A digital audio editor (or DAE) is a computer application for audio editing, i.e. manipulating digital audio. It allows you to:

Record 

Audio from one or more inputs can be captured and stored in the computer's memory as digital audio.

Edit 

The start time, stop time, and duration of any sound on the audio timeline can be altered.

Mix 

Multiple sound sources/tracks can be combined at various volume levels and, if in stereo, to left-right panning to one or more output tracks.

Playback 

Sound (often after being mixed) can be sent to one or more outputs; commonly speakers, additional processors, or a recording medium.

In addition these tasks can be performed in a manner that is both non-linear and non-destructive.

Common audio editor software

• Ardour for Unix-like systems
• Audacity for Apple Macintosh, Microsoft Windows, and Unix-like systems
• Adobe Audition, from Adobe Systems, previously known as CoolEdit from Syntrillium for Microsoft Windows
• Cubase VST variants for Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows
• Logic Audio for Apple Macintosh
• Pro Tools for Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows
• Rosegarden for Linux
• SawStudio for Microsoft Windows

See also

• Music sequencer
• Software synthesizer
• Digital audio workstation