Audacity v1.3.8 Beta Available

It contains a number of improvements, plus some bug fixes.

Highlights include:

• VST Effects now display in GUI mode by default.

• Updated Nyquist implementation.

• Improvements to Equalization, Noise Removal, Truncate Silence, Click Track and effects chains.

• Improved Plot Spectrum analysis and new preferences for Spectrograms.

• Record more than 16 channels (hardware/drivers permitting).

• New “Mixer Board” view with per-track VU meters.

• AMR NB export support via the optional FFmpeg library.

• 32-bit float data over 0 dB handled without clipping.

• Draft Manual/Quick Help included in Windows and Mac installers.

• Faster waveform drawing and better response in multi-track projects.

• Various bug fixes, stability and accessibility improvements.

In Detail

New Features:

• Effects and Analysis:

o VST Effects now display GUI by default.
o Faster Equalization and Noise Removal; improved Truncate Silence and Click Track.
o Chains applied to files now clear temporary data after processing each file.
o Updated Nyquist implementation with support for SAL syntax and improved memory management.
o Plot Spectrum now analyzes up to 237.8 seconds of audio, with separate windows for each project and improved display; new preferences for Spectrograms.
o Contrast Analysis tool now modeless for easier use.

• Interface:

o Draft Manual/Quick Help included in Windows and Mac installers.
o New “Mixer Board” view with per-track VU meters.
o Mute, solo, gain, pan and track height saved in projects.
o More compact Preferences window with easier-to-use Keyboard tab and new toolbars shortcuts.
o New Screenshot Tools and improved screen reader support.

• Other:

o Record more than 16 channels (hardware/drivers permitting).
o Improved support for non-mmap ALSA devices such as PulseAudio.
o 32-bit float data over 0 dB now handled without clipping.
o “Stop” option when importing preserves already imported data.
o AMR NB export now supported if the optional FFmpeg library is installed.
o Faster waveform drawing and better response in multi-track projects.

Bug fixes for:

• Export Multiple: failed if empty label encountered; files silenced if overwriting imported WAV files without copying them in.

• Metadata Editor hidden if it was on a now unavailable second monitor.

• Misaligned audio after “Split New” or Noise Removal effect.

• Incorrect label movement and paste with linked audio and label tracks.

• Equalization, Cut Preview and Advanced Mixing Options dialogue.

• (Linux) Mixer Toolbar should now adjust levels and select input sources properly.

• “Audio cache” preference caused crashes – data is now only cached in memory if available RAM is above a level defined in preferences.

• Various other crashes.