The Book of Audacity Record, Edit, Mix, and Master with the Free Audio Editor

388 Pages·2011·25.849 MB·English

by  Carla Schroder

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The Book of Audacity is the definitive guide to Audacity, • Digitize your vinyl or tape collection and clean up
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the powerful, free, cross-platform audio editor that noise, hisses, and clicks R E C O R D , E D I T , M I X , A N D M A S T E R W I T H
transforms any Windows, Mac, or Linux computer into • Create custom ringtones and sweet special effects OO T H E F R E E A U D I O E D I T O R
a powerful recording studio.
This is the perfect book for bands on a budget, solo In addition, you’ll learn how to choose and use digital OO
audio hardware like mics and preamps, and tune
artists, audiophiles, and anyone who wants to learn
your computer for flawless audio performance. You’ll KK
more about digital audio. Musician and podcaster C A R L A S C H R O D E R
also find out how to package your work for digital
Carla Schroder will guide you through a range of fun
distribution, whether you want to share a podcast
and useful Audacity projects that will demystify that OO
through iTunes or sell your own CDs.
geeky audio jargon and show you how to get the most
from Audacity. With The Book of Audacity as your guide, you’ll finally FF
be able to build that home recording studio that you’ve
You’ll learn how to:
been talking about for years. The fun starts now. AA
• Record podcasts, interviews, and live performances
ABOUT THE AUTHOR UU
• Be your own backing band or chorus
Carla Schroder is the author of Linux Cookbook, Linux
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• Edit, splice, mix, and master multitrack recordings Networking Cookbook (both O’Reilly), and hundreds
• Create super high-fidelity and surround-sound of how-tos for various technology publications, and is AA
the managing editor of Linux Today and Linux Planet.
recordings Carla enjoys playing instruments and recording local CC
bands using Audacity. She is a systems and network
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administrator.
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THE BOOK OF AUDACITY

THE BOOK OF
AUDACITY
Record, Edit, Mix, and Master
with the Free Audio Editor
by Carla Schroder
SanFrancisco
THEBOOKOFAUDACITY.Copyright©2011byCarlaSchroder.
Allrightsreserved.Nopartofthisworkmaybereproducedortransmittedinanyformorbyanymeans,electronic
ormechanical,includingphotocopying,recording,orbyanyinformationstorageorretrievalsystem,withoutthe
priorwrittenpermissionofthecopyrightownerandthepublisher.
15 14131211 123456789
ISBN-10:1-59327-270-7
ISBN-13:978-1-59327-270-8
Publisher:WilliamPollock
ProductionEditor:SerenaYang
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Forinformationonbookdistributorsortranslations,pleasecontactNoStarchPress,Inc.directly:
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phone:[phone];fax:[phone];[email protected];www.nostarch.com
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Schroder, Carla.
The book of Audacity : record, edit, mix, and master with the free audio editor / by Carla Schroder.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-270-8
ISBN-10: 1-59327-270-7
1. Audacity (Computer file) 2. Digital audio editors. I. Title.
ML74.4.A84S37 2010
781.3’4536-dc22
2010037594
NoStarchPressandtheNoStarchPresslogoareregisteredtrademarksofNoStarchPress,Inc.Otherproductand
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personorentitywithrespecttoanylossordamagecausedorallegedtobecauseddirectlyorindirectlybytheinfor-
mationcontainedinit.
Thankyou,TJ!Itjustkeepsgettingbetter!

BRIEF CONTENTS
Acknowledgments ...................................................................xvii
Introduction......................................................................... xix
Chapter1:AudacityfromStarttoFinish ............................................... 1
Chapter2:BuildingaGoodDigitalSoundStudioontheCheap.......................... 31
Chapter3:TransferringVinylLPs(andOtherLegacyMedia)toCD ....................... 53
Chapter4:CreatingandEditingLiveTracksforCD ..................................... 79
Chapter5:AuthoringaCompilationCD ...............................................101
Chapter6:AuthoringSuperHigh-FidelityAudioDVDs...................................119
Chapter7:CreatingPodcasts.........................................................133
Chapter8:BecominganOnlineStar ..................................................151
Chapter9:MultitrackRecording ......................................................165
Chapter10:MakingYourOwnRingtones..............................................195
Chapter11:AudacityPlug-insforSpecialEffects........................................207
Chapter12:Fix-itsandCleanups......................................................233
Chapter13:ConfiguringLinuxforBestAudioQuality ...................................257
Chapter14:ConfiguringWindowsforBestAudioQuality...............................291
Chapter15:CustomizingAudacity....................................................303
AppendixA:AudioHardware........................................................317
AppendixB:Glossary................................................................323
AppendixC:SevenMythsofDigitalAudio.............................................333
ReferencesandResources ............................................................337
Index...............................................................................344