AIM: How do we more specifically regulate track volume in Audacity?
Today's goal is part 2 of making a radio-host-like file in Audacity.
1. Make sure you have a computer with a working microphone.
2. Choose a different song that you enjoy from the 'Mugic' folder, and import it into Audacity.
3. Come up with three reasons you like the song and write them down. If I was doing it on the Beyonce song "Crazy in Love," I might say:
The first thing I like about this song is the way the horns are recorded live and they sound punchy and fresh. The second thing I like about this song is the way Jay-Z raps about chinchilla fur. The third and final thing I like about this song is how it reminds me of the summer I moved to New York.
4. Record yourself saying these three things, but pause for at least five seconds in between each one.
5. Use the gain adjuster knob (see yesterday's post) on the vocal track only to increase the volume.
6. Now, in order to hear your words clearly while the song is playing, the song's volume needs to get softer only at the times when you say what you like about it. Here's how to do it:
7. Click on the Envelope Tool in the upper-left-hand-corner of the screen. This is the button that looks like two white arrows with a blue line between them. The Envelope Tool adjusts the sound level at specific parts in the track.
8. Click on the song track right at the beginning of where your recorded voice starts speaking on the vocal track. Then click again slightly to the right of your first click and drag towards the middle of the track. You should see the volume shrink down.
9. Click again at the part when your speaking ends. Then drag the volume back up to normal again.
10. The end result should be a song that gets quiet only at the times when you are speaking.
11. Edit the ID3 tags.
12. Export as an MP3 with the correct filename (into your computer's document folder): Your Name - Radio Project part 2.
13. Open up the file in Windows Media Player for Mr. Power to listen to.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Tues. 4/29/08: Volume
AIM: How do we regulate track gain volume in Audacity?
The goal today is to create a sound file that sounds like a radio host introducing a new track while the track plays in the background. Here's what to do:
1. Make sure you are on a computer with a working microphone.
2. Import a song you enjoy from the 'Mugic' file into Audacity.
3. Look up some interesting information about the song or artist online (you could use wikipedia if you'd like).
4. Pretend you're a radio DJ. Write out what you are going say about the artist and the track. For example, if my track is about the White Stripes song "7 Nation Army," I might say something like this:
Hey all of you garage-rock fans out there, here's a track from the rockin' duo the White Stripes called "7 Nation Army." This is off of their album entitled Elephant, and Jack White's screamin' vocals will blow your socks off.
5. Record yourself doing your song introduction.
6. Now it's time to move the audio file into position. Go to the top-left-hand corner of Audacity and click on the Time-Shift button. This is the one that looks like a sideways arrow pointing left and right.
7. Now you are time-shifting: Click on your song and drag it left or right. Get it so that the song starts right in the middle of when you are introducing it.
8. Click back on the Selection Tool in the top-left-hand corner (the one that looks like a capital "I") and highlight the very beginning of the song.
9. Use the "fade in" effects tool to fade it in.
10. Now we need to alter the volume. The song will probably be much louder than your recorded voice, so let's change it.
11. Go to the left side of the screen and click on the little sliding arrow with a minus (-) and plus (+) sign on the song track. Slide the arrow a few notches toward the minus sign. This decreases the gain, or volume, of only that track by itself.
12. Now go to your recorded voice track and slide the gain arrow up a few notches toward the plus sign. This will increase the gain, or volume, of your vocal track.
13. Test your sound file and see how it sounds. The music shouldn't overpower your speaking voice.
14. Once the audio levels are even and sound good, go to the "Project" menu and edit the ID3 tags so that you are the artist and the title is "Radio Volume Project."
15. Export your project as an MP3 into your computer's documents folder. Be sure to save as Your Name - Radio Volume Project.
16. Open it up in Windows Media Player and let Mr. Power listen to it.
The goal today is to create a sound file that sounds like a radio host introducing a new track while the track plays in the background. Here's what to do:
1. Make sure you are on a computer with a working microphone.
2. Import a song you enjoy from the 'Mugic' file into Audacity.
3. Look up some interesting information about the song or artist online (you could use wikipedia if you'd like).
4. Pretend you're a radio DJ. Write out what you are going say about the artist and the track. For example, if my track is about the White Stripes song "7 Nation Army," I might say something like this:
Hey all of you garage-rock fans out there, here's a track from the rockin' duo the White Stripes called "7 Nation Army." This is off of their album entitled Elephant, and Jack White's screamin' vocals will blow your socks off.
5. Record yourself doing your song introduction.
6. Now it's time to move the audio file into position. Go to the top-left-hand corner of Audacity and click on the Time-Shift button. This is the one that looks like a sideways arrow pointing left and right.
7. Now you are time-shifting: Click on your song and drag it left or right. Get it so that the song starts right in the middle of when you are introducing it.
8. Click back on the Selection Tool in the top-left-hand corner (the one that looks like a capital "I") and highlight the very beginning of the song.
9. Use the "fade in" effects tool to fade it in.
10. Now we need to alter the volume. The song will probably be much louder than your recorded voice, so let's change it.
11. Go to the left side of the screen and click on the little sliding arrow with a minus (-) and plus (+) sign on the song track. Slide the arrow a few notches toward the minus sign. This decreases the gain, or volume, of only that track by itself.
12. Now go to your recorded voice track and slide the gain arrow up a few notches toward the plus sign. This will increase the gain, or volume, of your vocal track.
13. Test your sound file and see how it sounds. The music shouldn't overpower your speaking voice.
14. Once the audio levels are even and sound good, go to the "Project" menu and edit the ID3 tags so that you are the artist and the title is "Radio Volume Project."
15. Export your project as an MP3 into your computer's documents folder. Be sure to save as Your Name - Radio Volume Project.
16. Open it up in Windows Media Player and let Mr. Power listen to it.
Mon. 4/28/08: Reverse!
AIM: How do we reverse an audio section and make it go backwards?
1. Choose a track of your choosing from the 'Mugic' file folder and import it into Audacity.
2. Cut out a TWENTY SECOND clip that you like - Try choosing a part where there are interesting sounds.
3. Go to the effects menu and find the one that makes the sound go backwards! Apply it to your clip.
4. Listen to your new, weird creation.
5. Using the "fade" techniques we learned last Friday, make your clip fade in and fade out.
6. Remember to zoom in (use the magnifying glass symbol with the + sign on it) and zoom out as needed so you can see your sound wave up close.
7. Let Mr. Power listen to your wacky clip.
1. Choose a track of your choosing from the 'Mugic' file folder and import it into Audacity.
2. Cut out a TWENTY SECOND clip that you like - Try choosing a part where there are interesting sounds.
3. Go to the effects menu and find the one that makes the sound go backwards! Apply it to your clip.
4. Listen to your new, weird creation.
5. Using the "fade" techniques we learned last Friday, make your clip fade in and fade out.
6. Remember to zoom in (use the magnifying glass symbol with the + sign on it) and zoom out as needed so you can see your sound wave up close.
7. Let Mr. Power listen to your wacky clip.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Fri. 4/18/08: Fade In, Fade Out
AIM: How do we make a track fade in or fade out in Audacity?
Pretend you work for iTunes and they want you to make a 30-second "sound bite" preview song so shoppers can preview the track to see if they want to download it. Here's how to do it.
1. Pick an MP3 and import it into Audacity.
2. Pick a 30-second part of the song that you like. It should ONLY be 30 seconds! Cut that part out and get rid of the rest. HINT: You can do this really easily by using the "Trim" button after selecting your part.
3. Highlight the part of the song that you want to fade in. I would recommend the first five seconds or so. In order to zoom in to see your smaller piece of song better, use the picture of the magnifying glass with the plus sign (+) on it. This will zoom you in.
4. Go to the "Effects" menu bar, and click "Fade In."
5. Now go to the end of the track and highlight the last five seconds or so. Go to the "Effects" menu again and click "Fade Out."
6. Listen to the whole thing. It should fade in, play for about 20 seconds, and then smoothly fade out.
7. Edit the ID tag (see yesterday's post) so that YOU are the artist. Keep the title of the song, but add "30-second preview" at the end of it.
8. Save it as an MP3 (export it) and make sure to title it correctly (see the post of two days ago). This project should be called the "30 sec fade song."
9. Find the saved MP3 in your documents folder, and double-click on it to listen to it in Windows Media Player. Call Mr. Power over to listen to it. Done!
Pretend you work for iTunes and they want you to make a 30-second "sound bite" preview song so shoppers can preview the track to see if they want to download it. Here's how to do it.
1. Pick an MP3 and import it into Audacity.
2. Pick a 30-second part of the song that you like. It should ONLY be 30 seconds! Cut that part out and get rid of the rest. HINT: You can do this really easily by using the "Trim" button after selecting your part.
3. Highlight the part of the song that you want to fade in. I would recommend the first five seconds or so. In order to zoom in to see your smaller piece of song better, use the picture of the magnifying glass with the plus sign (+) on it. This will zoom you in.
4. Go to the "Effects" menu bar, and click "Fade In."
5. Now go to the end of the track and highlight the last five seconds or so. Go to the "Effects" menu again and click "Fade Out."
6. Listen to the whole thing. It should fade in, play for about 20 seconds, and then smoothly fade out.
7. Edit the ID tag (see yesterday's post) so that YOU are the artist. Keep the title of the song, but add "30-second preview" at the end of it.
8. Save it as an MP3 (export it) and make sure to title it correctly (see the post of two days ago). This project should be called the "30 sec fade song."
9. Find the saved MP3 in your documents folder, and double-click on it to listen to it in Windows Media Player. Call Mr. Power over to listen to it. Done!
Thurs. 4/17/08: Saving, Editing, Copying and Pasting
AIM: How do we name our saved files? How do we edit ID tags? How do we copy and paste?
Copy the AIM and turn off your screens. Move your chair up to watch the screen to see how to do today's work.
How to save (if you need to see how to save as an MP3, look at yesterday's directions):
1. Save your project as an Audacity Project file (.aup) unless you finish it. When finished, always save it as an MP3 (.mp3) file.
2. Always save your files onto your computer account's drive unless noted otherwise.
3. Always fill out the ID tag when you save (see the next section).
4. When you save, name the file with your name followed by the name of the project we are working on. It should look like this: Name - Project Name. For example: Mr Power - 1st Recording.
How to edit ID tags:
1. Go to the "Project" menu and select "edit ID3 tags."
2. Fill in the correct information. Put your name for Artist and put the name of the Project in the Title field. Now this information will appear when you play your MP3 on another program like Windows Media Player or iTunes (or on your iPod).
Next Project: Copy and Paste Over and Over
1. Pick an MP3 from the "Mugic" folder and import it into Audacity.
2. Pick an interesting part of the song that is no more than 2 seconds long.
3. Copy that little piece of the song and paste it into a new track.
4. Paste it over and over again so that it repeats about 20 times.
5. Get rid of the original track so that only your repeated part remains.
6. Save it as an MP3 and let Mr. Power listen to it.
Copy the AIM and turn off your screens. Move your chair up to watch the screen to see how to do today's work.
How to save (if you need to see how to save as an MP3, look at yesterday's directions):
1. Save your project as an Audacity Project file (.aup) unless you finish it. When finished, always save it as an MP3 (.mp3) file.
2. Always save your files onto your computer account's drive unless noted otherwise.
3. Always fill out the ID tag when you save (see the next section).
4. When you save, name the file with your name followed by the name of the project we are working on. It should look like this: Name - Project Name. For example: Mr Power - 1st Recording.
How to edit ID tags:
1. Go to the "Project" menu and select "edit ID3 tags."
2. Fill in the correct information. Put your name for Artist and put the name of the Project in the Title field. Now this information will appear when you play your MP3 on another program like Windows Media Player or iTunes (or on your iPod).
Next Project: Copy and Paste Over and Over
1. Pick an MP3 from the "Mugic" folder and import it into Audacity.
2. Pick an interesting part of the song that is no more than 2 seconds long.
3. Copy that little piece of the song and paste it into a new track.
4. Paste it over and over again so that it repeats about 20 times.
5. Get rid of the original track so that only your repeated part remains.
6. Save it as an MP3 and let Mr. Power listen to it.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Wed. 4/16/08: Saving an MP3 in Audacity
AIM: How do we create MP3s in Audacity?
As some of you figured out yesterday, saving MP3s in Audacity isn't totally simple. Here's how to do it:
1. Create the audio file you like and edit it until you are finished.
2. Go to the "File" menu and select "Export as MP3."
3. If you've never done this before, you will have to use the LAME dll file to encode the MP3. A menu prompt will pop up, asking you to do this.
4. We already downloaded the correct LAME file (thanks Brando!) and put it in the Transfer folder that everyone can access. When the window pops up when you try to save, click where it says to locate the file.
5. Go to My Computer, go into the Transfer folder, and then into the LAME for Audacity folder. Find the LAME file, click on it, and select OK. It should save your audio file as an MP3 now!
6. Make sure to let Mr. Power listen to your saved file today to get credit.
If you are doing this at home, you'll have to get the LAME file yourself. Click HERE to go to the website where you can download the file. Be sure to choose the correct version based on the Operating System you use (Mac or Windows).
As some of you figured out yesterday, saving MP3s in Audacity isn't totally simple. Here's how to do it:
1. Create the audio file you like and edit it until you are finished.
2. Go to the "File" menu and select "Export as MP3."
3. If you've never done this before, you will have to use the LAME dll file to encode the MP3. A menu prompt will pop up, asking you to do this.
4. We already downloaded the correct LAME file (thanks Brando!) and put it in the Transfer folder that everyone can access. When the window pops up when you try to save, click where it says to locate the file.
5. Go to My Computer, go into the Transfer folder, and then into the LAME for Audacity folder. Find the LAME file, click on it, and select OK. It should save your audio file as an MP3 now!
6. Make sure to let Mr. Power listen to your saved file today to get credit.
If you are doing this at home, you'll have to get the LAME file yourself. Click HERE to go to the website where you can download the file. Be sure to choose the correct version based on the Operating System you use (Mac or Windows).
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Tues. 4/15/08: Opening and saving Audacity files
AIM: How do we open and save files in the Audacity program? What else can we do?
1. Copy down the AIM.
2. Go to 'My Computer' and open up the 'Transfer' drive that everyone shares.
3. Somebody uploaded many MP3s onto this drive under a folder called 'Mugic.' Double-click on that folder.
4. Open Audacity by clicking on the icon on your desktop.
5. Use the File menu to open up one of the MP3s in the 'Mugic' folder. You should see it pop up in Audacity with the file name on the very top bar of the program.
6. Close that file only by clicking the little 'X' on that file's sound bar.
7. Go to the 'Mugic' folder and try dragging a different file into the program. Close it out without saving again.
8. Click the red circle (the record button) and speak loudly and clearly into the mic on your monitor (the little button-thing at the top of the monitor) and say this:
"Hi, my name is _______________, and this is my first recording test."
9. Click on the square (the stop button).
10. Save your file as an Audacity project file (.aup) and as an MP3 file (.mp3). To save as an MP3 file, use the "Export" menu option.
11. Show Mr. Power your recorded file!
*remember to bring your headphones to class!
1. Copy down the AIM.
2. Go to 'My Computer' and open up the 'Transfer' drive that everyone shares.
3. Somebody uploaded many MP3s onto this drive under a folder called 'Mugic.' Double-click on that folder.
4. Open Audacity by clicking on the icon on your desktop.
5. Use the File menu to open up one of the MP3s in the 'Mugic' folder. You should see it pop up in Audacity with the file name on the very top bar of the program.
6. Close that file only by clicking the little 'X' on that file's sound bar.
7. Go to the 'Mugic' folder and try dragging a different file into the program. Close it out without saving again.
8. Click the red circle (the record button) and speak loudly and clearly into the mic on your monitor (the little button-thing at the top of the monitor) and say this:
"Hi, my name is _______________, and this is my first recording test."
9. Click on the square (the stop button).
10. Save your file as an Audacity project file (.aup) and as an MP3 file (.mp3). To save as an MP3 file, use the "Export" menu option.
11. Show Mr. Power your recorded file!
*remember to bring your headphones to class!
Monday, April 14, 2008
Mon. 4/14/08
No AIM...
free day!
...while Mr. Power figures out how to get the necessary equipment for our unit.
free day!
...while Mr. Power figures out how to get the necessary equipment for our unit.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Fri. 4/10/08: Digital Audio
AIM: What do we know about digital audio?
1. Take out your notes page from yesterday.
2. Move to the front of the class and turn off your computer screen.
3. Copy the AIM onto the top of your notes if you haven't already.
1. Take out your notes page from yesterday.
2. Move to the front of the class and turn off your computer screen.
3. Copy the AIM onto the top of your notes if you haven't already.
Thurs. 4/10/08: Beautiful Blog comments
No AIM.
1. Read at least three other students' blogs.
2. Find one post per blog that is interesting and click on the "comments" link at the bottom.
3. Leave an insightful comment.
4. Reapeat three times.
5. Email the links to your comments to Mr. Power.
1. Read at least three other students' blogs.
2. Find one post per blog that is interesting and click on the "comments" link at the bottom.
3. Leave an insightful comment.
4. Reapeat three times.
5. Email the links to your comments to Mr. Power.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Tues. 4/8/08: Blogs due tomorrow
AIM: Let's finish our blogs!
Continue shaping up your blog today. Blogs are due tomorrow. Check yesterday's blog post and the posts before that to help you on your blog. Do your best!
Continue shaping up your blog today. Blogs are due tomorrow. Check yesterday's blog post and the posts before that to help you on your blog. Do your best!
Mon. 4/7/08: Blog Project Final Grade
AIM: How will we be graded on our blog projects?
Our topic-specific blogs are due Wednesday. Here's how you will be graded:
1. Ten topic-specific blog entries. There must be ten entries or more total. More will earn you more points.
2. Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This includes the types of grammar and spelling AIMs from the last few days. Try reading your blogs aloud to make sure they make sense.
3. At least two posts must contain pictures.
4. At least two posts must contain working links.
5. The blog itself (the "decoration") must go along with the topic of the blog.
Please don't wait - work hard on your blogs TODAY and ask questions TODAY so that I can help you before Wednesday.
*check out today's featured blog (Brando's College Walk blog) to see a blog that uses correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Our topic-specific blogs are due Wednesday. Here's how you will be graded:
1. Ten topic-specific blog entries. There must be ten entries or more total. More will earn you more points.
2. Correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. This includes the types of grammar and spelling AIMs from the last few days. Try reading your blogs aloud to make sure they make sense.
3. At least two posts must contain pictures.
4. At least two posts must contain working links.
5. The blog itself (the "decoration") must go along with the topic of the blog.
Please don't wait - work hard on your blogs TODAY and ask questions TODAY so that I can help you before Wednesday.
*check out today's featured blog (Brando's College Walk blog) to see a blog that uses correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Thurs. 4/3/08: Other ideas
AIM: How else could we make our blogs interesting?
We're almost done with our blog project! The thing most students still need to work on is correcting the spelling, grammar, and punctuation of their posts.
1. Work on your tenth topic-specific blog entry today.
2. Some other tricks to make your blog interesting: Try putting up a poll, adding links or graphics at the very bottom, or putting a custom-made image up with your title. You can also play around with font style, font size, and font color.
3. It's okay to spell-check your entries...
We're almost done with our blog project! The thing most students still need to work on is correcting the spelling, grammar, and punctuation of their posts.
1. Work on your tenth topic-specific blog entry today.
2. Some other tricks to make your blog interesting: Try putting up a poll, adding links or graphics at the very bottom, or putting a custom-made image up with your title. You can also play around with font style, font size, and font color.
3. It's okay to spell-check your entries...
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Weds. 4/2/08: Chat words
AIM: How can we make sure we don't misuse language when doing real writing (as opposed to chatting)?
1. Today you are working on your ninth blog entry.
2. Go back and check your posts for slang. It is common to accidentally put slang (especially internet "chat" slang) into your writing automatically if you are used to it. The trouble is that your writing should communicate something to anyone who comes along and reads your blog, no matter if that person knows the slang or not.
3. Double-check your blog for internet slang. Make sure you replace "U" with "you," "wit" with "with", "ur" with "your" or "you're" (figure out which one is correct!), "4" with "for" (or "four" if you are using the number), and check the end of your words for the letter "Z" when an "s" should be there. Also don't use "LOL" or "LMAO" or "ROFL" or similar abbreviations in your writing. These should be saved for texting and chatting only. Try a short sentence like "It was hilarious" instead.
4. For some commonly misused words, check out the following link:
http://www.noslang.com/spelling.php
1. Today you are working on your ninth blog entry.
2. Go back and check your posts for slang. It is common to accidentally put slang (especially internet "chat" slang) into your writing automatically if you are used to it. The trouble is that your writing should communicate something to anyone who comes along and reads your blog, no matter if that person knows the slang or not.
3. Double-check your blog for internet slang. Make sure you replace "U" with "you," "wit" with "with", "ur" with "your" or "you're" (figure out which one is correct!), "4" with "for" (or "four" if you are using the number), and check the end of your words for the letter "Z" when an "s" should be there. Also don't use "LOL" or "LMAO" or "ROFL" or similar abbreviations in your writing. These should be saved for texting and chatting only. Try a short sentence like "It was hilarious" instead.
4. For some commonly misused words, check out the following link:
http://www.noslang.com/spelling.php
Tues. 4/1/08: Capitals
AIM: How do we make sure our blog posts are easy to understand?
1. Post your eighth blog entry today.
2. Go back and edit your old posts to make sure your capitals are all okay - many of us have a problem with this, unfortunately!
3. Keep these tips in mind:
-Always capitalize "I"
-Always capitalize the first letter of a sentence
-Always capitalize proper nouns (names and titles of things like The Washington Monument or The Statue of Liberty).
-Don't capitalize anything else.
1. Post your eighth blog entry today.
2. Go back and edit your old posts to make sure your capitals are all okay - many of us have a problem with this, unfortunately!
3. Keep these tips in mind:
-Always capitalize "I"
-Always capitalize the first letter of a sentence
-Always capitalize proper nouns (names and titles of things like The Washington Monument or The Statue of Liberty).
-Don't capitalize anything else.
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