Audacity 4.0 will be major redesign, let's take a look:

https://www.audacityteam.org/au4/

thoughts? do you like how Audacity is becoming a serious DAW eventually?

PS: maybe it will then deserve its own section here at forums under DAWs

 

Other than the whole telemetry drama thing, i'm actually liking the new changes. I know a bunch of people aren't happy with the drastic changes on the design but I think it's for the better.

Also in the video he says the goal isnt to turn audacity into a DAW but more about making it a more capable audio editor, like adobe audition

 

I tried to watch it a few hours ago, but I couldn’t stand it, the guy is quite annoying, talks too much and is patronizing
Just remembered he’s quite unpleasant in personal communication had that experience on GitHub when he just began working for Audacity or for that company that which it belongs

 

Audacity Beta releases
There currently is no beta release available. You can download an pre-alpha version instead.

If you'd like to help us with testing, instructions can be found below.
Instructions for testing
Audacity 4 alpha
Go to Audacity 4 alpha 1 page
The Audacity 4 alpha versions are unfinished at this time. This means that some buttons may not do anything yet, or placeholder items be used. For details, check the alpha 1 page.

Audacity 4 Alpha 1
The purpose of this alpha build is to test the core features of Audacity 4 on a wide selection of hardware and operating systems.

If you experience severe issues or crashes, please file an issue on GitHub (requires a free GitHub account).

• Github issues

What's implemented

• Recording and playback
• Editing audio
• Applying effects (destructive and real-time)
• Exporting audio files
• Configuring and re-arranging the interface (including the new Workspaces feature)

A note on compatibility ⚠️
Projects saved in Audacity 4 are not backwards compatible. We recommend you make a copy of your important projects before opening them in Audacity 4.

 

If you are not happy with changes and want a simple and quick audio editor, look no further than Ocenaudio, I quite like it. www.ocenaudio.com

 

Can you record audio output with this software ?

 

I think Audacity was fine as an audio tool with tight and clear constraints. A more complex audio editor isn't what I want from it. If Audacity is going to forever chase Audition, then I'd rather just use some other software that's already there or Audition itself.

 

I connected my tape deck with Audacity and completely digitized old cassettes. It was very easy and convenient.

 

My only problem with Audacity is I have to use some sort of software to record audio from other software. Can I now set it to record internal audio?

 

Hello @BiG Pluck, I'll ask the all-knowing AI crystal ball:

Spoiler: Source: Grok KI

Recording Internal Audio in Audacity
Audacity itself doesn't have a fully integrated, one-click feature for capturing internal (system) audio across all platforms, as this depends heavily on your operating system's audio routing capabilities. However, as of October 2025 (with Audacity 3.7.x being the latest stable release), you can configure it to record internal audio without needing separate recording software in many cases—especially on Windows and Linux—by selecting the right audio host and device directly in Audacity's settings. On macOS, you'll still need a lightweight third-party virtual audio driver (free and easy to install).

This setup routes your system's audio output back into Audacity as an input source, allowing you to capture playback from apps like browsers, media players, or games. Below, I'll break it down by OS with step-by-step instructions. These methods use Audacity's built-in support for system audio APIs (no extra recording apps required, though some OS tweaks may be needed).

On Windows (Built-in, No Extra Software Needed)
Windows has strong native support via WASAPI loopback or Stereo Mix. This works on Windows 10/11 and captures audio digitally for high quality.

1. Open Audacity and go to Edit > Preferences > Devices (or use the Audio Setup toolbar via View > Toolbars > Audio Setup).
2. Set Host to Windows WASAPI (recommended for reliability).
3. In Recording Device, select your speakers/headphones with "(loopback)" at the end (e.g., "Speakers (Realtek Audio) (loopback)"). If you don't see it, try MME as Host and look for "Stereo Mix" or "What U Hear."
4. Set Channels to 2 (Stereo).
5. If Stereo Mix isn't visible:
   • Right-click the speaker icon in your taskbar > Open Sound settings > Sound Control Panel > Recording tab.
   • Right-click empty space > Show Disabled Devices and Show Disconnected Devices.
   • Right-click "Stereo Mix" > Enable > Set as Default.
6. Play audio in another app (e.g., YouTube), then click the red Record button in Audacity. Adjust levels in the Recording Meter (aim for -6 dB peaks).
7. Stop recording when done, then edit/export as usual.

Tips: This captures all system sounds (including Audacity's own playback if monitoring is on—disable it via Transport > Transport Options to avoid feedback). Volume changes in Windows may affect recording levels.

On macOS (Requires Free Virtual Driver, No Separate Recorder)
macOS doesn't allow direct internal audio capture for security reasons, so you'll need a free tool like BlackHole (modern replacement for the outdated Soundflower) to create a virtual audio route. It's a simple one-time install—no ongoing "software" for recording.

1. Download and Install BlackHole (free, open-source): Go to existential.audio/blackhole and install the 2ch version (matches stereo audio).
2. Open Audio MIDI Setup (search in Spotlight).
3. Click the + > Create Multi-Output Device.
4. Check Built-in Output and BlackHole 2ch. Name it (e.g., "Audacity Internal").
5. Set this Multi-Output as your system output: System Settings > Sound > Output.
6. In Audacity:
   • Edit > Preferences > Devices: Set Host to Core Audio.
   • Recording Device: Select BlackHole 2ch.
   • Channels: 2 (Stereo).
7. Play audio in another app, then hit Record in Audacity. Monitor levels as above.

Tips: You'll hear audio through your speakers while recording. For Apple Silicon (M1/M2+), BlackHole is fully compatible. If you prefer hardware, a loopback cable (headphone out to line-in) works but may add noise.

On Linux (Built-in via PulseAudio, No Extra Software Needed)
Most distros (e.g., Ubuntu) use PulseAudio, which provides monitor sources for internal audio.

1. Install pavucontrol if needed (via terminal: sudo apt install pavucontrol on Ubuntu/Debian).
2. In Audacity: View > Toolbars > Audio Setup.
3. Set Host to ALSA (or PulseAudio if available).
4. Recording Device: Select pulse or default.
5. Open pavucontrol > Recording tab.
6. Play audio in your source app— it should appear; select the Monitor of your output device (e.g., "Monitor of Built-in Audio Analog Stereo") and route it to Audacity.
7. Adjust sliders in pavucontrol's Recording tab for levels (-6 dB target).
8. Record in Audacity.

Tips: For JACK users (e.g., Ubuntu Studio), set Host to JACK and connect ports in the JACK connection manager. This avoids system sounds if you mute them in pavucontrol.

General Notes

• No Changes in Recent Audacity Versions: Audacity 3.6 (July 2024) and 3.7.x updates focused on effects, themes, and stability—no new built-in internal audio features, but compatibility remains solid.
• Quality & Latency: These methods are digital (no quality loss), but test for latency by playing a short clip.
• Troubleshooting: Update Audacity from audacityteam.org. If no input shows, rescan devices (Transport > Rescan Audio Devices). For mic + internal audio, add a second track.
• Alternatives if Needed: If setup feels fiddly, tools like OBS Studio offer easier internal audio capture, but Audacity excels for editing post-record.

This should eliminate your need for external recording software—let me know your OS for more tailored help!

 

audacity is old software... why use it? we have major daws

 

Audacity is a free audio editor and recording studio for recording, editing, and playing audio files in all common formats.

wait... audacity is a DAW now?

Audacity as a Great Professional DAW? | Audacity PROS and CONS - Producer's HONEST Take on Audacity

0:00 Can Audacity be used as a professional DAW? 0:09 Is it DAW Competent? 0:43 Plug-Ins compatibility 1:23 Does it have Free Effects? 2:07 Can it Preview sound effects? 2:35 How fast it is? 3:05 Spectral view 3:35 Final Thoughts? 3:50 Watch my Voice Editing Tips video!

 

Last edited: Oct 5, 2025 at 6:56 PM

Cubase is much older than Audacity, so why don't we use the new software?

Since when does the age of a software play a role? Either it works for you or not, it's up to the task at hand or not. Maybe you think before you write ...

 

If you can make an output signal as an input within OS, than yes. (loopback or blackhole can help you on that).
If you don't wanna bother with all that and simply record some app outputs, you should check out "Audio Hijack" by Rogue Amoeba (macOS)

 

You should check out "Audio Hijack" by Rogue Amoeba (macOS)

 

noo keep the old logo wtf, rip the nostalgia of using this as my first daw. The logo looks stale like bandlab now

 

Just like Audition, no vsti support no go for me. Yes, I realize it's just an editor, but why not use a full fledged DAW with advanced editing features if your into music production?

 

Because you can use Wavelab, which pretty much smokes all of these other options and does have VST support. That's why. No DAW needs all the functions and features that a real wave editor should have and they don't try to. (except Sequoia)

 

Last edited: Oct 6, 2025 at 12:56 AM

Why NOT use it if you have used it for a very long time?
Not everyone needs a full blown DAW to make music or podcasts or just AUDIO EDITING as this software is aka an Audio Editor and a pretty good one and it is also a FREE one.

And f.y.i not everything that is NEW is better than "old" in fact in many cases it is often the opposite.
I know of many softwares that has gone worse after some computer "wiz" wanted to fix something that wasnt broke in the first place, and it has been updated to something it wasnt in the first place.

 

Last edited: Oct 6, 2025 at 7:57 AM

Audacity has had vst support for many years not everyone needs all functions wavelab has not to mention all the computer resources it takes up for being a bloody audio editor.
This reminds me of when Reaper wanted to make its name among DAW's in 2007/2008
People said OH NO a Daw cant have an installer that is 4MB small they compare it to Cubase 5 and similar Daws that the installer had several hundreds of MB.
People didnt get that in most cases those several hundreds of MB was for GUI and also for Vst instrumental content.
Reaper didnt have a built in "Rompler" or tons of GB of samples it still could do alot more than those fancy "hip" DAW's that costed alot more than Reaper.

 

Last edited: Oct 6, 2025 at 8:05 AM