Module 04: Audacity Basics

What is Audacity?

Audacity is the world's most popular open-source audio editing software. Free, cross-platform (Windows, Mac, Linux), and powerful enough for professional productions.

As a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), Audacity is your virtual recording studio. Here you record, cut, edit, and export audio - everything you need for podcasts, music, or voice-overs.

Why Audacity? It's free, has no limitations, and is perfect for learning. Many professionals still use it for quick edits and voice recording.

Understanding the Interface

Audacity's interface follows the standard layout of professional DAWs. Here are the main areas:

Transport (Play, Stop, Record)

Timeline

Track (Audio Track)

Waveform (Audio Data)

Playhead (Playback Position)

The Toolbar Areas

Transport Toolbar: Play, Stop, Pause, Record, Rewind, Fast-Forward
Tools Toolbar: Selection, Envelope, Draw, Zoom, Time-Shift
Meter Toolbar: Recording and playback level meters
Mixer Toolbar: Volume and balance controls

First Steps: Recording

Here's how to start your first recording in Audacity:

Select microphone: Edit → Preferences → Audio Settings → Recording Device
Check levels: The meter tool shows your input level. Aim for -12 dB to -6 dB.
Start recording: Red Record button (or R key)
Stop: Yellow Stop button (or Spacebar)
Listen: Green Play button (or Spacebar)

Important: Always do a short test before recording! Clipping (red peaks in the meter) destroys the recording irreversibly.

Mono vs. Stereo: Choosing Track Type

Before recording, decide whether to record in Mono (one channel) or Stereo (two channels):

Mono Track

L+R

Use for: Speech, vocals, bass, single instruments
Advantage: Smaller files, focused sound
Standard: For most vocal recordings

Setting: Track → Mix Stereo down to Mono

Stereo Track

L

R

Use for: Music, rooms, stereo microphone techniques
Advantage: Spatiality, natural width
Standard: For music and atmospheres

Setting: Default for stereo microphones

Setting Recording Quality

Your recording quality is determined by two factors:

Sample Rate

How often per second the audio is measured.

44100 Hz: CD quality, standard for music
48000 Hz: Professional standard, video
96000 Hz: High-Res, for archiving

Project Sample Rate (bottom left) or Track → Rate

Bit Depth

How much information is stored per sample.

16-bit: CD quality, lower dynamic range
24-bit: Professional standard, more headroom
32-bit float: Maximum quality, no clipping when mixing

Format settings during export or recording

Beginner recommendation: 44100 Hz, 24-bit for recordings. This gives you enough quality for professional results without huge files.

Importing Audio

You don't always have to record everything yourself. Import existing audio files to experiment with them:

Importing Files

File → Import → Audio (or drag & drop into Audacity)
Supported formats: WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG, AIFF, and more
The file appears as a new track in the project

Practice Experiments with Imported Files

1. Create a Loop

Import a drum loop. Mark a section, copy it (Ctrl+C) and paste it at the end (Ctrl+V). Repeat for a seamless loop.

2. Voice Over Music

Import an instrumental file. Record over it with your microphone (new track). Try different volumes for balance.

3. Remix Experiment

Import a song. Isolate certain frequencies with EQ, change the tempo (Effect → Change Speed), add effects.

Tip: Use the Audio Player at the bottom left to preview files before importing into Audacity. This way you know what you're editing.

Basic Editing

The most important tools for audio editing:

Selection Tool (I)

The default tool. Click and drag to mark areas. Selected areas can be deleted, copied, or edited.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

Space Play / Stop

R Start Recording

Ctrl+Z Undo

Ctrl+X Cut

Ctrl+C Copy

Ctrl+V Paste

Ctrl+A Select All

Del Delete Selection

Zoom Navigation

Ctrl+Scroll: Zoom horizontal (time)
Shift+Scroll: Zoom vertical (amplitude)
Ctrl+F: Fit to Width (entire project visible)
Ctrl+1/2/3: Predefined zoom levels

Important Effects

Audacity offers an extensive collection of effects. These are the most important:

The Two Most Important Effects

EQ

Equalization (EQ)

Shape frequencies - change sound character

Bass
20-250 Hz Low-Mid
250-500 Hz Mid
500-2k Hz High-Mid
2k-6k Hz Treble
6k-20k Hz

80-120 Hz Boost +3 dB Warm, full voice

200-400 Hz Cut -2 dB Reduce muddiness

2-5 kHz Boost +2 dB Clarity & intelligibility

5-8 kHz Boost +1 dB Brightness & presence

50-60 Hz Cut -6 dB Remove mains hum

8-12 kHz Cut -3 dB Hissing "S" sounds

Tip Always start with subtraction: First lower problematic frequencies, then slightly boost where necessary.

🎚️

Compressor

Dynamic regulation for professional sound

Threshold -18 dB Compression starts at this level

Ratio 4:1 How strongly it compresses

Attack 10 ms How fast the compressor reacts

Release 100 ms How fast it releases

💡 Pro Tip: Start with a ratio of 4:1 and threshold of -18 dB. Too much compression sounds "pumping" and unnatural.

Other Important Effects

Fade In / Fade Out

Gradually increase or decrease volume. Prevents harsh clicks at beginning/end. Effect → Fade In/Out.

Noise Reduction

Remove background noise. First create "Noise Profile" (mark only noise), then apply to entire track.

Amplify / Normalize

Adjust volume without distortion. Normalize brings the loudest sample to the desired level.

Limiter

"Brickwall" for the master output. Prevents clipping hard - essential before export.

Normalize

Bring track to optimal volume (typical: -1 dB). Prevents clipping and ensures consistent levels.

Exporting

When your project is complete, export it to a distributable format:

File → Export → Export as...

WAV

Uncompressed, best quality, large files

MP3

Compressed, small, standard for distribution

FLAC

Losslessly compressed, HiFi quality

OGG

Open-source alternative to MP3

Recommendation: For podcasts and music, use MP3 at 192-320 kbps. For archiving or further processing, use WAV or FLAC.

Export Settings

Sample Rate: 44100 Hz (standard) or 48000 Hz (video)
Bit Rate (MP3): 192 kbps (good), 320 kbps (excellent)
Channel Mode: Stereo (music) or Mono (speech)

Practice Exercise

Your First Audacity Project

Setup: Start Audacity, select microphone in settings
Recording: Record 30 seconds of your voice (introduction or reading text)
Basics: Add Fade In at beginning, Fade Out at end
Remove noise: Mark a few seconds of silence at beginning → Noise Profile → apply to entire track
Volume: Effect → Normalize to -1 dB
Export: Export as MP3 (192 kbps) and WAV, test difference in player

Use the Audio Player (bottom left) to test and compare your exported files directly.

Summary

Audacity is a free, professional DAW
Transport buttons: Record (red), Play (green), Stop (yellow)
Basic editing: Select, Delete, Copy, Paste
Important effects: Fade, Noise Reduction, Normalize, EQ, Compressor
Export: MP3 for distribution, WAV/FLAC for archiving

Audacity is your tool. The more you work with it, the more intuitive it becomes. Start with simple projects and expand your skills step by step.