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
From Audacity Developer Team:
This editor can record and play sounds and import and export WAV, AIFF, MP3, and OGG files. Edit your sounds using cut, copy, and paste features (with unlimited undo functionality), mix tracks, or apply effects to your recordings. The program also has a built-in amplitude-envelope editor, a customizable spectrogram mode, and a frequency-analysis window for audio-analysis applications. Built-in effects include bass boost, wah wah, and noise removal, and the program also supports VST plug-in effects.
Version 1.2.6 enables FLAC support and contains some bug fixes.
What's new in this version: Version 1.2.6 enables FLAC support and contains some bug fixes.
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 709 votes
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Current version:
4.1 starsout of 494 votes
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My rating:
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"Can't export MP3s - WASTE OF TIME"
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
Program was doing exactly what I wanted it to then...
Cons
...I found out it won't export to MP3. Gives a message stating you have to find some file named "lame" something or other. TERRIBLE.
Summary
Does not do the simple task that it is supposed to do. I'll find another program that was completed properly.
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"Doesn't Stay open long enough to save file"
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
it sometimes works
Cons
What a hunk of crap the program isnt stable enough to stay open before crashing so you can save the file you record fix it please and ill give it more than half a star
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"Simple and seems to work"
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
Simple to install and use. Effectively blocked a trojan horse when I clicked on an email link that I thought was safe.
Cons
None so far.
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"Good software for working with music files."
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
Powerful, largely intuitive for basic functions.
Cons
Advanced functions require a learning curve, and the information is sometimes hard to find.
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"Good, love That is free but I agree what jwith54 said"
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
Free what more can I say
Cons
Save features could be tweeked so it is more usable
Summary
all and all good program for free but could use some tweeks like in the save features to win the hearts of those of us that remix our audio
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"Useless waste of bandwidth"
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
None at all
Cons
Won't export mp3...AT ALL
Summary
Keep moving folks...
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"Seems to be great software"
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
Formerly used 2003 purchased copy of Steinberg Wavelab (bundled with Pinnacle Clean 4.0). Tried this about 2 years ago and liked it--simple, functional, efficient--but did not use much. Have just upgraded Audacity Windows Unicode 1.3.14 (Beta) version to gain use of recommended "FLAC" lossless audio codex for long-postponed conversion of audio interviews on 1990's cassettes to a digital archive. LOVE IT.
Cons
Didn't use enough to notice vices. My problems mostly learning curve--not the software's fault.
Summary
So far have used newer version intensively and found it excellent. No vices apparent. System-wide problems possibly caused by other free softwares have distracted. See reviews of YouTubeDownloader and DriveScanner.
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"CAN'T CONTROL INPUT LEVEL"
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
Easy to use if you can control input level.
Cons
Level Wizard didn't work for me. My Line Out from receiver to Line In of Sound Card does not allow level control and Spin it Agai doesn't allow you to change it.
Summary
Switched to FREE Audacity. Better control of level
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"Great recorder easy to install"
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
Good quallity and easy to use
Cons
non so far
Summary
good choice for anyone
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"I LOVE this program."
Version: Audacity 1.2.6
Pros
It does everything I want it to, including exporting tracks separately, either in wav or mp3. Wav interfaces nicely with iTunes so I can record whatever I want, layer music, export and copy. You can also export the tracks individually to create an entire "album" of your work. There's a lot of flexibility in adjusting sound, volume, etc.
Cons
I know there's a lot more I can do if I only understood the terms. More a weakness of mine though than of the program.
Summary
I highly recommend this program. I find it useful, user friendly and reliable.
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