Audacity-21st+Century+Audio+Editing+Tool

=**Audacity - A 21st Tool for Recording & Editing Audio**=

What is Audacity?

 * Audacity is an Open Source Software package that allows a computer user to record audio and/or edit and mix together audio from various formats.** Audacity also allows the user to mix multiple tracks together -- for example one might record a student speaking and mix a musical selection together with the voice as a background music and/or introductory musical interlude.

Audacity provides a simplified visual interface to assist the editing of audio files. To use Audacity for recording, a microphone is required. If one is not already installed on your computer, then one must be plugged in. Look for a Skype Quality Mic (the one linked here is as cheap as one might use; by using a better the microphone, one would achieve much better the quality results; a USB interface, for example, would achieve better results for a few dollars more than the one linked here).


 * While Audacity works in its own proprietary file format (.aup), Audacity can export files to the popular Audio formats (MP3, WAV), but it can ONLY export to these format IF the LAME encoder is also installed.** The LAME encoder is not part of Audacity, but Audacity can use that file to convert its own file to an MP3 (or WAV or other popular format). Once files are exported to those popular digital formats, they can be played on any computer using the popular media player (or even on a portable device). Audacity MP3s can also be embedded within Windows Movie Maker or other Video editing packages.

Bare Bones Description of How to Use Audacity (with links for more info)

 * The cardinal rule for working with Audacity is to keep the Audacity file (.aup) together in the same folder as the folder in which Audacity stores the audio data** (the folder will be automatically created with a name to match; if, for example, I created a file in Audacity named X, Audacity would place a folder in the same location named X_data. The file and the folder must remain in the same folder).


 * A Tutorial for learning to use Audacity as well as a Manual for technical issues are provided by the manufacturer.**


 * __One other tutorial is very HIGHLY RECOMMENDED as very helpful__ -- "Audacity Tutorial for Podcasters." This site provides //excellent// visual/audio demonstrations that walk a basic computer user through all the steps to become proficient in Audacity's use (one could easily use this site to learn to use Audacity with no prior knowledge (assuming one is a basic computer user).**

__**In summary**__, the Audacity interface provides all of the standard tools one would expect for recording and playing (Play, Record, Pause, Stop, FFWard, RWind) in visual buttons that look like any standard recording device. In addition, six other tools allow one to edit tracks. Of the six additional tools, only two need be "mastered" to have a very powerful audio editing package:
 * __The **Selection Tool**__ appears like a windows text cursor, but is used to select audio segments from the timeline of an audio track (either recorded within Audacity or imported from a popular digital format). Once selected, audio segments can be deleted, edited, or any number of audio effects can be applied.
 * __The **Time Shift Tool**__ is used to move audio tracks forward/backward on the timeline to thread together different recordings

Additional tracks can be added or imported, and all of the tracks can be shifted in time and/or edited to achieve the desired sound. Working with multiple tracks can be a little tricky at first, but is not difficult with practice. When finished, all tracks will be pared down to a left and right channel (standard stereo) when converting to a popular digital format. See the recommended tutorial above.

Using Audacity for 21st Century Teaching and Learning (please add ideas or examples here; some examples to be added)
Any student/classroom outcomes or projects for which audio need to be edited can be a use for Audacity:


 * Digital Books (example: A Kindergarten Alphabet book)
 * A Picture Book read by the student (example from a 3rd Grade Student)
 * Student "Booktalks" (A 21st Century Book Report)
 * Classroom Memory Books
 * Narration for Student Power Points Presentations (or Video Presentations -- using either still pictures or moving video)
 * Staff and/or Student Demonstrations (editing of a "Screen Cast" demonstrating how to do a computer based task
 * Foreign Language Speaking Practice
 * Please feel free to add a use for Audacity here and if desired include a link to student work

Technical Notes
Some technical notes are on the S drive (Library Technology Folder/Audacity Class folder) as well as copies of the Audacity download and the LAME encoder (along with recommendations for where the LAME could be placed). There are also some instructions for installation/troubleshooting. As soon as possible these will be linked to this page. In the meantime, please call Tim Adkison for information (work=8-5924 or mobile=719-359-6240).