How do I combine two audio files on Android?

Audio file combining is the process of joining multiple audio files into a single file. There are several reasons why someone may want to combine audio files on an Android device:

Making ringtones – Users can combine their favorite song snippets to create custom ringtones for their phone.

Mixing music – DJs and music producers can blend tracks together by combining different audio files.

Creating audiobooks or podcasts – Recording chapters or episodes as separate files and then combining them makes the production process easier.

Putting together soundbites – Journalists can assemble interviews and sound clips from multiple sources into a single cohesive audio story.

Merging voice memos – Combining multiple voice memo recordings into one file can be more convenient for storage and sharing.

Overall, audio file combining gives users more flexibility and creativity when working with audio on their Android device.

Prerequisites

To combine two audio files on an Android device, there are a few prerequisites:

The Android device needs to support common audio file formats like MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC, etc. Most modern Android devices support these formats (Source: Android Supported Media Formats | Android Developers).

The user needs to have the two audio files they want to combine already saved on their Android device. The files can be downloaded from the internet, transferred from a computer, or recorded directly on the device.

You’ll need to download a third-party audio editing app capable of combining audio files. Some popular options include MP3 Cutter and Merger, Easy Audio Combiner, Audio Joiner, and more. These are available free on the Google Play Store.

Download an Audio Combining App

There are several good free options for audio combining apps on the Google Play store. Here are some top recommendations:

MP3 Cutter and Audio Merger

MP3 Cutter and Audio Merger (https://www.clogica.com/audio-merger-joiner/) is one of the most popular audio combining apps. Key features include:

Cut audio files into parts or merge multiple files
Ability to trim audio clips and edit start/end points

Support for common formats like MP3, WAV, OGG, M4A
Simple and intuitive interface

MP3 Audio Merger and Joiner

MP3 Audio Merger and Joiner (https://www.clogica.com/ipod-audio-merger-joiner/) provides similar capabilities as MP3 Cutter and Audio Merger. Highlights include:

Merge multiple audio files into one
Trim audio clips and adjust volume
Add customizable fade in/out effects

Share merged audio via email, Bluetooth, etc.

Easy Audio Cutter and Merger

Easy Audio Cutter and Merger (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.video.cutter.merge) provides a streamlined interface. Key features:

Cut, trim, merge audio files

Support for common formats
No encoding/re-encoding for quality retention
Shuffle and repeat options

Overall, any of these apps will allow you to combine multiple audio files on Android. Choose the one with the features and interface you prefer.

Add Audio Files to the App

Once you have downloaded a suitable audio combining app, the next step is to add the two audio files you want to combine. Here is how to add audio files in most audio combining apps for Android:

Open the audio combining app and navigate to the file adding screen, which is usually represented by a + or “add file” button. Tap this to open your file explorer. Browse to the location where your audio files are stored.

The app should allow you to select multiple audio files to add. Tap on the first file you want to combine, then tap on the second file. Most audio combining apps support common formats like MP3, WAV, M4A and more.

Before adding the files, you may be able to preview them within the app. This allows you to confirm you have selected the correct files before importing them into the audio project.

Once ready, tap the import or add button to bring the audio files into the app so you can combine them.

Arrange the Audio Files

Arranging the order of the individual audio files is important to achieve the desired flow and sequence in the final combined audio file.

Most audio combining apps allow you to preview the combined audio to test different arrangements before exporting. For example, in MP3 Director, you can drag and drop audio files up or down in the sequence. Tap the play button to preview how the combination sounds.

Experiment with different orders until you achieve the combination and flow you want. Put the most important or prominent audio clips first. Transition and blend between different audio styles or moods. You may want dialog, background music, sound effects, or recordings to unfold in a logical way.

The ability to freely arrange audio makes it easy to try different versions before settling on the final order for output.

Trim/Edit the Audio Files

Often before combining multiple audio files, it’s important to trim or edit them beforehand to prepare for the final combined audio. Most audio combining apps provide basic editing tools to trim audio clips as needed.

For example, usually there is a timeline view where you can set a start and endpoint for the clip to remove excess content at the beginning or end that you don’t need. You can see this in the Documents app editing interface.

Many apps also allow adjusting the volume level of individual clips before combining them. This helps balance quiet versus loud clips. Look for volume sliders or gain controls when reviewing the editing tools.

Taking a few minutes to trim, arrange, and adjust audio files before combining them will result in a much better final product. Rushing through and just merging unchecked clips often results in uneven, messy audio.

Combine the Audio Files

Once you have added all the audio files you want to combine into the app, it’s time to actually merge them together. The app makes this easy to do:

Tap the “Combine” button. This will open the audio combiner screen.
By default, the app will play back the files in the order you added them. You can tap and drag on the files to arrange them how you want.
You can insert silences or crossfades in between the files. Tap between two files, then select the Insert option. Choose a silence or a crossfade (typically between 1-4 seconds).

The app allows you to preview how the combined audio sounds. Use the play button or playhead slider at the bottom to playback the merged file. This is very useful for ensuring your audio transitions sound good:

Listen for any jarring transitions between songs. Adjust the crossfade times or add silences as needed.
Check that the song order makes logical sense for your purpose.

Use the volume controls on each file clip if levels between recordings are wildly different.

Once you’re happy with how the combined audio file sounds, move on to the final export step.

Export the Combined Audio

After you finish combining and editing your audio files in the app, the next step is to export the final combined audio file so you can use it elsewhere. Most audio combining apps for Android will allow you to export as common formats like MP3 and WAV.

When exporting, you typically get options to name the exported file and select the audio quality. For example, in Audacity you can choose the MP3 encoding quality as 128, 160, 192, or 256kbps. The higher the bitrate, the better the audio quality but the larger the file size.

Some apps may allow batch exporting multiple files at once. In Audacity’s Export Multiple function, you can export selected audio clips into separate files that are automatically named.

Save and Share

After combining the audio files in the app, the next step is to save the final output audio to your Android device’s storage and share it as needed.

To save the combined audio file, locate the export or save button within your audio combining app. This will prompt you to name the file and select a destination folder on your device’s internal storage or SD card where you want to save the merged audio file.

Once saved, you can easily find the combined audio file in your Android’s file manager app like My Files or File Manager. The file is usually saved as an MP3 or M4A. You can then open the file with any audio player app to listen to it.

Sharing options for the combined audio file include:

Bluetooth – Pair your Android with headphones, a speaker, car stereo for wireless playback.
Email – Attach the audio file to an email to share with others.
Messaging Apps – Share as an attachment in apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

Cloud storage – Upload to Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. to access the audio from other devices.
Music apps – Add/sync it to apps like Spotify, Apple Music, etc. to include in playlists.
Ringtones/Notification Tones – Set as a custom ringtone or notification alert sound.

Troubleshooting

Combining audio files on Android phones can fail for a number of reasons. Here are some common issues and tips for troubleshooting:

Common issues:

Incompatible file formats – File formats like AMR, MIDI, or VOX may not combine properly with AAC or MP3 files.

Timing or clipping – The combined file may clip or show awkward timing between the two sources.
Different audio quality – If the files are different audio quality (sample rate, bit depth, etc) the combined audio can sound strange.

To fix these issues, try the following:

Convert audio to compatible formats first – Try converting the files to PCM or MP3 first before combining.
Trim the files to line up timing – Use the editor to adjust timing of each file.
Adjust audio gain/normalization – Bring the files to a consistent loudness with normalization in an editor.

Use a more advanced audio editor app like Lexis Audio or qAudio. They have more editing tools to ensure the combined audio works properly.

Ensure you are avoiding these common mistakes that prevent combining audio:

Not checking audio formats – Always check that the file formats will work together first.

Not adjusting timing/volume between files – The files need to have consistent timing/loudness for the combined audio to sound smooth.
Combining too many files – Most Android apps can only combine 2-3 files reliably.

For further help troubleshooting, try contacting the developer team for your audio combining app or posting on Android audio forums like r/GooglePixel. Technical experts there may be able to pinpoint the issues.