use of the Maximize button.

Also included in the software is the option to change the volume, allowing you to modify the number of emitted decibels. The default volume level is 100%, but Free MP3 Cutter and Editor allows you to go up to a maximum of 500%. On the downside, the amplified sound is likely to become distorted even before it reaches the maximum level.

Also included in the program is the ability to fade in or fade out the sound. If you want your music file’s sound to rise gradually, you can use the fade in function. Obviously, the fade out function does the exact opposite. As all the previous functions before them, they are very easy to apply.

If you haven’t selected any part of your file, the program will automatically fade in / out the entire audio file with a simple button press. Unfortunately, the lack of options strikes again. It would have been nice to select the fade intensity we want the program to apply to our melody, but since the program doesn’t offer a menu that can help us do that, you just have to hope that it will apply correctly, which, is highly improbable.

Another feature of the program - that pretty much comes as standard in any audio editor - is the ability to convert stereo files into mono and vice-versa. Most of us listen to our music in stereo because the music feels livelier and has a sense of depth to it, but if your audio file is that of an older recording then the mono option might by the way to go for you.

The conversion process is pretty basic, for example, for converting a mono file into a stereo one, the software just duplicates the mono track. As for the reverse process, the program mixes all the channels to generate a mono track.

Tested on a system with Windows 7 x64 installed, the program did not cause any problems or errors and used a maximum of 7 MB of RAM and 45% of a dual core CPU while saving a stereo file. Being a portable app, it does not require uninstalling and can be easily removed just by deleting the folder it is located in.

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