Audacity: Import audio files

Demo summary
Shows three ways to bring external audio files onto the Audacity timeline using menus and keyboard shortcuts.
Step-by-step
- Go to File
- Select Open or Import Audio
- Choose the audio track from your files
- Click to place it on the timeline
Options
- Use File > Open to bring in a track
- Use File > Import > Audio to bring in a track
- Use the Ctrl + O keyboard shortcut
Watch out for
- Using the Ctrl + O shortcut may open the file in a new Audacity window rather than the current one
All demos from “Audacity 3.7.7: Beginner Tutorial | EVERYTHING You Need to Know!”
4:311:04Record audio in AudacityA walkthrough of recording a first track, including checking preferences, using the red record button, and managing multiple tracks with the pause and stop functions.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
10:064:58Remove background noise with Noise ReductionThe narrator demonstrates the multi-step process of capturing a noise profile and applying noise reduction to eliminate background sounds like a door slam.Audacity· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
15:042:19Eliminate breathing sounds with Noise GateA demonstration of using the Noise Gate effect in Audacity to automatically silence inhale sounds between spoken words.Audacity· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
17:272:36Apply Compressor effectThe user shows how to use the Compressor effect to even out volume and add punch to a vocal track.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
20:032:17Use the Limiter effectA demonstration of applying the Limiter effect to smooth out loud spikes and increase the overall vibrancy of the audio.Audacity· AI Mastering
22:202:41Normalize vs Amplify comparisonThe narrator compares the Amplify and Normalize effects side-by-side on the same track to show the difference in peak handling.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
25:013:43Boost low volume audio workflowA step-by-step demonstration of a four-part workflow (Noise Reduction, Compressor, Amplify, and Limiter) to fix quiet recordings.Audacity· AI Audio Enhancer & Noise Reduction
28:470:46Import audio filesCurrentShows three ways to bring external audio files onto the Audacity timeline using menus and keyboard shortcuts.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
29:330:32Split audio clipsDemonstrates how to use the right-click menu to create a split point in an audio track.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
30:260:46Zoom in and out of waveformsDemonstrates using Ctrl + Scroll and the magnifying glass tool to navigate the audio timeline.Audacity· AI Audio Editor- Watch “Audacity 3.7.7: Beginner Tutorial | EVERYTHING You Need to Know!” →
AI Audio Editor
22:520:11Moving audio clips with handles in Audacity 3.1The narrator demonstrates how the addition of visual handles allows users to drag and move audio clips horizontally without switching to a dedicated 'Time Shift' mode.Tantacrul
24:490:17Applying real-time effects stacksThe narrator demonstrates opening the effects panel on a track to stack VST or Audio Unit plugins non-destructively.Tantacrul
43:120:38Using the redesigned Graphic EqualizerThe demo shows the improved legibility of the equalizer, including decibel popups when dragging sliders and the ability to draw curves across multiple sliders.Tantacrul
0:560:14Accessing the Master Effects Channel in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to open the effects panel by clicking the effects button on a track and locating the new Master Channel to apply a real-time compressor to the overall mix.Audacity
0:270:44Apply EQ filters in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to select audio and apply Bass Boost, Treble Boost, and Low Roll-off for Speech using the Filter Curve EQ effect in Audacity.GuideRealm
1:110:20Configure audio compressor in AudacityThe user shows how to navigate to the Compressor effect in Audacity and input specific values for threshold, noise floor, and ratio to normalize the audio.GuideRealm
0:510:15Prepare audio track in AudacityThe user demonstrates how to trim, zoom, and duplicate an audio waveform in Audacity using keyboard shortcuts and UI handles to prepare for processing.Mike Russell
1:081:41Apply Filter Curve EQ in AudacityThe demonstrator walks through opening the Filter Curve EQ, setting a flat default, and manually adjusting handles to boost high-end crispness, roll off low-end rumble, and reduce nasality.Mike Russell
3:060:12Normalize audio in AudacityThe user shows how to navigate to the Volume and Compression menu to apply a -1 dB normalization to the selected audio track.Mike Russell
3:180:32Apply Compressor settings in AudacityThe demonstrator configures the Audacity compressor by adjusting threshold, makeup gain, and ratio settings to flatten the vocal dynamics.Mike Russell
3:500:09Second normalization pass in AudacityA second normalization step is demonstrated to bring the compressed audio back to the target -1 dB level.Mike Russell
4:080:17Apply Limiter in AudacityThe user demonstrates applying a limiter effect with a -5 dB threshold to chop off high-end peaks and finalize the audio levels.Mike Russell