Audacity releases version 4.0 with dark mode and major editing overhaul
Free open-source audio editor Audacity has launched version 4.0, its biggest update since version 3.0 more than five years ago. The release adds a dark mode, expanded non-destructive editing, and other tools previously found mainly in paid software.
Muse Group has released Audacity 4.0, the most significant update to the popular free audio editor since version 3.0 stirred controversy more than five years ago. Despite substantial changes, developers say they aimed to preserve familiarity for existing users.
A new look
The most immediately noticeable change is the redesigned interface, which finally introduces a dark mode. The overall look is more colorful, with tinted audio clips and brighter accents on elements like gain sliders. Users who prefer the old style can keep the classic Audacity look by choosing it during setup.
Expanded editing tools
Non-destructive editing, first introduced in version 3.2, has been significantly expanded. Clips can now overlap, and trimming too far will reveal audio that was previously hidden. Multiple clips can be selected and trimmed together by dragging a single handle, and they can be grouped for more complex edits.
A new envelope tool lets users click to create draggable control points, for example to adjust gain, with waveforms updating in real time — a feature familiar to users of Ableton Live or Pro Tools. A new one-click splitting tool has also been added for cutting clips, along with the ability to zoom in far enough to edit audio at the sample level for fine adjustments. Every track now includes its own meter, making it easier to spot clipping.
One of the more controversial changes is the removal of sync-lock, which previously kept multiple clips synchronized during edits; new keyboard shortcuts have been added to replicate similar functionality. The update also brings more robust plugin support.
