This document provides information about using Audacity audio editing software for a multimedia journalism class. It outlines that lab time is built into class sessions to work on projects, and there are also open lab hours outside of class. Students must stay on track during lab time to receive full credit for production exercises. The software can also be downloaded to work outside of class, but projects must be completed during allotted lab time or no credit will be given. Basic information is provided about Audacity, including that it is a free, non-destructive digital audio editor. Students should download and import practice audio files to use while watching an introductory tutorial video about Audacity functions in class. Resources are available to help students learn the software on

1. AUDACITY 101:
GETTING
STARTED
C O M M 1 0 6 : M U LT I M E D I A J O U R N A L I S M

2. LAB WORK STRUCTURE
• LAB TIME is built into the structure of the class in order to work on
projects. Even so, students work at different speeds so there are also
OPEN LAB hours you can use to work on your projects outside of
regular class meetings.
• LAB TIME = PRODUCTION EXERCISE; simply stay on track with
specific project steps to receive a 100; if you don’t, it’s a 0
• You can also download the software we use to work on your projects
outside of class.
• We have to stay together as a class so once the class lab time
allotted for a project is completed, we’re moving on. Remember -
NO CREDIT FOR LATE WORK! You will have plenty of time to
complete projects, but in order to do so you must attend class and
use the allotted time wisely

3. AUDACITY-GETTING STARTED
• AUDACITY is a free audio editing program that
is “non-linear” which means it is digital and
non-destructive. No matter what you do in the
program, you don’t alter your original files
(unless you specifically delete them)
• You can download it for free for your own use
• All digital audio editing programs work on a
similar structure
• ALWAYS PLUG YOUR HEADPHONES IN BEFORE
STARTING PROGRAM!

4. • You should each have an AUDACITY icon on
your desktop and/or on your START MENU
that looks like this:
• Double click it to open the program
• We’re going to watch the AUDACITY tutorial video in
class – it will provide basic information about AUDACITY
and how you can use it to edit audio
• Download and import the TWO PRACTICE FILES found
on Blackboard to use for practice while we watch the
video
– PRACTICE MP3 AUDIO FILE-The Raven (Spoken
Word)
– PRACTICE MP3 AUDIO FILE-I Feel Fantastic (Music)
AUDACITY-GETTING STARTED

5. AUDACITY-GETTING STARTED
• There’s only one of me so learn to help yourself
by using readily available resources about the
AUDACITY software USE THE SUPPLIED
RESOURCES AND THE INTERNET – there is no
shortage of Audacity Help out there
• MOVING FORWARD BE SURE TO BACKUP YOUR
PERSONAL WORK TO YOUR OWN USB DRIVE
• Lost work due to improper saving is the same as
not doing it in the first place

6. LAB TIME ATTENDANCE
•If you don’t come to class during LAB
TIME sessions you will most likely fall
behind – the PowerPoints are
designed to be as simple to follow as
possible but there is simply no
substitute for in-person instruction