Activity 1

Activity – My First Recording

Resource Type:

Activity

Duration:

30 minutes

Outcomes:

Learners are expected to:

SO 2.1.            create a new Audacity project

SO 2.8.            export an Audacity project as an MP3 file

SO 3.1.            identify and use the Audacity transport controls for Play, Record and Stop

SO 3.2.            perform a basic record function

SO 3.5.            adjust the input levels in Audacity

SO 3.7.            demonstrate how to use the Selection Tool

SO 4.3.            analyze the volume level of a sound and make appropriate adjustments

SO 5.4.            identify the visual characteristics of a good sounding waveform

Suggested Evaluation:

Many outcomes are satisfied through this activity. The following rubric can be used to assist in evaluating student performance in this activity:

Incomplete                 0
Unsatisfactory           1
Satisfactory                2
Exceptional                3

OUTCOMES	EVALUATION
SO 2.1
SO 2.8
SO 3.1
SO 3.2
SO 3.5
SO 3.7
SO 4.3
SO 5.4

Procedure:

In this activity you will make your first recording with Audacity. You will record yourself saying your alphabet.

Open the Audacity software. Click on the Input Volume Meter to make sure that you have a good Input Volume level.

If your microphone is setup properly you will begin to see the input level meter show your input level. You can adjust the input level by moving the slider to the left (down) or right (up). By watching your meter and speaking or playing into your microphone your meter will show your level. Make adjustments to the input volume slider until your signal never goes above 2/3 of the way up the meter.

Now you are ready to record. Click the RECORD button and say your alphabet. When you are done click STOP.

If you have your Input Volume level set properly then you should have a nice thick waveform. If you are not happy with your waveform then click the X in the top left of your track to delete that recording, adjust your Input Volume level and rerecord your alphabet.

Once you have made a recording which has a nice thick waveform you need to use your Selection tool to select and delete any unwanted sound at the beginning and end of your recording. 

When you are done you need to export your recording as an MP3 file and submit it to your teacher. You can name your MP3 “Recording Volume Level yourname.MP3.”