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Using Audacity to Create Studio-Quality Audio on a Budget

Presented by Jeff GraunkeChicago e-Learning and Technology Showcase

August 20, 2013

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Introduction What does your audio sound like?

Cell phone in an airport Shortwave radio AM Radio FM radio CD

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There’s Hope!!! You can reap a huge return in

audio quality, with a $500 investment in equipment and a little practice.

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Recording Studio in a Box

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Recording Studio in a Box Microphone $80 – Samson CU01

Condenser USB mic. Mic Stand $14 - The floor stand

allows great flexibility. The narrator can sit or stand.

Pop filter $25 - You need this to eliminate the popping of the "P" sounds.

Acoustic Panels $362 - Reduce/eliminate the echoes and absorb stray sounds. Advertised prices on Amazon.com 8-19-13

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Software - Audacity Free Multi-track digital recording &

editing tool Download Audacity at:

www.audacity.soundforge.com You will also need:

VST Enabler – allows use of plug-ins. LAME MP3 Encoder –create MP3s

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Audacity Resources http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Tutorials http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Audacity_Wiki_Home_Page www.makeandbreakeducation.com www.Youtube.com

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Recording Process Write Script Select Voice Talent

Outgoing Clear voice Familiar with Material Alternate Male and Female Recruit coworkers

Selecting a Location Record Audio Edit Audio Files

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Write the Script Saves Time Script = written road map Read it aloud Make Copies for everyone to follow

along Use Larger Font Size (14+ pts) Take Notes

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Location, Location, Location Find the quietest room possible Beware of:

AC/Heat vents Outside Traffic Ringing Phones Noisy neighbors Buzzing lights Humming printers

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Recording Session Make it fun Later in the morning (voices warm

up) Water for everyone!! No Cold

Drinks! Stand Tall Spotter Set up early Save early, Save often!!

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Microphone Position Make it level with the speaker’s

mouth 3-4 inches from speaker’s mouth Finding Microphone’s “sweet spot”

Test at 2”, 4” and 6” away Test speaking straight into mic Test speaking slightly offset

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Recording Volume Changing Mic volume:

Volume Options Properties In Mixer Device field, select Microphone &

click OK Volume popup displays

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Recording Volume

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Recording Volume

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On Air Any volunteers?

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File Management

1. Make an Audio folder for your project2. Save original Audacity file as a MASTER file. (i.e. course audio MASTER.aup)3. Make an EDIT version (i.e. course audio EDIT.aup)

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Editing: Amplify Effect Amplify This allows you to

adjust the volume of the audio.

Automatically set to highest amplification without clipping

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Editing: Change Pitch Menu: Effect Change Pitch You can change the octave of the audio

higher or lower. Good for changing voices

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Editing: Equalization Menu: Effect Equalization Change the sound. Use the preset Select Curve:

Telephone

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Editing: Noise Removal Menu: Effect Noise Removal Takes a sample of constant

background noise and removes it from the entire clip.

Can give the audio a tin can sound

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Editing: Fade In/Fade Out Menu: Effect Fade In/ Fade Out This fades the selected section of

audio.

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Editing: Generate Silence Menu: Generate Silence This will apply silence to a

highlighted section or you can specify a duration of silence.

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Editing: Remove Breath

1. Highlight a quiet section of audio2. Copy it (CTRL + C)3. Highlight the breath or other sound4. Paste the quiet section (CTRL +V)

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File: Export to MP3 Menu: File Export

Exports the entire clip

Menu: File Export Selection Exports the highlighted selection

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Tips Get a good microphone Record a sample and Listen to it Stay away from outside rooms

near high traffic roads

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Tips Vary voices. Use male and female

voices for better voice texture. Save early, Save often (It’s

Chicago) Backup files Make a copy of original file for

editing Record first, edit second

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Summary Invest in good audio hardware Get Audacity Practice, practice, practice

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Questions Do you have any questions?

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Graunke Consulting, Inc is a Chicago-area based consulting firm specializing in eLearning development.

Visit us at: www.graunkeconsulting.com

Company founder Jeff Graunke is an executive, trainer, instructional designer, project manager and writer with more than 20 years experience in the areas of writing, training and computer systems.

Contact Jeff at: jeff@graunkeconsulting.com

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