# Audacity software version 4.0 release and maintenance

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/audacity-software-version-40-release
> Updated: 2026-09-30T12:44:49.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 3.

Audacity has released version 4.0, representing the most significant overhaul in the open-source audio editor’s 25-year history. Developed by Muse Group, the update transitions the software toward a workflow resembling modern digital audio workstations (DAWs).

A major technical change involves a complete rebuild of the user interface using the Qt framework, replacing the previous wxWidgets toolkit. This allows for native high-DPI rendering, customizable themes, and various “Workspaces” such as Modern, Classic, and Music layouts. The update introduces a new clip-based, non-destructive editing model where users can trim, time-stretch, group, and overlap multiple clips. A new .aup4 project format has been introduced to support metadata and preview thumbnails; while it is backward compatible with .aup3 files via a one-way conversion, some legacy features—including MIDI support, the mixer, and the Macro Manager—are temporarily unavailable in this initial release.

Following the major release, version 4.0.1 was issued as a maintenance update to address bugs and restore functionality. This update reintroduced the “Export Multiple” feature, allowing users to export individual tracks or labeled regions into separate files. It also restored several keyboard shortcuts and added accessibility enhancements, such as screen reader support for toast notifications and keyboard navigation for the timeline and vertical track rulers. Technical fixes included resolving a bug that could cause project corruption after failed saves, addressing non-ASCII character issues in file paths, and improving performance for clip dragging and undo/redo operations.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: Audacity 4.0.1 update restores multi-track export and fixes bugs

Audacity 4.0.1 has launched, bringing back multi-track export features, restoring missing keyboard shortcuts, and fixing project corruption bugs and Linux AppImage issues.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/audacity-401-update-restores-multi-track-export-and-fixes-bugs

### 2026-09-05: Audacity releases major version 4.0 update

Audacity 4.0 introduces its most significant update in 20 years, featuring non-destructive editing, a modernized interface, and improved clip manipulation to align with modern DAW workflows.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/audacity-releases-major-version-40-update

### 2026-09-03: Audacity 4.0 released with major Qt interface redesign

Audacity 4.0 has launched, featuring a major Qt-based interface redesign, a new clip-based editing model, and the introduction of the .aup4 project format for the popular open-source audio editor.

16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/audacity-releases-version-400-with-major-interface-overhaul

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Cite as: Audacity software version 4.0 release and maintenance. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/audacity-software-version-40-release