diff --git a/.claude-plugin/plugin.json b/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
index 3e5f849d0..da7dd97ac 100644
--- a/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/.claude-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "hyperframes",
   "description": "HyperFrames by HeyGen. Write HTML, render video. Compositions, GSAP and runtime adapter animations, captions, voiceovers, audio-reactive visuals, and website capture for HyperFrames.",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "author": {
     "name": "HeyGen",
     "email": "hyperframes@heygen.com",
diff --git a/.codex-plugin/plugin.json b/.codex-plugin/plugin.json
index 9eeea551c..dfc7f42df 100644
--- a/.codex-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/.codex-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "hyperframes",
   "description": "Write HTML, render video. Compositions, Tailwind v4 styles, GSAP and runtime adapter animations, captions, voiceovers, audio-reactive visuals, and website capture for HyperFrames.",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "author": {
     "name": "HeyGen",
     "email": "hyperframes@heygen.com",
diff --git a/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json b/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
index 24f0cebcd..6c492a25d 100644
--- a/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
+++ b/.cursor-plugin/plugin.json
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
   "name": "hyperframes",
   "displayName": "HyperFrames by HeyGen",
   "description": "Write HTML, render video. Compositions, Tailwind v4 styles, GSAP and runtime adapter animations, captions, voiceovers, audio-reactive visuals, and website capture for HyperFrames.",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "author": {
     "name": "HeyGen",
     "email": "hyperframes@heygen.com"
diff --git a/docs/changelog.mdx b/docs/changelog.mdx
index 08ac188e1..2fcaa773f 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.mdx
+++ b/docs/changelog.mdx
@@ -8,6 +8,38 @@ Recent HyperFrames releases, including user-facing features, fixes, and migratio
 
 {/* New release entries are prepended by `bun run changelog:draft <version> --write`. */}
 
+<Update
+  label="HyperFrames v0.8.12"
+  description="Released - 2026-08-24"
+  tags={["Release", "Audio", "Studio", "Core", "Engine", "Lint"]}
+>
+Grouped audio now stays consistent from Studio preview through export, with safer edits, carve analysis, and validation. This release also removes the unfinished solo and group meter controls.
+
+## Breaking Changes
+
+- **Studio:** Remove the session-only “Hear only this” control and live group meter. Existing compositions need no migration because neither wrote project data ([05affaae2](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/05affaae2175a6dde0e2eafa5e702b67863d721c), [#3454](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3454)).
+- **Core:** Remove `window.__hf.setAudioSolo`. Custom Studio integrations must stop calling this preview bridge ([05affaae2](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/05affaae2175a6dde0e2eafa5e702b67863d721c), [#3454](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3454)).
+
+## Features
+
+- **Lint:** Report invalid group timing, misplaced carve settings, and membership problems without rejecting valid cross-file groups ([54091b501](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/54091b5015aa0d45ca61275e75567701daf6e2b2), [#3447](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3447)).
+
+## Fixes
+
+- **Core, Engine:** Keep group identity, mute state, gain, automation, and FX routing consistent across inlined previews and FFmpeg exports ([#3444](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3444), [#3445](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3445), [#3446](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3446)).
+- **Engine:** Preserve bus headroom and clean temporary files when grouped mixes fail. Render errors now retain structured context ([1aec3b4a0](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/1aec3b4a09ea99e35b8d082b329fd3152d088e78), [#3446](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3446)).
+- **Studio:** Apply group creation and edits as one transaction across source files, live DOM state, undo, and expanded sub-compositions ([#3448](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3448), [#3449](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3449)).
+- **Studio:** Keep preview hydration, selection, reveal requests, group state, and property-panel controls synchronized through HMR and remounts ([#3450](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3450), [#3453](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3453)).
+- **Studio:** Prevent self-carve, reciprocal carve, and duplicate analysis. Repeated FX reveal requests now reopen the intended control ([f575bdadc](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/f575bdadcbc9461df038a9fa84092ba22da9b18a), [#3452](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3452)).
+- **Studio:** Align group rows, track headers, and automation lanes. Audition starts where selected audio is actually playing ([4ea018a4a](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/4ea018a4a7ccdfee4e77538c336c37d366876779), [#3451](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3451)).
+
+## Docs & Examples
+
+- **Audio:** Document submix buses, group attributes, routing rules, and carve guardrails in the HyperFrames skills and contributor guidance ([2685c8f22](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/2685c8f2231e39da31871f25b2e4609551a78c76), [#3455](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3455)).
+
+[View the full commit range](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/compare/v0.8.11...v0.8.12).
+</Update>
+
 <Update
   label="HyperFrames v0.8.11"
   description="Released - 2026-08-23"
diff --git a/packages/aws-lambda/package.json b/packages/aws-lambda/package.json
index b8e5dd141..1ae7eac1a 100644
--- a/packages/aws-lambda/package.json
+++ b/packages/aws-lambda/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/aws-lambda",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "AWS Lambda adapter for HyperFrames distributed rendering — handler, client-side SDK, and CDK construct.",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/cli/package.json b/packages/cli/package.json
index 45fc81b87..6ea5d635a 100644
--- a/packages/cli/package.json
+++ b/packages/cli/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/cli",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "HyperFrames CLI — create, preview, and render HTML video compositions",
   "license": "Apache-2.0",
   "repository": {
diff --git a/packages/core/package.json b/packages/core/package.json
index ff89e74fa..ad3e657e7 100644
--- a/packages/core/package.json
+++ b/packages/core/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/core",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/engine/package.json b/packages/engine/package.json
index 20deee916..b152bfa69 100644
--- a/packages/engine/package.json
+++ b/packages/engine/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/engine",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "Seekable web page to video rendering engine (Puppeteer + FFmpeg)",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/gcp-cloud-run/package.json b/packages/gcp-cloud-run/package.json
index 7b7c1690d..9c8457270 100644
--- a/packages/gcp-cloud-run/package.json
+++ b/packages/gcp-cloud-run/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/gcp-cloud-run",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "Google Cloud Run + Workflows adapter for HyperFrames distributed rendering — request handler, client-side SDK, and Terraform module.",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/lint/package.json b/packages/lint/package.json
index 802980be5..a52cf6955 100644
--- a/packages/lint/package.json
+++ b/packages/lint/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/lint",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
     "url": "https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes",
diff --git a/packages/parsers/package.json b/packages/parsers/package.json
index ad03caf58..4513ce3f9 100644
--- a/packages/parsers/package.json
+++ b/packages/parsers/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/parsers",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
     "url": "https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes",
diff --git a/packages/player/package.json b/packages/player/package.json
index b32eb7ed5..de2f6ce10 100644
--- a/packages/player/package.json
+++ b/packages/player/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/player",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "Embeddable web component for HyperFrames compositions",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/producer/package.json b/packages/producer/package.json
index 72846ac7c..c903faee7 100644
--- a/packages/producer/package.json
+++ b/packages/producer/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/producer",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "HTML-to-video rendering engine using Chrome's BeginFrame API",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/sdk/package.json b/packages/sdk/package.json
index 8139276ba..a4fd98a59 100644
--- a/packages/sdk/package.json
+++ b/packages/sdk/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/sdk",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "Headless, framework-neutral HyperFrames composition editing engine",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/shader-transitions/package.json b/packages/shader-transitions/package.json
index 16453ed68..73bcf840f 100644
--- a/packages/shader-transitions/package.json
+++ b/packages/shader-transitions/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/shader-transitions",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "WebGL shader transitions for HyperFrames compositions",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/packages/studio-server/package.json b/packages/studio-server/package.json
index aa6b8e6b3..cee8efe4f 100644
--- a/packages/studio-server/package.json
+++ b/packages/studio-server/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/studio-server",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
     "url": "https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes",
diff --git a/packages/studio/package.json b/packages/studio/package.json
index ad34b1689..d130411bb 100644
--- a/packages/studio/package.json
+++ b/packages/studio/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@hyperframes/studio",
-  "version": "0.8.11",
+  "version": "0.8.12",
   "description": "",
   "repository": {
     "type": "git",
diff --git a/releases/v0.8.12.md b/releases/v0.8.12.md
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4d547663f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releases/v0.8.12.md
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+# HyperFrames v0.8.12
+
+Released on 2026-08-24.
+
+Grouped audio now stays consistent from Studio preview through export, with safer edits, carve analysis, and validation. This release also removes the unfinished solo and group meter controls.
+
+## Breaking Changes
+
+- **Studio:** Remove the session-only “Hear only this” control and live group meter. Existing compositions need no migration because neither wrote project data ([05affaae2](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/05affaae2175a6dde0e2eafa5e702b67863d721c), [#3454](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3454)).
+- **Core:** Remove `window.__hf.setAudioSolo`. Custom Studio integrations must stop calling this preview bridge ([05affaae2](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/05affaae2175a6dde0e2eafa5e702b67863d721c), [#3454](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3454)).
+
+## Features
+
+- **Lint:** Report invalid group timing, misplaced carve settings, and membership problems without rejecting valid cross-file groups ([54091b501](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/54091b5015aa0d45ca61275e75567701daf6e2b2), [#3447](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3447)).
+
+## Fixes
+
+- **Core, Engine:** Keep group identity, mute state, gain, automation, and FX routing consistent across inlined previews and FFmpeg exports ([#3444](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3444), [#3445](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3445), [#3446](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3446)).
+- **Engine:** Preserve bus headroom and clean temporary files when grouped mixes fail. Render errors now retain structured context ([1aec3b4a0](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/1aec3b4a09ea99e35b8d082b329fd3152d088e78), [#3446](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3446)).
+- **Studio:** Apply group creation and edits as one transaction across source files, live DOM state, undo, and expanded sub-compositions ([#3448](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3448), [#3449](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3449)).
+- **Studio:** Keep preview hydration, selection, reveal requests, group state, and property-panel controls synchronized through HMR and remounts ([#3450](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3450), [#3453](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3453)).
+- **Studio:** Prevent self-carve, reciprocal carve, and duplicate analysis. Repeated FX reveal requests now reopen the intended control ([f575bdadc](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/f575bdadcbc9461df038a9fa84092ba22da9b18a), [#3452](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3452)).
+- **Studio:** Align group rows, track headers, and automation lanes. Audition starts where selected audio is actually playing ([4ea018a4a](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/4ea018a4a7ccdfee4e77538c336c37d366876779), [#3451](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3451)).
+
+## Docs & Examples
+
+- **Audio:** Document submix buses, group attributes, routing rules, and carve guardrails in the HyperFrames skills and contributor guidance ([2685c8f22](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/commit/2685c8f2231e39da31871f25b2e4609551a78c76), [#3455](https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/pull/3455)).
+
+## Full changelog
+
+https://github.com/heygen-com/hyperframes/compare/v0.8.11...v0.8.12