wcc mmj-audacity project-adding music

AUDIO PROJECT – ADDING MUSICCOMM 106

AUDACITY-BASICSALWAYS plug headphones in before starting AUDACITYNEVER drag your work off your USB to the desktop/lab hard driveALWAYS click on the PROJECT file on your USB to open your work – that file’s icon should look like this

MUSIC TIPSoPick something that supports your project’s mood and themeoDon’t use music with lyrics UNLESS you’re using the lyrics as part of the narration/storyoBe certain the music does not overwhelm the rest – it should typically serve as a bed, not a dominant element

AUDACITY-IMPORT AUDIO

•Use FILE IMPORT AUDIO to import your music file from your USB into your project

•This will create another track with just the music


•This will create another track with just the music

•Most likely this track will be in stereo so switch it to mono for easier editing by highlighting all the music and going TRACKS STEREO TRACK TO MONO as we did before


•Now you should have one mono music track underneath your INTERVIEW and NARRATION tracks


•TIP: You can rename each track by clicking the drop-down menu on each track’s title bar and choosing “NAME”


•Now you can edit your music using the same tools we’ve used before

•TIP: Highlighting a section and using the DEL key on your keyboard will remove that section and close the gap

AUDACITY-ADJUSTING VOLUME

•You adjust the overall volume of the music the same way as before; by using the main volume under the track title bar


•Most times you’ll want the music to fade up and down DURING your piece so for more precise volume control you do this

•Select the ENVELOPE tool at the top of your program


•Once you do this you’ll see your darker gray areas “envelope” the audio in your tracks

•Now you can adjust the volume INSIDE each track


•Place your cursor at the top of the audio you want to adjust and PULL DOWN or UP

•Every place you do this creates a distinct POINT

•You use these POINTS to adjust volume by DRAGGING them up or down


•Place your cursor at the top of the audio you want to adjust and pull down

•Every place you do this creates a distinct POINT

•You use these POINTS to adjust volume by dragging them up or down


•Be certain your music is edited at the end so it’s deleted when the piece is over

•REMEMBER: total time is 90 seconds to 2 minutes

AUDACITY-LOOKING AHEAD

* Before you leave today you should have your narration, interview, and music tracks all edited, sequenced, and ready to export as your finished project – WE WILL EXPORT PROJECTS AND POST THEM ON OUR BLOGS NEXT CLASS

* Remember your segment should be between 90 seconds and 2 minutes long

* COMPLETED AUDIO PROJECTS DUE ON BLOGS BY 3/27 – If you’re behind, take advantage of open lab hours and/or working at home!

wcc mmj-audacity project-adding music

Education