Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with audacity

How to auto select loop in audio track?

lmm — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:36:02 -0800

Any way of automatically selecting an audio loop in Audacity or some other app? I have a bunch of video game tracks (NES/SNES) that loop (obviously) but the tracks I have don't end at the loop's end (and they also fade out at the end). I would like to loop these tracks. But this is hard. These tracks are really good but I fear that once I'm done with the tracks I won't want to listen to them anymore.

So, I'm thinking it would save a lot of time if there was an quick way to get a rough cut of where the loop in the track is and just go from there.

I've used Audacity a little to cut and join. Commercial software suggestions could be good as a future reference but I'd prefer free.

Why would this MP3 play slowly in Audacity?

chocolate_butch — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 09:29:15 -0800

Why would an MP3 play at a significantly different speeds in Audacity and Windows media player, respectively? Specifically, Audacity is playing the file waaay to slow. When I listen to a particular, MP3, specifically Crush Mode, by the Glitch Mob, it plays at apparently normal speed, with a running time of 40:44. However, When I open it in Audacity, it plays much, much s-l-o-w-e-r, and at a running time of 55:57, and the sound is pitched way down. Almost like playing a 45 on 33, for those of you old enough to remember vinyl. I've never had this happen before, and wonder what is so magical about this particular mp3 that is seeming to baffle Audacity.

Anyone had this happen before? And what might I do to get Audacity to play the file at the correct speed?

Making an mp3 from a Youtube video

cashman — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 18:05:07 -0800

I'm trying to make a high quality mp3 of the first 3:41 of this yt video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWz-x7YMVCk I have bass-increasing headphones and in them the song sounds great. But the mp3 I made is missing all of that. I tried to use audacity and acid to make mp3s of this video that sound good - capture the bass and the song in general. I can't do it without it sounding 'quiet' or alternatively, clipping. Can someone get me a high quality mp3 of this video of Red doing his live beatboxing?

My email's in my profile.

Why doesn't Audacity see my sound card?

jbickers — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 14:48:42 -0800

Why does Audacity think I have no sound card installed? Just got a new desktop PC (this one, if it helps), with on-the-motherboard audio. But Audacity says I don't have any sound cards installed.

In Device Manager, two items are listed under sound controllers: NVIDIA HDMI Audio and Realtek High Definition Audio. Sound works just dandy on every other application, as far as I'm aware.

Running Vista Home Premium. So, is this a Vista problem or an Audacity problem? Do I really need to install drivers of some sort?

Controlling recording input with Audacity.

mojohand — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 06:20:36 -0800

Controlling sound input when recording using Audacity for WinXP. I am transferring my recorded book cassette tapes to digital files using Audacity for XP (1.2.6) running on a Dell D820 (SigmaTel Audio). Unfortunately, this laptop does not have a line-in jack, so the cassette deck is connected through the Dell's external headphone jack.

My problem is that I cannot limit the sound input. This is creating serious clipping and distortion in my recordings. Adjusting the sound input volume control slider within Audacity has no effect. In fact it's currently set at 0.

Adjusting neither the 'Sound Recording' nor the "Voice Recording" volume controls within Windows' "Sound and Audio Devices" function has any effect. There are no sound mixing or input controls found within the "SigmaTel Audio" tab in Control Panel.

I'm guessing I'm missing something simple, but I cannot think of what it might be. Thanks in advance.

How do you remove background noise in Final Cut?

soma lkzx — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:54:10 -0800

What's the best way to remove background noise from a Final Cut project? I tried using the Hum Remover just by playing around with the harmonics, but I don't really know what I'm doing. Is there a good, simple way to get rid of a constant background tone using Final Cut?

Or, is there a way to export audio from Final Cut to Audacity, edit it there, and then export back to Final Cut?

(I've read that Soundtrack Pro is good, but I don't have it so it's not an option.)

Cheap Mic for Recording Spoken Word?

airguitar2 — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:17:47 -0800

I'm looking for suggestions for a cheap mic I can plug into my MacBook to record spoken word into GarageBand or Audacity. I'm new to podcasting and so don't want to shell out for a massive set-up right away. Can I spend under $30 and get a recording that'll sound okay as a podcast, or am I deluding myself? What mic would provide the best bang-for-buck?

(This question was asked on MeFi in 2005, but I imagine mics have changed!)

Thanks much.

Audacity effects for cleaning up a Skype call podcast?

diastematic — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 21:29:28 -0800

I've recorded a Skype call via Audio Hijack, and my plan is to podcast it. Now I'm editing in Audacity. What effects/compression settings should I use to improve sound quality? The source file doesn't sound too bad, really, but I'd really like to see if I can improve this -- at least to remove mild hiss and improve some vocal fidelity.

I've dug around online and haven't seen anything that isn't meant for semi-serious sound designers...which I'm not. Maybe that's the problem. Suggestions?

How dare you! ... we like it.

divabat — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 04:20:24 -0800

What are some audacious things that people have done to convince someone of their goal/cause/opinion or change their mind - and succeed? One of the sponsorship books I'm reading tells the story of a non-profit club member that, when given a rejection for his club's proposal, actually drove three hours to see the company's sponsorship manager and ask why they were rejected. Said sponsorship manager (who was also the author of this book) was blown away by the man's passion and dedication, and eventually agreed to the sponsorship.

Who else has managed to pull off something like this? Richard Branson's possibly the king of audacious gestures, though his are more publicity stunts than attempts to get someone on their side. There's also all the high school seniors who keep saying "oh, I'll go to College X That Rejected Me with all my awesomeness and show them what they're missing", but I've never heard of anyone that's actually done so, let alone succeed at it. And there's all the Idol auditionees that do crazy stuff to get in - though arguably no one's made it to the finals on a stunt.

I'm mainly interested in stories that involve getting a rejection overturned or have someone change their mind about the asker (for example, getting accepted for something you were once rejected for), but anything works really.

Iron Maiden never had this problem.

Schlimmbesserung — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:03:56 -0800

Help this tech-impaired rock star record face-melting multi-layered music on his computer! I've got the basic equipment: my precious Pod X3 with guitar and vocal mic plugged in, a reasonably-mighty laptop (dual 2.0gHz and two gigs of RAM) running Audacity, and the came-with-the-Pod USB cable connecting it all. There's just one problem: massive, tears-inducing lag. Click track or not, everything I do gets recorded about a quarter- or half-second late, which makes any kind of tight layering downright impossible.

I'm brand new at this style of recording, and a hopeless computer user in general, so I bet I'm missing something painfully obvious here. Please be gentle, o hive mind, but help me unleash the rock!

How do I unlock a downloaded podcast?

kristymcj — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 15:01:01 -0800

How do I unlock a downloaded podcast? I was interviewed on my local NPR station and I'd like to send my spot to my ma without the preceding story. I uploaded it with Orbit and opened it in Audacity but it's not letting me allowed to edit it. Any idea how to unlock it?

Basic Audio Recording with Audacity: Need help removing the microphone from the input mix

abbyladybug — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 17:51:13 -0800

I'm using Audacity to record audio from various software on my laptop, but it's grabbing info from my microphone instead of my speakers. How do I fix this?! I am newish to using Audacity. The first time I used it was on my old laptop, and I was able to use it perfectly the first time. Now I have a new laptop (a Dell running Vista), and whenever I try to record, it defaults to the input coming from the microphone. I can't figure out how to make it where the input is just what's playing through the speakers (browser, audio software, etc).

Any ideas?

Stupid Low Hum

superbird — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 17:46:11 -0800

Why is there a low hum when I record with Vista? I'm using audacity and plugging a headset straight into the mic jack. My friend and I have a podcast and every time we have to do the Noise Removal thing which really makes it sound kind of bad.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be causing this or how I can get rid of the sound?

(I have a Gateway MT3705 with Vista and a SigmaTel Sound Card.)

A glitch in my freeware!

Vic Morrow's Personal Vietnam — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 22:34:13 -0800

Whenever I transfer the audio from a video file into the freeware program Audacity, I get brief, loud patches of white noise every few seconds, as well as a weird sort of cycling white noise in the background (the rest of the file is normal). Is there anything I can do to get rid of this? Should I use a different program? (preferably a free one, like Audacity.) I've tried wma, wmv and mpg files, and the same thing always happens.

My Computer Can't Hear Itself

superbird — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 12:49:27 -0800

Vista screwed up my ability to record inline audio. How do I fix it? I use Audacity to edit a podcast I'm working on. I would like to have audio from movie trailers and such in my podcast, but can't get audacity to record the sound coming out of my computer. After doing a bit of research, I've figured out it's because I have Vista. More specifically, I have a Gateway MT3705 with Vista and a SigmaTel Sound Card.

I've done my best to fix the problem by updating drivers, but the whole thing has basically just caused more problems. Any other ideas or suggestions?

How can I record streaming audio directly onto my Mac using Audacity?

ialwayscryatendings — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 16:29:43 -0800

I'm looking for a tutorial on using Audacity to record streaming audio off the net. I can get it to record sound, but it seems to be doing it through my microphone with corresponding degraded quality and ambient noise. I read instructions to use "preferences" to set the input device, but the only option it gives me in the drop down menu is "built in audio," which I assume is referring to my mac's microphone. I've tried using "system preferences" to turn off the mic's input volume, but it didn't change anything in the Audacity program.

I feel a bit sheepish asking this, since I know it's probably something very simple. I've looked through the other threads on the topic, which recommend Audacity and say that you should be able to record sound without a loss of quality, but they don't give instructions on how to actually use the program. I apologize for my computer illiteracy--how embarrassing! (>_<)

I Have the Audacity

Miko — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 10:57:54 -0800

I'd like your tips on recording acoustic music with Audacity. Hi all. I'm going to home-record my RPM project this year using the free Audacity software. I have a pretty straightforward mike-plugged-into-soundcard setup. And I'm a complete and utter non-gearhead and have very limited recording experience.

So I'd like to hear any advice you may have on settings, strategy, and technique for producing a decent enough recording. The bulk of the project will consist of acoustic guitar and vocal. Should I record these on separate tracks? Should I mic the guitar, or get some sort of attachment to help the signal enter the soundcard direct through a cable? Can I listen to tracks on playback while I record a new track, and, if so, do I just listen via headphone while recording so the recorded sound doesn't bleed through onto the new track? What equalizer settings, compression, and effects would you recommend? I'm going for a stripped-down, countryish, straight and honest acoustic-y sound.

I have read Audacity's tutorial and played around with it a bit, but would appreciate some extra hand-holding. And please go easy on my feeble brain with the audio terminology!

Thanks in advance.

How to clean up phone audio using Audacity?

jjg — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:58:53 -0800

I've got a phone conversation that's going to become a podcast. How can I use Audacity to make it sound its best?

need to know what kind of synth (bass?) this is and how to replicate it with my computer

freddymetz — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 09:03:06 -0800

need to know what kind of synth (bass?) this is and how to replicate it with my computer a few songs its used in is "global deejays - sound of san francisco" "pussy cat dolls - buttons (aude club mix)" and "the disco boys - hey st peter (club version"

heres a short sound clip:
http://rapidshare.com/files/10666451/sound.mp3.html

or visit http://myspace.com/globaldeejays and listen to the 4th song (san francisco) and youll hear it right at the beginning

If i cant do it on the pc (preferably audacity) then id still like to know what that type of synth is called, thanks :)

How do I get rid of the feedback in a WAV file with Audacity?

dw — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 14:48:47 -0800

I have a WAV file of a lecture I'm trying to edit into a Podcast using Audacity. There's some feedback and ringing during some of the speaker's talk. How do I get rid of it (or at least minimize it)? Admittedly, I'm a novice with Audacity and sound editing; this is podcast #8. I couldn't control the feedback because I wasn't running sound; I (or rather, a student assistant) plugged the recorder straight into the sound board. (It's a Marantz, so it's not exactly a cheap digital audio recorder.)

It's not as if the feedback/ringing dominates the talk, but there are 2-3 minute passages where the ringing is more pronounced and annoying. And it is recorded as a WAV file rather than as an MP3.

Any ideas as to how to get the sound out or at least minimize the impact of the feedback?

How can I record speech in stereo?

featherboa — Fri, 04 Aug 2006 04:53:32 -0800

Oh, how I wish I could record in stereo, but as things stand, it's looking like it's going to have to be a mono-podcast. Help me get into both channels. So, I'd like to start podcasting, and I've been experimenting this week, but at the moment I can only seem to record in mono (coming through the left channel).

I'm using an old Peavey dynamic mic from my days as a singer, which has an XLR cable to 6.3mm jack, which in turn is plugged into a 6.3mm to 3.5mm converter, that goes into an iMic which is stuck in the USB port of my iBook G4 (OS 10.3.9). I've tried Garageband and Audacity, but nothing gets recorded in the right channel. Even though I've told it to record in stereo.

Is it something in my set-up that's causing the problem, and are there any get-arounds? Is there some way I could copy what's in the left to the right to give the impression of stereo sound? Would it work better if I went through my amp and then to the imic's phono input?

I'm not that technically skilled and I've only ever used Audacity to trim recordings down, so this is a bit beyond my capabilities, but I want to learn!

Troubleshooting Mac Audio Recording Problems

Dreama — Sun, 14 May 2006 00:57:13 -0800

Major audio recording problems on an iMac - help?! I have been recording spoken segments for a podcast and have run into "skips" in the recordings I've done recently. The "skips" are strange, several seconds of audio are just gone, as if pause was pressed even though I kept talking, so when the audio picks back up it sounds like I've just invented new words. [Example]

These problems have occured in recordings made with both Audacity and a lightweight app called Audio Recorder that very simply records mic input, nothing else. I'm using OS X.2.8 (yes, antiquated) on a G3 with 320 MB RAM. I record with only my recording software and BBEdit open. (I use the latter for my scripts.) I'm flummoxed as to the cause of these problems. Anyone have experience with something like this? Any ideas for ensuring that this doesn't continue occuring?

Clap Your Hands Say WTF

ludwig_van — Mon, 06 Mar 2006 07:08:45 -0800

Multi-track recording synchronization issues with Audacity. I'm trying to record some acoustic demos in my room. I've previously made similar home recordings with Sonar and have had no problems. However, I don't have Sonar on my laptop, so I've been using Audacity (1.3b). I record with a condenser mic into a Presonus TubePre, then into my external Soundblaster Live USB, then into my laptop.

The problem is that nothing I record will be synchronized. If I generate a beat track in Audacity and then record a track of myself clapping along with each click, when I play the track back it begins synchronized and then slowly drifts more and more out of time, as if the length of the clip I just recorded is somehow altered slightly after I record it. The only way around this that I've found is to record only very short clips and then make small adjustments by hand when I need to, but this is obviously far from ideal.

Does anyone know why this is happening? Is it a software or hardware issue? I'm not monitoring what I'm recording and I don't need to, I just want the track to play back at the same tempo I recorded it.

Help new podcaster with Skype voicemail/audacity

JamesMessick — Mon, 13 Feb 2006 14:25:47 -0800

I have Skype-In with voicemail. How can I download the voice messages for use in a podcast? I'm setting up a podcast (if you'd like to know more and possible participate please email me at almostliveradio@gmail.com). Using caller voicemails is a big part of the idea behind the show. I have a skype account with voicemail and skype in so people can call from any phone and leave a message. The audio quality is sufficient, now I just need to get the files onto my computer so that I can edit them into my podcase. Anyone know how, other than playing them through a mixer (which I don't have, and want to avoid as long as possible)? Budget solutions are best.

In a related question, does anyone know how to fade the level of an audio track in Audacity? I've just started with Audacity, and the level slider on the left lowers the volumn of the entire track. I'd like to pick a point and have it fade to a lower level several second later and stay at that level. I can do this in my video editing software, but don't want to have to use my video editing software for an audio podcast.

Seriously, if you'd like to know more, please email me at almostliveradio@gmail.com. I have the domain almostliveradio.com (whatcha think?) but it may not be working yet.

Thanks. James

Audacity & iTunes Not Talking

crapples — Sat, 04 Feb 2006 15:31:03 -0800

My WAV files that are exported from Audacity will not play (or even import) in iTunes! I've done this a thousand times before, why doesn't it work anymore? I'm using Audacity 1.2.4 and iTunes 6.0.1.3. The files will not open or even show up in iTunes no matter how I try to get them in there.

If I export to MP3 from Audacity (using a LAME encoder) it still won't play in iTunes. So I have a few questons:

1 - Why did this work before, and if I need to get an earlier version of either or both programs, how do I do that? The websites only offer the latest versions.

2 - Is there other free software that I can use to take the Audacity WAV file and convert it into something (anything) that iTunes will read?

3 - Is there another way to get iTunes to read the WAV files without going through a third product?

I'm extremely confused. Thanks a lot.