Audacity

Was ist Audacity?

Audacity has been around since 2000, originally a student project that grew into the most popular open‑source audio editor worldwide. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and other Unix‑like systems, and its latest release is 3.7.8 from May 2026. The interface is simple, with a timeline view and a set of toolbars that let you record, trim, and apply effects.

It is aimed at hobbyists, podcasters, musicians, and anyone who needs basic to intermediate audio editing without a subscription. The learning curve is moderate; most functions are accessible via menu items and a handful of keyboard shortcuts.

Compared with Adobe Audition, Soundbooth, or GoldWave, Audacity feels more lightweight and less polished, but it offers a comparable set of core features. The lack of a native VST plugin host and limited real‑time monitoring can be a drawback for advanced users, while the free license and cross‑platform nature make it attractive for budget‑conscious creators.

Ideal für: Those who need a free, cross‑platform audio editor for basic to intermediate tasks.

Wichtige Funktionen von Audacity

• Record live audio
• Convert tapes/CDs to digital formats
• Edit WAV, AIFF, FLAC, MP2, MP3, Ogg Vorbis
• Cut, copy, splice, mix
• Change speed or pitch
• Apply a wide range of effects

Tipps für Windows-Umsteiger

When moving from Adobe Audition or Soundbooth, keep in mind that Audacity uses its own project format (.aup). Import/export via common formats like WAV or MP3. Shortcuts differ: for example, Ctrl+S saves the project, Ctrl+Z undoes, and Ctrl+Shift+Z redoes. The timeline view replaces the multi‑track view of Audition; you may need to open multiple windows or use the track list to manage layers. Audacity’s effects are applied per track, so be sure to select the correct track before applying an effect.

Neueste Versionen

• 3.7.8 — 26. Mai 2026

  The 3.7.x series of releases is primarily for maintenance while we work on Audacity 4.0.