Guide to Using Audacity

GuidetoUsingAudacity

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TableofContentsGettingStarted.................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 1 Features ...................................................................................................................... 1 QuickStart................................................................................................................... 1

TechnicalRequirements ................................................................................................. 1 Hardware .................................................................................................................... 1 Software...................................................................................................................... 2

Setup ................................................................................................................................... 3 ConfigureRecordingSettingsforMac............................................................................ 3 ConfigureRecordingSettingsforWindowsXP............................................................... 4 ConfigureRecordingSettingsforWindowsVista/7 ....................................................... 5 AdjustandTestMicrophone........................................................................................... 7 DownloadandInstallAudacityforMac.......................................................................... 9 DownloadandInstallAudacityforWindows ............................................................... 11 DownloadandInstallLameforMac............................................................................. 14 DownloadandInstallLameforWindows..................................................................... 16

Recording .......................................................................................................................... 19 RecordinginAudacity ................................................................................................... 19 EditingRecordings ........................................................................................................ 20 Stopvs.PauseinAudacity ............................................................................................ 21 RerecordingUsingAudacity......................................................................................... 23 CutandPaste ................................................................................................................ 24

Exporting ........................................................................................................................... 26 EstablishExportSettings............................................................................................... 26 ExporttoMP3Format .................................................................................................. 27

GettingStarted

Introduction

Youhavemanyoptionswhenitcomestorecordingaudioforpostingonline.Youwillneedsoftwarethatcanrecordaudiotoaccomplishthis.ThistutorialcoversrecordingaudiousingaprogramcalledAudacityasimple,freeprogramforrecordingandeditingaudio.ThisguidewillwalkyouthroughtheentireprocessofusingAudacitytorecordaudioandexportMP3files.

Features

Recordandeditaudioclips. Convertrecordedaudiotomp3format.

QuickStart

Let'ssayyouneedtorecordanaudiopresentationanduploadittoanonlinecourse.Here'saquickoverviewofwhatyouneedtodo:

1. Setupmicrophoneandconfigureaudiosettings.

2. DownloadandinstallAudacityandLame.

3. Recordandeditaudio.

4. Convertaudiotomp3fileformat.

5. Uploadmp3filetoonlinecourse.

TechnicalRequirements

Hardware

Usingaheadsetmicrophonewillprovidethebestresults.TheCenterforTeachingandLearningwithTechnology(CTLT)onlyofferstechnicalsupportforUSBheadsetmicrophones.Analogmicrophonesandbuiltinmicrophonesonlaptopsarenotsupported.

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Software

BecauseAudacityisafreeapplication,noteverythingyouneedisincludedinasingledownload.YoumustfirstdownloadandinstallAudacity,andtheninstallapieceofsoftwarecalledLAMEthatwillletAudacitycreateMP3files.Instructionsfordownloadingandinstallingbothprogramscanbefoundinthisguide.YoushouldalsomakesurethatyourcomputeralsomeetstheminimumrequirementslistedontheeLearningsite.

http://ctlt.jhsph.edu/account/index.cfm/go/termsOfService/

Setup

ConfigureRecordingSettingsforMac

MakesurethatyourUSBheadsetisconnectedtoyourcomputerandthattheheadsetitselfisnotsettomute(iftheoptionisavailable)beforefollowingthestepsbelow.

1. OpenSystemPreferencesandclicktheSoundicontoopenyoursoundoptions.

2. ClicktheInputtab.

3. BesuretochooseyourUSBmicrophone.

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4. Youcanadjustthevolumesliderasnecessary.Whenyouspeakintothemicrophonewhilethiswindowisopen,theinputlevelmetershouldreachpastthehalfwaypointasyouspeak.

ConfigureRecordingSettingsforWindowsXP


1. OpentheStartmenuandgotoAllPrograms.

2. GotoAccessoriesandthenEntertainment.

3. SelectVolumeControl.

4. Intheupperleftcornerofthedialogboxthatopens,clickOptionsandthenProperties.

5. InthePropertieswindow,makesureyourUSBheadsetmicischosenasyourmixerdevice.ThenselectMicrophoneunderShowthefollowingvolumecontrols.

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6. BesuretoclickOKatthebottomofthedialogbox.

7. Ontheboxthatpopsup,youcanusetheslidercontrolontheVolumeswitchtoadjustthevolumeasyoubegintorecord.

ConfigureRecordingSettingsforWindowsVista/7


1. OpentheStartmenuandselectControlPanel.

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2. ClicktheClassicViewlinkontheleftsideofthewindowandthendoubleclickSound.

3. ClicktheRecordingtab.

4. Makesureyourheadsetmicischosenandsaysthatit'sworking.

5. Doubleclickyourheadsetmic.

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6. ClicktheLevelstab.

7. Usethemicrophoneslidertosetthevolume.

8. ClickOK.

AdjustandTestMicrophone

Theonlinemicrophonetesterisaconvenientwaytotestwhetheryourcomputerisgettinginputfromyourmicrophonebeforeyourecord.AUSBconnectionlookslikethis:

Note:theCenterforTeachingandLearningwithTechnologyonlyofferstechnicalsupportforUSBmicrophones.

1. MakesurethatyourUSBheadsetisconnectedtoyourcomputerandthattheheadsetitselfisnotsettomute(iftheoptionisavailable)beforefollowingthestepsbelow.

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2. ThemictesterwillletyouknowthatyourUSBmicrophonehasbeendetectedwiththedialogueshownbelow.ClickStartTesttobeginthetest.Ifyouaregettingamessagethatitappearsyoudon'thaveaUSBheadsetmicrophoneconnected,butyouaresurethatyoudo,viewtheconfigurerecordingsettingsinstructionsforyouroperatingsystem.Ifyoustillwanttotestyourmicrophone,clicktheTestAnywaybutton.

3. Whenprompted,clickAllowtogivethemicrophonetestpermissiontopickupsoundfromyourmicrophone.

4. Speakloudandclearintothemicrophoneforatleast5seconds.After5seconds,thetesterwillgiveyoufeedbackonyourmicrophone'svolume.Ifyourmicrophonevolumeistoohighortoolow,youwillgetoneofthesemessages:

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Tolearnhowtoadjustyourmicrophone'svolume,pleaseviewtheconfigurerecordingsettingsinstructionsforyouroperatingsystem.

5. Whenyourinputisacceptable,youwillgetthebelowmessage.ClicktheStopTestbuttontoendthetest.

DownloadandInstallAudacityforMac

ThistutorialcoversinstructionsfordownloadingandinstallingAudacity1.2.6toanIntelbasedMacsincethatisthemostprevalentMacinuseattheSchool.IfyouhaveaPPCbasedMacorarerunningMacOS10.6,pleasefollowdirectionsontheAudacitysite.

1. GototheAudacityWebsiteathttp://audacity.sourceforge.net/.

2. ClickthelinkthatcorrespondstoyourMac.

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http://audacity.sourceforge.net/http://audacity.sourceforge.net/http://audacity.sourceforge.net/


3. Oncethedownloadhascompleted,openyourDownloadsfolder,thenopentheAudacityfolder.

4. DragtheAudacityiconintoyourApplicationsfolder.Thendoubleclickthe

Audacityicontolaunchtheprogramforthefirsttime.

5. ChoosethelanguageyouwantAudacitytouse.ClickOK.

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ThisistheAudacityinterface.Youcannowbeginrecording

Beforerecording,checkyouraudacityaudiosettingstomakesurethatyourrecordingandplaybackdevicesareselected:

1. ClickPreferencesfromtheAudacitymenu.

2. ClicktheAudioI/Otab.

3. SelectyourrecordingandplaybackdevicesfromthePlaybackDeviceandRecordingDevicedropdownlists.

4. ClickOK.

DownloadandInstallAudacityforWindows

ThistutorialcoversinstructionsfordownloadingAudacitytoyourPCusingFirefox.Note:Ifyouuseadifferentbrowser,wordingandpicturesmaybeslightlydifferent.

1. GototheAudacityWebsiteathttp://audacity.sourceforge.net/.

2. ClicktheDownloadtab.

3. ClicktheAudacity1.2.6installerlink.

Note:Windows7userswillneedtodownloadthe1.3.12(Beta)version.

4. ClickSaveFileinthedialogbox.Savethefilewhereyouwish.

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http://audacity.sourceforge.net/


5. ClickOKtoopentheexecutablefile.

6. RuntheAudacitySetupWizardbyclickingNext.

7. IfyouchoosetolaunchAudacity,theinterfacewillappearandyoucanbeginrecording.

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ThisistheAudacityinterface.Youcannowbeginrecording

Beforerecording,checkyouraudacityaudiosettingstomakesurethatyourrecordingandplaybackdevicesareselected:

1. ClickPreferencesfromtheEditmenu.

2. ClicktheAudioI/Otab.

3. SelectyourrecordingandplaybackdevicesfromthePlaybackDeviceandRecordingDevicedropdownlists.

4. ClickOK.

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DownloadandInstallLameforMac

ThistutorialcoversinstructionsfordownloadingLametoyourMac.UseLametoexportyourAudacityrecordingtomp3formatsothatitcanbepostedonline.

1. ThefreeLamedownloaderfortheMaccanbedownloadedfromtheSchool'sservershere.

Note:PPCbasedMacuserswillneedtodownloadtheLameLibCarbon3.91.sitfilefromtheAudacitysiteandfollowinstructionsfromthere.

2. Onceyou'vedownloadedtheLamedmgfile,doubleclicktheLameLibraryv3.98.2forAudacity.pkgfile.

Note:ifprompted,doubleclicktheLame_Library_v3.98.2forAudacity_on_OSX.dmgfiletorevealthepkgfile.

3. Theinstallerwizardwindowopens.ClickContinue.

4. Ifprompted,choosethelocationwhereyouwanttosavethefile.ClickChoose.ThefirsttimeyouexportyourrecordingfromAudacity'sfileformattomp3,youwillhavetolocatethefile.Don'tforgetwhereyousavedit.

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http://distance.jhsph.edu/support/installers/Lame_Library_v3.98.2_for_Audacity_on_OSX.dmg.ziphttp://wiki.audacityteam.org/index.php?title=Lame_Installation#Mac_Instructions

5. Thelocationnowappearsintheinstallerwindow.SelectthevolumewhereyouwanttoinstalltheLamesoftwarethenclickContinue.

6. ClickInstall.Enteryourcomputerpasswordifprompted.

7. YouhaveinstalledLAMEsuccessfully!ClickClosetocompletetheinstallation.

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DownloadandInstallLameforWindows

ThistutorialcoversinstructionsfordownloadingLametoyourPCusingFirefox.UseLametoexportyourAudacityrecordingtomp3formatsothatitcanbepostedonline.Note:Ifyouuseadifferentbrowser,wordingandpicturesmaybeslightlydifferent.

1. ThefreeLamedownloaderforthePCcanbedownloadedfromtheSchool'sservershere.

2. Whenprompted,chooseSaveFile,andthenclickOK.

3. Doubleclickthedownloaderfileinthelocationwhereitwassaved.

4. Thedownloadercomesasacompressedzipfileandthefilesmustbeextracted.Choosethedirectorywheretheextractedfilewillruntheextractionwizard.

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http://distance.jhsph.edu/support/installers/Lame_v3.98.2_for_Audacity_on_Windows.exe.zip

Note:Ifyoudonotseeawizard,selectandcopythefile(s)toyourdesktop.

5. Locatethefileonyourcomputerandclickit.

6. ChooseSaveFile.

7. Installtheprogramfileswhereveryouwant,butrememberwhereyousavethem.Audacitywillaskyoutofindlame_enc.dllthefirsttimeyouexporttomp3format.

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8. Openthefile,andthenclickOKtolaunchit.

9. ClickNexttoruntheLameforAudacitySetupWizard.

Note:thefirsttimeyouexporttomp3format,Audacitywillaskyoutofindlame_enc.dll.

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Recording

RecordinginAudacity

Record

Usetherecord buttontorecordyouraudio.Onceyoupressrecord,speakclearlyintoyourmicrophonesothatyoucanseethewavesontheinterfacechangeaccordingtoyourvoice.Tip:Macusers,doyoureceiveanerrormessagewhenyouclicktherecordbutton?Ifso,installthe1.2.6version.

Pause

Usethepause buttontotakeabreakfromrecording.Ifyoupresspause,youcancomebacktotherecordingandstillrecordonthesametrack.Note:Itisnotrecommendedthatyoupresspauseandwalkawayfromyourrecordingsession,foranextendedperiodoftime,withoutsavingyourprogressfirst.Whileyouareawayfromyoursession,somethingcouldgowrongwithyourcomputer,andyoucouldloseyourrecording.

Stop

Usethestop buttonwhenyouhavefinishedrecordingandarereadytosaveorexportthefile.Note:Ifyoupressstopbymistake,thentherecordbuttonagain,youwillbeginrecordingasecondtrackthatwillbeginatthesametimeasthefirstone.Thismeansthatifyouexportthetracksastheyare,thenthetrackswillplaysimultaneously.Formoreinformation,pleaseseeStopvs.PauseinAudacity.Tip:Audacity1.3userscanholddowntheshiftkeyontheirkeyboardwhileclickingtheRecordbuttontocontinuerecordingonthesametrackiftheStopbuttonwaspressed.

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Rightclickimagetoviewaudacityrecordingbasicsdemoinfullscreen

EditingRecordings

Generally,wefindthatitiseasiertorecordyourpresentationandtheneditoutthemistakesafteryou'vefinished.Whenyou'rerecording,andyoustumbleoverawordormisspeak,justtakeabreath,keeprecording,andeditwhenyou'redone.Onceyou'redonerecording...

1. Presstheplay buttontolistentotherecording.

2. Usethebaratthebottomofthewindowtogettotheareawhereyouwanttoedit.

3. Highlightasmuchaudioasyouwanttoremove.

4. ClickDeletefromtheEditmenu.Theareayouhighlightedhasbeenremovedfromtherecording.Dothisasmanytimesasyouwantforanypartoftherecordingyouwanttoremove.

5. Ifyoufindthatyouhavedeletedsomethingbymistake,clicktheEditmenuandselectUndoDelete.Dothisasmanytimesasnecessary.

6. UsetheFilemenutoexportthefiletomp3format.

Tip:Ifyouarenotabletohearplaybackoftherecording,followinstructionsfromtheDownloadAudacityforMacorDownloadAudacityforWindowssectionsonhowtochangeaudiosettingswithinAudacitypreferences.Ifthisisthefirsttimeyou'veexportedtomp3format,you'llhavetodownload,andthenlocatetheLamelibraryfile.InstructionsonhowtodownloadthefilecanbefoundintheSetupsection.TolocatetheLamelibraryfileviewtheestablishexportsettingssection.

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Stopvs.PauseinAudacity

TheStopandPausebuttonsfunctionquitedifferentlyinsideAudacity.Generally,youshouldusetheStopbuttonwhenyouarecompletelydonerecordingatrack,andwanttoedit,orexportittomp3format.YoushouldalsousetheStopbuttonifyouwanttosuspendarecordingandstartfresh.UsethePausebuttontotakeabreakfromrecordingatrack.IfyoupresstheStopbuttonbymistake,andthenpressRecord,anothertrackwillrecord.Whenyouexportthesetrackstomp3format,thetrackswillbecompiledintoasingleaudiofile,andwillplaybacksimultaneously.Tip:Audacity1.3userscanholddowntheshiftkeyontheirkeyboardwhileclickingtheRecordbuttontocontinuerecordingonthesametrackiftheStopbuttonwaspressed.Rightclickimagetoviewstopvspausedemoinfullscreen

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Avoidingsimultaneousplayback

1. Insidethefirsttrack'sfield,placethecursorwhereyouwanttocontinuerecording.

2. ClicktheRecord button.

3. ClicktheStop buttonwhenyou'refinished.Thetwotrackswillbeexportedtogetherasusual,butwillplayasonecontinuoustrackbecausetheaudiodoesn'toverlap.Beforeexportingtomp3format,youmaywanttoedittheaudiosothatitwillplaybacksmoothly.

Tip:Audacity1.3userscanholddowntheshiftkeyontheirkeyboardwhileclickingtheRecordbuttontocontinuerecordingonthesametrackiftheStopbuttonwaspressed.RightclickimagetoviewavoidingsimultaneousplaybackdemoinfullscreenIfthisisthefirsttimeyou'veexportedtomp3format,you'llhavetodownload,andthenlocatetheLamelibraryfile.DirectionsonhowtodownloadthefilecanbefoundintheSetupsection.TolocatetheLamelibraryfileviewtheestablishexportsettingssection.

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Takingabreakduringrecording

1. ClickPause .

2. ClickthePause buttonagaintoresumerecording.Therecordingwillpickup

whereitleftoff.Youmaywanttoplayitbackandedititasnecessarybefore

exportingtomp3format.

Note:Yourfileisnotautomaticallysavedwhenyoupauseyourrecording.Youstillneedtosaveyourfile.Wedon'trecommendpausingarecording,goingawayforafewhours,andthencomingbacktotherecording.Theremaybeaproblemwiththecomputerintheinterimthatcouldcaseyoutolosetherecording.

RerecordingUsingAudacity

Let'ssaythatyoumadearecordingandyoudon'twanttokeepit.BelowarestepsonhowtorerecordusingAudacity.

1. PresstheStop button.

2. OpentheEditmenu.

3. ClickUndoRecord.Therecordinghasnowbeenerased.

4. ClicktheRecord buttonagaintorerecordtheaudio.

5. Whenyou'rehappywithit,pressStop .

6. OpentheFilemenuandselectExportasMP3toexportitasanmp3file.

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RightclickimagetoviewrerecordingdemoinfullscreenIfthisisthefirsttimeyou'veexportedtomp3format,you'llhavetodownload,andthenlocatetheLamelibraryfile.DirectionsonhowtodownloadthefilecanbefoundintheSetupsection.TolocatetheLamelibraryfileviewtheestablishexportsettingssection.

CutandPaste

Let'ssaythatyouhaverecordedtwoseparatetracks,afterpressingStopthenRecord.Youmaywanttoinsertallorpartofoneofthosetracksintotheother.Thetrackscanthenbeexportedandwillplaysmoothlyasasingletrack.

Howtocutaudiofromonetrackandpasteitintoanother

1. Highlightthepartofthesecondtrackthatyouwanttocut.

2. OpentheEditmenu.

3. SelectCut.Thepartthatyoujusthighlightedhasbeenremovedfromthesecondtrack.

4. Placethecursorinsidethefirsttrackwhereyouwanttopastethecutaudio.

5. OpentheEditmenu.

6. ClickPaste.

7. Repeatsteps16asmanytimesasyouwantuntilthetracksoundsthewayyouwant.

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8. Remembertoclosethesecondtrackbeforeexportingsothatanyleftoveraudioisnotexportedwiththefirsttrack.Todothis,clicktheXinthesecondtrack'sfield.

Rightclickimagetoviewcutandpastedemoinfullscreen

Exporting

EstablishExportSettings

BeforeyoucanexportyouraudiousingtheLameencoder,youhavetomakesuretheexportsettingsarecorrect.Youonlyhavetodothisonce;allothermp3swillgenerateaccordingtothesesettings.Onceyouhaverecordedyouraudio...

1. OpentheEditmenu.MacuserswillopentheAudacitymenu.

2. SelectPreferences.

3. ClicktheFileFormatstab.

4. ClickFindLibrary.

5. FindtheLameencoderfilethatyousavedtoyourcomputerwhenyoudownloadedtheLAMEencoder.

Tip:OnaPC,thisfileisnamedlame_enc.dll.OnaMac,thisfileisnamed

libmp3lame.dyliborlamelib.

6. Openthefile.

7. OpentheBitRatedropdownmenuandsetthebitrateto48.

8. ClickOK.

YoucannowexportallfutureaudiofilesrecordedinAudacitytomp3format.Note:Windows7usersdonotneedtofollowthesestepsifusingAudacity1.3.12(Beta)orhigher.Rightclickimagetoviewexportsettingsdemoinfullscreen

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ExporttoMP3Format

Onceyouestablishyourexportsettings,youcanexportyourrecordingtomp3formatsothatitcanbepostedonlineandplayedinanmp3programsuchasiTunes.

1. OpentheFilemenu.

2. SelectExportasMP3.

3. Choosethelocationwhereyouwanttosavethemp3file.

4. ClickSave.

5. Enteratitleandartistfortherecording.ThiswillmakeiteasiertoidentifytherecordinginamediaaudioplayersuchasiTunes.

6. ClickOK.

Thefileisnowinthelocationwhereyousaveditandcanbepostedonline.Rightclickimagetoviewexporttomp3demoinfullscreen

Getting StartedIntroductionFeaturesQuick Start

Technical RequirementsHardwareSoftware

SetupConfigure Recording Settings for MacConfigure Recording Settings for Windows XPConfigure Recording Settings for Windows Vista/7Adjust and Test MicrophoneDownload and Install Audacity for MacDownload and Install Audacity for WindowsDownload and Install Lame for MacDownload and Install Lame for Windows

RecordingRecording in AudacityRecordPauseStop

Editing RecordingsStop vs. Pause in AudacityAvoiding simultaneous playbackTaking a break during recording

Re-recording Using AudacityCut and PasteHow to cut audio from one track and paste it into another

ExportingEstablish Export SettingsExport to MP3 Format

Documents

Guide to Using Audacity