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Introduction Audacity

This document provides an introduction and overview of the audio editing software Audacity. It covers initial setup and installation, basic controls and tools for editing audio tracks, how to import existing audio files or record new audio, techniques for editing and selecting segments of audio, and how to export audio files in mp3 format.

Uploaded by

Amir Aiman Aniq
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© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
82 views

Introduction Audacity

This document provides an introduction and overview of the audio editing software Audacity. It covers initial setup and installation, basic controls and tools for editing audio tracks, how to import existing audio files or record new audio, techniques for editing and selecting segments of audio, and how to export audio files in mp3 format.

Uploaded by

Amir Aiman Aniq
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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INTRODUCTION TO AUDACITY

In this tutorial you will learn how to edit sound clips using Audacity. Upon finishing it you will
have skills necessary to record sounds, trim, combine and export sound clips, and more.

INITIAL SETUP

Installation

Native installation packages for your platform can be downloaded from Audacity Download
(http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/).

Mp3 Export

The first time you attempt to export an audio clip into mp3, you may be asked to locate the
file lame_enc.dll; to obtain a copy, go to Lame library download.

Preferences

The default settings is suitable for most purposes; if you wish to view or change any settings,
go to Edit > Preferences.
BASICS

Controls

Take a few moments to review the controls. The program window consists of toolbars at the
top of the window and a larger track view section, that displays tracks in your project.

Control Toolbar

Notice two leftmost buttons; the top one is the Selection Tool and the bottom one is the
Zoom Tool. Round buttons are used for playback control, the red dot starts recording.

Mixer Toolbar

Left slider controls Playback Volume, the right one Recording Volume, and the dropdown
lets you choose the input source (this will normally be your microphone).

Edit Toolbar

Edit Toolbar provides shortcuts to: Cut, Copy, Past, Trim Outside Selection,
Silence Selection, Undo, Redo, Zoom In, Zoom Out, Fit Selection, Fit Project.

Track View

The track section provides a convenient view of the tracks in your project. The waveform
indicates the volume level. Use the "X" in top left corner to remove track from project.
IMPORT

Recording Voice

Make sure the microphone is connected to the computer. Select Microphone as the Input
Source. Simply press the red button on the Control Toolbar When you're finished recording
press the yellow stop button. Before recording for the first time, experiment with the
microphone positioning and recording level (slider with a mic symbol).

Use Existing Sound Files

Simply choose Project > Import Audio and navigate to the sound file you want to use. Once
Audacity is done importing the file, it will appear as a new track. No changes will be done to
the original file; however until you export your final clip, do not move the imported sound files.

Music from a CD

In order to use sound from an audio CD, you need to capture the particular track first; that
can be done using Windows Media Player or another "grabbing" tool.

Edit

Editing consists of selecting segments of tracks and applying actions or effects to them, this
way you can easily remove unwanted parts, add your own voice recording to a music track,
combine parts of multiple tracks together, and more. Until you save your project, any editing
can be undone. Once you master several basic skills, you will have a powerful tool at your
hands.

Selection

Being able to select segments from a track is a crucial skill in editing sound clips, follow
these steps:

1. Make sure the selection tool is active


2. Click somewhere on the track waveform and drag until you have selected the desired
segment
3. Release the mouse button

To make sure you selected the right part, you can replay the selection (click the green round
play button).

To adjust the selection:

1. Move the cursor over the start or end of the selection until it becomes a pointing
finger
2. Click and drag to change the selection
3. Repeat those steps until you are satisfied.

Additionally, to perform a selection you can place the selection cursor somewhere on the
waveform by single-clicking, and go to Edit > Select > Start to Cursor or Cursor to End.
Editing

Deleting
To delete a segment choose Edit > Delete or press the Del button.
Cutting
To cut a segment out choose Edit > Cut.
Pasting
To paste a segment choose Edit > Paste.
Fade In/Fade Out
To have the volume increase or decrease gradually, choose Effects > Fade In or
Fade Out.

EXPORT

Sound File vs. Project

Audacity works with project files; those cannot be opened by other software. In order for
others to be able to play your sound clip, you need to export it first.

Exporting sound clips

Preferred format for exporting sound clips will be mp3; mp3 reduces file size considerably
allowing for easy transfer over a network, it can be played on any computer. The quality/file
size is determined by the bit rate: the lower the bit rate, the smaller the file size but also lower
quality. Before exporting, adjust the bit rate settings accordingly (choose
Edit > Preferences... File formats tab):

• 128kbps is well suitable for music


• 32kbps provides reasonable quality for voice recordings

If you are especially concerned about the quality of your sound clips, you can choose to use
higher bit rates.

Once you are finished editing your sound clip, go to File > Export MP3 and select a file name
and location for the exported file.

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