Afpbachelor Course

The basic layout and interface of Audacity Preview 07:17

This video will walk you through the layout of the Audacity software to help you become familiar with the program. Take your time to walk through this one. Go through the things I cover in your own program, as it may be laid out slightly different than what you see on my screen. Be sure to get this down. The more familiar you are with the layout of the program, the more efficient you'll be in using the Audacity program.

You will also learn how to export an Audacity project into another format - mp3, wav, aiff, or whatever you prefer. Those are the formats you would use in most media players, or to upload to a podcast host like Libsyn.

Watch until near the end of the video to get the website where you may need to download the LAME mp3 codec that will enable you to export mp3 files.

You can find that plugin file for FREE at http://lame.sourceforge.net

Basic Functions of Audacity - Part 1 Preview 04:14

This session is all about Audacity "projects" - and that's a distinction you'll want to get very clear in your head. Watch and listen to learn the difference and know how you can create a project, open a project, save a project, and import sounds or music into an existing project.

Audacity Projects

This is a quick quiz to make sure you know the difference between an Audacity project and other file formats.

Basic Functions of Audacity - Part 2 Preview 10:45

This session will show you how to record sounds using a microphone, how to import music into the program, how to play those audio files, how to save the project, and how to export the project into a mp3 file for use in other programs and applications.

In this video I give you an assignment. If you need music to use, I have included a file you can download and import into Audacity.

Audacity Basic functions #2

Test yourself on what you learned in the past video.

Create your own Voice-Over - it's time to have some fun! Preview 12:55

This is where it starts to get fun! You'll be creating your very own Voice-Over in this lesson. It won't be something you'll use for professional purposes, but it will show you the ease with which you can create truly useful things in Audacity. Have fun!

Voice Over Quiz

Just a quick couple of questions to make sure you understand the function and use of a "Voice Over."

Make edits faster using the "Play at Speed" Function in Audacity (great tip) Preview 04:05

The "play at speed" function is a way to speed up the audio you're editing (it will sound like chipmunks) so that you can listen, watch, and make edits faster. You won't be able to speed up your audio much at first because your ears and brain need to become accustomed to the faster speech. But in time you'll be able to increase to 2X speed and even more.

Play at Speed quiz

Want to test your knowledge of the "play at speed" function in Audacity? Here you go!

How to select sections for editing - fast and easy Preview 02:46

There are many ways to select the particular area you want to edit. Some require the use of the mouse, others use keyboard functionality.

There are also ways that you can modify a selection you've already made.

And, as with all software, there are little quirks with the program that you need to understand. And don't worry, I cover the work-arounds for those glitches.

How to split tracks in two, silence segments of audio, and trim audio Preview 06:43

There are many scenarios when you will need to split an audio track or element into two pieces. How do you do that? I'll show you in this session of the course.

Functions covered in this session:

• Split cut
• Split delete
• Silence audio
• Trim

Splitting quiz

Some questions to make sure you understand the differences between the different "split" functions

Add new material to the end of an existing section (append record function) Preview 01:23

Sometimes you'll need to add new audio the end of something you already have recorded in your Audacity project. You'll want to use the "append record" function. Here's how.

Append Record quiz

Just to help you feel confident that you understand the "append record" function. :)

Leveling the various sounds and elements within a project (Leveler effect) Preview 01:58

When you're creating an overall "mix" or finished project, you'll often have elements where the audio levels (volume) are not the same. If you leave it that way, listeners will have to be constantly turning their volume up and down. To avoid that, use the "Leveler" effect. Here's how.

Leveler effect quiz

The Leveler effect can be a bit tricky. Here's some questions to help you make sure you've understood it clearly.

What is compression? Why use it? How to use it? (Compression Effect) Preview 08:20

"Compression" of audio files is a very confusing thing. I have to review the concept periodically myself, so don't be bothered if you don't get it at first. Watch the video a few times to understand and know how to apply the compression effect properly. And remember, if you mess it up, you can always do "CTRL+Z" to undo the damage!

Compression effect quiz

To make sure you know how compression works and how to use it within Audacity.

Removing background noise from a section of audio (Noise Removal effect) Preview 07:01

Most recordings have some level of background noise in them. Computer fan noise, traffic outside the window, etc. That's where the "noise removal" effect can come in very handy. But you have to be careful with it, you can distort the audio you want to keep if you use this effect too aggressively. Learn how to use "noise removal" the right way in this video.

Recording your voice over the top of music already in Audacity (Overdub) Preview 03:35

There is a way to use Audacity somewhat like a "mixer", allowing you to record your voice over a track as it plays, so that you can hear it while you're recording. That's the "overdub" function - this lesson will teach you how to use it.

Working with multiple tracks (higher degree of difficulty) - part 1 Preview 12:28

Audacity really begins to shine when you start working with multiple tracks. This is where you begin to make complex (or more complex) mixes of a variety of tracks and effects. This is a pretty involved process, so you'll have two lessons on this topic.

Working with multiple tracks (higher degree of difficulty) - part 2 Preview 02:58

More multiple track tips here!

Working with multiple tracks quiz

Let's make sure you get it when it comes to working with multiple tracks.