Audacity is a free/ open source software and can be downloaded from http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. Audacity is an audio editor and can be used to record, edit, and add effects to audio recordings. They are mostly used to record Podcasts.
What you need to know about Audacity:
- Record an audio: The major purpose for which Audacity is used is to record an audio. You can download Audacity in your personal laptop and use it to record audio.
- Edit an audio: You need to know how to edit an audio. This will include importing audio from other sources and editing them. Apart from this, if you also know how to work with noise cancellations and add other features to the audio such as fade in and fade out, it is seen as an added advantage.
How is it used in the industry:
Audacity is not used much in the industry as much as Word Processing Tools are used. Many Technical Communication Managers mentioned that they do not need new graduates to know how to use Audacity. They do not test new graduates in this skill but consider it an added advantage if technical writers know how to use audio editing software.
If and when used in the industry, it is used for the purpose of recording and adding voiceovers to instructional materials and training documents that are prepared for internal circulation within the organization.
How it is used in the MSTC Program:
Audacity is one of the main audio editing tools taught to under-graduate students as well as graduate students in the MSTC Program. It is taught to students in tool-based required courses as well as electives. Students are taught how to record, edit, and create a podcast using Audacity.
Assignments are usually in the form of Podcasts. Students are expected to learn and apply all the basic functions of Audacity. Thus, it makes them learn how to use an audio editor. Instructors feel that if students learn how to work with Audacity, it will help them a lot in learning other advanced audio editing software.
Tool-based courses in which Audacity is taught:
COM 267 – Media Writing, Theory and Practice
It is an elective offered by the Communication Department for undergraduate students in the English department. In this course there is a separate session for Guest Lecture on Podcast. Students are given theoretical information about Podcasting before they are introduced to Audacity. Once the theory portion is over, students are given an opportunity to try Audacity and work on creating a basic Podcast. This includes recording and editing a Podcast.
ENG 517 – Advanced Technical Writing, Editing, and Document Design
This is a required course for the students in the MSTC Program. In this course students are taught the major functions of Audacity and are assigned the task of creating a Podcast. The students are asked to create a Podcast as with multiple episodes. Apart from this, students are also taught the techniques of audio mixing such as noise cancellation and adding music to their Podcast and editing techniques for a Podcast.
Where can you get more information about Audacity:
If you are a novice and wish to learn more about how Audacity can be used, you can find them in the Tutorials section of the Audacity webpage.
Audacity is also available for students use in the CHASS Lab and in computer-based classrooms in Tompkins. As mentioned earlier, you can also download it for free.