1. Download Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/windows
Click Audacity Installer link
Note: When downloading Audacity and Lame’ note that the version numbers & screens may have changed slightly in the time since the creation of the tutorial.

2. Lame MP3 Encoder
Click on the Lame download page – be sure to put it somewhere that is easy to find.

3. Lame Mp3 Encoder

4. Get Copyright-free music
Prior to laying down podcast tracks, make and save your audio files to your computer.
Saving to your Music folder is best.

5. Music tips
Choose music, it should be complimentary and not distracting
Generally for a booktalk podcast, go with a second selection
When downloading music, be sure to click on “save to disk” and place it where it is handy.

6. Music Tips (cont’d)
Using is best because it is copyright free. You may publish the podcast to the web without infringing on the copyright. (Note: even if you are using a purchased song or CD it is a copyright violation.)

7. Audacity Basics
Play, pause, record, etc.
Selection Tool
Shift tool

8. New Project- Step 1
Start by Clicking on Project
Choose - Import Audio

9. Adding Effects to Music File
After clicking on “Import Audio” the audio track will appear.
Use Selection Tool to select about 5 seconds, just drag tool over the area
Selected area will be gray

10. Adding Effects Click “Fade In” from the Effect picklist
Note the change at the beginning of the music selection
Move selection tool to the spot you want to fade out. (5-10 seconds further in the selection).
Select “Fade Out” from Effect picklist.

11. Add new track, copy & paste
You have now added both “fade in” and “fade out” to your music.
Go to Project picklist and select “Add Stereo Track)
New track appears below
Next, use selection tool and select the section of music that you added the fade in/fade out
Click on Edit,
Click on Copy
Paste to new track (Edit, Paste)

12. Delete original music track & Add a NewAudio Track
You don’t need the orignial track, just Click on the X.
Go to Project picklist and choose “New Audio Track”

13. Save / Export as MP3 Click File Select “Export as MP3” Click Save

14. Note on Saving
If you save the file as an Audacity file it is not useable with any other program.
Be sure to Export as MP3 in order to use it with MovieMaker or any other video making software.
Audacity works great for audio podcasts too!