Introduction to Audacity & audio editing Duncan McHugh Multimedia Developer Faculty of Land & Food Systems [email_address] Langara Journalism February 2nd, 2009

Introduction to Audacity & audio editing ･ Know your recording devices

Introduction to Audacity & audio editing ･ Know your recording devices ･ Tips on getting a good recording

Introduction to Audacity & audio editing ･ Know your recording devices ･ Tips on getting a good recording ･ Extremely basic audio editing

Introduction to Audacity & audio editing ･ Know your recording devices ･ Tips on getting a good recording ･ Extremely basic audio editing ･ Somewhat complex audio editing

What do you use for recording sound?

USB microphone and headset

Zoom H2

The M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96

Introduction to Audio Editing

Tips on getting a good recording Editing can only do so much

Tips on getting a good recording ･ Know the space ･ Consider the room size, number of participants and ambient noise

Tips on getting a good recording ･ Know the space ･ Consider the room size, number of participants and ambient noise ･ Use the appropriate equipment ･ Check equipment beforehand

Tips on getting a good recording ･ Know the space ･ Consider the room size, number of participants and ambient noise ･ Use the appropriate equipment ･ Check equipment beforehand ･ Check your levels ･ Bring headphones & keep them on

Audio editing applications Windows: Sound Recorder Mac: Garage Band Open Source: Audacity

Using Audacity

Using Audacity If you’re planning on exporting to mp3, make sure to download the plug-in

To the beginning Play Record Pause Stop To the end

Selection Tool: selects a segment of a track Envelope Tool: allows quick adjustments of volume Draw Tool: for very minute adjustments

Zoom Tool: allows you to shift your view Time Shift Tool: moves clips along the timeline Multi-Tool Mode: everything at once

Cut/Paste/Trim Undo/Redo Zoom

Exercise I: Basic audio editing Step 1 ･ Record 30 seconds of you speaking ･ Record only one track ･ Make sure to include a bunch of ohhs and ummms, and other things you won’t want to keep in your recording

Exercise I: Basic audio editing Step 2 ･ Use the Selection Tool to edit unwanted sounds ･ Use the Envelope Tool to adjust the volume of the recording ･ Play it back and bask in auditory joy

Beyond basic ･ Multiple tracks ･ Additional tools ･ Effects; some useful, some crazy

Exercise II: Audio storytelling ･ Download clips from http://www.landfood.ubc.ca/learningcentre/duncan/sound_effects/ ･ Write out a script for a brief introduction ･ Create a multi-track recording ･ Integrate vocals, music * and sound effects ･ Work on the volume and transitions between tracks ･ Try out a few effects and see what affect they have

Exercise II: Audio storytelling ･ Download clips from http://www.landfood.ubc.ca/learningcentre/duncan/sound_effects/ ･ Write out a script for a brief introduction ･ Create a multi-track recording ･ Integrate vocals, music * and sound effects ･ Work on the volume and transitions between tracks ･ Try out a few effects and see what affect they have ･ Please consider: ･ Your audience: who’s listening? ･ How long does this take?(!?)

Post-production ･ Handling & archiving files ･ Adding metadata ･ Photos & slideshows

Online Audacity tutorials The Official Audacity tutorial: http://www.lifelonglearner.us/other/audacity/ Educause’s screencast tutorial: http://www.educause.edu/Screencasts/Audacity/Untitled.html Daniel James’s tutorial: http://quicktoots.linuxaudio.org/toots/audacity/

Everything you wanted to know… The Audacity wiki: http://audacityteam.org/wiki/

*“Podsafe”: Sounds that are safe to use ･ Wikipedia: Podsafe ･ www.podsafeaudio.com/ ･ http://www.freemusicarchive.org/ ･ http://www.quietamerican.org/ ･ Creative Commons Canada: www.creativecommons.ca ･ http://www.creativecommons.ca/blog/wp-content/ uploads/2007/06/podcastinglegalguideforcanada.html ･ http://cchits.ning.com/hits/ ･ http://www.ccmixter.org/

Thanks! Duncan McHugh [email_address] http://blogs.landfood.ubc.ca/duncan/