Downloading Audacity Software
Audacity is a free open source audio editing and recording program from Sourceforge. For a free editing program, it is a powerful multi track editing tool and is a great tool for those starting out with digital audio, podcasting, or learning about audio recording.
In addition to recording and importing audio, you can also perform typical editing functions such as Cut, Copy and Paste, Delete, Insert Silence, Duplicate, Split audio files.
Audacity works with tracks that contain one audio file. This file is editable everything you do can be undone, including deleting tracks, which makes Audacity a forgiving editing program.
Before you can begin to use Audacity, you must download and install it on your computer. You can download the most recent version of Audacity at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/.
Audacity LAME MP3 Encoder
The Audacity Lame MP3 encoder is needed to enable Audacity to export MP3 files. You'll need this plug-in if you're using Audacity to create podcasts in the MP3 format. The download link below will enable you to download and install the LAME MP3 plug-in.
When you have finished downloading LAME, unzip it and save the file lame_enc.dll anywhere on our computer. When you launch Audacity and use the "Export as MP3" command for the first time, Audacity will ask you where the lame_enc.dll is saved.
Before you can begin to use Audacity to create MP3 files, you must download and install the Audacity Lame MP3 encoder. You can download the most recent version of Audacity Lame encoder at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/windows.
Setting Up Audacity Preferences on Your Computer
Before beginning a recording project in Audacity, it's necessary to set the Audacity preferences in the Edit Preferences dialog box. This ensures that the sound source and playback options are set correctly as well as bit-rate, quality indicators and more. Follow this step by step procedure to setup your computer. Obviously you must download and install the software first, which you can get from http://audacity.sourceforge.net.
Launch Audacity
Step 1. Check the Preferences
Checking the Audacity preferences is very important step and should be done before you begin editing any audio. You can locate the Preferences Dialog box by going to Edit Preferences, or the shortcut key combination Control P
Step 3. Set Audio Input & Outputs
Select the Audio I/O tab from the choices across the top of the Preferences Dialog box. I/O is short for Input Output and is where you’ll tell it to record your sound from and where to play it back.
Step 4. Set Playback Output
From the drop down window under Playback, select the output device that you would like to route the sound through. In this case, I’m sending it to the sound card in my computer.
Step 5. Set Recording Input
From the drop down window under Recording, select the sound source you want to record from. In this case, I’m selecting the Logitech USB Headset, because that is the microphone that I’m going to use to record some voiceover narration.
If you’re recording music, you probably want the Check box next to Record in Stereo checked. If you’re just recording your voice, leave it unchecked. Usually, you’ll leave the check box unchecked for "Play other tracks while recording new one".
Step 6. Sound Quality Tab
The Quality tab is where you’ll set the quality of your audio. The higher the sample rate, the better quality your audio, but the larger the file size will be. For CD quality sound, record at 44,100 Hz. You’ll typically leave the other settings at their factory defaults.
Step 7. Record!
Press the round record button to record.
Press the square stop button to stop.
Step 8. Save!
In the File menu, select “Save project.”
Step 9. Export!
In the File menu, select “Export as mp3.”