User:Billw58/Audacity Setup and Configuration

Bill 03May11: Expanded and restructured version of Audacity Setup and Configuration per discussions on this wiki page.
The goal is to pull into one place the most common issues about getting sound into Audacity. If successful, Tutorial - Your First Recording will link to this page.

For many users, Audacity will just work "out of the box", and you can immediately begin playing and recording. However, because there are so many different types of computers and ways to configure computers, some users may need to set up Audacity the first time they use it.

Temporary Files

Most users have only one hard disk. However, if you have multiple hard disks, you will want to make sure that Audacity uses your largest or fastest hard disk to store audio. Open the Preferences (in the Edit menu, or the Audacity menu on Mac OS X) and click on the Directories tab. Make sure that the directory listed is on your preferred hard disk.

If your home directory is mounted from a remote server, you definitely do not want Audacity's temporary directory to be there!

Project Sample Rate

The sampling rate, sample rate, or sampling frequency defines the number of samples per second (or per other unit) taken from a continuous signal to make a discrete signal. For time-domain signals, it can be measured in samples per second.

A setting of 44100 is standard for creating files that can be burned to CD, or for high-quality MP3 files.

Setting up for playback

Start 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 toolbar by dragging right on the drag handle.

Choose your preferred audio host and output device from the drop-down menus. Click on Generate > Tone, accept the default values in the dialog then click OK: a 30-second tone will be generated into a new track. Press the spacebar to begin playback - you should hear a loud tone coming from your computer speakers. You can use the output slider on the Mixer Toolbar to control the volume at which you listen to your Audacity project.

Note that the playback meters in the Meter Toolbar do not change as you adjust the output slider: these meters always indicate the volume of the mix of your Audacity project.

Now that you know that you can hear what Audacity is playing you can continue setting up for recording.

Identifying the sound ports on your computer

First of all you need to know the sound input capabilities of your computer. Most desktop PCs (Windows and Linux) will have sound ports on the back of the computer similar to these illustrations.

	The rear of a typical PC	The color-coded jacks on the sound card

The red port is normally the microphone input, and is usually mono but might be stereo. The blue port is normally the line input port and is usually stereo. The green port is normally the headphone output port, also usually stereo. Check your computer manual to be sure.

PC laptops vary widely in the types of sound input and output ports they provide, where they are on the laptop, and how they are labelled. Again, check your computer manual to be sure of the capabilities of your laptop, where the ports are and how they are labelled.

Macs do not generally have a microphone input port.

	Audio connections on a PowerBook	Audio connections on an iMac

In these illustrations of sound ports on Macs, the round port with the headphone symbol is the Line Output port. The round port beside the headphone port is the line input port.

Other Macs (Mini, Mac Pro, MacBook and MacBook Pro) are similarly equipped. Check your manual for the locations and labelling of these ports.

Identifying various cables and plugs

The terms "jack", "socket" and "port" are often used interchangeably. These all refer to something that a plug plugs into. Plugs plug into jacks, plugs plug into sockets, and plugs plug into ports.

In this tutorial we will refer to sockets on a computer as ports, and sockets on audio equipment as jacks. This is consistent with common usage. A guitarist will plug into the jack on their amplifier, a computer user will plug their USB device into the USB port on their computer.

On virtually all computers the audio ports will be of a type referred to as 1/8", 3.5mm or mini-plug. Here's what these plugs look like.

	A mono mini-plug	A stereo mini-plug

Audio equipment may also use mini-jacks. Quite often the headphone output on portable equipment such as an iPod or Walkman will be a stereo mini-jack.

Audio equipment may also use the larger 1/4" jacks and plugs.

	A mono 1/4" plug	A stereo 1/4" plug

Stereo 1/4" jacks are often found on the front panels of non-portable (home) audio equipment such as home theatre receivers and cassette decks. They may also be found on DJ mixers and professional keyboards.

Electric guitars and amplifiers are equipped with 1/4" mono jacks.

Tip, Ring and Sleeve

The parts of a stereo or mono plug, either 1/8" or 1/4", are identified by the terms "tip", "ring" and "sleeve" as shown in the illustration above. A mono plug has no ring. Thus you may encounter the terms "TRS plug" or "TRS jack". In stereo operation the tip connects to the left channel signal, the ring to the right channel signal, and the sleeve to ground.

At this point I think we should start linking to separate sections as was done in the Copying LPs tutorial, with each page linking to the next logical section. That way the user can read about how to connect whatever it is they've got, then move on to the "testing the input connection" section.

Connecting a turntable to your computer

If you want to connect a turntable to your computer so you can transfer your vinyl LP collection to digital format (for use on your iPod or to burn to CDs, for example), please see the tutorial Copying tapes, LPs or minidiscs to CD.

Connecting a microphone to your computer

If your computer has a microphone input port

You're all set. Just plug a compatible microphone into the microphone input port on your computer.

What do we mean by compatible? Any microphone with a permanently attached cord that ends in a mini-plug should work. Note that many sound cards provide battery voltage for mono electret microphones on the ring of a stereo mini-plug. Check your computer manual to be sure if this feature is provided. If it is, be sure to use a microphone that is designed to accommodate this.

A computer headset-mic combination is pretty much guaranteed to work. These microphones are not the highest quality, but can be had fairly inexpensively. If you're just getting started and want to experiment without spending a lot of money, one of these would be a good choice. Just don't be surprised if your recorded voice sounds a bit tinny or flat.

Desktop-standing microphones can be had for at little as $10 or as much as $500. Choosing a microphone is beyond the scope of this tutorial. Try searching the web for "computer microphones", visit your local computer store, talk to your friends, or ask questions on the Audacity Forum.

Unless you are prepared to spend extra money for a microphone pre-amp or standalone mixer do not buy a microphone with an XLR connector:

	An XLR plug

If your computer does not have a microphone input port

Do not plug a microphone into the line input port on your computer. The volume will be way too low (the line input port does not apply the needed amplification to boost the very quiet signal from the microphone). You won't break anything, but you will be very frustrated with the results.

Option 1 - Buy a microphone to USB adapter

These devices plug into a USB port on your computer, and have a microphone input jack (usually 1/8").

Some options are the Griffin iMic, the M-Audio Transit USB and the Edirol UA-1EX.

You will still need a compatible microphone. Be sure to carefully read the specifications of any adapter you are considering and make sure you get a microphone that will work with that interface.

Option 2 - Buy a USB microphone

These microphones are becoming more common. They combine a microphone and the USB adapter all in one package.

Models are available by Logitech, Samson, Nady and Audio-technica, among others.

Option 3 - Buy a mixer

This may be the most expensive option but in the long run will provide the most flexibility.

Any inexpensive DJ mixer should include a microphone input. The electronics in the mixer will boost the microphone signal, and the output of the mixer will be connected to the line in port on your computer. The DJ mixer will also have inputs for turntables so you can use it record your LPs in preparation for converting them to CD. The DJ mixer will most likely have line level inputs as well, so you could connect a cassette deck or other line level source to the mixer.

Another option is a small inexpensive microphone and line level mixer. Note that these mixers do not usually include inputs for turntables.

When purchasing a mixer make sure to also buy a microphone that is compatible with the mixer. Unless you are sure of what you are doing it is probably best to visit your local music store. Don't let them sell you a $1000 DJ mixer and $500 microphone - unless you are a professional DJ you don't need equipment at that level.

The advantage of a mixer is that you can connect all your audio sources to the mixer then connect the mixer to your computer. No need to be constantly re-plugging things at the back of your computer.

To connect the mixer to your computer you will need a dual-RCA to stereo mini-plug cable like this one:

	Dual-RCA to mini-plug cable

Plug the RCA plugs into the RCA output jacks on the back of the mixer. Plug the stereo mini-plug into the line input port on your computer.

Connecting a keyboard to your computer

If the keyboard has RCA jacks on the back then the best way to connect it is with a cable with a dual RCA to stereo mini-plug cable as shown above, plugged from the RCA output jacks on the back of the keyboard to the line input port of the computer.

If the keyboard doesn't have RCA output jacks but does have a 1/8" stereo headphone jack, the easiest way to connect it is with a cable with a stereo mini-plug on each end, plugged from the headphone output of the keyboard to the line input port of the computer.

If the keyboard has 1/4" jacks on the back (usually provided to connect the keyboard to a guitar amplifier) you will need to create an adapter cable using a dual RCA to stereo mini-plug cable, and two RCA to 1/4" adapters.

	An RCA to 1/4" adapter

Plug the RCA plugs into the RCA jacks on the adapters - you now have a dual 1/4" to stereo mini-plug cable.

Connecting a guitar to your computer

Generally the output level from an electric guitar is sufficient to drive the line input port on a computer. You will need an adapter cable that goes from a 1/4" mono plug (to plug into the guitar) to a mono mini-plug (to plug into the computer line input port).

You probably have a guitar cable for plugging the guitar into an amp, and you may be tempted to buy a 1/4" to 1/8" adapter, plug one end of your guitar cable into the adapter and then plug the adapter into the line input port - don't do this! This creates a heavy, stiff cable hanging off the back of your computer - the slightest tug in the wrong direction could damage your sound card! A better solution is to find a 1/4" mono to 1/8" mono shielded cable that is light and flexible.

Testing the input connection

Before you fire up Audacity you should use your computer's sound control panel to choose the sound input that you want Audacity to hear. Once you have verified that you are getting sound into the computer you can move on to getting that sound into Audacity.

• Details for Macintosh (separate page with link to setup section)

1. Connect your input device to the appropriate port on your computer.
2. Click on Apple Menu > System Preferences, then choose the Sound panel, then the Input tab
3. Click on your chosen input device under "Choose a device for sound input"
4. If the Input volume slider is active, set it to maximum (note the this slider will be inactive if your input device is "USB Audio Codec")
5. Make some sound (speak into the microphone, play the instrument, etc.) and observe the "Input level" meter - some of the blue bars should "light up".

If you get no indication on the Input level meter, you need to stop now and troubleshoot your connection to the computer. If no sound is coming into the computer then no sound will come into Audacity. Further help is available on our Mac Bugs wiki page and on the Audacity Forum.

• Details for Windows (separate page with link to setup section)
• Details for Linux (separate page with link to setup section)

Setting up Audacity

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.