1. Using Audacity to Create
Studio-Quality Audio on a Budget
Presented by Jeff Graunke
Chicago e-Learning and Technology Showcase
August 20, 2013
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2. Introduction
 What does your audio sound like?
 Cell phone in an airport
 Shortwave radio
 AM Radio
 FM radio
 CD
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3. There’s Hope!!!
 You can reap a huge return in audio
quality, with a $500 investment in
equipment and a little practice.
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4. Recording Studio in a Box
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5. Recording Studio in a Box
 Microphone $80 – Samson CU01
Condenser USB mic.
 Mic Stand $14 - The floor stand allows
great flexibility. The narrator can sit or
stand.
 Pop filter $25 - You need this to eliminate
the popping of the "P" sounds.
 Acoustic Panels $362 - Reduce/eliminate
the echoes and absorb stray sounds.
Advertised prices on Amazon.com 8-19-13
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6. Software - Audacity
 Free Multi-track digital recording &
editing tool
 Download Audacity at:
www.audacity.soundforge.com
 You will also need:
 VST Enabler – allows use of plug-ins.
 LAME MP3 Encoder –create MP3s
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7. Audacity Resources
 http://manual.audacityteam.org/man/Tutorials
 http://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Audacity_Wiki_Home_Page
 www.makeandbreakeducation.com
 www.Youtube.com
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8. Recording Process
 Write Script
 Select Voice Talent
 Outgoing
 Clear voice
 Familiar with Material
 Alternate Male and Female
 Recruit coworkers
 Selecting a Location
 Record Audio
 Edit Audio Files 8

9. Write the Script
 Saves Time
 Script = written road map
 Read it aloud
 Make Copies for everyone to follow
along
 Use Larger Font Size (14+ pts)
 Take Notes
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10. Location, Location, Location
 Find the quietest room possible
 Beware of:
 AC/Heat vents
 Outside Traffic
 Ringing Phones
 Noisy neighbors
 Buzzing lights
 Humming printers
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11. Recording Session
 Make it fun
 Later in the morning (voices warm up)
 Water for everyone!! No Cold Drinks!
 Stand Tall
 Spotter
 Set up early
 Save early, Save often!!
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12. Microphone Position
 Make it level with the speaker’s mouth
 3-4 inches from speaker’s mouth
 Finding Microphone’s “sweet spot”
 Test at 2”, 4” and 6” away
 Test speaking straight into mic
 Test speaking slightly offset
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13. Recording Volume
 Changing Mic volume:
 Volume  Options  Properties
 In Mixer Device field, select Microphone & click OK
 Volume popup displays
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14. Recording Volume
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15. Recording Volume
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16. On Air
 Any volunteers?
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17. File Management
1. Make an Audio folder for your project
2. Save original Audacity file as a MASTER
file. (i.e. course audio MASTER.aup)
3. Make an EDIT version (i.e. course
audio EDIT.aup)
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18. Editing: Amplify
 Effect  Amplify
 This allows you to adjust
the volume of the audio.
 Automatically set to
highest amplification
without clipping
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19. Editing: Change Pitch
 Menu: Effect  Change Pitch
 You can change the octave of the audio higher or
lower.
 Good for changing voices
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20. Editing: Equalization
 Menu: Effect  Equalization
 Change the sound.
 Use the preset Select Curve: Telephone
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21. Editing: Noise Removal
 Menu: Effect  Noise Removal
 Takes a sample of constant
background noise and removes it
from the entire clip.
 Can give the audio a tin can sound
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22. Editing: Fade In/Fade Out
 Menu: Effect  Fade In/ Fade Out
 This fades the selected section of
audio.
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23. Editing: Generate Silence
 Menu: Generate  Silence
 This will apply silence to a highlighted
section or you can specify a duration
of silence.
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24. Editing: Remove Breath
1. Highlight a quiet section of audio
2. Copy it (CTRL + C)
3. Highlight the breath or other sound
4. Paste the quiet section (CTRL +V)
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25. File: Export to MP3
 Menu: File  Export
 Exports the entire clip
 Menu: File  Export Selection
 Exports the highlighted selection
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26. Tips
 Get a good microphone
 Record a sample and Listen to it
 Stay away from outside rooms near
high traffic roads
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27. Tips
 Vary voices. Use male and female
voices for better voice texture.
 Save early, Save often (It’s Chicago)
 Backup files
 Make a copy of original file for editing
 Record first, edit second
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28. Summary
 Invest in good audio hardware
 Get Audacity
 Practice, practice, practice
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29. Questions
 Do you have any questions?
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30. Graunke Consulting, Inc is a Chicago-area based
consulting firm specializing in eLearning development.
Visit us at: www.graunkeconsulting.com
Company founder Jeff Graunke is an executive, trainer,
instructional designer, project manager and writer with
more than 20 years experience in the areas of writing,
training and computer systems.
Contact Jeff at: jeff@graunkeconsulting.com
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