Audio+Editors

toc Audio Editors refer to software that allow the user to import sound files and make changes to them. Below is a visual representation of Audacity in an open Mac OS X window.



=About = The term "Audio Editors" refers to a group of technology that can be used to cut, mix, record, or otherwise change or create an audio track. These programs vary in complexity from simple cut and paste frameworks to multi-step programs that can produce professional grade audio recordings. Similar to video editors, many audio editors can be used for free online.

=Specific Tools =

Audacity
Audacity is a free, easy to use, open source, multilingual audio editor (a program which records and edits audio clips). It is offered as a free download from SourceForge.net. The program runs on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and other operating systems. It can edit various sound files, including Ogg Vorbis, MP3, WAV, and AIFF. Audacity can also be used to record live audio and to convert tapes and records into digital recordings or CDs (Compact Discs). The program is continually updated and revamped; a download of the latest version can be found on the home page of the Audacity SourceForge website.

  Audacity was created by Dominic Mazzoni and Roger Dannenberg in the fall of 1999 at Carnegie Mellon University. It was first released as free, open-source software at SourceForge.net in May of 2000. Since it is an open-source software, the program can be edited by anyone. SourceForge.net welcomes donations to support Audacity and encourages users to study the program's code to offer suggestions, documentation, translations, and testing.

 According to Wikipedia.com, Audacity has become extremely popular in modern education. This is due to the fact that the program is free to download and easy to use for teachers and students alike.

How to Use
 Lynda.com professional guide on how to use Audacity

 Below is a general overview and guide on how to use Audacity (Windows):

 **How to Import Sound Clips into Audacity**  One of the most basic steps in editing an audio clip in Audacity, the first thing you need to do is import a file into the audacity work area. To do this, go to File > import > audio > select file. This will allow you to select a saved audio clip into the program. Another way you can do this is to click and drag it from your computer and place it into the Audacity work space.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Basic Functions ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> The top right corner has your most essential buttons which include the play, stop, pause, record, and skip buttons. NOTE: You cannot edit your audio clip if it is paused! Next to those buttons is another menu which houses the various tools you will need to edit your audio clip. This include the selection tool, the zoom tools, and the time shift tool.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How to Cut, Split, Merge, Copy, Paste Audio Clips ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Many of the more advanced techniques are housed in the edit menu at the top of your screen. To cut, go to Edit > remove audio or labels > cut. You may also use the tool that looks like a pair of scissors near the top of your screen. To split your audio, first select where you would like the audio to be split by clicking on it. Then do to Edit > clip boundaries > split. Merging a audio clip is as easy as clicking on the line that appears between the clips when they are lined up. To copy a selected clip go to Edit > copy. You can also use Control+C. Finally, to paste, go to Edit > paste or you can use Control+V.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How to Remove Unwanted Noises ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> To remove unwanted background noise first select the noise you would like to remove. Then go to Effect (at the top) > noise removal > get profile. This will allow Audacity to recognize the type of noise you would like to have removed. Then select entire track > effect > noise removal > OK to remove the unwanted noise. Make sure you select 32db as this is the default number of decibels.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Fade Outs and Speeding Up or Slowing Down Audio Clips ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> To use a Fade out on your audio clip you need to select a portion of it. Then go to Effects > Fade out. To speed up or slow down your clip, first select a portion of it. Then go to Effects > change speed. Here you can either increase or decrease the speed of the selected audio.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> **<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">How to Export or "Save" Audio Clips and the Different Formats ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> To Export your audio clips go to File > export > choose file type > save. Be careful when choosing the type of file you want to save your audio clip as and make sure it is compatible with your operating system. To only export a selection of your audio clip first selection the portion that you would like to export and then go to File > export > choose file type > save.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Implementation Ideas =

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">English

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Students can use Audacity to record themselves reciting a work. This can be used to help students' pronunciation by doing projects such as book reports or story writing and then implementing Audacity to have students record their work aloud. See this link for more information.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can use to record (group) readings to provide copies for IEP, ESL, or LD students.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Science

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can be used to examine the sound waves and patterns associated with different sounds. Students can record themselves talk or other sounds and compare/contrast the wave formations.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Social Studies

 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Can be used to make and/or edit an important content related speech such as a presidential speech. Audacity can also be used to record advertisements, debates, or discussions about other content issues such as environmental issues, politics, economics, etc. See this link for an example.

=<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Opinions & Feedback = =<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Other Helpful Links =
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">General **
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A working internet connection is necessary to download Audacity, so users without internet capability may not be able to use the program.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Basic knowledge about how waveforms behave is necessary to competently run Audacity.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Since Audacity can run on multiple system platforms, and is a free download, it is easily accessible to the majority of personal computer owners.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The basic program tools are easy to use.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The use of an "undo" button saves time and allows users to experiment freely with clips in the program.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Although the record function is built into the Audacity program, if the user does not have a high-quality microphone, then recording may result in clipping and background noise.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In order to export certain types of sound clips, download of a plugin may be required.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Advanced filters may not be easy to use and may require advanced waveform knowledge.
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 * 5) <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/Audio+Tools