- 1). Download the Audacity program from audacity.sourceforge.net. You'll have a choice of either the PC or Mac version. Computer system requirements will be posted, but you can choose to go directly to the download page.
- 2). Create a folder where your edited files can be placed. Organization in both audio recording and editing will save you headaches and time later on. This includes having your manuscript nearby for easy reference.
- 3). Open up the audio file that you want to edit first. Editing isn't always linear, but for an audio book, it probably makes the most sense. Start with the first chapter and work your way through the rest of the book. Once you open up your file, you will see either one or two tracks with wave forms. This depends upon whether you recorded in stereo or mono. It will be far easier to edit a single track, so if your file has two tracks, go to the tool bar and click on "Track," then click on "Stereo Track to Mono."
- 4). Add a new track by clicking on "Track" and "Add New." You'll use this track to place all of the takes (i.e., different versions of the same dialogue or exposition) that will make up your final version of Chapter 1. Be certain to name this track so you won't confuse it with the other tracks.
- 5
Whether it's fun or tedious, you need to listen to every track.as it is pleasant to listen to you image by Andrey Andreev from Fotolia.com
Listen to all of the takes that you recorded for this chapter. This is one of the times that good organization will help. Some takes you'll immediately know are bad during the recording process. If you delete them or label them a "so-so take," you don't have to listen to that particular track. Whenever you find a good take, write down its name so you can find it again quickly. Also, jot down the time, which is measured in seconds and minutes directly above the first track. This will expedite the audio editing process even more. - 6). Save your new file under a new name and into your designated folder. This will prevent you from saving over the original. Mistakes do happen, and you want to be able to go back to your original source if necessary.
- 7). Find the best take of the beginning of your book and copy it. You can use standard copy and paste hot keys or the tool bar's Edit menu. Once you copy your favorite take, paste it to your new and freshly named track. Make certain that the cursor is aligned with zero at the far left track margin.
- 8). Listen to your audio insertion (i.e., paste) to see if you like it. Then search for the next piece of the chapter that you like. If you took notes while listening the first time, you'll be able to jump right to those tracks.
- 9). Remove extraneous noise from your main track. Once you've finished copying and pasting all of your best takes to your main track, it's time to make your audio book chapter as professional sounding as possible. Go back to the tool bar and click on "Effect." Then click on "Noise Removal." Immediately select a portion of your main track that doesn't have any speaking. Go back to "Noise Removal" again and hit "Okay." Audacity does a great job at cleaning up extraneous noises, leaving you with crisper audio.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
