Tenacity is a free, open-source multitrack audio editor and recorder developed by volunteers. It records from real or virtual audio devices and processes audio up to 32-bit float. Editors can work across a multitrack timeline at arbitrary sample positions, use keyboard editing, and access screen reader and narration support. Tenacity imports and exports a wide range of audio formats, with FFmpeg available to extend format support. It supports VST 2, LADSPA/LV2, and AU plugins, plus Nyquist scripting and named-pipe scripting with languages such as Python and Perl. The project describes uses including music recording, podcast editing, and academic signal analysis. It runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, *BSD, and Haiku, and is licensed under GNU GPL version 2 or later. Linux distribution options include Flatpak and AppImage, although AppImage-specific issues are unsupported. The manual recommends at least 2 GB of available RAM and 10–15 GB of storage for modest use, with more needed for larger projects. Its track area is not hardware accelerated and may use substantial CPU resources; project files can also grow unexpectedly large. The Mixer Toolbar was removed, so input and output volume controls are unavailable.
Who it is for
Tenacity suits people recording music, editing podcasts, or analyzing audio signals who want a free, open-source multitrack editor. It also offers keyboard editing and screen reader and narration support.
What is good
- Free and open-source under GNU GPL version 2 or later.
- Runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, *BSD, and Haiku.
- Supports multitrack editing and processing up to 32-bit float.
- Supports VST 2, LADSPA/LV2, and AU plugins.
- Offers Nyquist and named-pipe scripting.
What to know first
- Track area is not hardware accelerated and may use substantial CPU.
- Project files may grow unexpectedly large.
- No input or output volume controls.
- AppImage-specific issues are unsupported.
Verdict
Tenacity offers multitrack recording and editing across several operating systems, with broad format, plugin, and scripting support. Consider its CPU use, possible project-file growth, and missing input and output volume controls before choosing it.
Compared on audio editing software
- Free plan
- Yes
- Supported platforms
- Windows, macOS, Linux, *BSD, and Haiku
- Multitrack editing
- Yes
- MIDI sequencing
- No
- Third-party plugins
- Yes
