First time here...first time question....

[meanderer]

Hi. I'm new here, but have been using Audacity for years. I absolutely love it! And, I think I could really enjoy this site, too!

Here's my sad tale of woe:

A few months ago, I had to do a complete Windows re-install. Grrrr. When it was time to re-install all the miscellaneous software back into my computer, I decided to download a fresh version of Audacity, rather than use the disc that I've had since around...2005 or so. This newer version of Audacity seemed wonderful. It was full of features such as "multi-voice chorus" (two types), a graphic equalizer...you could even add the sound of an old record on to a recording (even adjusting the warp and wear of the disc!).

Then...something happened. I ended up having to re-install Windows again! I thought I saved Audacity into my external hard drive...but I guess I didn't. Audacity was gone. So...back to the internet, to get another version of Audacity. I picked up v1.2.6. After the install, I pulled up a track, tried to edit...and the effects that I had become so fond of weren't there! SO, I checked out v1.3.5. Also, the effects that I had enjoyed weren't there, either!

So, here's my question (it's about time!):

Does anybody know what version of Audacity had such features in the effects menu that I mentioned at the beginning of my mini-novel? How do I get them back? They (the newer effects) were beautiful, and quite handy. I would like to be able to use them again. And again.

[steve]

Audacity 1.3.5 comes with quite a lot of effects and features that are not available with Audacity 1.2.6.
Also, there are many additional effects that are available as plug-ins. I recommend the LADSPA and Nyquist plug-ins that are available from links on the main Audacity web site (look for the pack of 90 plug-ins). VST plug-ins are also available, but can be problematic as they are not natively supported, so I would tend to avoid those.

[meanderer]

Thanks!!
Well...don't I feel like a dope!

I just installed the LADSPA plug-ins into the Plug-Ins folder of v1.2.6, and v1.3.5 (separately) but, they don't show up in the effects menu of v1.3.5.

[steve]

If they don't show up in Audacity 1.3.5 then you have almost certainly either:
a) not unzipped them
or
b) not put them in the correct folder.

By default on Windows computers the dll's (LADSPA plug-ins) and .ny files (Nyquist plug-ins) should be directly in:
C:Program FilesAudacity*****Plug-Ins
(for 1.3.5, "Audacity*****" is usually "Audacity 1.3 beta")

[meanderer]

So, there's different LADSPA plug-ins for both v1.2.6 and v1.3.5? I didn't see that on the main Audacity page. I just downloaded one set (the one with the 90 plug-ins), copied into the Plug-ins folder for v1.2.6, then again for v1.3.5.

And, there's also Nyquist plug-ins that I'd need?

I know I seem like an idiot here...but, I'm not too quick the computer stuff...

[steve]

So, there's different LADSPA plug-ins for both v1.2.6 and v1.3.5?

No, the plug in packs are the same for both, however the location where you put the plug-ins is important. When you download the plug-in pack, it is a .exe file. When you run the .exe file, it will extract the effects (.dll files). These need to go into the plug-in directory of the Audacity installation folder.
So for Audacity 1.2.6, the correct location for these extracted files is:
C:Program FilesAudacityPlug-Ins
and for Audacity 1.3.5 it is:
C:Program FilesAudacity 1.3 betaPlug-Ins

Note that not all of the effects will work - this is a general plug-in pack for many other programs as well as Audacity, and some of the effects do not apply to Audacity.

Nyquist plug-ins are a different type of plug-in that is also supported by Audacity. You do not HAVE to have any plug-ins - Audacity will work without them. However, plug-ins add extra features to Audacity that you may find useful.