Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software Kathryn Shaughnessy Instructional Services Librarian Prepared for METRO SIGs, January 13, 2006

01/13/20052 Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software This demonstration will guide you through downloading 2 free applications: 1) Audacity (the podcast recording software) 2) LAME (the software that converts the Audacity podcast file into an mp3 file)

01/13/20053 Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software Open your browser to and click on Download Audacity 1.2.4b for Microsoft Windowshttp://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Download Audacity 1.2.4b

01/13/20054 Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software From this page, click in the Recommended “Audacity” link …

01/13/20055 Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software From this page, scroll down and click on the Phoenix AZ download

01/13/20056 Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software The program will alert you (at the top of the webpage) that “Your download should begin shortly” If the download initiates, a “pop-up”/dialog box will ask you whether you want to “run” or “save” the file, Click RUN If the program does not start to download, check whether a pop- up blocker is interfering; if not, try win-1.2.4b.exe or choose a different mirror win-1.2.4b.exe

01/13/20057 Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software After running the Audacity.exe file, a “SetUp Wizard” interface will appear on your screen...Click the “Next > ” button

01/13/20058 Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software Read/Accept the agreement, click on the Accept radio button... then Click the “Next > ” button;

01/13/20059 Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software Read the next Information screen and click the “Next > ” button again

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software The wizard suggests/creates a folder called “Audacity” in your Programs folder [note where this folder is, since you will need to save one of the LAME files in the same folder later] click “Next >”

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software A desktop icon is a good idea, click the “Next > ” button again

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software The program is ready to install on your computer and click “Install”

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software When installation is complete, click Finish; this completes the installation …

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software … and also starts the Audacity program, which looks like this

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder Next, to download the LAME application: Open or Return to the Audacity webpage and click on LAME MP3 encoder under the optional Downloads section LAME MP3 encoder

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder and click on the LAME download page…& follow the directions… LAME download page

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder Choose one from any of the links (e.g.: Peter Yang):

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder A Download file menu will show up, Choose SAVE,

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder Save the zip file to your desktop (click desktop icon on left, then click Save)

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder When finished downloading, Click “Open Folder”

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder When finished downloading, Click “Open Folder” or double-click on the “lame ” zipped-folder on the desktop. Keep the LAME folder open, and in a separate window, open the Audacity folder (My Computer  C-Drive  Program Files  Audacity)

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder In the LAME Folder, Right-click on the lame.enc.dll file and choose copy

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software, LAME encoder Click over to the Audacity Folder, right-click in blank area and choose Paste.

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software We are nearly there…you can safely close all of the windows, but keep the Audacity program window open – (or re-launch the program if you closed it already)

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software It is advisable to set up 2 preferences in order to facilitate recording and saving manageable mp3 files: Go to File  Preferences

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software Click on the Audio I/O tab: under Channels select 2 (Stereo)

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software File  Preferences  File Format tab: under Bit Rate select 64

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software Now you are ready to start recording your podcast in Audacity, and you will be able to save it as reasonably good quality mp3 file. NOTE: The first time your Audacity program attempts to “export as mp3” it will prompt a search for the LAME file; since you already put it in the Audacity folder, it will find and associate the LAME file so that no future prompt will be necessary. Transom.org has some information on editing with Audacity ( ; Handout available) For a rough demo on recording/editing Audacity (approx. 7 mins):

01/13/ Podcasting in Libraries: Downloading Audacity software Access the full article on Podcasting at St. John’s Libraries Please contact me with thoughts/questions/clarifications: –Kathryn Shaughnessy, Instructional Services Lab St. John’s University (718)