Audio Editing for Beginners - Using Audacity (Free Software) from Udemy

Do you want to learn how to sound like a pro using a free audio editing software?

Then you've come to the right place.

In this course you will be learning how to use Audacity, a completely free software to transform your audio and make it sound like it's coming from a professional microphone.

But this course is very different because we simply don't start with Audacity without any background in audio recording.

Because one of the important lessons that you will learn is that no matter which audio editing software you use, the ultimate result you get out of it also depends on the quality of the audio you put inside it. So with that in mind, we will first cover the following points:

Understanding the different types of microphones
Understanding the importance of some microphone accessories
Understanding the importance of recording audio in the correct environment

Once you've gone through this, you will have a solid understanding of the art of recording audio in the correct way.

That is time we will go into Audacity.

And you will learn the following things:The basics of using Audacity
How to use Audacity to correct the volume of the audio
How to use Audacity to remove noise in the audio
How to use the frequency based filters in Audacity to remove unwanted sounds
How to use Audacity to make the audio more even and consistent
How to add bass and treble to make the audio sound better
How to use Macros (Presets) in Audacity to edit your audio with a single click

...and so much more.

Once we are done with Audacity, we will two more sections where we will learn the following things:

How to use AI to edit audio with a single click
How to use a paid software to edit audio

So you can clearly see that this course is more than just about using Audacity. Even though this course will make you master Audacity, this course covers so much more that you will feel like an expert in the field of audio itself.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up right now and let's get started.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The basics of using audacity
How to use audacity to correct the volume of the audio
How to use audacity to remove noise in the audio
How to use the frequency based filters in audacity to remove unwanted sounds
How to use audacity to make the audio more even and consistent
How to use macros (presets) in audacity to edit your audio with a single click
Understanding the different types of microphones

Understanding the importance of some microphone accessories
Understanding the importance of recording audio in the correct environment
Usage of ai in audio editing
Using a paid software to edit audio
Show more
Show less

The basics of using audacity
How to use audacity to correct the volume of the audio
How to use audacity to remove noise in the audio
How to use the frequency based filters in audacity to remove unwanted sounds
How to use audacity to make the audio more even and consistent
How to use macros (presets) in audacity to edit your audio with a single click
Understanding the different types of microphones
Understanding the importance of some microphone accessories
Understanding the importance of recording audio in the correct environment
Usage of ai in audio editing
Using a paid software to edit audio
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Introduction to the Course

Welcome to the Course

Why This Course Covers Much More Than Audio Editing

Recommended Audio Gear List - Mics and Accessories

Different Types of Microphones

According to Connectivity - USB Mic and XLR Mic

According to Functionality - Condenser Mic and Dynamic Mic

Lavalier or Lapel Mic

Which type of mic is best for beginners?

Exploring Good Quality Mics on Amazon - Part 1

Exploring Good Quality Mics on Amazon - Part 2

Exploring Good Quality Mics on Amazon - Part 3

Important Microphone Accessories

Microphone Boom-Arm Stand

Shock Mount

Windscreen

Pop Filter

Recording Audio in the Correct Environment

Understanding How Sound Works

How to Correct Echo/Reverb in Your Recording Room

Editing Audio in Audacity

Downloading and Installing Audacity on Your Computer

The Audio Editing Process We Will be Using

Basic Settings and Functions in Audacity

Recording a Sample Audio to Edit

Download the Sample Audio Recording

Correcting the Volume - Part 1 (Fixing the Glitches by Using the Amplify Effect)

Correcting the Volume - Part 2 (Why Manual Approaches Don't Work Well)

Correcting the Volume - Part 3 (Applying the Normalize Effect)

Applying the Compressor Effect to Make the Audio Waveform Even

Applying the Limiter Effect to Make the Audio Waveform Even More Even

Applying the Normalize Effect on the Altered Audio Waveform

Correlating an Audio Interface With Audacity Effects

Applying the Noise Reduction Effect

Understanding and Applying Frequency Based Effects (High and Low Pass Filter)

Adding Bass and Treble Effects (Equalization)

How to Create a Macro (Preset) in Audacity For One Click Audio Editing

Recording and Editing Audio from the Blue Yeti - The Entire Process from A to Z

How to Export Audio in Audacity

Download the PDF which has the export settings for different scenarios

Using AI in Audio Editing

Using a Free Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool for One-Click Audio Editing

Using Paid Software for Audio Editing

Editing Audio in Adobe Premiere Pro - Part 1

Editing Audio in Adobe Premiere Pro - Part 2

Conclusion

Conclusion - One Important Point to Remember

Bonus Lecture - List of all my courses

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Begins with microphone types and recording environments, which builds a strong foundation for learners new to audio editing

Teaches Audacity, a free and open-source software, which lowers the barrier to entry for aspiring audio editors

Explores microphone accessories like boom arms, shock mounts, windscreens, and pop filters, which are essential for professional audio recording

Covers noise reduction, frequency-based effects, and equalization, which are standard techniques for improving audio quality

Includes a section on using AI for audio editing, which introduces learners to modern techniques and tools

Briefly touches on using paid software like Adobe Premiere Pro, which may require a separate subscription for full access

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Audio Editing for Beginners - Using Audacity (Free Software) with these activities:

Review Sound Fundamentals

Show steps

Reviewing the fundamentals of sound will help you better understand the concepts of audio editing and how different effects work in Audacity.

Browse courses on Sound Waves

Show steps

Read articles or watch videos explaining sound waves and their properties.
Review the concepts of frequency, amplitude, and wavelength.
Practice identifying different sound characteristics.

Read 'The Location Sound Bible'

Show steps

Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of recording audio in different environments, which can improve the quality of your raw audio and reduce the need for extensive editing.

View Make Some Noise: Sound Effects Recording for... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'The Location Sound Bible'.
Read the chapters related to microphone placement and noise reduction.
Apply the techniques described in your own recording setup.

Read 'Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio'

Show steps

Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of audio mixing techniques, which can be applied to improve the quality of your audio edits in Audacity.

View Recording Secrets for the Small Studio (Sound... on Amazon

Show steps

Obtain a copy of 'Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio'.
Read the chapters related to EQ, compression, and noise reduction.
Experiment with the techniques described in Audacity.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Noise Reduction Exercises

Show steps

Practicing noise reduction techniques will help you master the noise reduction tools in Audacity and improve the clarity of your audio.

Show steps

Record audio samples with varying levels of background noise.
Use Audacity's noise reduction tool to remove the noise.
Compare the original and processed audio to evaluate the effectiveness of the noise reduction.

Create a Short Podcast Episode

Show steps

Creating a podcast episode will allow you to apply all the audio editing techniques learned in the course and produce a polished audio product.

Show steps

Plan the content and script for a short podcast episode.
Record the audio using a microphone and appropriate accessories.
Edit the audio in Audacity, applying noise reduction, volume correction, and equalization.
Export the final audio file and share it with others.

Explore Advanced Audacity Tutorials

Show steps

Following advanced Audacity tutorials will expose you to more complex editing techniques and expand your skillset.

Show steps

Search for tutorials on advanced Audacity features like spectral editing or advanced macro creation.
Follow the tutorials and practice the techniques on sample audio files.
Incorporate the new techniques into your audio editing workflow.

Audio Restoration Project

Show steps

Working on an audio restoration project will challenge you to apply your audio editing skills to fix damaged or degraded audio recordings.

Show steps

Find an old or damaged audio recording (e.g., a cassette tape or vinyl record).
Digitize the audio recording and import it into Audacity.
Use Audacity's tools to remove noise, clicks, pops, and other artifacts.
Restore the audio to its original quality as much as possible.

Career center

Learners who complete Audio Editing for Beginners - Using Audacity (Free Software) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Podcast Editor

A Podcast Editor is responsible for the technical aspects of audio production, taking raw recordings and transforming them into polished, engaging podcasts. This course is particularly relevant as it explores the use of Audacity to correct volume, eliminate noise, apply frequency-based filters, and make audio consistent, skills directly applicable to podcast editing. This course also covers microphone types, accessories, and recording environments, which helps an editor understand how to get the best sound from the beginning, minimizing the work in post-production. The course will be helpful for anyone serious about the career of Podcast Editor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Podcast Editor

Audio Engineer

The role of an Audio Engineer involves various tasks related to recording, mixing, and mastering audio. This course helps build a foundation for an audio engineering career, discussing how to use software such as Audacity to manipulate audio, apply effects, and optimize sound quality. The course also covers elements of recording, microphone types, and optimal environments, which are essential to an audio engineer. This course introduces concepts such as using macros to streamline audio editing for a more efficient workflow, skills which are invaluable for working as an Audio Engineer. An aspiring audio engineer should consider taking this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Audiobook Editor

An Audiobook Editor ensures that recorded narrations are clear, consistent, and free of audio errors. This course is particularly well-suited to this kind of work, covering the use of Audacity to correct volume, remove noise, and ensure consistent audio levels. These skills are essential for audiobook editing. The emphasis on understanding microphone types and recording environments is also useful for audiobook production. The course provides an introduction to many kinds of techniques needed for the work of an Audiobook Editor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audiobook Editor

Sound Designer

Sound Designers craft the auditory experience for various media projects, from films to video games. This course provides a foundation in audio editing techniques, introducing software such as Audacity and providing insight into recording audio in the correct environment. The course teaches skills like noise reduction, frequency filtering, and volume correction, all vital for the work of a Sound Designer. An understanding of microphone types, accessories, and recording spaces is also beneficial. Sound Designers are frequently tasked with cleaning up audio, and this course may be helpful in that area of expertise.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Radio Producer

Radio Producers oversee the creation of radio programs, and this includes recording and editing sound. This course can be helpful to a radio producer because it introduces skills using Audacity, a free software, to correct audio, remove noise, and apply compression. The course covers microphone usage, accessories, and recording environments, which are vital to creating quality audio for radio. This course may be especially helpful for aspiring Radio Producers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radio Producer

Music Producer

Music Producers guide the recording of music and may be involved in mixing and mastering, or post-processing, where the audio is edited to optimize sound quality. This course teaches the usage of Audacity to adjust volume, reduce noise, and manipulate frequencies. It helps a music producer handle the technical aspects of audio, and also gives a good foundation in recording by discussing different types of microphones and their uses, and best practices for recording environments. This course may be useful for early career Music Producers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Content Creator

Content Creators produce various forms of content, often including audio components such as podcasts or video narration. This course is relevant because it teaches how to use Audacity to improve the quality of audio recordings, and also introduces best practices in recording. This knowledge can lead to higher quality content, which can improve a content creator's overall success. The course may be useful for content creators who desire an improved understanding of audio quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

Video Editor

A Video Editor is responsible for assembling video and audio footage to create a cohesive and compelling final product. While this role is focused on video, audio is an essential component, and this course helps a video editor refine their audio skills. This course covers basic principles of audio editing and gives an introduction to best practices for audio recording. It also shows how to use Audacity to correct audio levels, remove noise, and use frequency filters, all of which are skills useful in video production. A Video Editor could benefit from an entry level course like this one.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Editor

Voice-Over Artist

A Voice Over Artist records voice work for various projects, and often needs to be able to provide quality recordings. This course is valuable for developing skills in recording and editing audio, and the course teaches how to use Audacity to improve the sound quality of recordings. This course can also help Voice Over Artists understand microphone usage and recording best practices. This course may be useful for Voice Over Artists who wish to be self sufficient.

See salaries and explore the career path for Voice-Over Artist

Sound Mixer

Sound Mixers combine multiple audio tracks to create a unified sound for a project. This course may be helpful to Sound Mixers as it introduces the use of Audacity, and also discusses the underlying theory behind basic audio recording practices. This course may also benefit Sound Mixers by providing a good introduction to audio editing techniques. A beginning sound mixer who wants to understand audio editing might consider taking this course.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Mixer

Field Recordist

A Field Recordist captures audio in real world, non-studio environments, and must be able to deal with a wide range of recording challenges. This course introduces concepts applicable to this role, including the use of different types of microphones and the importance of recording environments. The course can also be helpful in teaching how to remove noise from recordings using Audacity, which is an essential task for any Field Recordist. This course may be beneficial for someone working as a Field Recordist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Field Recordist

Live Sound Engineer

Live Sound Engineers are responsible for managing the audio during live events, ensuring that everything sounds clear and balanced. This role involves real-time adjustments, and while this course focuses on post-production editing, it introduces basic principles of audio recording, microphones, and environments, which a live sound engineer should be familiar with. This course may be helpful to newer or entry-level Live Sound Engineers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Live Sound Engineer

Educator

An Educator, in certain fields, may find quality audio important for lectures or presentations. This course teaches the basics of audio recording and editing with Audacity, a free software. In an age of remote learning in which recording quality can impact the quality of learning, this course may be helpful to some Educators. It introduces the basics of audio recording and editing, and may be valuable for an Educator looking to refine these skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Educator

Journalist

A Journalist may conduct interviews or record on location when gathering information for news stories. This course may be helpful to a Journalist by teaching the basics of recording and refining audio with Audacity, which is very useful for interviews. While audio editing may not always be a key skill, the ability to record and edit audio may be useful for some journalists and editors. This course could be valuable for those journalists who wish to improve their skills in this area.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Archivist

Archivists are tasked with preserving various kinds of media. The audio files they work with often require restoration and cleaning. Although an archivist does not create audio from scratch, this course includes information about sound recording, and how to clean audio and remove noise using Audacity. This course would give an archivist a foundation in audio basics. This course may be useful for Archivists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Audio Editing for Beginners - Using Audacity (Free Software)

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