App version for Mac OSX 1013

Audacity 3 Help Forum macOS
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Re: “System requirements”, Download page sez only this (really vague):

“Audacity is tested on macOS 14 & 15, and may also work on any OS X version released after and including OS X 10.9 Mavericks. … …
Mac OS X 10.14 and earlier don’t support the universal dmg. Use the Intel-only dmg instead.”

PROBLEM: Running OSX 10.13.6, current Audacity app (v. 3.7.1) is unstable – commands erratic or NG, twirly fan-of-death, app “not responding” –> Force Quit.

Q: What Audacity version is optimal and reliable on this older OS?
Test installs & guesswork don’t cut it… Wizards please advise.

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Audacity 2.4.2 works quite well on a Macbook Air from 2010, 4 GB RAM, with macOS 10.13.

So, if you do not require the newer capabilities of 3.7.1, I would use that.

However, newer versions should also work, and the spinning beachball is in most cases a sign of not enough available memory. Make sure you have not too many applications open at the same time.

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May I ask what you generally use Audacity for?
Mark B

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Compiling and editing prerecorded tracks, music & interviews, some old stuff from cassettes – routine ops, clean cuts & fades, noise reduction applied where needed, etc. Not needing heavy studio production capabilities (for now) – if that’s what you’re asking. Your knowledge is appreciated.

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Good reminder on memory… got gifted 2010 Mac Mini, 8 MB RAM, restarted to run clean, so beachball is from elsewhere. Audacity 2.4.2 sounds like a safe start, but seeking the newest version that will be stable on OS 10.13:
What scutlebutt ya got?.. thanks.

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Today I have seen Audacity 3.5.1 working on a 4 GB Mac with macOS 10.13. Without problems.

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Good to know, will check, confirmed this:
Specs on compatible OS are buried in the ‘Changelogs’ for each release… the last one supporting “OS X 10.9 and later” was v. 3.2.5 – which I just installed and seems OK. From v. 3.3 on, the app was tested on MacOS 12 & 13 (etc.), noting it should or might work on older systems. SO, problem solved fernow… THANKS.

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While I haven’t edited any multi-channel, multi-hour podcasts, Audacity 3.6.1 seems to be reasonably stable. Audacity 3.7.x is the magic one. That’s when they stopped admitting earlier machines exist.

3.6.1 violates a fuzzy numbering rule. Never install X.0 anything. That’s the experimental version they shoved out there to see if it catches fire. X.1 is where they got it to mostly stop catching fire. X.2 is usually the first ready-for-production version.

That’s why 2.4.2 is held in such high regard. It was, as much as possible, unconditionally stable.

Do all your production on the internal drive. Full stop. Audacity does not get along with external, network, or on-line drives. You can close Audacity and move files around wherever you want. Just make sure everything is on the internal drive, and there is room, when you start work.

Someone will say that the newer Audacity versions will recognize and use external drives. Ummmmm. No. The newer Audacity versions have special application and production software that under certain conditions will recognize a special external drive. It’s not a license to go nuts.

This is where early machines with full or small drives run into the people wanting to produce the six hour stereo podcast. Remember, Audacity makes a copy of the whole show when you make an edit. That’s how it produces UNDO.

So do be careful with your older machines.

There are tricks. You can go down through your machine and clear the memories.

My Firefox browser was almost unuseable. I opened History and cleared out thousands of tons of links, notes, and file references. Boom. New Firefox.

Another example. Preview > File > Open Recent > Clear Menu.

I made a list of places to do that. I have it here somewhere…

You can get applications to clear all that out for you, but I’d rather get fresh Starbucks and do it manually.

Koz

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