Audacity has released the first public beta of version 4.0, marking a significant design overhaul for this well-known open-source audio editor. The interface has transitioned from wxWidgets to a new Qt framework, providing a more modern aesthetic that has been long overdue.
Despite the visual changes, the core audio engine remains the same as in previous versions, utilizing the existing project storage and effects system, connected through a module named au3wrap. This update is essentially a visual rewrite while keeping the underlying functionality intact.
The newly styled interface features various enhancements. Among these are a redesigned envelope tool for gain curves, spectral editing that allows users to apply effects to specific frequency ranges, and a new metadata editor for managing track information prior to export. Additionally, a lead-in recording feature enables users to record over existing audio without disrupting subsequent sections.
Audacity 4.0 also accommodates the workflow of users working on multiple projects simultaneously, allowing them to copy clips between different sessions. Plugin support has expanded to include Nyquist and VST3 across all systems, with AudioUnits available for macOS and LV2 for Linux users.
Compatibility with Audacity 3.x projects is maintained—users can open their old project files in version 4.0, retaining clips, tracks, and labels. However, the reverse functionality is not guaranteed, so it is advisable to stick with the 3.x branch for any critical work due to some features from version 3.x being absent in the beta release.
In parallel, Audacity 3.7.8 was released, addressing several bugs and improving functionality for multichannel FLAC file imports among other fixes.
For those eager to test the new interface, Audacity 4.0.0 beta 2 is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is crucial to back up projects before experimenting with this beta version, as the developers caution that it may not be stable enough for important work.
For further information, you can download the beta from Audacity.com/next or access the project’s GitHub page.