Yes, Audacity is probably the best free audio editing software available and it compares well even against paid digital audio workstations (DAW) such as Adobe Audition, Pro Tools and Reaper.
- A2A: As much as I like Audacity, no, it isn't a DAW—at least not in the sense that the acronym 'DAW' is generally used. Aside from it lacking any real MIDI capabilities, it also does not allow for real time, on the fly editing nor automation.
- I'd tell them to stay clear of Audacity (pure and simple, it is NOT a DAW), and I'd be hesitant to recommend FL Studio because it just isn't as versatile. (Matt) Reaper is still my number one choice, lots of features and easy to get the hang of.
Free
First and foremost, the best thing about Audacity is that it is totally free. It is open-source software and doesn't charge anything.
Audacity includes support for Microsoft's Windows DirectSound interface protocol. To use it, select 'Windows DirectSound' as host in Device Toolbar.This will give support for multi-channel recording on some sound devices, but not the very low latencies that are possible on ASIO.
There are plenty of digital audio workstations (DAWs) available, but none are free as Audacity. Some offer 1 month free trials, but that is as good as it gets.
Because Audacity is free it has become the go-to option for people that are starting with voice-over, voice acting, Youtube and vlogging.
If you want to set your foot in any of these fields Audacity is great. In case later you don't feel like Youtube, voice acting or whatever is the route you want to go you won't be tied up to a yearly subscription.
Hence, Audacity is probably your best and safest option when starting out.
Multiple plugins available
Audacity may not be the most packed audio editing software and it lacks some key effects such as a noise gate, de-esser or some features in its compressor.
Nevertheless, for a beginner user Audacity will be more than sufficient. And once you need some advanced effects Audacity has you covered with a plethora of plug-ins available.
Audacity has been there for ages and there are plenty of great plugins to choose from. You can get any effect you want so any lack of inbuilt effects will be covered.
You can find a ton of free plugins here: https://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Plug-ins
Some of the more useful Audacity plugins are Nyquist Noise Gate, Nyquist Hum Remover, Nyquist Multiband EQ, Nyquist ACX Check plugin.
Here is a quick video to help download and install Audacity plugins:
Updates very often
Audacity is developing fast and constantly updates its software. In the past few years, it has changed its design and fixed many bugs.
You will find much software in voice over industry that is outdated and looks like something from 80s sci-fi movies. It is nice to see that Audacity is keeping itself alive and is compatible with all most recent operating systems.
You can use Audacity on Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, even Vista is compatible. Mac and Linux users will also find download links for their respective OS.
The compatibility is amazing and software rarely ever crashes or has any bugs.
Easy to use
Audacity is very intuitive to use. The lack of features and effects may be troublesome for more advanced users, but new users will find it easy to learn Audacity.
It will take no more than an hour to get the grasp of Audacity basics. For more guidance, you can watch this video on how to get started with Audacity. Clown voice changer.
Plenty of tutorials
Since it is free software and already multiple YouTubers, voice-over artists and actors are using the platform, there are plenty of tutorials regarding Audacity.
You will never find short of advice and guidance on the internet. Elder scroll 1. Which can't be said about more expensive premium audio editing platforms that not many can afford.
Your audio editing skills transfer well
Despite Audacity being only one of many audio editing platforms, skills you will learn in Audacity will transfer to any other platform you choose to work later on.
I used Audacity when I started with Youtube and voice over. After a while, I realized I need more than just free tools and go Adobe Creative cloud package which includes Adobe Audition.
The skills on how to clean up audio, use compressor, noise gate, EQ, normalizer, etc will apply in any audio editing software you choose to work with.
Variety of formats
You can export Audacity audio in both WAV and MP3 formats. I doubt you will ever need any more formats, but Audacity also offers OGG export option. Saving your audio file as a project is also an option, which is super useful. It is great that Audacity doesn't cut on any mandatory features.
Audacity Daw Download
Audacity supports high bitrates. It is hard to tell what is the limit because you can set the bitrate yourself, whatever you like. I tried inputting something as absurd as 1,000,000 Hz bitrate and surprisingly the software allowed it and didn't crash. For comparison, the industry standard is 44,100 Hz.
Drawbacks
Audacity is not without flaws and drawbacks, but since it is free it becomes easier to close your eyes when you see some.
Poor design
I don't find it an issue, but many users will tell you how they don't like outdated Audacity design. On the other hand, the design doesn't affect your editing capabilities.
Separate waveform and spectrogram
What I miss in Audacity the most is the ability to see waveform and spectrogram at the same time. You can bypass this problem by duplicating audio track and using one in a waveform and another in the spectrogram, but I just wish it was inbuilt as in other software.
Mono -6dB limit
Another issue you will find is Audacity limiting your recording volume to -6dB when recording in mono. You can bypass this problem by recording in stereo and then splitting the stereo track into mono tracks, but I wish I didn't need to do it.
Because Audacity is free it has become the go-to option for people that are starting with voice-over, voice acting, Youtube and vlogging.
If you want to set your foot in any of these fields Audacity is great. In case later you don't feel like Youtube, voice acting or whatever is the route you want to go you won't be tied up to a yearly subscription.
Hence, Audacity is probably your best and safest option when starting out.
Multiple plugins available
Audacity may not be the most packed audio editing software and it lacks some key effects such as a noise gate, de-esser or some features in its compressor.
Nevertheless, for a beginner user Audacity will be more than sufficient. And once you need some advanced effects Audacity has you covered with a plethora of plug-ins available.
Audacity has been there for ages and there are plenty of great plugins to choose from. You can get any effect you want so any lack of inbuilt effects will be covered.
You can find a ton of free plugins here: https://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Plug-ins
Some of the more useful Audacity plugins are Nyquist Noise Gate, Nyquist Hum Remover, Nyquist Multiband EQ, Nyquist ACX Check plugin.
Here is a quick video to help download and install Audacity plugins:
Updates very often
Audacity is developing fast and constantly updates its software. In the past few years, it has changed its design and fixed many bugs.
You will find much software in voice over industry that is outdated and looks like something from 80s sci-fi movies. It is nice to see that Audacity is keeping itself alive and is compatible with all most recent operating systems.
You can use Audacity on Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, even Vista is compatible. Mac and Linux users will also find download links for their respective OS.
The compatibility is amazing and software rarely ever crashes or has any bugs.
Easy to use
Audacity is very intuitive to use. The lack of features and effects may be troublesome for more advanced users, but new users will find it easy to learn Audacity.
It will take no more than an hour to get the grasp of Audacity basics. For more guidance, you can watch this video on how to get started with Audacity. Clown voice changer.
Plenty of tutorials
Since it is free software and already multiple YouTubers, voice-over artists and actors are using the platform, there are plenty of tutorials regarding Audacity.
You will never find short of advice and guidance on the internet. Elder scroll 1. Which can't be said about more expensive premium audio editing platforms that not many can afford.
Your audio editing skills transfer well
Despite Audacity being only one of many audio editing platforms, skills you will learn in Audacity will transfer to any other platform you choose to work later on.
I used Audacity when I started with Youtube and voice over. After a while, I realized I need more than just free tools and go Adobe Creative cloud package which includes Adobe Audition.
The skills on how to clean up audio, use compressor, noise gate, EQ, normalizer, etc will apply in any audio editing software you choose to work with.
Variety of formats
You can export Audacity audio in both WAV and MP3 formats. I doubt you will ever need any more formats, but Audacity also offers OGG export option. Saving your audio file as a project is also an option, which is super useful. It is great that Audacity doesn't cut on any mandatory features.
Audacity Daw Download
Audacity supports high bitrates. It is hard to tell what is the limit because you can set the bitrate yourself, whatever you like. I tried inputting something as absurd as 1,000,000 Hz bitrate and surprisingly the software allowed it and didn't crash. For comparison, the industry standard is 44,100 Hz.
Drawbacks
Audacity is not without flaws and drawbacks, but since it is free it becomes easier to close your eyes when you see some.
Poor design
I don't find it an issue, but many users will tell you how they don't like outdated Audacity design. On the other hand, the design doesn't affect your editing capabilities.
Separate waveform and spectrogram
What I miss in Audacity the most is the ability to see waveform and spectrogram at the same time. You can bypass this problem by duplicating audio track and using one in a waveform and another in the spectrogram, but I just wish it was inbuilt as in other software.
Mono -6dB limit
Another issue you will find is Audacity limiting your recording volume to -6dB when recording in mono. You can bypass this problem by recording in stereo and then splitting the stereo track into mono tracks, but I wish I didn't need to do it.
No customization
Besides, there is no customization available in Audacity. When you open it up that is how it is going to look and you can't do anything about it. I don't mind it that much, but I see why someone, who is used to Adobe or Reaper customizations, would complain.
No multitrack editing
Audacity doesn't have multitrack editing capabilities. Which means once you apply some sort of effect the only way you can undo it is by clicking the magical Ctrl+Z combination.
Usually, that is enough, but it comes as a problem when you need to apply multiple effects and then be able to turn off or adjust them without affecting other effects that you applied.
Imagine if you compressed your audio and later applied 20 more effects spending a ton of time with each tweaking them to perfection. After all, is done you realized you want to make some changes with the way you compressed you are audio. To do so you would have to undo all the work you have done so far.
Is Audacity A Good Daw
Takeaway
Audacity is great for:
- Voice over
- Youtubers
- Vloggers
- Amateur projects
Audacity is not so good for:
- Music production
- Advanced voice over
Audacity is a great audio editing software to start working with. Also, it offers plugins to fill some gaps in effects.
Once you get very good at audio editing you might find that Audacity limits your creativity and you will want to move on to another audio editing software.
But for most people, all the fancy features and effects are not necessary and if you are not an audiophile you may stick with Audacity for good. Voice over does not require that many effects and editing in the first place.
Computer Software Download Windows 7
On the other hand, if you are more into music, then I would steer away from Audacity as it is not made for music production. You won't be able to apply effects live and there is no multitrack editing which is pretty much necessary.
