Software
Version
3.2.0 Alpha 1
Release Date

This version adds realtime effects and VST3.

Prominent changes

  • Added a new Effects button to the tracks menu, allowing you to place realtime effects. Further information can be found on https://support.audacityteam.org/audio-editing/using-realtime-effects
  • Merged the mixer bar with the meter bars.
  • Added a new Audio Setup button, replacing the Device Toolbar by default. The device toolbar can be re-added via the View > Toolbars menu.
  • The Effects menu has gotten a new sorting. Other sorting and grouping options can be found in the Effects preferences.
  • Updated the icons.

Plugin changes

You can find plugins on https://plugins.audacityteam.org

  • VST3 effects are now supported.
  • The following plugin formats are now realtime capable: VST3, LV2, LADSPA, Audio Units.
  • Plugins now automatically get scanned, tested and enabled when Audacity starts.

System changes

  • Apple Silicon (arm64) and Universal Binaries are now supported on macOS
  • FFMPEG 5.0 (avformat 59) is now supported, in addition to avformat 55, 57 and 58
  • Added support for Wavpack
  • On Linux, Audacity can now be compiled without JACK present.
  • Audacity now uses XDG directories on Linux.
    Note: If you are upgrading from a previous version, Audacity will keep using the ~/.audacity-data and ~/.audacity folders until you delete them.
  • Switched from mad to mpg123 as MP3 importer

License update

  • Audacity binaries are now licensed under the GNU General Public License, Version 3.
    Most code files remain GPLv2-or-later, but VST3 support required this license update.
    More information can be found in the announcement post: #2142

Other changes

  • Removed the Zoom Tool. You can use the zoom buttons or Ctrl+Scroll (macOS: Cmd+Scroll) to zoom instead.

Fixed bugs:

  • #3079 Fixed Audacity sometimes not being able to import MP3 files (or reporting Huffman Data Overruns)
  • #2590 Fixed rare data loss bug when placing labels during recording
  • #2272 Fixed clip titles being able to disappear off-screen when editing them
  • #2162 Fixed Punch and Roll not paying tracks in sync
  • #1889 Fixed clip titles changing name when applying some effects
  • #1624 During batch processing, Audacity will no longer stop to ask for a sample rate when an unsupported one is chosen, but choose the nearest supported one instead.
  • #2265 Fixed mod-script-pipe not being installed on Linux