Recording Instruments in Audacity
The Audacity audio editing program allows you to make digital recordings of analog instruments, then save them to your computer's hard drive. Use Audacity to record live instrumentation for a song you're producing, or even to record an entire multi-part song. Audacity is free, open-source software, and runs on Windows, Mac and Linux.
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Recording Sources
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Audacity records instruments using your computer's sound card. It can record any input source that your sound card supports. A microphone is the most common and versatile means of recording an instrument through the sound card; if you're recording an electric guitar or synthesizer, you can plug it directly into the sound card's "Line In" jack. Whether you're using a mic or an electric instrument, connecting a preamplifier or mixer between the sound card and the instrument will greatly improve the recording's audio quality.
Recording an Instrument
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Select the recording input that you're using -- "Microphone," for example -- from the "Input Device" drop-down menu in the main Audacity toolbar. Select either "1 (Mono) Input" or "2 (Stereo) Input" from the "Input Channels" menu, depending on the recording source. Click the "Record" button and start playing the instrument. The recording meter in the main Audacity toolbar displays the current recording volume; adjust the level by moving the "Input Volume Slider" control in the toolbar. Click the "Stop" button when you're finished recording.
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Recording Configuration
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To configure Audacity's recording settings, open the "Edit Menu," click "Preferences" and select "Recording." Enable the "Overdub" setting if you want to play the instrument along with a backing track when recording. Adjust the "Latency" settings if you're experiencing audio delays while recording the instrument. If you want Audacity to automatically start recording when you start playing the instrument, enable "Sound Activated Recording," then move the "Sound Activation Level" slider to the volume level that you want to trigger recording.
Multitrack Recording
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Because Audacity is a multitrack audio editor, you can record instruments into it one at a time, then play them simultaneously. You could, for example, record the piano part of a song, then record the guitar part. To record a second audio track in Audacity, click "Tracks," "Add New" and "Audio Track." Click the "Record" button, then record the second instrument. Stop recording, then click "Play" to listen to the two tracks play together. If one track is out of time, click the "Time Shift" icon on the toolbar, then drag it into position.
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