Book Image

Getting started with Audacity 1.3

Book Image

Getting started with Audacity 1.3

Overview of this book

Using the Audacity software as the starting off point, we discuss what the software is, what it can do, how you can use it, and where you go to get started installing it. All of this information is grounded in some basic audio editing terminology and background for those that aren't so technology inclined.Then we'll start digging into a sample project! You'll learn about how to set up a project, create a voice track, record an interview with Skype, and basic audio editing techniques. All of this done in an easy to follow, task based approach with lots of examples. Here, we plan to go a step further, we teach how to wrap all of these steps together and create a podcast that can be posted on your own website or blog.There's always more you can do with Audacity! The last portion of the book is dedicated to just that - discussing more advanced editing and mixing techniques, using affects, adding music, adding additional plug-ins to the software. All still incorporating examples and easy to follow tasks you can try on your own audio projects.
Table of Contents (18 chapters)
Getting started with Audacity 1.3
Credits
About the Author
About the Reviewers
Preface
9
Giving Your Audio Some Depth: Applying Effects
Toolbar, Menu, and Keyboard Shortcut Reference
Glossary of Terms
Index

Setting the Audacity Preferences


Now that your project has a name and is saved on your computer, you need to set up the project so it will perform as expected when it is complete. You do this by setting up the project Preferences. Go to the main menu and select Audacity and then Preferences.

Note

When using a computer running the Microsoft Windows or Linux operating systems, you can find the preferences in the main menu. Look for Preferences under enter the Edit or the File menu.

There are many options on this screen. The most crucial to your project are:

  • Devices

  • Quality

  • Import / Export

Select any one of the preferences to see the settings for that option.

Verifying playback and recording settings

On the Devices preferences screen, you want to pay attention to the Playback Device and Recording Device settings. Click on Devices to view these options, as seen in the next screenshot.

If you are using an external microphone such as a headset, headpiece, or a dynamic microphone, make sure that the Device...