Ardour 8.8 reselesed with enhanced track management & disk I/O across all platforms

Ardour 8.8 has been released across Linux, Windows, and macOS platforms, addressing issues from the previous 8.7 version with a hot-fix. This update brings significant improvements, including the ability to drag tracks, improved ruler management, and enhanced parallel disk I/O.

The new track dragging feature allows users to rearrange tracks and busses in both the editor and mixer views, although VCAs remain fixed. The interface now consolidates to three rulers—location, range, and arrangement markers—simplifying navigation while maintaining essential functionality. Additionally, the introduction of MIDI Scene markers allows for seamless recording and replaying of MIDI program and bank changes with external devices.

Parallel disk I/O is a standout upgrade, leveraging modern multi-core processors to enhance audio and MIDI storage bandwidth. This aligns with Ardour's established DSP core management strategy and sets the stage for future advancements in version 9.0, particularly with the use of NVMe solid-state drives for faster processing. You can check the official website for the detailed changelog of bug fixes and improvements.