Select and configure a microphone in Audacity
Audacity
Demo summary
The narrator demonstrates how to use the 'Audio Setup' button to select a recording device, including how to rescan for newly connected hardware like the Scarlet 2i2 interface.
Step-by-step
- Click on the Audio Setup button in the top toolbar
- Hover over Recording Device to view the list of connected microphones
- Identify your desired device by looking for the check mark next to its name
- Click on a different device name to switch the active microphone
- Select Rescan Audio Devices if a newly plugged-in microphone does not appear in the list
- Verify the selection by reopening the Audio Setup menu to confirm the check mark location
Options
- Select virtual microphones created by other software
- Select a physical USB microphone directly
- Select an audio interface to use microphones connected via XLR
Watch out for
- Microphones plugged in after Audacity is already open will not appear until you rescan
- Microphones connected via an interface will display the name of the interface (e.g., Scarlet 2i2) rather than the microphone model name
Tips
- Be aware that different models may display unfamiliar labels or technical names in the list
- Confirm your selection by ensuring the check mark appears next to the intended device
Highlights
“if this happens to you there's a simple fix”
All demos from “Audacity Step by Step Tutorial for Beginners - 2026”
- 2:422:00Select and configure a microphone in AudacityCurrentThe narrator demonstrates how to use the 'Audio Setup' button to select a recording device, including how to rescan for newly connected hardware like the Scarlet 2i2 interface.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
- 4:500:33Enable the Device Toolbar in AudacityThe user navigates to the View menu and Toolbars to enable the Device Toolbar for easier monitoring of active audio inputs.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
- 9:482:00Monitor and adjust input levelsThe demonstration shows how to enable 'Silent Monitoring' on the recording meter to check for clipping and adjust the gain slider to stay below -6 dB.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
- 12:400:48Save an Audacity projectThe user demonstrates going to File > Save Project to create a local .aup3 file to preserve the recording session.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
- 13:580:15Playback recorded audioThe narrator demonstrates clicking a specific spot on the timeline and using the space bar to play back the recorded clip.Audacity· AI Audio Editor
- Watch “Audacity Step by Step Tutorial for Beginners - 2026” →
AI Audio Editor
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- 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
- 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
- 28:470:46Import audio filesShows three ways to bring external audio files onto the Audacity timeline using menus and keyboard shortcuts.Dewi Jenkins
- 29:330:32Split audio clipsDemonstrates how to use the right-click menu to create a split point in an audio track.Dewi Jenkins
- 30:260:46Zoom in and out of waveformsDemonstrates using Ctrl + Scroll and the magnifying glass tool to navigate the audio timeline.Dewi Jenkins
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- 8:101:04Copying 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
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