Audacity
A cross-platform open-source audio editor for recording, multitrack editing, noise reduction, mixing and export, suitable for voice-over, interviews and podcast production.
What Audacity is for
Audacity is a cross-platform editor for recording, waveform editing, multitrack mixing, effects and audio export. It fits voice-over, interviews, podcasts and lightweight production. An Audacity project preserves editable work, while WAV, FLAC or MP3 files are exported for playback and delivery.
Check the signal before a long recording
Input device, channel count, sample rate, gain and monitoring path affect the final material. Record a short sample and play it back before a session. Peaks that stay at the ceiling indicate clipping, which cannot be fully restored later. Keep original recordings separate from edited projects and exports.
Use effects and plugins reversibly
Noise reduction, compression and equalization can improve speech but may also create artifacts. Duplicate a clip, adjust a small amount and compare with the original before processing a full track. Third-party plugins may execute code and should be reviewed for source, architecture and compatibility.
Maintenance note
This page reviews Audacity 3.7.8, recording setup, multitrack editing, project recovery and export boundaries. Content review date: 2026-08-23.
Save to your cloud drive
Open the cloud drive to get the file directly, or save it for convenient access on another device.
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Audacity 3.7.8 installation, recording and export
Start with a short recording to verify the device, level and monitoring path, then keep the source audio, editable project and delivery files in separate locations.
Before you start
- Select a compatible Windows, macOS or Linux package and confirm the microphone and output device are available.
- Prepare separate folders for source recordings, project files, exports and backups.
- Use a disposable short sample to test effects and plugins instead of experimenting on the only recording.
Installation steps
- 01
Install the matching build
Install or launch the package for the operating system, confirm the version and review the audio device and temporary directory settings.
- 02
Record a level test
Select the microphone, record about ten seconds and check the peak, background noise, channel balance and monitoring delay before the real session.
- 03
Save and reopen a test project
Save the project in its own directory, close and reopen it, and keep an independent copy of the original audio so recovery does not depend on one file.
Quick start
- 01
Organize and edit tracks
Record the session after another short check, rename tracks and remove obvious mistakes while preserving a copy of the untouched material.
- 02
Test speech processing
Duplicate a clip, compare noise reduction, equalization and compression in small amounts, and bypass effects to check for metallic sound or pumping.
- 03
Export a delivery file
Keep the project and export WAV or FLAC for a lossless master, then create a compressed format for the target platform and listen through the final file.
Usage tips
- A visible waveform does not prove that a recording is free of clipping, crosstalk or device errors; always play a short sample.
- Review third-party VST or Nyquist plugins before installation and test them one at a time in a copy of the project.
- Keep original audio, staged projects and final exports in separate backups because project corruption can affect the editable session.
Troubleshooting and uninstall
Why is there no recorded audio or only one channel?
Check operating-system microphone permission, the physical interface, the selected input and the channel count, then record a short sample again.
Why does the exported file sound different from the project?
Compare mute and solo states, track gain, real-time effects, sample rate and export range, then listen from start to finish instead of relying on the success message.
- Back up the projectConfirm that projects, original audio and exports are independently accessible before removing the application.
- Remove the application and optional dataUninstall through the operating system, then decide separately whether to remove plugins, preferences and temporary files.
Frequently asked questions
What audio tasks suit Audacity?
It suits voice-over, interviews, podcasts, simple music edits, noise reduction and multitrack mixing; it is not a complete MIDI and virtual-instrument workstation.
Does saving an Audacity project export an audio file?
No. The project preserves editing state, while WAV, FLAC or MP3 must be exported separately for playback or delivery. Keep both when the work may need revision.
Why can recording have clipping or delay?
Clipping usually comes from excessive input gain, while delay depends on the device, driver, buffer and monitoring path. Record a short test and adjust before a long session.