Audacious ‘Audacity’ – from an article for Zone Magazine

Free recording, editing and mixing programme for PC and MAC.

In the second article in a series on ICT programmes for free, David Wheway writes about the wonderful programme ‘Audacity’ – audaciously versatile and audaciously - free

David Wheway is a freelance musician and advisor -working in schools and LEAs around the country. His work includes introducing programmes such as Audacity through Inset and classroom workshops.

Audacity is available from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/

Background
For the last few years I have visited many schools encouraging children and teachers to utilise computers and other technology for music-making. In my first article on ICT for Free (‘Owt for Nowt’, Zone magazine edition 5) I outlined ways in which the programme ‘Sound Recorder could be used to capture and edit sounds using a single computer with a whole class of children. In this article on ‘Audacity’ I have assumed similar organisation, with pupils making collective decisions regarding the editing and mixing processes. However I will also suggest ways in which the resulting sound files could be used in a computer suite or with a set of computers.

So what can ‘Audacity’ do?
For excellent recording and mixing ‘Audacity’ is equal to many costly programmes on the market. Its editing features are comprehensive and offer enormous potential for detailed and subtle refinements, meaning the programme can be used at whatever education phase.
Recording is pretty much unlimited – although I have never tried recording beyond around 10 minutes. Sound quality is excellent (recording at 44,100 kHz - equal to CD quality).
Once recorded sounds (vocal, ‘found’ instrumental) can be changed in a myriad of ways under the ‘Effects’ drop down menu. Vocal sounds can be changed to create monsters, water sounds, machine sounds, etc., as well as ‘new’ and unusual sounds. Teachers with some understanding of sound editing will enjoy altering the parameters of the selected sounds. However, teachers without such expertise can simply accept the editing suggestions. For instance, if you wish to amplify a very quiet recording the programme will suggest how many decibels will be acceptable before the sound is distorted.
The slide control can be moved left to accept less amplification – or even make the sound quieter than the original.

Once a sound has been changed the ‘Edit’ menu allows unlimited ‘undo’ – right back to the last save made.
The `Effects’ menu allows many changes to be made to sounds, including improving sound quality. Many teachers will enjoy the option of slowing down a recording without affecting pitch or vice-versa. For instance a live piano accompaniment could be recorded then transposed to whatever key. On a recent recording I did of children singing a `speeding’ soloist was brought into line with the rest of the recording by slowing her tempo without altering her pitch.
It is the mixing facility however where I feel the programme is a real ‘hit’ in the classroom. Sound files can be imported en masse within the `Project’ drop-down menu. These may be sounds recorded within the programme or sounds made in other programmes such as ‘Sound Recorder’ or found on the internet. I usually import a maximum of around 7 sounds at a time using the ‘Import Audio’ option under drop down menu ‘Project’


If pupils are unhappy with the results, they can move or edit individual sounds to get it ‘just right’. Finally a mix can be saved for future editing (really useful if you run out of time and need to start from where you left off using the ‘Save Project As…’ option within the File drop-down menu, or exported as a ‘wave’ or ‘Ogg Vorbis’ file which compresses all tracks to a single track.
As a wave file it can be burnt as audio and/or data. As Ogg Vorbis the file is compressed to less than a tenth its original size – very useful when storing or transferring lots of files (e.g. from a laptop to a computer suite). These files can be opened in Audacity as normal.

OPERATING ‘AUDACITY’
Ensure your microphone is attached and switched on, then press the red ‘record’ button and make some sounds into the microphone.
Press the yellow ‘stop’ button, and then the green ‘play’ button to listen to your recording.

Effects
There are a broad range of options under the ‘Effects’ drop down menu. Highlight a track to be changed by left clicking the mouse and sweeping over the track. Then click on an effects option. A change will be suggested or you can change the effects as desired. Exploration is fine at this point – just try different changes and see what happens. If you don’t like the change – simple ‘Undo’ under the Edit drop-down menu.

Saving
Go to 'File' - 'Export as WAV' and give the file a name. Notice the extension for the files is 'wav'. This will save in wave format - very useful for importing/exporting to and from other programmes, or burning as audio or data to a CD. The files can be stored anywhere - but I would suggest setting up a document folder in 'My Documents'. 
An alternative is to export the files as ‘Ogg Vorbis’ This saves files as data only, but reduces the file size greatly. This could be important if the only way of transporting the files (for instance to a computer suite) is by floppy disc.

Mixing
Using the ‘Import Audio’ option under the Project drop-down menu, select tracks to be mixed (up to around 7 tracks) . This places them all within the ‘Audacity’ window. To see all the tracks select ‘Fit Vertically’ within the View drop-down menu.
Using the ‘Time shift’ tool tracks can be moved to the desired place in the recording, with pupils making fine adjustments through observing and listening to the results.

Computer Suites
Once a collection of sound files has been created pupils could use them to make their own mixes, either individually or in pairs by transferring the sounds to the computer suite. The pupils could compare results, noting similarities and differences.

Further ideas:

Pupil evaluation

Saving internally
Anything that can be heard on your computer can be saved using the ‘Stereo mix’ option in the audio properties (see in the Entertainment or Audio folder). This allows recording from the internet, other programmes, CDs, etc. (Bear in mind there may be copyright issues). Change the recording input to Stereo Mix
Press record and then play the sound source. Check recording levels (i.e. keep them within the track band width) then make your recording.
A number of recordings can be mixed or sequences as with other Audacity recordings.
An excellent use of this facility might be to combine a number of short recordings compiled from a set of school CDs (e.g. Dance melodies). These could be put together for a lesson or presentation. This saves time searching for tracks and loading CDs.

OVERALL
Pros
Simple to load;
Simple to use for all children, especially KS2 upwards
Very good for exploring and changing vocal and instrumental sounds;
Encourages careful listening and discussion;
Creates sounds and pieces otherwise unachievable in the primary classroom
Excellent mixing and editing facilities

Cons
Nope – can’t think of any.

Conclusion
Audacity is a fantastic tool for recording, editing and mixing sounds. For older pupils it offers a fantastic array of effects for exploring and creating new sounds. For younger pupils (perhaps with the teachers support) it offers easy editing of sounds recorded and changed within the programme, or imported from other programmes such as ‘Sound Recorder’.
The programme is free to download and once on your computer is there for as long as you wish. The Audacity site will prompt you with news of updates if desired.
How can such a versatile programme be available for free?
Don’t ask – just use and enjoy!

Current prices
Free to download for MAC or PC from http://audacity.sourceforge.net

Further reading: ’Ideas in- Music out’ published by NAME (National Association of Music Educators.
Contact Helen Fraser, NAME AdministratorGordon LodgeSnitterton RoadMatlock
Derbyshire DE4 3LZ;     or contact www.NAME.ork.uk