To Upgrade or not?

[Carey]

I've just received an email announcing the availability of v 1.3.8. I've been using v 1.2.6 and, probably because I'm doing fine with it and don't want to risk that a new version might have problems, would appreciate any advice as to "Stick with the stable version" or "Update/upgrade to the new one -- you probably won't have any problems".

In case it helps, my OS is Windows Vista -- and if I knew how to figure out which version (assuming there are multiple versions), I'd include that information.

Also, in case it matters, I don't use Audacity to record my own performances. I use it as follows:
* I run a small concert venue and record most of the shows
* I then transfer those recordings to my desktop computer
* I then open those files in Audacity -- and use its features (primarily "Amplify" -- to raise the recording level to a uniform/consistent level, so that all subsequent CDs I burn of each concert will be as close as possible to the same volume).
* After doing whatever work I do -- usually just Amplifying the file -- I export it as a new WAV file.

Until moments ago, I was unaware that I could divide the big file into individual song tracks with Audacity. I've been using another program to do that (CDWave).

So maybe knowing the way I'm using Audacity, it'll help you in your recommendation that I stick with 1.2.6 or upgrade to 1.3.8

Thanks for the hoped for advice. I'll probably be posting other questions now that I've been reminded of the existence of this forum.

Carey

[kozikowski]

The answer to the question of which way to go may be yes. You can install both 1.3 and 1.2 on your machine as long as you only use one at a time. You can't open a 1.3 project in 1.2.

1.2 is familiar to you and seems to be stable, so you should continue to do your production in that. However, the instant you need advanced or good comprehensive tools, you'll be in 1.3.

I would not traffic in Audacity Projects. I Export any live capture as WAV and then do it again as I get an edit final. If you use Projects all the way through and then Audacity 1.3 is running the Project when the electrical power on your street goes down, that's the end of the show.

With WAV sound files, you just go back to the last Export and keep right on editing.

Koz

[Carey]

Thanks! I'd meant to ask if I could have both versions on one computer, so I could open the new one and see if the additional features were ones I thought would be useful to me. Thanks for answering that without me having asked it.

Carey