1. How to use Audacity

2. Download Audacity is free to download from the internet. Unlike many downloadable programmes, Audacity is a once-only download - although you may wish to update with newer versions. To download the programme go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ It is worth downloading a LAME encoder whilst visiting the site as this will allow you to compress files to ‘mp3’ format (which are one tenth size of wave files.)

3. Please note..... Audacity is upgraded regularly. The features on your program will be available, but the routes shown in the following slides may well differ.

4. Using sound files You can make sound files in Audacity – but don’t forget, sound files made in for instance ‘Sound Recorder’ can be imported, or sounds available on the internet.

5. Audacity – simple operations The Audacity recorder is very simple to use. The top line of coloured buttons will be familiar from household equipment such as hi-fi, remote control devices, etc. Click on the red button record button to record and the yellow stop button to stop recording. You will be able to see the whole of the sound file, ready for saving or editing.

8. Editing Editing sound files is straightforward. Simply left-click and drag over any section you wish to edit, and then use the ‘Edit’ drop down menu to make changes, such as cut, copy, paste, duplicate, etc. The edit will apply to the selected part of the sound wave.

10. Effects In the same way, all or parts of tracks can be altered using the effects drop down menu. The programme offers suggestions for changes when an effect is selected. You may simply accept these or make your own judgements – depending on your level of confidence.

12. Saving When you are happy with your recording, it can be saved for future editing, or exported as a wave file for future mixing or transferring to other programmes which can read wave files. If you have downloaded a LAME encoder, the file can be exported as an mp3 file. As these are one tenth the size of a wave file they are useful (e.g. for storing on mobile devices), but do lose some sound quality.

14. Mixing Sound files can be mixed within the ‘Project’ drop-down menu. Select ‘Import Audio…’ to select files you have previously saved, or files selected from other sources, such as the internet.

16. Viewing tracks As more tracks are added it becomes increasingly hard to see them. They can be found by scrolling down. Alternatively tracks can be reduced in size by left click and dragging up the track. Easiest of all – click on the drop down menu ‘View’ and click on ‘Fit Vertically’ to see all the tracks. Finally, by saving a mix as a wave or mp3, this will mix all tracks down to one track and a new project can begin.

18. Time Shift By using the ‘Time shift’ tool it is possible to place sounds exactly where desired within a mix. Left click and drag sounds to the desired place.

20. Audacity Help Files The Audacity help files are simple to follow. Time spent learning how to use this program will be of long term benefit.........enjoy!