Audacity Bootcamp

Computers can't do anything with analog audio. In order for your computer to do anything with the audio you record, that audio has to first be converted into a digital format. Some sort of device has to be connected between your microphone (if that's what you're using to record) and your computer that converts the analog sound waves from your voice into a digital version of those same sound waves. If you're using a USB mic to record, that conversion takes place inside the mic. The USB mic itself has analog-to-digital conversion electronics built in to it that convert your voice to a digital version and then sends that version to your computer where Audacity (or any DAW) recognizes it and knows what to do with it.If you're using an analog microphone (any XLR-connected mic is an analog mic) you'll need to plug it into an audio interface unit (like a Scarlett Solo or something similar) and that audio interface unit converts the analog audio from your XLR mic into a digital equivalent and sends that digitally sampled audio into your computer where Audacity displays it back to you as a digital representation of your recorded audio. From there, you can manipulate it in post production to add effects, etc.In this podcast, I talk about 3 things related to digital audio:Sample RatesBit DepthBit RatesHere's the link to the video on this topic that I mention in this episode:VIDEO: Audacity Sample Rates and Bit Depth My setup for this episode:Audacity version 3.1.32017 MacBook ProZoom H6 Audio Recorder/InterfaceSYNCO D2 Hyper Cardioid Directional Condenser Shotgun Mic Find me online at https://learnaudacity.com/ 

About a year and half ago, I stumbled into my first experience at making instructional videos. A friend had suggested I make a couple of videos on using Audacity. I knew next to nothing about making videos but I decided to jump in and see what it was like. Now, a year and a half later, I've published over 200 instructional videos, most of them teaching Audacity. Based on the response I've received, instructional and tutorial videos have emerged as a strength of mine I didn't know I had until after taking that initial video plunge.That being said, I've decided to put this podcast on hiatus for the time being to give more attention to the video side of things and develop that further. Videos are where I'm getting the traffic and traction so I need to turn my attention fully in that direction for now. While this podcast will still be there, I won't be adding any new episodes to it for the time being. I have a few ideas for it but now isn't the right time for me. I am still online at the following places:Learn Audacity Website  Learn Audacity YouTube ChannelThe 3 courses I teach can be found at:Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity Zoom H6 Audio Recording EssentialsI recorded this episode in my Zoom H6 recorder using my Audio-Technica AT2040 microphone and I edited it in Audacity version 3.1.3 Beta 1.-Mike

Audacity has announced plans to create a new online manual to replace the current one. The new manual will have a cleaner look and (it looks like) easier navigation. In addition, it can include video tutorials. I believe this would be a huge step forward in the betterment of Audacity. The link below will take you to Audacity's public announcement regarding the new online manual.Audacity version 3.1.2 is out and includes a fix to the loop function that I mentioned in an earlier video. I created a video showing that fix and other functions of the new loop feature including the Play-at-Speed tool and the Effects Preview button. The link to that video is below as well. Check it out when you can.Links:Audacity's new manual announcement: https://www.audacityteam.org/rethinking-the-manual/Audacity 3.1.2 loop function fix, Play-at-Speed, and Effects preview. https://youtu.be/OIdsfdvzULM-Enjoy! 

I think I’ve uncovered a problem in Audacity version 3.1.0 regarding sync-lock tracks and the new way of moving audio clips. I use sync-lock tracks on every podcast I do to keep the intro/outro music and narration synched together but separate from the host and guest(s), who are also in sync with each other. When Audacity announced the new way of moving audio clips, beginning in version 3.1.0, my first thought was how that was going to work with sync-lock tracks enabled. It’s different now and you need to know about it if you use sync-lock tracks like I do. The video I mentioned showing these changes can be found here: https://firstpersonaudio.com/2021/11/17/sync-lock-tracks-unexpected-behavior-in-audacity-3-1-0/My recording setup for this episode. NOTE: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. This does not affect pricing:AT2040 Dynamic Microphone: https://amzn.to/3clg4YJZoom H6 Recorder: https://amzn.to/30ADjfbOther places you'll find me:First Person Audio: https://firstpersonaudio.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/FirstPersonAudioThe on-demand video courses I teach:Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced: https://learnaudacity.com/ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity: https://bit.ly/30GIjyNZoom H6 Audio Recording Essentials: https://bit.ly/30sv3xoFYI: Audacity version 3.1.1 is out with some minor bug fixes.-Mike

The loop function in Audacity 3.1.0 has changed significantly. This episode is a deeper dive into those changes and the new attributes of the loop function which are far more complicated than in previous versions.Here's the link to the video I mentioned in this episode:What's New in Audacity Version 3.1.0?-Enjoy!

It's been about a week since I launched my latest course at Udemy called ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity. It's an Audacity-only course for creating exceptional audiobooks for ACX using Audacity and only Audacity. And the reviews from those enrolled are starting to surface. In this episode I share a few of them with you so you can hear what others are saying about this brand new course.Here's the 1/2 off link I promised in this episode. Keep in mind that this link is only good until November 27, 2021.ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity: https://www.udemy.com/course/acx-audiobook-production-using-audacity/?couponCode=EB9CBF74636B235268B7 Here's the second link I promised to my best-selling course at Udemy called Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced - https://www.udemy.com/course/audacity-bootcamp-beginner-to-advanced/?referralCode=2929789AFB4340922D9A-Mike

I have been buried these last couple of months with creating a new online, on-demand video course called ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity. I'm happy to say that this shiny new course has been rolled out onto the showroom floor as of this morning and it's ready for public consumption. Here's a feel for some of the topics in this new course:The ACX Requirement for Room ToneThe ACX Standard for Noise FloorThe ACX Standard for File SizeThe ACX Standard for RMS LoudnessThe ACX Standard for Sample RateHow to set Audacity Preferences for ACX audiobook recordingSimple definitions of Noise Floor, Sample Rate, RMS Loudness, and Bit RateHow to fix narration mistakes as they happen using Punch and Roll RecordHow to apply Equalization and whenHow to apply CompressionHow to level your audio using RMS Loudness to meet ACX requirements for RMSHow to apply the Limiter effect to meet ACX standardsHow to apply the De-Clicker effect to reduce/remove mouth soundsThe importance of running Audacity's ACX Check PluginHow to build and run a Macro to automate our processHow to clean up breath sounds using Punch Copy/PasteHow to clean up breath sounds using AttenuationContent editing and final MP3 exportHow to meet the ACX requirements for MP3 file size and bit rateThe course consists of 19 videos, 8 practice assignments, 9 downloadable resources, and 5 quizzes to track your progress. We don't cover things like mic technique, mic placement, vocal technique or inflection, or room conditioning like soundproofing, etc. There are unlimited resources for those important subjects out there and I supply you with the links to several in the last lecture. Instead, we stay fixed on Audacity and how to make it work for us in producing great audiobooks that will pass ACX's requirements. We don't venture into 3rd party software or 3rd party plugins or effects. Instead, I show you how to create exceptional audiobooks for free, using Audacity. Here's the 50% off link to the course I mention in this episode. That's only $12.99 and the link is good for 30 days!ACX Audiobook Production Using AudacityHere are the links to my two other courses I mentioned:Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to AdvancedZoom H6 Audio Recording Essentials-Enjoy!

Are you thinking about starting a podcast? What kind of hardware and software will you need and how much is it going to cost? Do I need to sink hundreds of dollars into microphones and other hardware? Do I need to spend thousands of dollars on a studio quality room? How about software training? Am I facing a huge expenditure for software training? These are great questions that need to be asked when taking on any new project and podcasting is no exception. It's also the subject of this podcast episode. Links to things I talk about in this episode (NOTE: The Amazon links above are affiliate links meaning that there is no additional charge to you but if you purchase an item from these links, I'll receive a couple of dollars.)RODE NT USB Mini Microphone: https://amzn.to/3l4fKS1AT2040 XLR Dynamic Mic: https://amzn.to/3hbec7AAT2020USB+ Microphone: https://amzn.to/3ncmEHUShure SM58 Microphone: https://amzn.to/38LkyWO Audacity Audio Editing Software: https://www.audacityteam.org/Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced - https://learnaudacity.com/Zoom H6 Recorder: https://amzn.to/3BSvYEW You'll find me online at First Person Audio: https://firstpersonaudio.com/ 

Welcome to episode 17 of the Audacity Bootcamp podcast. I recorded this episode in Audacity using my RODE NT USB Mini. I've decided to revert the name of this podcast back to the Audacity Bootcamp and I explain a few reasons why in this episode. I also talk about my minimalist approach to recording and editing audio for my podcast and for my videos, and the new version of Audacity (3.0.4) that's been released. Podcasting doesn't have to cost you an arm and a leg. If you're just getting started in podcasting, you don't have to sink a lot of cash into what you're doing. You can get inexpensive hardware and Audacity is free. The most important part of your podcast is the room you record in. You can get great audio with inexpensive gear if your initial recording is free of echo and room noise. That's not hard to achieve. Some blankets, pillows, moving blankets, and closed curtains will add immeasurably to the quality of the audio in your podcast. I'll be talking more about that in the next episode. Links referenced in this episode: The Audacity Bootcamp podcast page Download the latest version of Audacity The RODE NT USB Mini microphone (affiliate link) The First Person Audio website -Enjoy!  

Here's some techy stuff for you: I recorded this episode using my Rode NT1 condenser mic recording into my Zoom H6. I did the editing and post production in GarageBand using the Waves NS1 Noise Supressor Plugin, along with Graphic EQ and a Limiter set to -1dB. I exported it from there as a WAV file and leveled the audio to -19 LUFS with a true peak of -2dB in my Auphonic Desktop App. From there I exported it as a mono MP3 to my audio host.I've been giving a lot of thought to why I podcast and that's the topic in today's episode. I'm an introvert (sometimes extremely so) and as of this recording I have 3, count 'em, THREE podcasts. if you are into the enneagram, you should know that I am a 9. Not only that, but I'm a social 9. That means that even though I am an introvert who is sometimes happiest in a quiet room with no one around, I also have something in me that makes me want to be around people. It's like a cruel joke at times.I'm a bit of an anomaly to some and maybe just plain weird to others because I seldom do the things that I'm told I need to be doing in order to be successful as a podcaster or video producer. But I'm ok with not doing those things or not being that person because I don't podcast in order to be a huge success that everyone is talking about. I podcast because I find it therapeutic and calming to be alone in a quiet, mostly dark room (except when I'm recording a video - then the room is well lit) talking into a microphone with no one else there. It's good therapy for me. It's my therapy session for the day. I love doing that, even if no one listens or follows. I'm thankful that I have an income that's not tied to my podcasting or video production because if that weren't the case I would have to monetize myself and what I do and I know that I wouldn't be any good at that. Here are some links I talk about in this episode.Typology: An Enneagram Podcast - https://typology.libsyn.com/ First Person Audio Website: https://firstpersonaudio.com/ First Person Audio YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/FirstPersonAudio Rode NT1 Condenser Mic Kit (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/3xXyeYR  Zoom H6 Recorder (Affiliate Link): https://amzn.to/3yYx2G2 -Enjoy!

The Audacity Bootcamp podcast and is now the First Person Audio podcast. Yep, the rebranding to First Person Audio is complete! In this episode I talk about: 1. The rebranding to First Person Audio is complete 2. Audacity's announcement of a soon-to-be-released version of Audacity that includes real-time VST effects which means non-destructive editing is on the way. 3. The Rode NT-USB-Mini microphone and the Rode Connect software. I recorded this episode using this Rode mic and Rode Connect and I didn't put any effects on the voice track in post production except for loudness leveling to -19 LUFS. The small amount of editing that I did (breath and mouth sound cleanup), I did in Audacity version 3.0.3. No EQ, Filter Curve, Compression, or any other effects were added to my voice because I wanted you to hear the audio in the raw. Links in this episode: The First Person Audio Website: https://firstpersonaudio.com/ Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced: https://www.udemy.com/course/audacity-bootcamp-beginner-to-advanced/?referralCode=2929789AFB4340922D9A  Audacity Announcement on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Audacity Audacity 3.1 Preview: https://bit.ly/3m3kutd  Rode NT-USB-Mini microphone (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3ADk3di  Rode Connect Audio Recording Software: https://rode.com/software/rode-connect  Enjoy!

Welcome to episode 14 of The Audacity Bootcamp podcast. It's time for a facelift of The Audacity Bootcamp! So I'm going to give it one. I'll be changing the name of The Audacity Bootcamp to First Person Audio over the next week to 10 days. All of the existing content will remain as well as the current subscriptions to my YouTube channel. If I do this right, you won't have to do anything and it will be transparent to you. It will all just magically change. This re-branding is going to affect everything currently touched by The Audacity Bootcamp with the exception of my course on Udemy. That course is going to remain as-is. The new name will impact the website, podcast, Twitter, and The Audacity Bootcamp Facebook page. Re-branding like this will allow me more freedom to touch on other topics in my videos and podcasts, while keeping Audacity as a core element to what I do. Once the changes are made, it'll be back to business as usual.

I'm back from a month long road trip and while I was gone, I started hearing and reading concerns over Audacity becoming spyware under its new ownership. Also today, April 26, 2021, a new version of Audacity (3.0.3) was released. Coincidence? Let's talk.Here are the links I mention in this episode:Steve Stewart in The Podcast Editors Club on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/groups/podcasteditors/posts/4509499399138772The Audacity Desktop Privacy Notice https://www.audacityteam.org/about/desktop-privacy-notice/What's New in Version 3.0.3? https://www.audacityteam.org/audacity-3-0-3-is-out-now/NOTE: As I was editing this episode, Audacity crashed and I was given the option to send the crash report or not send it, just as the privacy notice stated would happen.-Mike

This episode is a shameless plug for my online, on-demand video course, Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced. If you're interested in diving deep into Audacity and learning things about Audacity that will give you advanced editing skills and techniques, in addition to greater confidence with Audacity, consider enrolling in my course. It's 6+ hours of video instruction that, like the title suggests, will take you from beginning concepts to advanced topics that can be hard to find elsewhere. Plus, I've priced it incredibly low on purpose to fit any budget.Want to know more? Push Play and listen in. You'll find the course by visiting:https://learnaudacity.com/ There's a complete outline of the course there as well as several of the videos you can preview so you can make an informed decision.You'll also find me online at First Person Audio and there are links there to every resource I have on Audacity.-Enjoy!

"We’re scared and excited. We hope you are too."Those are the closing words on the Audacity Team's announcement of the recent acquisition of Audacity by the newly-formed Muse Group. The deal to purchase Audacity was announced on April 30th. The financial details of the acquisition have not been disclosed. With this acquisition, changes on the horizon for Audacity include:Non-destructive editing via stackable Virtual Studio Technology (VST) effects.An updated user interface that includes a non-Windows 95 appearance and feel.As part of this announcement, Muse Group (https://mu.se) vows to keep Audacity open source and free.In this episode, I share with you a couple of online articles concerning this purchase. One thing is certain; the future of Audacity means change. Here's hoping it's change in the right direction for us podcasters.Links in this episode:The Register announcement: https://www.theregister.com/2021/05/04/audacity_muse_group/MusicTech announcement:  https://www.musictech.net/news/industry/audacity-acquired-muse-group-ultimate-guitar-musescore/AudacityTeam announcement: https://www.audacityteam.org/audacity-musescore-announcement/ You can find me online at First Person Audio with links there to the Audacity courses I teach, Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced, and ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity. You'll also find links there to my YouTube channel and this podcast.-Enjoy!

One of the bad raps Audacity gets is that editing in Audacity is destructive. That simply means that once you edit and/or put an effect on your Audacity project and then save and close the project, the edits you just did, along with the effects you just put on it, are permanent and can't be removed. This is referred to as destructive editing. But did you know that non-destructive editing can be done in Audacity? Version 3.0.0 of Audacity introduced a new feature called Project Backup. In this episode, I explain how I use Project Backup as a way to eliminate destructive editing in Audacity. It's easy and it works!Links I mention in this episode:Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to AdvancedAudacity Bootcamp WebsiteAudacity Bootcamp YouTube Channel-Enjoy and happy podcasting! 

What's Apple doing with our podcasts? I've had some weird experiences with Apple on my podcasts these last few days. I updated my iPhone to iOS 14.5 (I probably should have waited) and weird things started happening. The latest episode of another show I do never showed up in my Apple Podcast app. But it did appear other places including my wife's Apple Podcast app. Weird. Push Play to hear more weird stuff. The links I mention in this episode:The Audacity Bootcamp - https://audacitybootcamp.com/ Audacity Bootcamp: Beginning to Advanced -  https://www.udemy.com/course/audacity-bootcamp-beginner-to-advanced/?referralCode=2929789AFB4340922D9A -Enjoy!

In this short episode, I point you to an interview I had the privilege of being a part of, on the Red Podcast - The Marketing Podcast for Experts, hosted by David Hooper. David asked me to come on his show and talk about my philosophy of podcasting and what's important to me in the audio podcasts I do, as well as my videos. We talked about a number of topics including my on demand video course, Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to Advanced. In addition to the Red Podcast, David also hosts the Build a Big Podcast. Check them out when you get a chance. Links to both are below.My Conversation with David Hooper on the Red PodcastThe Build a Big Podcast, hosted by David Hooper-Enjoy!

I'm always curious about what others use for their podcast setup. I've watched countless videos and listened to a lot of podcasts by podcasters who've taken the time to talk about the recording hardware and software they use to record and edit their show. It's like peeking inside their recording environment and I always benefit from hearing about what others are doing. So I thought I would make one of those episodes too.My recording setup has changed a lot over the years to the simple and uncomplicated setup I use today. I started with a laptop and builtin microphone and then I went from there to buying various USB and XLR mics, mixers, and pre-amps that I used for a while but ended up selling most of them because I couldn't find that one magic configuration that seemed to fit me. Then a few years ago, I purchased my Zoom H6 and started building my recording environment around it.Today, my Zoom H6 is at the center of my podcast recording and Audacity is my software of choice for post production editing. It's a simple, uncomplicated setup that produces great audio consistently. Here are the links to what I talk about in this episode:Zoom H6 RecorderZoom H6 Dual XLR/TRS Mic AdapterShure SM58 MicrophoneAuphonic Desktop LevelerAudacity Bootcamp: Beginner to AdvancedThe Audacity Bootcamp WebsiteThanks for listening!

I teach podcast courses on Audacity and a question that comes up frequently has to do with the difference between loudness (LUFS) and volume. It can be a challenge to wrap our brains around, but there is a difference.The bottom line is that loudness is digitally embedded in the waveform as part of our editing. When I level a piece of audio to a LUFS level, I'm manipulating the waveform to adjust it to a consistent loudness end-to-end, eliminating extreme peaks and valleys in the loudness and creating a more consistent listening experience. This reduces or eliminates the need for the listener to chase the volume up or down while listening because the loudness has been leveled. The listener can't adjust the loudness because they can't get to the waveform to manipulate it. But you and I can as editors. Let's talk...Other places you'll find me:Audacity Bootcamp: Beginner to AdvancedYouTubeWebsiteFacebook