Show HN: Audiomass – a free, open-source multitrack audio editor for the web

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

Overall reception

  • Strongly positive reactions; many find it smooth, intuitive, and reminiscent of Cool Edit Pro / early Logic.
  • Several users say they’ll use it instead of heavier desktop tools for simple edits and quick tasks.
  • Some UX confusion exists (e.g., getting “stuck” in the single-editor view, unclear controls like “waveform box”).

Features and UX

  • Multitrack: unlimited channels; waveform “boxes” can be moved between tracks and double‑clicked for detailed editing.
  • Keyboard and selection model: selections drive where effects apply; some want clearer previews and real‑time track‑based effects rather than clip‑based, offline processing.
  • Hidden/advanced features: markers, zero‑crossing selection, tempo tools, frequency analyzer, mixer, crossfades, presets, and detachable windows are praised but not very discoverable.
  • Requests: easier fade timing controls, silence detection/labeling (like Audacity), better tooltips, optional light mode.

Performance, file size, and limits

  • Frontend-only, canvas- and DOM-based rendering; currently no WebGPU.
  • Works well for typical podcast-length files (10–120 min); one user loaded a 12‑hour book successfully but saw zoom/waveform scaling issues.
  • Developer notes that very long files and some heavy operations can be slow; pyramid caches help but have edge cases.

Formats, MIDI/VST, and stems

  • Handles FLAC out of the box; MP3/WAV export plus FLAC codec added recently.
  • Some formats like XM modules are currently unsupported; possible but constrained by bundle-size goals (~100KB JS).
  • No MIDI or VST support at present; several users would like this.
  • Requests for importing “stem bundles” from AI tools and stem splitters.

Architecture, privacy, and offline use

  • No backend: after initial load, no further network requests; emphasize privacy, no uploads, no ads.
  • IndexedDB caching exists but is considered unreliable, so there’s no aggressive autosave yet.
  • PWA/offline mode is highlighted as a major benefit.

Licensing and “open source” status

  • Project is described as free and open, but the site initially lacked a formal license.
  • Discussion notes this has been raised for years; the developer informally says “do whatever you want” (closest to MIT/CC0), but others urge choosing a standard OSS license.

Comparisons and collaboration ideas

  • Compared to Audacity, Ardour, Ocenaudio, Bandlab, OpenDAW, and web DAWs; consensus is that this is an audio editor, not a full DAW.
  • Separate thread explores “GitHub for music” / cloud collaboration; existing tools (Bandlab, Ninjam, others) are cited but seen as imperfect.