Beginner-Level Audacity Tutorial

Introduction

• Learn how to record and edit audio in Audacity.
• Enhance recordings with various Audacity effects.

Recording in Audacity

• Starting a Recording: Press the red button or 'R' on the keyboard.
• Pre-Recording Setup:
  • Ensure microphone, recording channel, microphone input level, and project rate are set correctly.
  • Audio Setup:
    • Select the microphone from Audio Setup or Device Toolbar.
    • Ensure the Device Toolbar is enabled (View > Toolbars > Device Toolbar).
  • Recording Channel: Choose mono for voiceover, stereo for music.
  • Recording Volume: Aim for peaks at -12 dB. Adjust microphone position, speaking volume, and direction as needed.
  • Project Rate: Use 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz for best quality.

Saving Projects

• Save projects explicitly as Audacity does not autosave.

Audacity Interface Basics

• Waveforms: Visual guides for volume, visible in the timeline.
• Editing Tools:
  • Select, delete, or silence parts of the audio.
  • Duplicate tracks, fit to width/height, zoom functions.
  • Use labels as notes, ensure they remain in sync with audio edits.
  • Gain and pan sliders, looping features.

Frequency Analysis

• Analyze audio frequencies with the plot spectrum tool.

Audacity Effects

• Types of Effects:
  • Fixing issues (e.g., noise reduction).
  • Creating enhancements (e.g., reverb).
• Common Effects:
  • Normalize: Adjusts peak amplitude, typically to -3 dB.
  • Noise Reduction: Two-step process to reduce background noise.
  • Equalization (EQ): Boost or cut frequencies to improve sound.
  • Compressor: Reduces dynamic range, smoothens audio volume.
  • Truncate Silence: Reduces long silences in a recording.

Real-Time Effects

• New feature in Audacity.
• Uses third-party plugins like MuseFX for audio enhancement.
• Not all plugins handle noise well.

Multitrack Recording

• Recording Multiple Tracks: Use shift + R or add new tracks via menu.
• Overdub Feature: Allows for simultaneous recording and playback.
• Managing Tracks: Use AutoDuck and envelope tool for mixing audio levels.

Exporting and Mixing

• Mixing Tracks: Combine multiple tracks into one.
• Export Options: Export in various formats, WAV for high quality.

Closing Remarks

• Audacity offers comprehensive features for beginners.
• Suitable for voiceover, podcasting, and basic audio editing.
• Encouragement to provide feedback for more tailored tutorials.