Audacity
(To download or print a PDF version of this topic, click here.)
Audacityis a free, easy-to-use audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, and GNU/Linux. You can use Audacity to:
- Record live audio;
- Cut, Copy and Paste, Delete, Duplicate, and Split audio files;
- Change the speed, pitch or volume of a recording;
- Apply effects to any part of the sound;
- Align audio segments.
Audacity is a popular Open Source tool for creating and editing podcasts; it is freely available to download, install and modify, and is relatively easy to use
Getting the Software:
This program is set up in the Department of Educational Technology. You can contact Charley Cameron at 318-678-6158 or ccameron@bpcc.edu and schedule time to use the software. Educational Technology personnel are also there to assist you during that scheduled time.
To get the software on your BPCC computer, you must submit an “Request to Install Audacity” work request to Computer Services. If you would like this software at home, go to http://audacity.sourceforge.netand download. Audacity is free software, developed by a group of volunteers and distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Making an MP3 File:
To upload into the Blackboard system, you must convert (Export) your finished audio file to an MP3 format. Visit MP3 Encoder Installation Instructions to view step-by-step instruction including installing the lame_enc.dll file (one time) to Audacity.
Also Visit: Podcasting on Blackboard
Instructional Information:
BPCC does not provide any face-to-face instruction or support on the use of Audacity. The following information has instructional material that can be viewed online. There is also listed a number of videos that can also be viewed online to help you with Audacity.
WikiEducator - Using Audacity/What is Audacity
Also Visit: Podcasting on Blackboard
Videos:
Audacity: How to use Audacity recording/editing software (2:02)
Audacity: Recording with the Microphone(1:35)
Audacity: Selecting and Deleting(3:00)
Audacity: Export mp3 file(2:12) Lame DLL file information
Audacity: Effects(3:41)
Audacity: Zoom and Envelope Tools(3:38)
Audacity: Importing and Mixing Audio Tracks(4:24)
Audacity: Noise Reduction(2:08)
Audacity: Normalize Audio(1:23)
FAQs:
Q: My microphone is connected to the computer but it will not work inside Audacity?
A: Open Audacity. Go to Edit/Preference. Select the Audio I/O tab. Confirm the microphone that you are using is selected under Recording/Device. Click OK.
