Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the most common questions about Audacity. If your question isn’t answered here, see the documentation, or contact us for help.

About Audacity

1. Is Audacity really free? Why?
2. Does Audacity contain any spyware or adware?
3. May I distribute copies of Audacity?
4. Someone is selling Audacity on eBay. Is this legal?
5. Does Audacity run on 64-bit systems?
6. Does Audacity work with screen-reader programs for blind users?
7. What does “time remaining” mean? Does Audacity expire?

Installation and Plug-Ins

1. How do I download and install the LAME MP3 encoder?
2. How do I install VST plug-ins?
3. Why do some VST plug-ins look wrong, or not work?
4. What should I do if I have problems downloading or installing Audacity?

Recording

1. How can I record in stereo?
2. How do I record from vinyl records, cassette tapes, or minidiscs?
3. Why doesn't the Mixer Toolbar input selector work properly, for example on Windows Vista?
4. Why can’t I hear what I’m recording?
5. Can I play a track while recording a new one on top of it?
6. Why isn’t my new track in sync with the previous ones?
7. Can Audacity record RealAudio or other streaming audio?
8. Can I set Audacity to record at a certain time?

Opening and Saving Files

1. How do I open an Audacity project (AUP file) in another program?
2. Why does Audacity create a folder full of .au files when I save a project?
3. Audacity crashed! Can I recover any unsaved data?
4. Can Audacity import file formats like WMA, AAC, FLAC, etc.?
5. Why can’t I play MIDI files?
6. How do I import a track from an audio CD?
7. How do I save my recording on an audio CD?
8. How can I split a long recording into multiple files or CD tracks?

Editing

1. Why can’t I use the effects or other menu items?
2. How do I combine two files into one longer file?
3. How do I mix two tracks together?
4. Can I remove the vocals from a recording to make a Karaoke track?