Looking to make a voice recording for a presentation? Want to add narration to a PowerPoint Presentation? Ever wanted to combine an audio music file with a voice recording you made? Wish you could add cool sound effects to your recordings or change the pitch & speed? Audacity is the answer! Audacity is a FREE sound recording & editing software application from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ that is available on instructional computers in ALL schools. The application is both PC & Mac compatible and is one of the best freebies on the web I’ve ever run across. Sure, there are lots of really neat sound recording applications on the market (some well exceeding $100), but with Audacity, you get a robust application that will meet all your recording needs for projects and presentations…all for FREE! Audacity just recently won an award for one of the best free (open-source) software applications available on the web!
To find out more regarding what Audacity can offer you, check out the full feature list here - http://audacity.sourceforge.net/about/features
So, how do you get started using Audacity? Well…you’ll first need to download the software as it is currently not available on the Administrative computers. Additionally, you’ll want to install version 1.2.6 (not the Beta version 1.3.5). Once the software is installed, click Start-Programs-Audacity. Once the program opens you should see a screen like this:
To begin using Audacity follow the 3 simple steps below. NOTE: before completing these steps you’ll want to make sure you have a microphone and plugged into the pink jack on the front of your computer (there is also a pink microphone port on the back of the computer…either one will work). Need a microphone? I have a couple of basic mic’s that I’d be happy to lend.
1. Click the red Record button to begin recording
2. Click on the blue Pause button to pause the recording. Press it again to continue recording.
3. Click on the yellow Stop button to cease recording.
Want additional help in using Audacity? Click the link for a simple 2 page tutorial and additional training resources Audacity Tutorial.
