demobook

Copying smart clips between Audacity sessions

Demo summary

A demonstration of copying an audio segment from one project and pasting it into another as a 'smart clip' to retain editing flexibility.

Step-by-step

  1. Split the audio to isolate the desired section
  2. Select the audio segment and copy it
  3. Open a new Audacity session
  4. Paste the segment using Control or Command + V
  5. Select either 'Smart Clip' or 'Selected Audio Only' from the prompt

Options

  • Paste as a Smart Clip to retain non-destructive editing capabilities
  • Paste as Selected Audio Only to include only the specific cut segment

Watch out for

  • Pasting as a Smart Clip increases the session file size because it copies the entire underlying audio file

Tips

  • Use 'Selected Audio Only' if the audio is already fully edited, such as a finished intro
  • Use 'Smart Clips' if you anticipate needing to re-edit or adjust the clip boundaries later

All demos from “What's New In Audacity 2026 (Audacity Accelerator Update)

  1. 6:311:35Non-destructive editing and clip dragging in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to use the new clip handle bar to drag audio segments and how to recover deleted sections using the non-destructive trim tool.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  2. 8:101:04Copying smart clips between Audacity sessionsCurrentA demonstration of copying an audio segment from one project and pasting it into another as a 'smart clip' to retain editing flexibility.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  3. 10:001:53Applying real-time effects in AudacityThe narrator shows how to add live, non-destructive effects like EQ, compression, and reverb to a track while monitoring the output and visual response.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  4. 11:550:53Using Master Effects and LimitersThe demonstration shows how to apply a limiter to the master bus in Audacity to prevent clipping across all tracks simultaneously.AudacityAI Mastering
  5. 12:521:00Time stretching and pitch shifting clipsThe narrator demonstrates using the Alt/Option key to drag the edge of a clip for time stretching and using keyboard shortcuts to shift pitch independently.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  6. 13:550:30Switching timeline to beats and measuresA walkthrough of changing the timeline ruler from seconds to musical beats and measures and enabling the snap-to-grid feature.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  7. Watch “What's New In Audacity 2026 (Audacity Accelerator Update)” →

AI Audio Editor

  1. 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.Dewi Jenkins
  2. 17:272:36Apply Compressor effectThe user shows how to use the Compressor effect to even out volume and add punch to a vocal track.Dewi Jenkins
  3. 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.Dewi Jenkins
  4. 28:470:46Import audio filesShows three ways to bring external audio files onto the Audacity timeline using menus and keyboard shortcuts.Dewi Jenkins
  5. 29:330:32Split audio clipsDemonstrates how to use the right-click menu to create a split point in an audio track.Dewi Jenkins
  6. 30:260:46Zoom in and out of waveformsDemonstrates using Ctrl + Scroll and the magnifying glass tool to navigate the audio timeline.Dewi Jenkins
  7. 6:311:35Non-destructive editing and clip dragging in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to use the new clip handle bar to drag audio segments and how to recover deleted sections using the non-destructive trim tool.Joe at Claricast
  8. 8:101:04Copying smart clips between Audacity sessionsCurrentA demonstration of copying an audio segment from one project and pasting it into another as a 'smart clip' to retain editing flexibility.Joe at Claricast
  9. 10:001:53Applying real-time effects in AudacityThe narrator shows how to add live, non-destructive effects like EQ, compression, and reverb to a track while monitoring the output and visual response.Joe at Claricast
  10. 12:521:00Time stretching and pitch shifting clipsThe narrator demonstrates using the Alt/Option key to drag the edge of a clip for time stretching and using keyboard shortcuts to shift pitch independently.Joe at Claricast
  11. 13:550:30Switching timeline to beats and measuresA walkthrough of changing the timeline ruler from seconds to musical beats and measures and enabling the snap-to-grid feature.Joe at Claricast
  12. 2:412:23Normalize audio in AudacityThe narrator demonstrates how to select a track and apply the Normalize effect in Audacity, adjusting the peak amplitude to -3 dB to establish a consistent volume baseline.Master Editor