I am not an audio engineer, but I like to record some audio every now and again and I don’t have the patience to learn complex programs.  ‘What about Sound Recorder in Windows?’ you may ask.  Please….  I want a non-chewtoy audio recorder.

After a little searching, I found the best free audio editing software available, it is called Audacity.  Here is the skinny:

• Open source (say no to the Microsoft monopoly)

• Available for Mac and Windows.

• Export to many audio formats (including MP3)

• Easy to use interface (no steep learning curve)

• Perform complex mixing of multiple tracks

• A good selection of effects (pitch control, speed change, phaser, etc)
  

• Oh, and it’s free (not shareware)

Here is a quick screenshot:

Audacity can be downloaded for Mac and PC at

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/