keyboard shortcuts don't work the way they used to

Audacity Help Forum GNU/Linux
1

Linux version: Linux Mint 18.3
Audacity: 2.3.2, distribution release

When I was using version 2.1.3, I was able to do the following without touching my mouse:

  • select all (keyboard shortcut)
  • track size fit to width (keyboard shortcut)
  • track size fit to height (keyboard shortcut)

With version 2.3.2, here’s how the same process goes:

  • select all (keyboard shortcut)
  • track size fit to width (keyboard shortcut) - doesn’t work
  • click anywhere on the track with the mouse
  • select all (keyboard shortcut)
  • track size fit to width (keyboard shortcut)
  • track size fit to height (keyboard shortcut)

And again with 2.1.3, I was able to do the following without touching my mouse:

  • export selected audio to mp3 (keyboard shortcut)
  • alt-tab to another window

With version 2.3.2, here’s how the same process goes:

  • export selected audio to mp3 (keyboard shortcut)
  • alt-tab, nothing happens
  • click anywhere on the track with the mouse
  • alt-tab to another window

Any ideas? I’d really love to fix this - my workflow is ten times faster when I can use keyboard shortcuts exclusively.

Thanks for your time, I appreciate it.

2

Aha. I was able to solve both problems, in case anyone else is having the same issues:

For the first, in past versions I had to select the audio before fitting it to width and height. I realized that in 2.3.2 I don’t have to select it anymore, which fixes the keyboard focus problem.

For the second issue, it was saving the mp3 and then going to Mixer Options for some reason. I turned off the Mixer toolbar and now the keyboard works properly.

3

You may also notice that the number of keyboard shortcuts that are set by default has been reduced. This is to leave more keys available for custom shortcuts. The “full” set of keyboard shortcuts is also available as an option in Preferences (see: https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/keyboard_preferences.html)

4

This issue is actually caused by the metadata window that pops up on file export. You can work around this bug by checking the box labeled “Don’t show this when exporting audio” on the metadata window.