Audacity is a free program that is used for recording audio and/or editing audio. To download the program: 1.go to: 2. click the ‘Download Audacity hyperlink (or most current version available) 3.follow the directions on the pop-ups that appear a.click ‘run’ b.choose your language c.click ‘next’ as needed To open the program: 1.click your ‘start’ or button 2.click ‘All Programs’ and then click 3.or, if you have created a desktop shortcut, click on it: 4.Use the program’s feature as needed!

Here is a basic overview of the program (part 1):

Here is a basic overview of the program (part 2):

If you’re using a device with a built in microphone make sure its on and working. If your device does not have a built in microphone, plug one in and make sure its working. (Use your owner’s manual if necessary) Go to:, download the text of the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution and paste it on a word document or copy it from here: EXERCISE ONE We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Practice reading it a few times and remember to pause briefly at every comma. Record you reading the Preamble, use the ‘Amplify’ effect as needed, save it (‘File’, ‘Export File’ (as a WAV type) and submit your ‘Exercise One’ to your instructor for evaluation.

Here is a basic overview of the program (part 3):

Watch and learn how to edit audio:

EXERCISE TWO 1. Open your Exercise One, rename it ‘Exercise Two’, and export it (as if you were saving it again). 2. Edit out any clicks, shorten any pauses and use the amplify effect if needed. 3. Use whatever resources you have available (your own files, librarians, your instructor, friends, the web, etc.) and acquire and save at least four appropriate music files to mix into exercise one. 4. Experiment with the various other effects, change the exercise as you wish and save your work. 5. Click the ‘File’ tab, then click ‘New’ (or press the ‘Ctrl’ and ‘N’ keys) then scroll down in the file tab to import and pick one of the music files you saved that would be an appropriate introduction to the preamble. 6. Edit the music intro a short introduction piece by selecting the portion you like, copying it to the clipboard, opening a new file and pasting the clip into/as the new file. Add a fade in effect and a fade out effect. Save your work by exporting it as a WAV file. 7. Repeat this process with another music file as an end to the preamble. 8. Submit both clips to your instructor for evaluation.

Watch and learn how to splice audio:

1. Open Audacity, go to file and click ‘Open’ (or click the ‘Ctrl’ and ‘O’ keys) and open the intro file you created. 2. Go to file, import, audio and select (import) your exercise two.

3. Click on the ‘Time Shift’ tool then click and drag the preamble audio so that its beginning lines up with the end of your intro audio. 4. Repeat this process for the ending audio piece but align it so that its beginning lines up with the end of your preamble audio. 5. Use the selection tool to highlight the overlap area between the intro and preamble. Use the same tool to select the highlighted area of the intro, then click the effects tab and ‘fade out’. Now use the same method to select the overlapped beginning of the preamble but select the fade in effect. 6. Repeat this process for the overlap of the end of the preamble and beginning of the ending piece of audio. 7. Under the file tab, click export and name this piece of work “Exercise Three” then submit it to your instructor for evaluation. EXERCISE THREE

Mixing tracks with Audacity:

EXERCISE FOUR 1. Either record yourself reading the Declaration of Independence, or download a WAV or MP3 file of it being read. 2. Acquire (as in exercise two) appropriate music to mix with the reading of the Declaration of Independence. 3. In Audacity, import both of the above. 4. Use the amplify effect as needed to balance the volume of the tracks. 5. Use any/all learned aspects of Audacity to mix the tracks. 6. Export and save your Exercise Four then submit it to your instructor for evaluation.

SELF ASSESSEMENT you have mastered Brainstorm (with classmates, friends, instructors, or…) and create your own self assessment. Create a project using the tools of this unit of study that will show the world, or at least yourself and instructor, what you have mastered concerning the content of this unit. Consult your instructor as needed.

FINAL ASSESSMENT Submit a proposal to your instructor for your final assessment that includes all aspects of Audacity learned so far, and at least two additional features of the application; i.e., different effects. Create and submit your final assessment with the changes (if any) required by your instructor. SEE THE NEXT SLIDE FOR ADDITIONAL AUDACITY TUTORIALS.

Audacity’s Wiki: Audacity’s web manual: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Audacity/help/manual/index.htmlfile:///C:/Program%20Files/Audacity/help/manual/index.html Go to: type ‘audacity’ in the search area and be amazed at what is available.