Applying real-time effects in Audacity

Joe at Claricast·Feb 2026

Demo summary

The narrator shows how to add live, non-destructive effects like EQ, compression, and reverb to a track while monitoring the output and visual response.

Step-by-step

Click the Effects button on the track header
Select Add Effect and choose a plugin like Bass and Treble
Adjust the sliders for bass or treble while monitoring the audio
Add additional effects like Compressor or Reverb to the stack
Press Play to hear the non-destructive changes in real-time
Toggle individual effects on or off using the power icon to compare the sound
Open the plugin interface to view the live visual response and adjust settings like Threshold

Options

Reduce bass and increase treble for basic EQ
Add Reverb to make effect changes more audible during testing
Modify plugin settings later without permanently altering the original audio

Tips

Listen to the output at the same time you are adjusting EQ settings
Avoid adding reverb to podcast intros as a general rule
Use the live visual response in the compressor to see exactly when the volume is being reduced
Reduce the threshold on the compressor to catch more of the loud sections for a more even sound

Highlights

“this is mega because you can now make edits... bringing it more closer in line to fully featured digital audio workstations”

All demos from “What's New In Audacity 2026 (Audacity Accelerator Update)”

6:311:35Non-destructive editing and clip dragging in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to use the new clip handle bar to drag audio segments and how to recover deleted sections using the non-destructive trim tool.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
8:101:04Copying smart clips between Audacity sessionsA demonstration of copying an audio segment from one project and pasting it into another as a 'smart clip' to retain editing flexibility.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
10:001:53Applying real-time effects in AudacityCurrentThe narrator shows how to add live, non-destructive effects like EQ, compression, and reverb to a track while monitoring the output and visual response.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
11:550:53Using Master Effects and LimitersThe demonstration shows how to apply a limiter to the master bus in Audacity to prevent clipping across all tracks simultaneously.Audacity· AI Mastering
12:521:00Time stretching and pitch shifting clipsThe narrator demonstrates using the Alt/Option key to drag the edge of a clip for time stretching and using keyboard shortcuts to shift pitch independently.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
13:550:30Switching timeline to beats and measuresA walkthrough of changing the timeline ruler from seconds to musical beats and measures and enabling the snap-to-grid feature.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
Watch “What's New In Audacity 2026 (Audacity Accelerator Update)” →

AI Audio Editor

4:311:04Record audio in AudacityA walkthrough of recording a first track, including checking preferences, using the red record button, and managing multiple tracks with the pause and stop functions.Dewi Jenkins
17:272:36Apply Compressor effectThe user shows how to use the Compressor effect to even out volume and add punch to a vocal track.Dewi Jenkins
22:202:41Normalize vs Amplify comparisonThe narrator compares the Amplify and Normalize effects side-by-side on the same track to show the difference in peak handling.Dewi Jenkins
28:470:46Import audio filesShows three ways to bring external audio files onto the Audacity timeline using menus and keyboard shortcuts.Dewi Jenkins
29:330:32Split audio clipsDemonstrates how to use the right-click menu to create a split point in an audio track.Dewi Jenkins
30:260:46Zoom in and out of waveformsDemonstrates using Ctrl + Scroll and the magnifying glass tool to navigate the audio timeline.Dewi Jenkins
6:311:35Non-destructive editing and clip dragging in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to use the new clip handle bar to drag audio segments and how to recover deleted sections using the non-destructive trim tool.Joe at Claricast
8:101:04Copying smart clips between Audacity sessionsA demonstration of copying an audio segment from one project and pasting it into another as a 'smart clip' to retain editing flexibility.Joe at Claricast
10:001:53Applying real-time effects in AudacityCurrentThe narrator shows how to add live, non-destructive effects like EQ, compression, and reverb to a track while monitoring the output and visual response.Joe at Claricast
12:521:00Time stretching and pitch shifting clipsThe narrator demonstrates using the Alt/Option key to drag the edge of a clip for time stretching and using keyboard shortcuts to shift pitch independently.Joe at Claricast
13:550:30Switching timeline to beats and measuresA walkthrough of changing the timeline ruler from seconds to musical beats and measures and enabling the snap-to-grid feature.Joe at Claricast
2:412:23Normalize audio in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to select a track and apply the Normalize effect in Audacity, adjusting the peak amplitude to -3 dB to establish a consistent volume baseline.Master Editor