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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:
Audacity is an open source, cross-platform audio editor and recorder. Audacity 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. Audacity also has a built-in amplitude-envelope editor, a customizable spectrogram mode, and a frequency-analysis window for audio-analysis applications.
What's new in this version: Version 2.0.3 may include unspecified updates, enhancements, or bug fixes.
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All versions:
4.2 starsout of 763 votes
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Current version:
3.7 starsout of 10 votes
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My rating:
Write review
Results 1-10 of 10
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"top quality and functionality"
Version: Audacity 2.0.3
Pros
Accomplished the relatively simple tasks I needed. Looks to have much more power to explore...
Cons
The UI could be off-putting if you are not already thinking like an audio engineer.
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"Extremely confusing"
Version: Audacity 2.0.3
Pros
Can't think of any
Cons
Extremely non-intuitive software
The instruction manual is poorly written and incompleteSummary
I'm afraid I disagree with all of the positive reviews here. I downloaded Audacity in order to edit a Media Player file. I wished only to delete part of the recording. Audacity boasts that its audio editing features are as easy to use as document editing software such as Microsoft Word. Anything but. After two hours of wrestling with the software and its confounding and incomplete instruction manual, I gave up. I therefore cannot recommend this software.
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"Quite handy without bugs"
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 onCons
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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"Best Photo Resizer Ever"
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 programCons
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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"I had problem as it freezes."
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 -
"Excellent editor. Easy to use for a beginner."
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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"Pretty decent freeware"
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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"Best free audio editor"
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 itCons
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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"Pay someone to do it or use another program"
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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"Great for editing audio tracks!"
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.
Results 1-10 of 10
