Editing Audio Using Audacity

How do I download and install Audacity?

Audacity is an open-source audio editing tool freely available for Mac, PC, and Linux operating systems. The instructions for installing are located on the download site.

What recording equipment is available to me?

The following equipment is available from the circulation desk in Skillman Library:

  • USB microphones
  • Digital audio recording kits
  • Podcast Studios in Skillman 008 and 009 (Podcast Studio Guide; Reserve Podcast Studio)
  • Mac and PC laptops are available for a 3-hour checkout and must remain in the library. This can be helpful if you want to record something in a more private setting (e.g., in a library study room).

What are the basic recording and editing techniques in Audacity?

Recording directly in Audacity

Using the Skillman Podcast Studios to record is recommended because the quality will be better, even though it’s possible to use a built-in microphone if your device is equipped with one.

  1. Select “Preferences” from the top menu.
    • Choose “Audio settings”.
  2. Be sure to select the appropriate microphone option under “Recording device”. If using the Podcast Studios to record, choose “RodeCaster Pro Stereo”.  Then select [OK].
  3. Click the record button from the toolbar to begin recording. Allow the recording to run quietly for a few seconds before speaking to ensure the beginning of the recording is complete.
  4. Click the stop button from the toolbar to end the recording.

Importing audio

Audacity supports importing a number of popular file types such as WAV and MP3.

  1. From the menu, click “File.”
  2. Hover over “Import” and select “Audio.”
  3. Locate the audio file and click the [Open] button.

Please note: If you receive an FFmpeg error when importing audio, you will need to download and install the FFmpeg package in addition to installing Audacity.

Editing and working with audio tracks

Below are a number of commonly used tools.

  1. Zoom in and out – Use the magnifying glasses in the menu to zoom in and out of audio tracks.
  2. Shift audio tracks – Use the Clip-handles tool to drag audio tracks left and right or even up and down tracks to combine tracks.
  3. Fade in and out – Use the Envelope tool to smoothly control and shape a track’s volume over time without permanently changing the original audio file.
    • To create a new control point, click the edge of the desired location on the track, then move the point up or down to increase or decrease the volume. Move the point left or right to adjust the point’s location on the timeline.
    • To remove a point, click and drag it outside of the track. Then, let go.
  4. Mute a track – To mute a track, click the [M] button to the left of the track.
  5. Delete a track – Click the horizontal ellipsis […] menu to the left of the track and choose “Delete”.
  6. Adjust a track’s gain (volume) – To increase or decrease a track’s gain (or volume for our purposes), select “Effect” in the top menu. Choose, “volume and compression” and then select “normalize audio”.
  7. Delete a section of a track – Select the desired audio and click the “Delete” or “Backspace” button on the keyboard.
  8. Duplicate a section of a track – Select the desired audio and from the menu click “Edit” then “Duplicate.”

Saving a project

Save often by going to “File” in the menu and clicking “Save”. Choose “Save to computer”. If you’re working on your own computer, then that’s it. However, if you’re working on a lab computer:

  1. Save the project. Audacity projects are saved as two entities: a file (e.g., myproject.aup3) and a reference file with -wal appended to the end of the file name (e.g., myproject.aup3-wal).
  2. Copy both the files to external storage such as a Google Drive folder or a flash drive. If you don’t copy both then the project will be incomplete and will not open again.

Exporting a project as MP3

  1. From the menu, click File > Export audio…> Export to computer.
  2. Give it a file name of your choice.
  3. Choose the appropriate Folder where you want the file to go.
  4. Consider entering any metadata for your file by selecting [Edit metadata].
  5. Select “MP3 files” under the “Format” drop-down menu and click the [Export] button.

Music, audio, and content resources

The following sites offer music and sound effects at no cost, though those taking advantage of these services should read each site’s terms of service and/or Creative Commons licensing.

The following site offers a method for creating a compelling public service announcement (PSA):

Other Audacity help

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