The Audacity Audio Editing Tutorial

Import an audio file

To open an existing audio file:

• Click File > Import > Audio
• Or, drag and drop an audio file into Audacity

You’ll see the audio displayed as a waveform.

Understanding the interface (a quick tour)

• Waveform: The visual representation of sound
• Timeline (top): Shows time in seconds/minutes

• Playback Controls:

  • ▶ Play

  • ⏸ Pause

  • ⏹ Stop

• Selection Tool (I-beam icon): Used to highlight audio

• Tracks Panel (left): Shows track name, mute/solo, volume

Select audio

1. Choose the Selection Tool (default tool).

2. Click and drag over part of the waveform.

3. The highlighted area is your selection.

Tip: Press Ctrl + A (Windows) or Cmd + A (Mac) to select all audio.

Cut, Delete and Trim audio

• Cut: Remove audio and copy it
  Edit > Cut or Ctrl/Cmd + X
• Delete: Remove audio completely
  Press Delete
• Trim: Keep only the selected part
  Edit > Remove Special > Trim Audio

Move audio

1. Select the Time Shift Tool (↔ icon).

2. Click and drag the audio left or right on the timeline.

Adjust volume

Option A: Amplify

1. Select audio

2. Click Effect > Volume and Compression >Amplify

3. Adjust the level and click OK

Option B: Track Volume Slider

• Use the volume slider on the left side of the track for quick changes

Fade In and Fade Out

• Select the beginning of the audio > Effect > Fade In
• Select the end of the audio > Effect > Fade Out

Great for music and smooth transitions.

Remove background noise

1. Select a section with only background noise

2. Go to Effect > Noise Reduction > Get Noise Profile

3. Select the entire track

4. Go back to Noise Reduction

5. Click OK

Tip: Don’t overdo it. Too much noise reduction can make audio sound robotic.

Add simple effects

Some common beginner effects:

• Normalize – balances volume
• Echo – adds repeating sound
• Reverb – makes audio sound like it’s in a room

Find them under Effect in the top menu.

Export your audio

When you’re finished:

1. Click File > Export

2. Choose a format (MP3, WAV, etc.)

3. Name your file

4. Click Save

Save your project

• Use File > Save Project

• This saves an Audacity project file (.aup3) so you can edit later

Note: Project files are not playable audio - always export when finished.

Helpful keyboard shortcuts

• Space – Play / Stop

• Ctrl/Cmd + Z – Undo

• Ctrl/Cmd + Y – Redo

• Ctrl/Cmd + A – Select all

• Delete – Remove selected audio