A clean audio cut depends on where you place the start and end points. Cutting too early can include silence or noise, while cutting too late can leave unwanted material in the exported clip.
Use the waveform to find visible changes in volume. Speech often appears as grouped waveform peaks, while silence appears as a flatter section. Music can be more complex, but the waveform still helps identify sections.
Always preview the selection before exporting. Listening is the best way to confirm whether the cut sounds natural.
If possible, avoid cutting in the middle of a strong beat, spoken word, or sudden sound. Move the handle slightly before or after the sound to make the result cleaner.
When the output is for another project, consider exporting WAV first. If the final destination needs MP3, convert or export to MP3 at the final step to avoid repeated lossy compression.