14 DAY TRIAL // 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. VST plug-in effects are also supported.
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.
According to its makers, this beta version is the new, not quite finished, development version, which will be the basis of the next “stable” version. “The Audacity Team is pleased to announce the release of Audacity 1.3.10 (Beta) for Windows, Mac and Linux/Unix. This release removes a significant number of crash or freeze problems and other major bugs. It brings us very close to our goal of a new 2.0 Release,” the developers say.
“1.3.10 is strongly recommended for users on Windows Vista and 7, rather than 1.2.6 Stable,” another note goes. “We ask everyone to help us test 1.3.10 and let us know of any problems you find. Advanced users are encouraged to test our latest fixes as we make them by downloading our Nightly Builds. We hope a final 1.3.11 Beta will follow soon.”
For now, here are the main improvements delivered in Audacity 1.3.10 Beta. To see the entire list of changes, including bug fixes, see the official release notes here:
Imports/Exports bug fixes: - Freeze importing audio files in Pitch (EAC) view; - Corrupted WAV or AIFF imports and WMA exports; - Metadata Editor appeared before the Export window.
Improvements: - Linked audio and label tracks disabled until a future Beta version so they can be bug fixed; - Input volume slider will be disabled if it doesn't have proper control of system slider; use the system slider instead; - Proper support for copying/pasting label-with-audio including label text; new Edit > Paste Text to New Label menu item to paste system clipboard; - Contrast Tool now modeless, more intuitive handling of multiple project windows, various other minor improvements.