this post was submitted on 05 Aug 2023
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I'm currently using a found version of Adobe Audition and I love it but I want to find a FOSS alternative. I have tried Audacity in the past but it is/was missing a lot of the features I require. Anyone have a good recommendation?

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If Audacity is not enough for you, you might want to try DAWs instead. Maybe try LMMS or Ardour (plugins need to be installed separately) for those should provide all the features you may be looking for

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I don't believe LMMS can do audio tracks, so Ardour would be the one to go with.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

I'm not sure about LMMS as I never got to try it, but I've had it strongly recommended a few times so I figured it would work here too. The only issue I have with Ardour is that all plugins need to be installed separately (assuming OP hasn't installed them already). I also came across Stargate recently, and it seemed just fine after looking around. I can't say if it would be enough for OP, but nothing wrong with more options :)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The only issue I have with Ardour is that all plugins need to be installed separately (assuming OP hasn’t installed them already).

I recently purchased a copy of Ardour, and I have noticed that, but I have found most basic plugins can be found for free.

nothing wrong with more options :)

Options are key.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I recently purchased a copy of Ardour, and I have noticed that, but I have found most basic plugins can be found for free.

That's true. In fact, Arch linux even has a handy package (pro-audio) that installs every plugin you'll need at once. Still, some people might prefer to have plugins built-in or it might be too much hassle for them to look for every plugin from outside (it certainly was for me when I was starting out)

[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What features is Audacity missing for your needs?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

The last time I used it it wasn't easy to have two audio inputs via usb-c (I know I need a proper system but there is no budget yet!)

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

So you're not looking for an audio editor, but rather live recording software that supports multiple simultaneous inputs? The more specific your request for help is, the better suggestions you'll get.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As my post asked I was looking for a FOSS equivalent of adobe audition which can do both recording and editing.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Ardour should be able to do that.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

I struggle with this. People tend to suggest DAWs as alternatives, but this is frustrating. In practice, DAW != audio editor...

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ardour is open-source, but I couldn't get to work with it.

I highly recommend Reaper from all the proprietary DAWs out there.

My SO has to work with Audition professionaly, and it is a pain in the ass. What are you doing with it, that you are able to find love for it?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

This does look really good. I'll try it out! Thanks.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

For multi-track recording, you’ll want a DAW. The best free DAWs, IMO, are Reaper and Cakewalk. Personally, I prefer Cakewalk for several reasons but mainly because I don’t like Reaper’s UI. Although, Reaper has a portable version which is super nice.

I still advice you to run the final mix through Audacity, though, since I find its processors superior for mastering than Reaper’s or Cakewalk’s built-in ones.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Thank you for the advice. I hadn't heard of cakewalk so I'll try that out as well as Ardour. Good idea about still passing it through Audacity. I also saw on a thread about auphonic... But I think I don't want the quality to be decided by an "AI"

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Resolve is free but not open source.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

I just wanted to come back to this thread and say that I was very wrong about Audacity. I hadn't used it in years and all the qualms I had about it are gone. Its feature rich and is more than up to the task.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Audacity can have multiples inputs. If it can receive sound from one usbc-c it should receive two...

I would suggest to work with a proper sound card and standard mics rather working with USB mic you won't be able to use for anything else.