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Using Audacity for Audio Recordings

Q: How to use Audocity for Audio Recordings?
A: To use Audacity, simply click on the red recording dot and speak into your microphone. Make sure that everything is working properly before you attempt to do your final recording (example: make a short 10 seconds test to adjust your settings).

To save your file, click on File / Export as MP3. Save it in your USB Drive. If you are using Moodle, go to your MoodleClass Assignment and upload the mp3 you just created.

Q: What are the basics of using Audacity?
A: Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows. Shown below is a sample of the open Audacity window:
Audacity user interfaceThe Audacity window consists of these elements, roughly from top to bottom:

  • Title bar, with title and four buttons: Window menu (left), and Minimize, Maximize, and Close (right).
  • Menu bar, with eight menus: File, Edit, View, Project, Generate, Effect, Analyze and Help.
  • Toolbar, with buttons: Selection, Envelope, Draw, Zoom, Time Shift, Multi-Tool Mode.
  • Digital buttons: Skip to Start, Play, Record, Pause, Stop and Skip to End.
  • Audio Volume and Microphone Volume.
  • Edit Buttons: Cut, Copy, Paste, Trim Outside Silence Selection, Undo, Redo, Zoom In, Zoom Out, Fit selection in Window and Fit project in Window.
  • Your recording is displayed next (one or two channels).
  • Project rate and Cursor (information about where you are in your recording).