Open Audacity. The interface should look similar to the image below. Although it looks complicated, almost everything you will do is covered by a few buttons at the top of the screen. This link to the Audacity manual provides a useful overview of the different interface elements.
If your computer has a built-in microphone or a microphone plugged in, you are ready to record. Hit the record button (the red circle) and speak. You will create an audio track that looks similar to the one in the image below. Make sure to hit the stop button (the brown square) when you finish recording.
You can use the selection tool and the editing tools to make changes to your spoken recording.
To insert external audio—such as music, interviews, and special effects—go to File->Import->Audio. (This process may look slightly different from the image below.)
Use the time shift tool to slide tracks left and right. This allows you to place audio at a specific time.
You can obtain music with a Creative Commons license (which grants you permission for certain uses) through services such as ccMixter. Make sure to copy the attribution information so that you can give the composer proper credit.
After you have acquired and imported your background music, use the time shift tool to adjust your tracks so the music begins first and your speech begins later.
Use the selection tool and the "Fade In" effect to bring the background music up gradually.
Use the envelope tool to set the background music level low while your spoken track is playing (this is called ducking).
After you have finished with your podcast, go to File->Export audio....
You will have to direct Audacity to where the LAME MP3 Encoder is installed. You will only have to do this once. After Audacity knows where the encoder is, it will not ask again.
Course Information
Writing and Technology
ENG 314-001 T (online) R 3:30–4:45 (BR 202)
Instructor Information
Dr. Jeremy Tirrell tirrellj@uncw.edu
MO 161 T 10:00–12:00 R 1:00–3:00
(and by email or appointment)
