Audacity theming and why it's so cool!
Free software looks bad most of the time. It's because a lot of open-source projects aren't getting enough recognition and focus from visual designers eager to help with crafting a good interface for free. One of these bad-looking yet super helpful programmes is Audacity - an open-source sound/music editor. It's a very convenient tool able to record your podcast, trim and fade-out your ringtone or even create music with help of VST plugins.
Quality Audacity themes for free
When you try to find a custom theme for Audacity most of the time you find home-made, low contrast, hard to read themes.
All of the above are the reasons I created a repository for my custom themes. On visoart.github.io/audacity-themes you can find skins designed for you. And they all (almost) are free for download!
No matter if you're looking for a dark-mode theme, energetic colours or just a light minimal look you'll find what you're searching for.
Fast & simple installation
First you need to download a chosen ImageCache file - it's a theme file storing all the informations about the colour and look of your Audacity copy. The further installation process is super-easy but it depends on your operating systems.
On Linux
Drop downloaded ImageCache.png to ~/.audacity-data/Theme, in Audacity open Preferences and choose Custom theme under Interface tab.
On Windows
Drop downloaded ImageCache.png to %appdata%/audacity/Theme, in Audacity open Preferences and choose Custom theme under Interface tab.
On Macintosh
Drop downloaded ImageCache.png to ~/Library/Application Support/audacity/Theme, in Audacity open Preferences and choose Custom theme under Interface tab.
Selection of ergonomic themes
A healthy theme is essential to help you work on your projects. Perfect theme depends on your work schedule. If you work at days then you probably need a light high-contrast theme for easier use of a programme. If you work at night or in dark environments (music studios tend to be dark) you need a dark theme to fit your surroundings and cause less eye strain pain than the default Audacity look.
Navigating Audacity in the speed of light
A good theme can also increase your speed while working on audio tracks. Bigger icons are easier to recognise, higher contrast makes it easier to read the interface too!
RECAP: why custom theme is a cool feature
- You can work faster with help of bigger icons.
- It limits your eye fatigue.
- You can work at night.
- Look professional and stylish.
- Fast and simple installation.