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Audacity: PA Went back in versions ?

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DADSGETNDOWN
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Audacity: PA Went back in versions ?

Hello, I read in the newsletter that we switched back to some earlier version.
Not exactly sure why... ? But more importantly, I have used 1.2.6 for a long time, Never have ANY problems with the functions and things I use it for, I record my old cassettes, We use it to cut portions or songs and or reply them over and over to learn with instruments, We make Mp3's and all this stuff. What would I lose and gain if I move up to 1.3.11 ? I think it is. I remember not upgrading from 1.2.6 for a specific reason but dang if I can recall what it is or was...Maybe you know ?.

NathanJ79
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1.2.6 vs. 1.3.11 vs 1.3.12

We didn't switch back to an earlier version.

Audacity 1.2.6 is the latest "Stable" version, but it is many years old and lacking in many important features the Audacity user base considers invaluable. John cited Vista/Win7 support. For me, it's the ability to click a start time on the waveform, and click below and specify a length of 30 seconds, to make a ring tone.

Audacity 1.3.11 is the version most people should be using, especially if they wish to export to .mp3 on a regular basis.

Audacity 1.3.12 Rev. 2 is the latest version on this site, but it can't remember that it has the LAME_ENC.DLL file as the previous version can; you have to direct it to that file, Every. Single. Export. And it always wants to look in the "last-open" directory, so you have to back out to Computer, find your portable drive, browse to Audacity... it's a mess.

As for why you stuck with 1.2.6, I don't recall why anyone wanted to. John held out on the 1.3 betas for the longest time because of the Beta label. Maybe you did, too? But I assure you, for what it's worth, that I've been using Audacity 1.3 (various versions) over the last three years. The app is rock solid, at least, in my experience.

solanus
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Not a mess, really

At 1.3.12 Rev 2, John specified a folder that you should put LAME into, and another for FFMPEG. It's part of the new launcher.ini.

X:\PortableApps\AudacityPortable\App\LAME
X:\PortableApps\AudacityPortable\App\FFMPEG

If you put the LAME and FFMPEG file in those folders, Audacity will find them no problem. You MAY need to go to Edit>Preferences>Libraries to verify that the app has found them.
Read this:
https://portableapps.com/support/audacity_portable#lame
(*see note)

The only bug at this point is that if you upgrade or re-install again, it overwrites those folders. That's a small issue with the installer.ini file, which only gets accessed during installation, and should be fixed at the next revision, whenever that comes.

* Note: If you put the files any other place, you will need to browse for them. Since the launcher.ini still points to the default locations I listed above, the app will not remember your new location when you launch it the next time.
To me, the easiest thing is to just put the files into the default folders... but if you REALLY need to have them somewhere else, it's easy enough to edit the launcher.ini file.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

DADSGETNDOWN
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Mp3 on a regular basis

Hi there thanks. Is there a problem doing mp3's regularly using 1.26 ? I have not either noticed any or seen anything.. And even though I read changes and stuff, i didn't notice anything, maybe you can give me briefing on what would be considered invaluable ?.. Biggrin And I can't for the life of me find the newsletter, but I did stumble upon this here on the site, (Finally, based on popular demand, we've switched Audacity from the 'stable' release to the 'beta' release as it has more features, is quite stable and works better with Windows Vista and Windows 7.), Was the 'stable' version they talk of 1.26 ? and they version they went to is what did you say ? 1.3.11 ? and there is a newer beta version than that still ?

solanus
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Some answers....

Is there a problem doing mp3's regularly using 1.26 ?
Nope
And even though I read changes and stuff, i didn't notice anything, maybe you can give me briefing on what would be considered invaluable ?
There are lots of improvements in the 1.3 series. You can find them on the Audacity website, but since there are so many, you're going to sift through a lot of text. A better way to see the improvements is to download and install the Audacity 1.3.12 rev 2. You can install it to a different location, so you don't overwrite your 1.2.6, and then just check it out.
To me, the most important improvements are the addition of the Selection Toolbar that shows the start, end and cursor timepoints exactly, and the increased stability, especially in Windows Vista and Windows 7.
Stable... beta...
Audacity has a kind of weird relationship with the terms Stable and Beta. Their Stable version is 1.2.6, but in a literal sense of the word, it is LESS stable all around then their Beta line 1.3.x, and has fewer really functional features.
It's best to ignore the terms Stable and Beta where they are concerned.
1.3.x works better. The latest version 1.3.12 is the best so far, and it's available here.
But if you are satisfied with 1.2.6, there's no reason you can't keep using it.

I made this half-pony, half-monkey monster to please you.

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