Tools Toolbar

Tools Toolbar sets the current tool for tasks such as selection, volume adjustment or horizontal zooming. Click another button to change tool or to go back to your previous tool.

The Time Shift Tool from previous versions has been replaced by Clip handles.

Previous / Next Shortcuts  A    ^Extra  D    ^Extra

There are two keyboard shortcuts that enable you to navigate through the various available tools:

•  A    ^Extra This shortcut cycles backwards selecting each tool in turn, returning to the Multi tool after the Selection tool
•  D    ^Extra This shortcut cycles forwards also selecting each tool in turn.

Note carefully that these two shortcuts will only be available if you select the Full set of shortcuts in Keyboard Preferences. They are not available in the default Standard set of shortcuts.

Selection F1

Click to select a start point for audio playback, or click and drag to select a range of audio to play or edit. You can also create a selection region between two points by clicking at one point, then holding down Shift while left-clicking at the other point.

Selection Tool will always be selected upon reopening Audacity, irrespective of which of the separate tools was selected when you quit.

Envelope F2

Allows smooth volume changes to be made over the length of a track by means of embedded volume "control points". Click in the track to create a control point, then set the volume of that point by dragging one of its four vertically arranged "handles". When you create other control points at different levels, a smooth curve is interpolated between them. Dragging either the top or bottom handle ensures you can never distort the track by dragging outside its original volume envelope. Dragging an inner handle allows you to amplify a quiet piece of audio beyond the original volume envelope of the track.

Note carefully that there is a bug whereby when using some effects on tracks that have envelopes, then the envelope is removed and the audio reverts to its full amplitude state prior to the effect being applied. Notable among these are the filters and the EQ effects. The workaround is to apply the envelope prior by using Mix and Render prior to using the problem effect. Please see Envelope Tool for a list of the effects that this bug impacts.

Draw Samples F3

Draw Tool manually redraws the waveform; it can thus be used to make volume changes to individual samples or to effect repairs to clicks/noise.

Multi-Tool F6

Combines all the other tools in one. One tool is available at a time, according to the mouse position and modifier key chosen. The shape of the pointer changes to show which tool is active. If you exit Audacity with Multi-Tool Mode selected, it will be also be enabled next time you launch Audacity. More details on Multi-Tool Mode here.