Free, open source, cross-platform audio software. Audacity is an easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. Developed by a group of volunteers as open source and offered free of charge. Amazing support community. Audacity, the multi-faceted media application, allows you to record audio from the web (Skype, WhatsApp, or others) or to save system sounds - as well as its primary function, a video player. Mar 18, 2021 There are many tools in this category, but few so comprehensive and efficient as Audacity. It is a free, open source software with GNU licensing to record and edit audio, working directly with the graphics.
Audacity is a free, easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux and other operating systems. Audacity is free software, developed by a group of volunteers and distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Free and open-source multi-track audio editor and recorder with extensive plugin support for effects, generators, analyzers, and more
What's new in Audacity 3.0.2:
- Bug fixes and new macro output preference.
Audacity is an open-source, cross-platform audio editor and recorder that aims to process the most popular audio formats, podcasts included. Audacity will not disappoint if you need a piece of software that can record live, convert tapes or cut and mix sounds.
Seamless setup and clean GUI
The installation process runs quite fast and does not pose any kind of problems, while the interface is pleasant and clean. It encompasses a menu bar, several buttons and a pane in which to view the waveform of any uploaded item.
It might take a while to get used to it, especially if you have never worked with a similar kind of product before. Nevertheless, some comprehensive Help contents are provided, which will aid you in getting around Audacity.
Extensions you can use and simple editing options
This utility features support for importing, processing and exporting WAV, FLAC, AIFF, AU and OGG Vorbis files. Bundled with an array of plugins and effects, this software can help you in regards to audio recording/playback, track mixing and spectrum analysis.
Audacity can record multiple channels simultaneously at high sample rates from microphones, USB or Firewire devices. Simple sound editing operations can be performed via cut, copy, paste and delete features, while mixing can be achieved from multiple clips, while the “Draw” function allows altering individual sample points.
Effects to tweak and use, and perform audio analysis
The rich list of effects includes noise processing, equalization, bass, high and low pass filters, as well as amplify, fade in and out, normalize, reverse, echo and phaser filters. Additional effects can be added to the program, as it supports plugins.
Last but not least, it can perform flawless audio analysis through an algorithm based on the Fourier transformation. Frequencies can be visualized through spectrogram views, while the Plot Spectrum allows users to analyze frequencies.
Bottom line
All in all, Audacity impresses through its plethora of features combined with ease of use and accessibility. The processing speed is decent, to say the least and the results are of superior audio quality.
The system performance is not affected at all and we did not come across any freezes or bugs in our tests.If you are interested in bypassing the installation process, you should know that a portable counterpart is available for download, called Portable Audacity.
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Download Hubs
Audacity is part of these download collections: Edit MP3, Open VST, Play VST, Edit FLAC
Audacity was reviewed by Elena Opris- 2 GB / 1 GHz RAM for x64
- 1 GB / 1 GHz for x86
Audacity 3.0.2
add to watchlistsend us an update- portable version
- A portable version of this application is available: Portable Audacity
- runs on:
- Windows All
- file size:
- 28.2 MB
- filename:
- audacity-win-3.0.2.exe
- main category:
- Multimedia
- developer:
- visit homepage
top alternatives FREE
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© Shutterstock It's easy to export Audacity files into MP3s. Shutterstock- To export Audacity files as MP3s, you just need to use the 'Export' option in the program's 'File' menu.
- Older versions of Audacity can't export MP3s natively, and you'll need to install an add-on called the 'LAME MP3 encoder' to do so.
- When you export an Audacity file as an MP3 track, you can specify its name, artist, genre, and more.
- Visit Business Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.
Audacity is a popular audio-editing program that's free, powerful, and easy to use.
Using Audacity, you can produce music, podcasts, and other audio projects without needing to buy an expensive commercial audio program.
When your audio project is completed, though, you typically need to save it as an MP3 so it can be published and shared.
Luckily, exporting Audacity files as MP3s only takes a moment. Here's how to do it using Audacity on your Mac or PC.
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How to export Audacity files as MP3s
1. In Audacity, click 'File' at the top of the screen.
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2. In the drop-down menu, click 'Export' and then choose 'Export as MP3.'
Audacity Audio Player
© Dave Johnson/Business Insider Save your audio as an MP3 via the Export menu. Dave Johnson/Business Insider3. At the bottom of the dialog box in the Format Options section, choose your MP3 settings. As a general rule, you'll get the best results by choosing 'Constant' for the 'Bit Rate Mode' rather than one of the variable bitrate options. Choose the bitrate from the 'Quality' drop-down menu (if in doubt, choose 192 kbps or higher) and then save your file.
© Dave Johnson/Business Insider For best results, save your file as a constant bitrate MP3 at 192 kbps or higher. Dave Johnson/Business Insider4. In the 'Edit Metadata Tags' window, fill in as much information as you desire about your MP3 file. This data is entirely optional, but will be visible if you import your file into programs like iTunes. Click 'OK' when you're done.
© Dave Johnson/Business Insider This metadata may be visible in certain audio apps. Dave Johnson/Business Insider
How to export Audacity files as MP3s using older versions of Audacity
In older versions of Audacity, you couldn't convert audio to MP3 without first installing an MP3 encoder add-on to your Mac or PC. This is because the encoding library was protected by a patent, and couldn't legally be included with Audacity.
Audacity Windows Media Player
The patent has expired, though, and the most current version of Audacity includes the MP3 encoder. If you have an older version of Audacity, you can install the LAME MP3 encoder, and then restart Audacity.
However, it's easier to just install the latest version of Audacity. If you do, not only will you get built-in MP3 exports, but you'll receive an improved version of Audacity as well.
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