Edit

How to Use Audacity

Edited byMypinkphone and 8 others

Article
Edit Discuss History

Audacity is a simple sound editing program that can be downloaded for free on the Internet. While it is fairly easy to use, some people may find it difficult to get started, so here are some instuctions on creating a simple project:

The Audacity Logo
The Audacity Logo

Edit Steps

  1. 1
    Open the "Audacity" program.
  2. 2
    Make sure "Microphone" is selected in the top right-hand corner.
    Select "Microphone"
    Select "Microphone"
  3. 3
    Click on the red circle, which will start recording, and speak into your microphone. If it doesn't look like anything is recording, make sure that you increase the dial next to the microphone icon. Your voice will appear as a long jagged line, but it may look more like a series of blue shapes.
    Record
    Record
    Adjust this to make the microphone more or less sensitive to your voice
    Adjust this to make the microphone more or less sensitive to your voice
  4. 4
    Selected Audio
    Selected Audio
    Place your cursor at the beginning of the audio and click and drag towards the right to select all of the sound.
  5. 5
    Adjust the amplitude
    Adjust the amplitude
    Go to "Effect" > Amplify to adjust the amplitude of your sound (i.e. loudness). If you click OK without adjusting anything, then it will automatically make your sound as loud as possible before clipping occurs (where some sound is cut off, and it will lose quality). You may not want it this loud, though, so you can adjust it to any volume. Setting it to a negative number will make it quieter.
  6. 6
    Import background music
    Import background music
    Import some background music by going to "Project" > Import Audio and double clicking on selected music.
  7. 7
    Edit the background to desired amplitude (see step 5).
  8. 8
    Trim outside selection
    Trim outside selection
    Optional: Select the part of the background music you want to have under your voice, as it will likely be too long. Leave some extra to fade in and out. Then click the button shown in the image that will trim the outside selection.
  9. 9
    Select the icon for the Timeshift Tool (double-headed arrow), which will allow you to move around your sound. Align your voice with the background music.
    Icon for the Timeshift tool
    Icon for the Timeshift tool
  10. 10
    Click back on the Selection Tool, which looks like an I.
  11. 11
    Select a small section at the begining of your background music.
  12. 12
    A screenshot showing the beginning section selected and how to fade in.
    A screenshot showing the beginning section selected and how to fade in.
    Click on "Effect" > Fade in, to fade in the music.
  13. 13
    Select a small section at the end and then go to "Effect" > Fade out.
  14. 14
    Experiment with other effects on the music and your voice. Continue with the steps when you are happy with what you have produced.
  15. 15
    Go to "File" > Save Project As to save your work. Type in a filename and click Save. This is the version you will open in order to edit your project if you wish.
  16. 16
    Go to "File" > Export... or Export As MP3 (depending on the version of Audacity) and save similarly to the previous step. This is a compressed version you can use on Web sites or other applications.

Edit Video

Edit Tips

  • Press CTRL + Z to undo your last change.
  • Press CTRL + I as an alternative to step 6 (importing sound).
  • Once you have completed this simple exercise, you will be able to go on and create bigger and better Audacity projects. Aim high!
  • Look on the Internet for sound effects you can use. There are many Web sites that offer a large range of free ones for your use. Alternatively you can buy a CD of sound effects.
  • Writing a script first will allow you to plan what you are going to say, so you don't have to go through the difficult process of editing out stutters and slip ups.

Edit Things You'll Need

  • Audacity
  • A microphone
  • Speakers or headphones
  • A computer
  • A saved piece of music (on your hard drive or on removable hardware)

Edit Related wikiHows

Articles for You to Write

Here is a list of suggested articles that have not yet been written. You can help by researching and writing one of these articles. To get started writing one of these articles, click on the red link of a title below.

Article Info

Last edited:
September 9, 2011 by Progressive

Categories:
Audacity

Recent edits by: Victoria Sauder, Teresa, BR (see all)

Article Tools

Share this Article:

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 146,973 times.

Was this article accurate?

YesNo