The short answer
Work on a selected time range when the edit should affect only one part. Listen after each change, use Undo if needed and export to a new filename to keep the original.
Open the file and find the edit
Open a supported audio file with File > Open…. Play the recording to find the unwanted section. Zoom in when a small edit needs more precision; a small visible waveform does not mean there is no sound.
Select the correct time range
Drag across the waveform to select a range. Check the displayed start, end and duration, then play the selection. A playhead position and a selected range are different: confirm that the shaded selection covers the part you mean to change.
For removing a mistake or pause, cut only the unwanted audio and listen across the new join. For keeping a short excerpt, check both its first and last word before exporting.
Preview an effect before applying it
Choose an available effect from Effects. Start with a short selection and moderate settings so you can hear the change. Check whether you have a selection: some operations apply to the whole file when no range is selected.
Use Undo when the effect makes the result worse. Raising gain can make clipped peaks or background noise more obvious; it cannot replace a better recording. Avoid stacking several changes without listening between them.
Export a new playable file
Use File > Convert / Export… to select the output format and save the result. Give the edited version a different filename, then check it in a separate player. Save an editor project separately when you need to resume the editing session.
Need to create the source recording first? Follow the microphone and computer-audio recording guide. To join several finished files in sequence, use Audio Convert Merge Free.
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CyberPower Audio Editing Lab is free for its supported features. No subscription or paid activation is required.
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