Launch your preferred editing program, such as Cubase, Audacity, Pro Tools or GarageBand.
Open a new session. Methods vary between programs but you typically click “File” and select “New.”
Import the required audio files. Methods vary, but you typically click “File,” “Import” and select the files from your browser. As each song file imports, it will open in a separate audio channel. The audio is represented graphically by a series of peaks, which represent volume.
Click the “S” icon on the channel control strip for the first file. This solos the audio, enabling you to hear it in isolation.
Hit “Play” to listen to the track. Let it roll up to the point where you want the clip to start. For example, you may want only the guitar solo from “Hotel California” and not the verses and choruses.
Open the “Trim” tool. This is typically located under the “Tools” menu. This tool lets you cut out unwanted segments of audio.
Click the cursor on the audio file at the point where you want the clip to begin. Use the volume peaks for guidance. You may need to repeat the same section a few times to pinpoint which peak represents the relevant part of the song.
Click the cursor again at the point where you want the clip to finish. Use the volume peaks for guidance.
Click on the audio to the left of the first trim point and hit “Delete.” Click the audio to the right of the second trim point, then delete. Repeat this process for each audio file until you only have the clips you want.
Drag each audio clip onto the first audio channel.
Select the “Cross Fade” or “X Fade” tool from the “Tools” menu.
Highlight the final three seconds of the first clip. Use the navigation bar as a guide. With the cross fade tool selected, highlighting applies a cross fade to the selected region. The cross fader smooths out the audible “jumps” between the end of one clip and the start of the next. Apply a cross fade to the beginning and end of each clip. You don’t need to put one at the very start.
Click “File” and select “Export As.” When prompted, select “MP3” and name the file. When prompted, save it to a convenient location, such as your Desktop or “My Music” folder. If saving to the desktop, minimize all other applications. If saving to a folder, open that folder and minimize everything else.
Open iTunes. Drag the audio file from the saved location into iTunes.