The Audacity Team has announced the release of Audacity v1.3.9 (Beta) for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux/Unix. It contains many bug fixes contributed by their two Google Summer of Code (GSoC) 2009 students. As well as bug fixing, the students' projects involved work on experimental "scripting" and "pre-record level detection" features that will appear in future Audacity versions.

Bug fixes in v1.3.9:

• Crash, slow launch or excessive CPU/memory use arising from automatic VST support:
  • VST instrument plug-ins should now be correctly ignored.
  • VST effects now scanned only at start of first session that detects them, then cached.
  • Effects are now not loaded or opened until needed.
  • New "Effects" tab in Preferences to enable/disable VST effects and enable VST rescan on next launch.
• Default View Mode now works.
• Chains now always apply their stored parameters rather than those last used in Effect menu.
• Non-MP3 files imported via drag or Recent Files caused crash if filter in file open window set to MP3.
• AAC exports (using the optional FFmpeg library) silenced.
• Generating audio always fitted the project in the window; fit now done only if generating in new track.
• View menu items/shortcuts incorrectly disabled when playing or recording.
• DTMF generator defaulted to zero duration on open.
• Unwanted interactions between linked audio and label tracks.
• (Windows XP) Failure to launch on some machines due to "incorrect configuration" issue.
• (Windows) Crash importing a stereo file while a screen reader such as JAWS is running.
• (Mac OS X):
  • Audio Units effects applied to all tracks in project even if not selected.
  • QuickTime importer now handles files greater than 16-bit or 64000 Hz.
• Various other interface bugs.

Improvements in v1.3.9:

• Compressor: new option to compress based on peaks, improved attack and decay time support.
• Mixer Board: improved design, more responsive meters and now interacts fully with Track Panel in main window.