User:Billw58/Audacity Setup

Setting up Audacity to record from your chosen input

Now that you know you're getting sound into the computer, it's time to fire up Audacity.

The Device toolbar is displayed by default in a new installation of Audacity. If the Device toolbar is not visible, click on View > Toolbars > Device Toolbar.

You may want to expand the size of the Device toobar by dragging right on the drag handle.

Make sure that the device you selected in your computer's sound control panel corresponds to what is displayed in the Input Device drop-down menu - if not, click the Input Device drop-down menu and the select the option that corresponds to the setting you made in your computer's sound control panel. In the Input Channels drop-down menu choose whether you want to record in mono (1 channel) or stereo (2 channels). In general if you are recording a microphone or guitar you will want to record in mono. If you are recording a keyboard and the keyboard has stereo outputs you will want to record in stereo.

If you prefer, you can make the above settings in the Devices Preferences.

Now click on the Transport menu and, if you are recording from a microphone, make sure that "Software Playthrough" is not checked - Software Playthrough will cause undesirable feedback from the computer speakers to the microphone. If you are recording a guitar or keyboard and want to hear the instrument through the computer speakers, make sure that "Software Playthrough" is checked.

Using Software Playthrough will cause a slight delay between time you play a note and the time you hear it. The amount of delay will vary between computers and operating systems. There is no way to avoid this delay. If you find it bothersome, the best solution is to play the guitar or keyboard through a mixer and plug headphones into the mixer.

Click on the downward pointing arrow beside the microphone symbol under the recording VU meters and select "Start Monitoring".

Talk or play at a normal volume and watch the recording VU meter.

Adjust the recording volume with the recording level control.

You want the meter to get close to the right hand edge without hitting it during the loudest parts.

Note that if you are using a USB microphone or USB audio adapter, the input level slider may be greyed out and set to maximum. If you cannot get a "good" reading on the recording meter (doesn't get close to the right edge - too quiet; or goes all the way to the right edge - too loud) when using a USB audio adapter, go back to your system sound control panel and adjust the volume there.

Next Step

Congratulations! If you have got this far and can hear what you want to record in Audacity, you are ready to begin recording.
You may want to look at the Your First Recording or Mixing a Narration with Background Music tutorials.