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Audio Recording & Podcasting

This guide provides resources and guidance for recording audio for podcasts and radio.

Getting Started

Why Audacity? 

Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor perfect for beginners.

Getting Started

We have provided some basic information on getting started in Audacity via video tutorial and text directions. We can't guarantee that we can keep up with software updates and while librarians can find you resources to learn more about Audacity, we are not experts in using the software. If you have something specific you would like to know how to do in Audacity, we suggest searching the internet and looking for video tutorials. There is a lot of support out there! 

Access your own copy of these instructions to download and save via this Google Doc. To make your own copy, select File>Make a copy. 

Step-by-Step Introduction to Using Audacity for Beginners

Launching and Setup

  • Launch Audacity. The default screen will display the main workspace, including the timeline, toolbar, and level meters[1][2][3].

Configuring Audio Settings

  • Select your audio input (microphone) and output (speakers/headphones) from the dropdown menus in the toolbar.
  • Check your input and output levels using the meters at the top of the screen. Make sure your microphone is set up correctly and your levels are not too high (avoid the red zone, aim for peaks between -12 dB and -6 dB)[1][2][3].
  • Enable input monitoring if you want to hear yourself while recording. This can be done by clicking the microphone icon and selecting "Enable Monitoring"[2][3].

Making Your First Recording

  • Click the red "Record" button or press the "R" key to start recording your voice or instrument.
  • Speak or play into your microphone. Watch the waveform appear as you record.
  • Click the "Stop" button (yellow square) to end the recording[1][2][4][3].

Basic Editing

  • Select portions of your audio using the selection tool (I-beam icon).
  • Use the "Cut," "Copy," and "Paste" commands to remove or rearrange audio.
  • Use the "Zoom" tool to get a closer view of your waveform for precise editing[1][2][4][5].
  • Undo mistakes with Ctrl+Z (Cmd+Z on Mac).

Enhancing Your Audio

  • Apply effects such as "Noise Reduction" to clean up background noise and "Compressor" to even out volume levels.
  • Use "Normalize" to set consistent volume and "Equalization" to adjust tone.
  • Always listen to your changes and use "Undo" if needed[1][2][5][3].

Working with Multiple Tracks

  • Import music or other audio files via File > Import > Audio.
  • Drag and drop files directly into the Audacity window.
  • Use the envelope tool to adjust the volume of different tracks and create fades[1][5].

Saving and Exporting Projects

  • Save your work as an Audacity project file (.aup3) to preserve all edits and tracks for future editing (File > Save Project).
  • Export your finished audio as an MP3 or WAV file for sharing or use in other projects (File > Export > Export as MP3/WAV)[1][2][5].

Additional Resources

  • Explore built-in tutorials and help via Audacity’s manual and support website, which cover advanced topics like multi-track recording, vocal isolation, and looping[6].
  • Watch comprehensive beginner video tutorials for step-by-step demonstrations[2][4][3].

Summary Table: Audacity Beginner Steps

 

Step

Action

Key Tips

Installation

Download & install Audacity

Use official website

Setup

Select input/output, check levels

Avoid red zone, monitor input

Recording

Press Record, speak/play, Stop to finish

Watch waveform, check levels

Editing

Select, cut, copy, paste, zoom

Undo mistakes, zoom for detail

Enhancing

Apply effects (noise reduction, compression)

Listen after each effect

Multi-track

Import audio, adjust track volumes

Use envelope tool for fades

Saving/Exporting

Save project, export as MP3/WAV

Save often, export for sharing

 

This outline covers the essential steps for beginners to start recording, editing, and exporting audio using the latest version of Audacity[1][2][4][6][5][3].

References

 

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlzOb4OLj94        
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_yQaxO_zcQ         
  3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeZix5blR2Y       
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgWrlowWwJw    
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Im2W7pokfpw     
  6. https://manual.audacityteam.org/man/tutorials_for_audacity.html  
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