Audacity, a fast, cross-platform, multitrack audio editor and recorder that supports WAV, AIFF, Ogg, and MP3 formats has been updated to version 1.3.9 beta. Because it is a work in progress and does not yet come with complete documentation (or translations into foreign languages), this early version of the piece of software is intended for advanced users.

Audacity permits users to envelop-edit their audio files, do a bit of mixing using built-in effects and plug-ins and, if they mess up, use the unlimited undo feature. The free audio editor for Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or later (Leopard 10.5.4 and lower) is aimed at audiophiles and fans of music-making solutions such as Ableton Live.

A Softpedia freeware pick, Audacity can be used as a sidekick to record and play sounds, import and export WAV, AIFF, and MP3 files, and more. This makes things easier for the users than having to fire up a big program that does so much more, and confuses them with all the available options. Built-in effects include Bass Boost, Wahwah, and Noise Removal. It also supports VST plug-in effects.

According to the Audacity development team, a couple of improvements have been made in version 1.3.9 beta. Those are: Compressor – new option to compress based on peaks, improved attack and decay time support; and Mixer Board – improved design, more responsive meters and now interacts fully with Track Panel in main window. As far as bugs are concerned, the release notes list shows fixes for the following issues (highlights):

- Crash, slow launch or excessive CPU/memory use arising from automatic VST support:
- VST instrument plug-ins should now be correctly ignored;
- VST effects now scanned only at start of first session that detects them, then cached;
- Effects are now not loaded or opened until needed;
- New "Effects" tab in Preferences to enable/disable VST effects and enable VST rescan on next launch;
- Default View Mode now works;
- Non-MP3 files imported via drag or Recent Files caused crash if filter in file open window set to MP3;
- Various interface bugs.

Download Audacity (Free)