Audacity
For use with MFL Speaking Tests
User Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction ... 3
1 Installation ... 3
1.1 Installing Audacity ... 3
1.2 Installing Lame MP3 Encoder ... 6
2 Getting Started ... 9
3 Considering Recording Conditions ... 10
4 Using a USB Microphone ... 11
5 Starting Recording... 14
6 Saving your Recording ... 14
Introduction
AQA have packaged the software ready for use, included the mp3 encoder, and placed it on our website at the location below.
www.aqa.org.uk/audiorecorder
If you do not wish to use this version, Audacity is free software that is available to download from the internet from the website http://audacity.sourceforge.net. There are currently 2 versions available and we recommend that you use the latest stable one (version 1.2.6).
The version on the audacity website does not include the mp3 encoder by default, to export this in MP3 format (recommended to generate smaller audio recording file) you will need to download another application from the website http://lame.buanzo.com.ar/ from this page, you will have to click on the link under “For Audacity on Windows”.
1
Installation
1.1 Installing Audacity
Once you have downloaded the file from the website, double click on the icon Audacity-Win-1.2.6 to start the installation.
You will now arrive at the welcome Wizard screen (below), click Next to continue the installation.
The License Agreement will be displayed; select I accept the agreement and click Next.
The installation destination will be, by default, the program files folder, you can change this path by clicking on the Browse button.
Select both options (shown below) and click Next.
At the end of the installation tick the box “launch Audacity” to start the application.
Click Finish to quit the installation.
1.2 Installing Lame MP3 Encoder
Once you have downloaded the file from the website, double click on the icon Lam_v3.98.2_for-Audacity to start the installation.
Note: The name could be different if a new version has been released.
You will now arrive at the welcome Wizard screen (below), click Next to continue the installation.
The installation destination will be, by default, the program files folder, you can change this path by clicking on the Browse button.
IMPORTANT: Please make a note of the installation path as you will need it for
your first export in MP3 with audacity.
At the end of the installation, the confirmation window will appear, click Finish.
2
Getting Started
When you first launch Audacity it will ask you to select the language for the application, the default is English, click OK.
Control Toolbar
This toolbar works very much like a video or cassette recorder.
Record
Initiates the recording of an audio file. Pause
Temporarily stops the recording or playback. This comes in useful if you record one part of your podcast and then want to prepare yourself for the next section. To restart the recording press the pause button again. Stop
Ends the recording or playback. This must be done before any further editing is carried out.
Play
Plays back a recording. Back Skip
Skips to the beginning of the recording. Forward Skip
Skips to the end or to a position where the cursor is placed.
Input Device
The only other feature that is important at this stage is the input device. If you click the drop down arrow you’ll see a list of options. You should select the appropriate option for the tool you will be using to record the tests. If you are using the internal microphone of the computer select Microphone, if you are using an external microphone which is plugged in the computer select Line in
3
Considering Recording Conditions
.
When making a recording you need to remember the microphone will pick up most of the sound made around it during that time. Here are some things to consider:
Background noise - the recording will pick up other sounds made in the room
including other people talking, machine noise and telephone rings. To avoid this it is best to record in a quite and secluded room.
Microphone position - the microphone doesn’t have to be to close to your
mouth as it tends to pick up unwanted noises like inhaling and exhaling, plus the recording tends to be loud if the microphone is to close. When making a
4
Using a USB Microphone
Before starting your recording, plug the microphone into the computer (shown below).
Right click on the audio icon on the toolbar to open the menu.
Once the menu opens select Adjust Audio Properties.
Change the default device to the USB Device you plugged in (our example below is C-Media USB Headphone Set). Click on OK to save the changes.
To start the AQA Audio Recorder, click on the Edit menu and select
This will open a window called Audacity Preferences. Once in this window select the Audio I/O tab (shown below).
In Recording, select the USB Microphone (our example below is C-Media USB Headphone Set).
Click on OK to save the changes.
You can now start recording using the USB Microphone, selecting the “Stereo
Mix” as input device from the interface.
5
Starting Recording
Before you start recording it is important to make a few final checks • If you are using an external microphone, ensure that it is plugged in
correctly.
• Check that the Input Device
When you are happy that the environment is correct, you should begin recording.
Press
is set appropriately (either Microphone or Line in – see para.2 above).
Record and start speaking. As you talk, you should notice the sound wave trace (shown below) is produced. You may also notice the Meter Toolbar will move to the sound of your voice, and the Timer Positions at the
bottom of the screen will be counting.
It is recommended that you listen to your recording in case you need to adjust some of the parameters. For instance, if you think the volume of the recording is too loud or too low, you can adjust the volume level by moving the tab on the microphone section of the Mixer Toolbar. It is suggested you test this until it is at a level that is suitable to you.
6
Saving your Recording
You can save your recording by going to the File Menu and selecting Export as MP3. On the File Menu select Export as mp3. This will open a window (shown below), you will then need to select the directory you want to save your
recording and give it a name. Please ensure that you give your recording an appropriate name in the File name box (shown in red below). Once this has been done click SAVE.
Audacity does not recognise/export MP3 files, and will need the Lame MP3 to be installed before you can continue (See the installation part of this user guide). The message below will be displayed asking you to locate the lame file on your computer.
Locate the folder where the file lame_enc.dll is (this is the path shown during the installation of Lame, see 1.2 Installing Lame MP3 Encoder) and click on
Open. DO NOT CHANGE THE VALUE in “FILES OF TYPE”.
A further window will open which will let you personalise the recorded file by adding a tag which will then display in most mp3 players, see the example below from Window Media Player.
This is optional information but it could help to recognise your recordings while playing using an mp3 player such as Windows Media player, iTunes or Winamp. For example, you could fill the Artist field with the candidate name, and the title field with the examination name. Once this has been done click OK.
7
Recommendations
Described below is how the software should be set up to provide high quality recordings in small acceptable file size.
The settings can be altered by clicking on the Edit Menu and selecting
Preferences.
A window will open called Audacity Preferences. Once in this window select the Quality tab (shown below) and change the Default Sample Rate to
44100Hz and Default Sample Format to 16-bit. These settings are used by
Still using the Edit Menu and Preferences, select the File Formats tab and change the Bit Rate value to 128 (shown below).
