In audio editing, "Cutting" is very different from "Trimming." While trimming keeps a specific part and throws away the rest, Cutting removes a selected section from the middle and joins the remaining parts together.
When to Use the Cut Tool
Cutting is ideal for removing mistakes in a voice recording, such as "ums," long pauses, or unintended background noise. It allows you to shorten an audio track without losing the beginning or end.
How to Perform a Precision Cut
- Identify the section: Listen to your track and find the exact start and end points of the noise you want to remove.
- Select the region: Click and drag on the waveform to highlight the specific portion you want to delete.
- Apply the Cut: Click the Cut button in the Edit panel. The highlighted area is removed, and the "tail" of the audio is automatically moved forward to meet the "head."
Pro Tip: Crossfades
If you hear a "click" or "pop" after a cut, try to cut at points where the audio is silent or at a "zero-crossing" (where the waveform crosses the center line). This ensures the most natural-sounding transition.