Recording with Audacity
1. Open the audacity program. 2. A new recording project must be saved before beginning. When starting a new project, first “Save As” and give the project a name and location. a. Click the “File” menu option. b. On the drop-down select “Save Project As” c. Select a name and location, click continue. 3. Select the “input device” (the microphone you will be using to record.) a. This may have to be done in the “Preferences” Tab under “I/O Device”
Record
1. When ready press the Record button at top and begin speaking. 2. If you need to pause, make sure to use the PAUSE button. When ready, press PAUSE again and resume. a. NOTE: Once you press STOP, the recording track is closed and a new one must be started. If this happens you can start recording a new track and the 2 will be merged when the project is completed. 3. IF STOP IS PRESSED a. When ready to begin recording again, make sure to move the playhead to the END of the previous track. b. Click inside the previous track at the end of the recording, the black line (playhead) will appear at the end. c. When ready, press record again and a new track will begin recording where the previous track left off. 4. Once recording is complete, move on to editing.
Editing
1. Removing a segment from a track: a. In the top left select the “Selection Tool” (Looks like a Capitol I) b. Click and drag to highlight the portion of the track to be removed. c. Once highlighted, hit the Delete key OR the scissor icon along the top, the segment will be removed and the remaining sections will join together. 2. Moving a track- Adjusting Timing a. With the selection tool, click on the track to be repositioned. b. Change to the “TimeShift Tool” (Line with Arrows) c. Click and hold on the track and slide it right or left to adjust position in relation to other tracks.
Importing Sounds
1. To import sound files (MP3) such as music or sound effects a. Under the “Project” Option along the top menu bar, select “Import Audio b. Navigate to the sound file to be imported and select it. c. The sound will be imported as a new track 2. Imported sound may be edited just as a recorded track. a. Music can be shortened, segments can be removed. b. Sound effects can be added into the podcast.
Finished Product- Exporting as MP3
1. 2. 3. 4. When the project is finished it must be converted to MP3 to be played elsewhere. Under the “File” tab in the top menu, select Export as MP3 Select the destination and click continue. SPECIAL NOTE a. If you receive a message that Audacity cannot export as MP3, this means you are missing a code allowing the program to do so. b. This is a free code available online, it must be downloaded and installed. c. Go to: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php?title=Lame_Installation#Mac_Inst ructions d. This site has links to the files as well as instructions for multiple computer types and operating systems.
Additional Help- Resources
1. YouTube- there are hundreds of tutorials on youtube in how to use audacity, from beginner to advanced. 2. Audacity Wikihttp://audacityteam.org/wiki/index.php?title=Audacity_Wiki_Home_Page a. This will provide answers from the audacity team to a variety of potential problems.