Audacity: a step-by-step tutorial Presented by: Terry W. Hoffland

Audacity:Audacity:a step-by-step tutorial

Presented by:

Terry W. Hoffland

• Section 1: Gaining Internet Access

• Section 2: Downloading Audacity

• Section 3: Saving Audacity

• Section 4: How to use Audacity

• Section 5: Importing an Audio File

• Section 6: Download LAME Library

• Section 7: How to create an MP3

• Section 8: Listening to your MP3

Table of ContentsTable of Contents

Gain Internet AccessGain Internet Access

From the Desktop, click on Internet Explorer. Note: If you have DSL or dial-up, log in and go to your homepage online.

Download AudacityDownload Audacity

Type ftp.bw.edu into the addressline or click on the link above. You should see a similar screen to the one shown here.

Double Click on the folder labeled “Education.” Note: this will open the folder.

ftp://ftp.bw.edu/


Open “jselliot.”

Open “Software.”


Open “audacity-win-1.2.2

Open “Audacity.”

Open the folder “Audacity.”


Open “audacity.exe”;this will prompt you to save the software program on your computer.

Click “save.”

Saving AudacitySaving Audacity

Choose desktop (where you willsave the program to) and then click on “save” to save it.

The next step is to click “run.” This will run and install the software program on your computer.

If this message appears, click “run”Note: Anti-virus programs will alert you when software isn’t verified by a signature

(Audacity start-up icon)

How to Use AudacityHow to Use Audacity

This is the first screen you will see when youopen Audacity. If you clicked “run”, this is what opens; you can also double click on theAudacity start-up icon (on previous slide) to open the software.

This button will begin recording your voice;make sure your microphone is plugged intothe appropriate hole in your computer.The hole will usually be outlined in pink.


This button will stop a recording.This button will play the recording.This button will pause the recording during playback orduring the actual recording.

RewindFast Forward


After you click on “record”, you can begin recording your voice.

These red bars indicate the strength and volume of you voice. You typically want to be around -6.

These numbers indicate how long the recording is in seconds.

These are different tools. If you pass the mouse cursor over them, a short description of each icon will appear.


When you play your recording, these green bars indicate the playback volume.

This line indicates where your recording is currently during the playback, in seconds.

Adjusts volume (left or right speaker and overall volume)

If you do not like how your recording sounds, click on this “X” and the recording will be deleted.


These are other options available in Audacity. Move the mouse cursor over each icon for a short description.

Other questions can be answered by using the help tab.

Importing an Audio FileImporting an Audio File

To start the process of importing an audio file, click on the “project” tab.

Move the cursor down and select “Import Audio…”Locate your audio

file and click “open.”

Importing an Audio FileImporting an Audio File

This shows the audio file being imported into Audacity.

This shows that the audio file has been successfully imported.

At this point, you can now record your own voice. Then when you play the recording, you will hear the music in the background. Use the tools on the left hand side of the sound waves to raise or lower the volume of the imported audio or of your own recording. You can make as many audio recordings as you like. You can also add other audio files.

ExampleExample

Recorded Voice

Imported Audio File

• LAME Library is an educational tool used to learn about MP3 encoding.

• LAME Library needs to be down-loaded in order to obtain the file needed to create MP3’s with Audacity. You do not need to install it.

(The following slides will demonstrate how to download LAME Library and obtain the file needed to create MP3’s)

Why Download LAME Library?Why Download LAME Library?

Download LAME LibraryDownload LAME Library

Open up your Internet Browser.Enter the above Web address or click here.

Windows users, use this link.

Macintosh users, use this link.


Click on any link that that says lame-3.96.1.

Click “open.”


Click the dash to minimize the outer window so you can view the desktop.

Drag this icon (lame_enc.dll) to your desktop. This will copy the file to your computer.

DRAG

Leave the icon on your desktop; the download is complete.

How to Create an MP3How to Create an MP3

Open Audacity via the start-up icon.

Create your recording and/or import your audio file.


Open the “File” tab.Move cursor down and select “Export As MP3…”


2. Name your file and click “save.”

1. Determine your save location.

Click “yes.”


The next step is locating the previous copied file lame_enc.dll. Select it and click open.

Click “OK.”

• After your Audacity file is exported to an MP3, save your work, close or minimize Audacity, and your newly created MP3 will be where you saved it.

• You can double click on your MP3 and listen to it.

• Your default player will open when you open the MP3.

• Typical MP3 playing software includes Real Player and Windows Media Player.

Listening to Your MP3Listening to Your MP3

This concludes the Audacity tutorial.

THE END

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Audacity: a step-by-step tutorial Presented by: Terry W. Hoffland