mp3DirectCut

mp3DirectCut Review

You get lossless MP3 editing without the quality loss that comes with traditional audio editors. mp3DirectCut lets you cut, trim, split and join MP3 and AAC files directly - no re-encoding required.

Description

mp3DirectCut is one of smallest audio editor built for MP3 and AAC files. You can use it to edit your audio files without decompressing them first. This will save you time and it will help you to preserve the original quality of your audio files. mp3DirectCut is great if you're doing a podcast or you are a radio producer or you just need some quick edits on compressed audio files.

Quick Overview of Features

Feature	Description
Lossless editing	You can edit MP3 files directly without converting to WAV first
Volume adjustment	You can change levels and create fades on MP3 files
File splitting	You can divide long recordings into separate tracks, you can do it automatically
Batch processing	You can process multiple files at once with the same settings
Cue sheet support	You can import CUE files to mark track boundaries
Recording function	You can record to MP3 format directly from your sound card
Pause detection	You can find silent gaps in your recordings, again automatically
AAC support	You can edit AAC files using the "libfaad2.dll" library
Command line usage	The command line allows you to automate tasks via batch scripts

Note: There is no installer file for mp3DirectCut. It is delivered as a self extracting ZIP file. You can also unpack it manually using another program such as 7-Zip or WinRAR. So this installer will only copy the program files and create a desktop icon - there are no registry changes.

mp3DirectCut Interface

When you open the interface there is a toolbar at the top and a waveform filling most of the interface. You can load your files by using the drag and drop - simply drag the files in that display area or you can use the File menu. The waveform will appear instantly because mp3DirectCut will read MP3 headers rather than decoding the entire file.

The same for the audio sections - you click and drag them on the waveform. Right-click will adjust selection edges with frame accuracy.

Volume controls are working different. Instead of processing the audio data, mp3DirectCut will adjust the MP3's internal gain values. You position your cursor where fades should start or end, then choose "Simple fade" or "Two-stage fade" from the Edit menu. There is a tutorial available on how to cut and fade - proper cropping of mp3s.

https://mpesch3.de/tutcrop.html

The built-in recorder will encode to MP3 as you record. Level-activated recording starts automatically when audio exceeds your threshold. Both ACM and LAME encoders work, but keep in mind that LAME produces better quality.

Although the interface doesn't look so modern, the recent versions added dark mode and large button symbols for high-DPI displays. The software scales properly on modern monitors.

Alternatives

Based on my research, there are a few mp3DirectCut alternatives:

Name	Free or Paid	The main difference
mp3TrueEdit	Paid	It is a Cross-platform app for with similar lossless editing
MP3 Stream Editor	Paid	If has a 3D sample display and some MP3 repair functions
Audjust	Free (limited functions)	This is a web-based editor - it will work in your browser.
Free MP3 Cutter Joiner	Free	It has basic cutting and joining with no advanced features
Timbre	Free/Paid (limited functions)	It is a mobile app for Android with some video editing options

Final Conclusion

mp3DirectCut is a fast, lossless editor for MP3 and AAC files. You can use it to trim podcasts, split recordings, adjust the volume and create fades without losing any quality. mp3DirectCut is amazing when you plan to do some quick edits and you look to preserve the original audio quality. You get PRO results with a minimal learning curve (It has an excellent Manual) and it is free to use. Mr. Martin Pesch, the sole developer of this program, also accepts donations so if you like it, please consider a donation for the two decades he spent so far on developing this excellent audio editor and recorder.

No release notes available