release notes for v2026.5.0

Author: barbeque-squared

_posts/2026-05-09-release.md

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+---
+layout: post
+title:  "v2026.5.0 released"
+date:   2026-05-09 06:09:00 +0200
+categories: news
+---
+Version 2026.5.0 has been released.
+Downloads are available from [github](https://github.com/UltraStar-Deluxe/USDX/releases/tag/v2026.5.0)
+and [flathub](https://flathub.org/apps/eu.usdx.UltraStarDeluxe).
+
+## Breaking changes
+* Some txt checks have been deferred until the song is actually played. If you need to have all the issues at startup, use the `-check-songs` switch #1121 #1257
+
+## Features
+* Count in songs that have lyrics soon after starting them #1203 #1274
+* Re-scan audio devices when entering Options - Record. This allows for hotplugging audio devices without restarting the entire game. Startup now only scans devices that are assigned to players #1174 #1262
+* Add more precise volume controls #1093 #1253
+* Emulate MIDI #1131
+* Loading screen reports song loading progress #1100 #1259
+
+## Enhancements
+* Switch Windows to 64-bit #1149
+* Use OpenCV C++ wrapper on macOS #1243
+
+## Bug Fixes
+* Blacklist `vdownmix` device in Portaudio #1231
+* Don't insert `null` bytes at the end of a string in the database #1173
+* Fix overlaping buttons on statistics screen #1242
+* Fix MIDI notes getting stuck in the Editor #1265
+* Fix medleys with deferred txt checks, and medleys should not affect difficulty level #1264
+* Don't crash if config.ini is not writable in some cases #1178
+
+## Other Changes
+* Update linter job to support Node.js 24 #1228
+* Remove unused soundfonts #1237
+* Remove unused Bamboo CI scripts #1232
+* Use full path for song errors #1205
+* Fix packaging output for macOS #1251
+* Refactor scoring #1246
+* Remove obsolete cover.db #1255
+* Do not play MIDI when clicking a note with the mouse #1269

downloads.md

@@ -5,8 +5,8 @@ permalink: /downloads/
 menu: main
 ---
 
-## Current version: 2026.4.0
-[Installer, release notes and source can be found on github](https://github.com/UltraStar-Deluxe/USDX/releases/tag/v2026.4.0).
+## Current version: 2026.5.0
+[Installer, release notes and source can be found on github](https://github.com/UltraStar-Deluxe/USDX/releases/tag/v2026.5.0).
 
 The most recent version.
 Bug reports should be based on this version.
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ Alternative installation methods:
 
 
 ## Previous versions
+* [2026.4.0](https://github.com/UltraStar-Deluxe/USDX/releases/tag/v2026.4.0)
 * [2026.3.0](https://github.com/UltraStar-Deluxe/USDX/releases/tag/v2026.3.0)
 * [2026.2.0](https://github.com/UltraStar-Deluxe/USDX/releases/tag/v2026.2.0)
 * [2025.12.1](https://github.com/UltraStar-Deluxe/USDX/releases/tag/v2025.12.1)