DIGITIZING ANALOG AUDIO SOURCES USING
AUDACITY
INTRODUCTION
There are many ways to digitize and edit audio, all of which are dependant on the
hardware and software used. This workflow provides instructions for digitizing analog
audio using Audacity – a free and open source software program.
These instructions and screenshots are taken from Audacity 2.2.2 on a Windows
machine, and will vary depending on version and operating system. Audacity is a free,
easy-to-use, multi-track audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux
and other operating systems and can be downloaded here:
● https://www.audacityteam.org/download/
For more information about audio digitization, view related items connected to this
resource on the Sustainable Heritage Network in the “Audio Recordings” category.
● Audio File Types for Preservation and Access: Resource Guide
● Audio Cassette Digitization: Equipment Purchasing Guide
● Basic Audio Editing Using Audacity: Instructions
● Audio Cassette Digitization: Workflow
AUDACITY CONFIGURATION
Project Settings
The specific capture settings are affected by project needs and equipment compatibility,
among other considerations. These settings should be documented in your project plan.
This workflow assumes that capture settings are 48 kHz and 24 bits (which is sufficient
for most audio formats - adjust your settings accordingly), and that playback and
capture equipment has been properly assembled, installed, and connected. Refer to
manufacturer’s specifications for assembling and servicing equipment.
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1) From the menu, go to Edit > Preferences (or press Ctrl+P).
2) Select the Quality sub-menu. Apply the following settings:
a) Sampling
i) Default Sample Rate: 48000 Hz
ii) Default Sample Format (bit depth): 24-bit
b) Real-time Conversion
i) Sample Rate Converter: Medium Quality (default setting)
ii) Dither: None (default setting)
c) High-quality Conversion
i) Sample Rate Converter: Best Quality (Slowest) (default setting)
ii) Dither: Shaped (default setting)
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Recording and Playback Settings
1) From the menu, go to Edit > Preferences (or press Ctrl+P).
2) Select the Devices sub-menu. These settings and inputs vary depending on
equipment - some trial and error may be required. These can also be accessed
in the main editing window.
a) Interface
i) Host (The "Audio Host" is the interface between Audacity and the
sound device): MME (Windows default), Core Audio (Mac default),
ALSA (Linux default)
b) Playback
i) Device: The named sound device to which your headphones or
speakers are connected. Likely a sound or audio interface device
that you have installed. Preferably not a device like Microsoft
Sound Mapper that uses the system default device, as this will
produce a poorer-quality signal than a dedicated audio interface.
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c) Recording
i) Device: The named audio interface you are using to perform the
analog/digital conversion.
ii) Channels: Most likely 2 (Stereo). If the audio turns out to only be a
Mono track, it is easy to discard the empty channel before exporting
files.
d) Latency
i) Buffer Length: 100 milliseconds (default setting)
ii) Track shift after record: -130 milliseconds (default setting)
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EQUIPMENT SETTINGS
TEST RECORDING QUALITY AND VOLUME
Before playing and digitizing the recording in full, it’s best to capture a shorter section of
the recording to check recording quality and settings. Note that if the recordings are
especially damaged or fragile, it may be best to only play and record them once, so
adjustments may need to be made on the fly.
1) Load analog recording into playback device.
2) Press Record in Audacity.
3) Wait a few seconds, then press play on the playback device.
a) Listen to the audio coming directly from the playback device if it has a
headphone or microphone output so you can compare the volume and
quality to the Audacity recording.
4) Record a long enough clip to serve as a representative sample.
5) Stop the playback device, then stop the Audacity recording.
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6) Listen to the Audacity recording and compare it to the audio coming directly out
of the playback device.
a) The volume should have a maximum peak of around -6.0dB.
b) Use the Recording Level slider (microphone icon) to adjust the input
volume. The Playback Level slider (speaker icon) does not affect
recording levels, only the output to speakers/headphones.
c) It is better to have the recording come in slightly quieter than have it max
out of 0dB. Levels above 0dB will be clipped, and the audio will be
distorted.
7) Once levels are adjusted, rewind the recording, and prepare to digitize it
completely.
8) Discard the recording test from Audacity.
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Resource updated 3/14/2018
DIGITIZATION
1) Load analog recording into playback device.
2) Press Record in Audacity.
3) Wait a few seconds, then press play on the playback device (this extra silence
can be removed later).
4) When the recording is finished, wait a few seconds, then stop the Audacity
recording (this extra silence can be removed later).
5) Export (see below).
6) Repeat on other side of recording media if applicable.
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QUALITY CONTROL
Listen to selections of the recording and spot check quality of recording.
EXPORTING
Audacity has two similar commands that can be confusing: Save
and Export.
Saving
produces AUP files which are not sound files and are only used within Audacity to
construct a project from provided sound files. AUP files are useful if a user needs to
preserve the individual edits in a project, or needs to stop a project in the middle of
editing and continue at a later time. Exporting produces audio files in a range of file
formats suitable for use elsewhere (eg: MP3, WAV), and is used to produce
preservation and access files.
Save Audacity Project File (AUP)
1) From the menu, go to File > Save Project
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Audacity is a well-established tool with an expansive user base and many helpful
resources available online.
● Audacity User Manuals: https://www.audacityteam.org/help/documentation/
● Audacity Wiki: https://wiki.audacityteam.org/wiki/Audacity_Wiki_Home_Page
● Audacity Forum: https://forum.audacityteam.org/
Center for Digital Scholarship and Curation | cdsc.libraries.wsu.edu
Resource updated 3/14/2018
