demobook

Prepare audio track in Audacity

Demo summary

The user demonstrates how to trim, zoom, and duplicate an audio waveform in Audacity using keyboard shortcuts and UI handles to prepare for processing.

Step-by-step

  1. Press Command+T (Mac) or Control+T (PC) to trim the audio
  2. Press Command+2 to zoom the waveform to size
  3. Drag the UI handle to increase the visual height of the waveform
  4. Copy and paste the track to create a duplicate for comparison

Options

  • Use Control+T instead of Command+T if on a PC

Tips

  • Create a side-by-side comparison by duplicating the track before you start processing

All demos from “5 EASY Steps For Sounding Better in Audacity

  1. 0:510:15Prepare audio track in AudacityCurrentThe user demonstrates how to trim, zoom, and duplicate an audio waveform in Audacity using keyboard shortcuts and UI handles to prepare for processing.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  2. 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.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  3. 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.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  4. 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.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  5. 3:500:09Second normalization pass in AudacityA second normalization step is demonstrated to bring the compressed audio back to the target -1 dB level.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  6. 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.AudacityAI Audio Editor
  7. Watch “5 EASY Steps For Sounding Better in Audacity” →

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 sessionsA 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