From: the Desk of Quentin Brown 
Date:  -
RE:  Recording with Audacity  

1. Create a new project

Save an empty project. Remember, that if you don't save your project before you start recording or importing, that all recordings, edit and other files will be written to directory set in the Directories preferences.

2. Check the preferences

Make sure your playback and recording device are set. If you're going to record a stereo signal, check the "Record in stereo" checkbox in the Audio I/O preferences.

When picking a device to record from, make sure you've set up all the connections properly, such as plugging a microphone in to the Mic Input, and any other device in to the Line In of your sound card. Then check that the gain level knob (the amount by how much the input should be amplified) of the mixer of your soundcard is set right.

Since most soundcards can mix the inputs back in to the outputs, the easiest way to test your microphone is to speak in to it while playing with your soundcard mixer. The soundcard mixer is a software either provided by the soundcard maker, or by the operating system you're using. The Windows mixer is pretty straight forward, though some soundcards bring their own along. The Mac's mixer is controlled via the Sound Control Panel, and the Linux users probably have loads of mixer applications at their disposal. Just make sure they work before yelling at your screen that nothing works. 

Always do a short test recording before you start you full recording. Play it back and check for loudness etc. Just adjust your volumes and your ready to go.

3. Hit Record

Click on the red Record button		to begin recording.
Click on the blue Pause button		to pause the recording. Press it again to continue.
Click on the yellow Stop button		to cease recording. The cursor will return to its previous position, before the recording was started.

That's it. You can now play around with your recording and explore the editing capabilities of Audacity. Remember that you can use the Undo function almost without limits.

Tutorial for Audacity

Download your free copy of Audacity

I know how difficult learning a whole lot of new software can be when you are just starting so I have produced a video where I can show you exactly how to do it. Because of constraints of time I will use two audio files I created earlier.

Click here for the live flash movie. (broadband)

For creating good audio leave the settings on default as MP3 Sound Stream will adjust automatically for you. We usually record at 4400hz. To mix two audio files together they must use the same sample ratings ie must both be 4400 hz.