Macros

Peter 23Jan13 Nomenclature: I created this page with the title "Chains - for batch processing" - in an email Gale suggested ths similar "Chains (for batch processing). My original choice was the simpler "Chains" - Gale commented that "Chains of effects are advanced terminology ... this I think is the very reason the page was called Batch Processing in the first place" and "Is it not also true that many of the Forum questions about our Chains feature are expressed using "batch" terminology?"

• Ed 6Feb13: maybe I'm repeating myself - I think that page titles should be in title case (Chains - for Batch Processing; Chains - for Effect Automation and Batch Processing etc. - removed to the numbered bullets as it made it hard to vote

Peter 6Feb13 Possible page titles (note this page is designed to repace the current Batch Processing page):

• Chains with a tagline on the front page link: "for batch processing")
• Chains with a tagline on the front page link: "for batch processing and macros")
• Chains of effects with a tagline on the front page link: "for batch processing")
• Chains of effects with a tagline on the front page link: "for batch processing and macros")
• Chains - for batch processing
• Chains - for batch processing and macros
• Chains (for batch processing)
• Chains (for batch processing and macros)
• Chains of effects - for batch processing
• Chains of effects - for batch processing and macros
• Chains of effects (for batch processing)
• Chains of effects (for batch processing and macros)
• Chains - for effect automation and batch processing

• Ed +1 (or swap the referents: "Chains - for batch processing and effect automation"

• Chains - for effect automation or batch processing
• Chains - for batch processing and effects automation
• Chains - for batch processing and effects sequences

Peter 6Feb13 Question: are search engines more likely to pick up on "batch processing" if we embed that in the page title rather than just carry it in the page and on the front page tagline?

• Gale 06Feb13: Yes. If we've decided to refer to both use cases in the title, I don't think "macros" is a good choice for the most naïve users. I think "and" is better than "or" given a "batch processing" could include long effects sequences even if it often doesn't.

A "Chain" is a sequence of pre-set automated commands (mainly effects) that you can to apply to audio. Any built-in or Nyquist effect shown in the Effect Menu can be added to a chain. An Export command (four are available - 16-bit WAV, MP3, FLAC & OGG) is required to save an audio file.

The two uses for Chains

Chains are used for two distinct, but related, purposes in Audacity:

Batch Processing

Batch processing in Audacity is effected by processing a Chain of effects in preset order on a number of imported audio files, this can save time and repetitive effort. Chains are often used to batch process a group of audio files with the same sequence of effects or functions. Example of typical usage:

• Compressing the dynamic range of a number of WAV files, then converting them to MP3

Macros

You can directly apply a Chain of effects to tracks in the active Audacity project window. If you repeatedly use the same set of effects to process your projects this can help to ensure consistent processing (and save time and repetitive effort). (This is similar to the usage of macros in IT where they are used to make a sequence of computing instructions available to the programmer as a single program statement, making the programming task less tedious.). Example of typical usage:

• Noise removing, bass boosting then normalizing a track or tracks in a project.

In order to use either batch processing or macros it is necessary first to set up a Chain of effects using the Edit Chains command. Then, once the Chain has been set up you can then use the Apply Chain command to implement it. The Chain will remain stored in Audacity until you next need to use it.

Peter 6Feb13: I'm not wedded to the use of the word "Macro" here, but I struggled to think of an alternative. It did mean that I had to give that brief expanation of what a macro is in its original IT usage. Usable alternative suggestions warmly welcomed.

• Update: Gale's latest suggestion for page titles leads me to think the "Effect automation" may be much prefererrable to Macro.

Edit Chains

Enables you to either edit, remove or rename existing Chains, or add a new Chain. The Chain can include a number of common Audacity functions and effects to be executed in any order you specify. In many cases, the parameters for each command in the Chain can be specified within the Edit Chains window. Any built-in or Nyquist effect shown in the Effect Menu can be added to a chain, along with an Export command to save an audio file.

Accessed by: File > Edit Chains...

Apply Chain

Enables you to select a Chain and apply it to either the entirety of the current project, to a single audio file or to a group of specially selected audio files.

Accessed by: File > Apply Chain...