If you know how to use the features of the program, it can be quite powerful.One of the more common uses for Audacity is joining multiple song files together.You can change the fade between each song.You can create professional sounding mixes in very little time if you get a hang for how Audacity works.
Step 1: You need to download and install Audacity.
Audacity is an open source audio editing program.You can get it from audacityteam.org.The operating system you are using will be detected by the Audacity website.To download the correct version of your operating system, click the "All Audacity Downloads" link.After you have downloaded the software, follow the instructions to install it.You don't have to worry if you download from the official website.
Step 2: You can download and install LAME.
If you want to export the finished file as an mp3 you need this software.Visit the LAME page.The proper installation for your operating system should be downloaded and run.If Windows tells you that the source is unknown, you can proceed with the installation.
Step 3: It's time to launch Audacity.
You'll be greeted with a blank project when you start Audacity.
Step 4: You can combine the songs by opening them.
Click "File" and browse for the first song that you want to join.For each song you want to add, repeat.
Step 5: Start a new project.
To create a blank project, click "File" and "New".This new project will combine all of the files so that the originals stay the same.
Step 6: The first song should be copied.
The song you want to start with can be found in the window.If you want to select the entire song, you have to press Command + A.You can change the settings by clicking "Edit" and "Select All".Click "Copy" to copy the selected track.
Step 7: Take the song and put it in the new project.
To paste the copied track, highlight the empty project and press the command + V.You can see the track in the window.
Step 8: There is a second audio track in the project.
"Stereo Track" can be added if you click on "Tracks".Under the first song you pasted, this will create a second blank track.
Step 9: You can copy the second song.
After creating your new audio track, open the window for the second song and repeat the selection and copy process.
Step 10: The end of the track is in the new project.
To find the end of the first track you pasted, scroll all the way to the right in the new project.There are no waves at the end of the new blank audio track.
Step 11: Take the second track and paste it.
You can paste the second song after placing your cursor in the new audio track at the end of the first track.The first song in the top audio track will start when the first ends, and the second song will begin at the bottom of the track.You can create a new stereo audio track for each track by repeating this process.To see the project better, the window should be full-screen.
Step 12: Silence between the tracks.
If your tracks jump from one to the next too quickly, you can use the Silence Generator.The spot where you want to silence is between the songs.To open the Silence Generator, click "Generate" "Silence"The amount of silence you want to add should be changed.There are two seconds of silence between tracks on many CDs.Click "OK" to generate the amount of silence you want.
Step 13: There should be a fade between the tracks.
You can have your songs fade into each other.It will take a little experimentation to get it to sound right.If you don't like the change you've made, press Command + Z to reverse it.You can fade out a portion of the song.The last few seconds of a song can be selected using your mouse.Click "Effects" if you want to see "Cross Fade Out".As the effect is applied to your selection, the waves of the music will adjust.The selected part can be played by clicking the Play button.Don't use the command if you're unhappy with the fade.Pick the beginning few seconds of the next track."Cross Fade In" is an effect you can click on.
Step 14: Listen to the whole thing.
Give the whole thing a listen to make sure it sounds good.Click the button to hear the whole thing if nothing is selected.You can make adjustments based on what you hear.
Step 15: You can save a copy of the project.
Click "File" to save your project.You won't be able to play this version on anything, but it will allow you to make more changes later.
Step 16: Click "File" if you want to export audio.
You can save "MP3 files" from the drop-down menu.
Step 17: Click it.
Better quality will come from higher bit rates.It's the closest you can get to the original quality of the files.
Step 18: Pick where you want to export the file to.
When you're satisfied, click Save.
Step 19: Click if you want to.
This will cause each of your tracks to be on a single stereo track.
Step 20: If you want to save it, fill it out.
You can either enter artists, song names, or leave everything blank.When you're done, click OK.
Step 21: Wait for the export to be completed.
Depending on how many songs you are combining, the time will vary.