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

Planning for your recording session


Planning for your recording session will help with the editing process. You'll have the best audio from your recording equipment, and possibly speed up the entire recording session. Let's discuss your equipment first.

Performing an equipment check

It's always good practice to make sure that all connections, wires, and inputs are secure and set up properly before you begin. Not only will this make for a smoother recording session, but it will ensure that audio is actually captured when you click on record!

If you are using an external microphone, make sure that the line is connected to the microphone input or line-in connector of your sound card. It is then time to test.

Most sound cards are pretty simple to test. Plug in the microphone, open your sound card mixer (the software that came with the sound card or is included in the operating system of your computer), and start speaking into the microphone.

Note

For Microsoft Windows, the mixer is under the Control...