Subject Descriptors: Audacity
Application (Version): Audacity 1.2, Macintosh OSX, Windows XP-Vista
Task Description: This lesson will guide you through the process of downloading, installing, and setting up Audacity for your use.
Tutorial Date: 15 May 2009, by Nathan B. Smith
Audacity is a versatile audio recording and editing program that can handle various audio formats such as AIFF, WAV, MP3, and other popular audio formats used in private, commercial, and educational businesses. Audacity allows for simple and professional quality audio editing and exporting at no cost.
Go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net and select the version that will work with your computer which will then take you to a download options and instructions screen.
Once you have downloaded the installer, double click on it to begin the install process. The installer will take you through the installation process.
Once Audacity has been installed you'll need to download an extra component that will enable it to work with MP3 formatted files. This component is the Lame.lib Library.
Go to http://spaghetticode.org/lame/ and click on the one that relates to your operating system. Download the one that relates to the operating system you are using (If you are using a Mac then you will probably want to select 1, if you're using a PC then select 2).
Once the Lame.lib file is downloaded, just move it into the Audacity folder.
You now have the necessary elements for working with audio files, and are ready to start your own projects.
Plug-ins give audacity additional functionality such as letting you add special effects to selected parts of your audio file (like making someone sound like an alien).
To download plug-ins go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/plugins
Note: Audacity already comes with a sizable library of effects and plugins itself.
If you wish to view additional documentation on audacity go to http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/
