This document provides an introduction to using the audio editing software Audacity. It covers getting a good recording, basic editing techniques like cutting and pasting audio clips, and creating a multi-track audio story using sound effects and music. Tips are provided on recording quality, equipment, levels, and editing tools in Audacity. Exercises guide the reader through basic and more advanced editing including volume adjustment and adding effects. Resources for additional tutorials and legal music options are also listed.

1. Introduction to Audacity & audio editing Duncan McHugh Technical Coordinator UBC School of Journalism duncan . [email_address] .ca Integrated Journalism October 30th, 2008

2. Introduction to Audacity & audio editing ･ Tips on getting a good recording

3. Introduction to Audacity & audio editing ･ Tips on getting a good recording ･ Extremely basic audio editing

4. Introduction to Audacity & audio editing ･ Tips on getting a good recording ･ Extremely basic audio editing ･ Somewhat complex audio editing

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

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

7. 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

8. 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 ･ Test your levels ･ Bring headphones

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

10. Using Audacity

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

12. To the beginning Play Record Pause Stop To the end

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

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

15. Cut/Paste/Trim Undo/Redo Zoom

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

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

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

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

23. *“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/

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