Using Audacity/Troubleshooting

To Download Audacity go to:

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/

(or Google "Audacity Download")

For a video tutorial on basic audacity functions click here.

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Audacity Quicksteps For Podcasting

Here are some quicksteps to remember when using Audacity to record your podcast.

***Finding a quiet space and having your script prepared are two important things to consider even before recording your podcast! Please Visit our Microphone Technique page for more information.      

1.         Select your microphone from the “Input Selector” dropdown list. When a USB mic is plugged in it will show up in this list. 

TROUBLESHOOTING:

If you do not see your microphone in the Input Selector drop down list:

a)         If you are using a microphone that is not USB it won't be listed as the microphone's name, but instead the name of the sound card input it is using.

b)       Mac: Go into System Preferences -> Sound. Under the "Input" tab check to see if your microphone is listed.

        

PC: Go into Control Panel,-> Hardware and Sound -> Sound. Under the recording tab you should see your USB mic. Right click on it to make sure that it is enabled. With your USB mic highlighted, click on the “Set as Defaut” button. This will place a green checkmark on the icon of your USB mic.

2.         On the “Recording Format” dropdown menu, set it to Mono.

3.       Set your recording input level:

To set the microphone level you will watch the “Input Meter”. With your microphone set in relation to where you will be speaking into it (refer to the Microphone Technique Page), try reading some of your podcast script. Try to choose the loudest spot. You want to see if the meters will peak (creating a nasty distorting sound) when you are being loud. Slide the “Input Level Adjuster” back so that the meters are not quite reaching “0” (peaking).

This can also be achieved by pressing the record button and watching the waveform to make sure it is just below the top and bottom of the track during louder sounds.

4.          If you did a test record to check your input then delete it. Press delete or Edit -> Undo.

         If you haven’t done a test recording then go ahead and playback your podcast.  Don’t be too hard on yourself, it’s weird hearing your own voice.  Remember that everyone else is used to hearing your lovely voice, so relax and have fun!

5.         Start recording!

6.          Cut off any excess audio at the beginning and/or end of your take. Use the “Selection Tool” (Audacity should already be set to it) to highlight these sections and press the “Delete” key.

7.         Add in some sound effects (if desired). Drag any audio files into audacity. It will automatically make a new track. Using the “Time Shift Tool” you can slide your audio clips forward and backward along the timeline in order to line up your sounds in the desired location.

         ***Links to websites offering (free!) royalty free sound effects will continue to be updated under our "Links" page

8.          Adjust the volume of your tracks using the “Track Volume Adjuster”.  This will help compensate for tracks that are too loud. 

Tip: It is better to pull down loud sounds than push up quiet sounds. If too many sound get pushed up it can cause clipping (that nasty distorted sound) in the output of Audacity.

9.          Export your audio to an MP3 file:

After recording an awesome take, inserting sound effects at just the right time, and balancing the levels of your tracks you will have your podcast sounding just right. Now you can:

a)         Use the “Selection Tool” to drag over your audio and highlight the parts that you would like to export as an MP3.

Press the play button and listen to make sure the stop and start time you have selected are correct.

b)          Go to file -> Export Selection.

MAC: From the “Format:” dropdown menu select “MP3 files”.

PC: From the “Save as type:” dropdown menu, select “MP3 files”.

You can now name your file, choose where you want to save it and press “Save”. 

c)         The “Edit Metadata” screen will pop up. Here you have the option of entering specific information about your MP3 file (album, year, composer, etc.). You can leave this blank and press “OK” if you’d like.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

         The first time you try to export an MP3 file you will get a window that pops up called “Locate Lame”. This is the special MP3 encoder needed to export as an MP3 file. Click on the “Download” button and you will be given links to download the specific version for your computer’s operating system (Windows/Mac etc.)

FOR A VIDEO TUTORIAL ON HOW TO DOWNLOAD AND INSTALL THIS MP3 PLUG-IN, CLICK HERE!

Congratulations! Your podcast has be created and is ready to be uploaded to Podbean (or another hosting site). Check out our Podbean Page for more instructions.

COMING SOON:

How to use the “Effects” in Audacity to enhance your podcast.