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Using Audacity. Free open source audio recording and editing software. Where to find it. Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Or Google “Audacity audio” Audacity manual http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/ Audacity tutorials
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Using Audacity Free open source audio recording and editing software
Where to find it • Audacity • http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ • Or Google “Audacity audio” • Audacity manual • http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/ • Audacity tutorials • http://audacity.sourceforge.net/manual-1.2/tutorials.html • LAME encoder (for exporting.mp3s) • http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/ • Audacity provides a link the first time you attempt to make an ,mp3
Audio formats • Lots of formats • .wav – very common, uncompressed (big files), lossless, nearly universal playback ability • .mp3 – very common, compressed (little files), lossy, nearly universal playback ability • .wma – Windows audio, may have Digital Rights Management for copy protection • m4p – ITunes format – WILL have Digital Rights Management for copy protection (probably won’t play back on another computer) • .ogg – free, open source, uses Vorbis format to play • Librivox – public domain audio books • .ra – Real Audio, use in decline
Choosing your microphone and speakers • Edit>Preferences>Devices • Set your mike, speakers, stereo or mono • I need to choose a different mike than the Connect mike • Use a moderately priced headset for best results
recording and playback • Just like a tape recorder or VCR • Pause, play, stop, rewind, fast forward, record • Recording shows up as a waveform • Useful to find silence, pauses or extraneous noises if editing
Effects menu • Effects>Amplify • May have to enable “clipping” to apply the effect • Effects>Fade In • Effects>Fade Out • Effects>Remove Noise
Editing tracks • Playback to find the spot you want to cut • Use the waveform to find the silences • Use the selection tool to select the cut • Left click and drag • Hit Delete or Cut to make the edit • Ctrl + Z to undo an edit • You can also replace the selection with silence Selection tool Replace with silence cut
exporting (Saving) files • You don’t save sound files, you Export them • File>Export>Choose folder, filename, and format • MP3s require a download of a LAME encoder • Audacity guides you though the process • Because .wav is lossless, I edit and combine in .wav, and convert to .mp3 when I’m done
Importing and Combining Tracks • Record and export all your clips • Import all your clips • Don’t click Open, as they will open up in different windows • Import opens them all up in same window • Copy and paste second clip onto end of first track • Close clip • Copy and paste third clip onto end of first track • Close clip • Repeat until al the clips are on one track • Save the whole thing with a new filename when you’re done
LAME encoder • Export as MP3 • You’ll get this prompt the first time • Click Download • Follow the links (there are 2) • Download LAME • Click the .exe file • Export the file!
Mixing tracks • Import tracks you want to mix • If music, make sure you have rights • LOTS of public domain music out there • http://www.mfiles.co.uk/ is where I got the Bach • Edit tracks to same running time • Use Effects menu(Amplify, Fade In, Fade Out) as needed • Export • Will automatically mix tracks together