Apply Macro

Peter 8Feb13: Consider "upgrading" the dialog image on this page with additional Chains listed, but with the default MP3 Conversion shown as selected. Note that this may upset Connie who prefers default OOTB imagery and settings.

• Peter 27Feb13: I uploaded an image with extra chains, is this ok? It's easy to revert if Connie insists on the default presentation.
• Steve 27Feb13: Personally, in this case I think that it is justified to use a non-default image as it gives a better idea of how the feature works. In such cases I think that Connie should insist that the image is clearly marked as "non default" (as you have done).
• Gale 02Mar13: Yes it's acceptable. I don't like it when it's the only image on the page, but the text is nonsensical without it.

Apply Chain automatically applies a series of preconfigured commands in a set order. The dialog allows you to select a Chain (which is a sequence of effect and/or export commands created using Edit Chains) then apply that Chain to either the entirety of the current project or to selected audio files in a single directory.

Accessed by: File > Apply Chain...

Apply Chain non-default image showing two user-added chains as well as the as-shipped "MP3 Conversion" chain

Select Chain

In the "Chain" list, left-click (or use the Up or Down arrow on the keyboard) to select the Chain you want to apply.

Apply to Current Project

Apply the selected chain to the entirety of the audio in the current project, irrespective of whether a region of audio or particular tracks are selected or not. If the project contains multiple audio tracks, they will be mixed together, unless any of the tracks are muted on the Track Control Panel.

The typical purpose of this option is effect automation - apply a sequence of effects to the project, using effect parameters and an order of applying the effects that you have found to work well for the type of audio you are processing. This saves time and provides consistency in your workflow.

Usually the selected chain would not include an export command, in order to use the greater flexibility of the File Export Dialog. If an export command is included, the exported files will be saved in a folder named "cleaned".

• If the audio in the project came from an imported file or files, the "cleaned" folder will be inside the directory from which the first file was imported. The original files are not altered.
• Otherwise, a message prompt will indicate the location of the "cleaned" folder that will contain the exported file. The "cleaned" folder will be in the last location that the Chain process exported to. If the Chain process has never been used for export before, the "cleaned" folder will be in the location at which the File Export Dialog currently opens.

Apply to Files...

Apply the selected chain to selected external audio files that are in a single directory. If you already have audio in the current project window, you must save and close that project using File > Close before applying a Chain to files.

The typical purpose of this option is batch processing - apply the Chain to multiple audio files so as to apply one or more effects to them, and/or convert them to another file format. You can convert from any file format supported by Audacity to WAV, MP3, OGG or FLAC. The selected chain must include an "export" step, or the processed audio will not be saved.

• A standard File Open dialog box will appear. Choose a directory then you can select one or any number of supported audio files in that directory, but not Audacity AUP project files. You cannot select files outside that directory, and files in folders inside that directory will not be processed. It is convenient therefore to first put all the audio files you want to process into one folder before applying the Chain.
• After selecting the audio files you want to process, choose "Open".
• Each file will be imported into Audacity and processed, then exported in the format you chose in the chain. The processed files will be saved in a folder named "cleaned" in the same folder that the original files came from. The original files are not altered.