How to Edit Music Tracks & Extend Music

Since the introduction of digital editors, such as Adobe Audition, it is possible for practically anyone to edit and extend digital music tracks. Whether you want to create a loop, or shorten or lengthen a track, digital editors allow you to alter digital pieces of audio and music. With a multitude of digital editors available either for purchase or for free online download, there is a variety of options to choose from when deciding how you want to begin editing digital music.

Identify what you want to use the digital editing equipment for. If your purpose in wanting to edit music and audio is for personal or more novice reasons, consider downloading a free digital editor such as Audacity or Power Sound Editor. While these programs have limited functions, they provide a basic introduction to the world of digital editing. If you are seeking to use your digital editor for a more-professional purpose, start by signing up for free trials of excelled programs, such as Adobe Audition, to determine which program you like before you purchase it.

Complete a tutorial of your digital editor to ensure you understand its basic functions. According to Desi Foy, Creative Services Director for Cumulus Radio in Rochester, Minn., the primary facets of editing and extending music tracks include loops, shortening tracks, stretching tracks and adding effects such as reverb, echo, chorus and delay. Once you are comfortable with the program itself, you can begin successfully editing and extending music tracks.

Practice the basic functions of music editing and extension. For example, with Adobe Audition, Foy states the most effective way to loop a piece of audio is to use the multitrack function, which allows you to stack audio elements or waves to overlap sections of audio or insert elements into the music that did not previously exist. By utilizing the multitrack function, it is much easier to set the length for your loop.

When working to shorten tracks, simply trim out the pieces you do not want to include. As you edit this audio out, ensure that you leave seamless transitions between the newly connected pieces of music in the track.

For most digital editing programs, stretching a music track involves selecting the proper extend function. While this is a common function, Foy states that there is one vital component of information to understand before attempting this type of digital alteration. With every piece of digital music or audio, there is a distinct limit to how far something can be stretched before it begins to sound distorted and becomes unusable. According to Foy, this limit is entirely dependant on the length of the original track itself. Although there is no concrete guideline, the longer a piece of music is when you start extending it, the more time you can add through stretching.

When adding effects to a music track, it is essential to use moderation. As Foy states, "Keep it clean and keep it classy." Including too many effects will distort your music track and destroy the audible integrity of the track itself.