There can be few computer users who do not make use of MP3 files in some form. Whether you are using them to listen to your favorite music, or downloading podcasts of your favorite radio shows, the chances are that you have a number of files in this format on your hard drive. You may even have record your own audio files – perhaps on your phone, or you’ve recorded a broadcast from an online radio station – and you may have a need to trim out unwanted sections of audio.

Rather than using a selection of tool to perform each of these tasks individually, you need look no further than MP3 Toolkit which can do all of this and more. The program is broken down into six sections, the first of which can be used to convert existing audio and video files into MP3; you can convert files one by one or folders at a time. If you have a CD collection that you would like to digitize you can do so from within the app and whether you are working with existing or newly created MP3s you can also use the program to edit tags.

When you have lengthy MP3s you may want to split them up into a number of different tracks – perhaps if you have recorded a concert and want to separate out individual tracks – and this as well as the ability to merge multiple files into one is also available hear. Rounding off the selection of options is an MP3 recorder which enables you to record from the line-in port of your soundcard to an MP3 file.

The application does have something of a cheap feel to it, but if you can get past this you’ll find that it’s actually a surprisingly accomplished tool – appearances can be deceptive after all. Everything is incredibly simple to use and the clear user interface ensures that it is accessible to everyone, regardless of your level of ability. There are certainly more powerful tool available, but as a basic toolkit, this has all of the bases covered.