Audacity

CNET Editors' review

With so many audio editors out there, finding the right tool for the job can be tricky. The multiplatform, open-source editor Audacity has leaped to the top of our list with its clean interface, excellent features, and support for 32-bit floating-point audio. Audacity succeeds at being both feature-rich and flexible, while keeping the toolbar and work space uncluttered. It does this by relegating most functions--such as effects, edits, and project management--to handy drop-down menus.

Audacity supports uncompressed audio standards such as WAV and AIFF in addition to OGG and MP3 files. A full complement of basic effects such as reverb, delay, and compression are included. Virtual Studio Technology (VST), Linux Audio Developers Simple Plugin Architecture (LAPSDA), and Nyquist plug-ins also are available if you're looking to expand. Another eye-catching feature is the Beat Analyzer, which helps you peg the beats per minute of a phrase.

The performance of most functions is quick--even CPU-hogging tasks such as exporting to MP3 or adding complex effects. Though Audacity doesn't offer advanced effects or features out of the box, its usability and price set this freeware wonder above the crowd.

Publisher's Description

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All User Reviews
  • All versions:

    4.2 stars

    out of 761 votes

    • 5 star: 432
    • 4 star: 191
    • 3 star: 59
    • 2 star: 23
    • 1 star: 56
  • Current version:

    3.8 stars

    out of 8 votes

    • 5 star: 4
    • 4 star: 2
    • 3 star: 0
    • 2 star: 0
    • 1 star: 2
  • My rating:

    0 stars

    Write review

Results 1-8 of 8

  • 5.0 stars

    "Quite handy without bugs"

    May 7, 2013  |   By tanzimshaikh

    Version: Audacity 2.0.3

    Pros

    1) Easy to use
    2) No bugs so far
    3) Copy/Paste, Cut/Delete and Export are the features I mostly work on

    Cons

    1) Once encoding wasn't found while exporting the current modified sound to mp3 and the site wasn't much of a help.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Best Photo Resizer Ever"

    April 18, 2013  |   By flong777

    Version: Audacity 2.0.3

    Pros

    1. Easy to use
    2. Fast
    3. Resizes photos quickly, makes them easy to email
    4. Lets you pick what file you want to store the reduced photos in
    5. It is free
    6. You can drag and drop your photos into the program

    Cons

    It is a little difficult to set the amount that you want your photos to be reduced

    Summary

    This is by far the best photo resize program I have found. I can't recommend it highly enough.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "I had problem as it freezes."

    April 16, 2013  |   By benpakenham

    Version: Audacity 2.0.3

    Pros

    It seems fine but give error message and then freezing on my computer

    Cons

    It loads fine in the first time, then gave some error message and finally froze. Restarting and even re-installing the program gave the same issue again and again.

    Summary

    Do not recommend, try something else such as DJ Audio Editor
    http://www.program4pc.com/dj_editor.html

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Excellent editor. Easy to use for a beginner."

    March 20, 2013  |   By misterDormie

    Version: Audacity 2.0.3

    Pros

    Easy to use.
    The software's structure makes many functions intuitive.

    Cons

    Not everything is as intuitive as you'd like.
    Manual can be difficult to understand.
    The manual would benefit from the inclusion of a few examples.

    Summary

    Excellent editor for the beginner. After a little time and attention, the software is to use.

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  • 4.0 stars

    "Pretty decent freeware"

    March 17, 2013  |   By SpinningMooon

    Version: Audacity 2.0.3

    Pros

    Audacity helped me accomplish a personal goal I set out to accomplish. Relatively easy to grasp and understand, although when I first tried out the software (about a year and a half ago), I admit I didn't get it. Anyhow, the program does the job, and isn't all that hard to grasp once grasped.

    Cons

    The results aren't always perfect...some hissing, white noise, a distant, hollow sound in the background or foreground, etc. Just based on my experience to date. Still relatively new to the program.

    Summary

    Just started using Audacity to import multi-track, exported loops created in Ableton, then export (with some modifications) back to Ableton as an AIFF file to drop into Ableton's sampler (or use as an audio track). The program works just fine for these purposes, in my opinion. The results aren't always crystal perfect, but for freeware I have absolutely no complaints. Big props to all involved in developing and maintaining Audacity.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Best free audio editor"

    February 26, 2013  |   By stevethefiddle

    Version: Audacity 2.0.3

    Pros

    Simple to use,
    Great sound quality (subject to the hardware being used)
    Very powerful program when you get into it

    Cons

    Doesn't support real time effects.

    Summary

    It's hard to believe that a program this good is free. I've used most of the "pro" software alternatives, but keep coming back to Audacity because I can get the job done in half the time. Audacity 2.0.3 is the best version yet.

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  • 1.0 stars

    "Pay someone to do it or use another program"

    February 2, 2013  |   By CJDWYER

    Version: Audacity 2.0.3

    Pros

    None could not even figure out how to record something.

    Cons

    The program itself good luck getting something to record.

    Summary

    Used the web, used the help function but everytime I tried to record something from tape a window would pop up to change a setting I could not even find anywere. I have used hundreds of programs in my life but this one stressed me out to the max I am just simply going to pay someone to do it for me this time.

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  • 5.0 stars

    "Great for editing audio tracks!"

    January 29, 2013  |   By Junglesaurus

    Version: Audacity 2.0.3

    Pros

    Easy enough to figure out. Manual available if needed.

    Cons

    Sometimes just isn't able to read a track that it should.

    Summary

    So far, I've only used to cut (spice) and trim. Does a great job - quickly too.

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Results 1-8 of 8

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