How to Use Audacity Clean Up Audio Functionalities for 2025

by Imed Bouchrika, Phd

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

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Researchers, educators, and students widely use audio-visual materials for making presentations and lectures. Besides presenting vital information and content, these media forms need good audio. This is because audio quality can usually make or break the success of a material, no matter how substantial the presented content may be.

This article aims to shed light on the importance of audio quality in terms of ensuring that audiences perceive audio or audio-visual material as reliable and convincing. It will also discuss how Audacity, a free sound quality improver, can be used to create high-quality audio for elearning courses and other academic audio-visual materials. Ultimately, the purpose of this article is to guide readers on how to clean up audio files using the said tool.

How to Use Audacity Clean Up Audio Table of Contents

1. What is Audacity and why use it?
2. How to clean up audio files using Audacity?
3. How to batch process multiple audio files in Audacity?
4. How to record the best possible audio?
5. Importance of Good Quality Audio
6. How Can Further Education Enhance Your Audio Production Skills?
7. Can online learning enhance your audio production skills?
8. How can you optimize audio metadata for discoverability?
9. What makes audio good?
10. How Do You Troubleshoot Common Audio Editing Issues?
11. Can short-term educational programs improve your audio production skills?
12. Is a Formal Degree a Game-Changer for Your Audio Production Career?

What is Audacity and why use it?

Not everyone has access to professional audio equipment. Fortunately, there are tools such as Audacity that can help improve audio post-production.

Audacity is a free, open-source multi-track audio editor and recorder developed by Dominic Mazzoni and Roger Dannenberg. Released on May 28, 2000, this platform has since become one of the most downloaded free audio editors on the market. On FossHub, it had 96,587,600 downloads as of 2020.

One of the reasons why many favors this software over others is because it is compatible for use on practically all operating systems (OS), including Windows, macOS, and Linux. Moreover, because it is open-source, many users find it to be more flexible and scalable than its competitors. Audacity’s interface comes in many languages, so it is utilized by users worldwide.

An easy-to-use software, Audacity gives users a solid introduction to audio editing. It can be used to do the following:

• Record live audio
• Trim audio files
• Edit out background noise
• Remove silence (dead-air)
• Adjust volume
• Record computer playback on Windows Vista or later OS
• Convert analog (audio tapes) into digital recordings (CDs, MP3s)
• Edit various audio file formats (WAV, FLAC, MP3, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, and AC3, among many others
• Cut, splice, copy, and combine sounds together
• Add different sound effects
• Change sound tempo and pitch
• And many more

Why use Audacity for audio editing?

There are several reasons that make Audacity a good option for audio editing. Among them are as follows:

• It is free. Possibly the top reason why one would want to use Audacity for editing audio is that it is a free software. For students, teachers, and researchers who are working on a small budget for their presentations, this would prove a practical solution.
• It is easy and simple to use. Audacity is intuitive and comfortable to use for editing and production of audio content (Gonzalez et al., 2019), thanks to its controls that can be compared to those of a cassette recorder.
• It offers multi-platform compatibility. Audacity works on Windows, macOS, Linux, and other platforms.
• It can process complex and long audio. Audacity is designed to process long, detailed, and deep audio projects, making it ideal for lengthy materials such as lectures.
• It is stable and reliable. Audacity remains stable despite high disk and processor load.
• It allows for multi-track editing. Audacity allows users to edit multiple tracks in the same interface.

How to clean up audio files using Audacity?

Learning how to improve audio quality in Audacity is simple, making it ideal for users who have no prior experience with audio editing. It essentially how to clean up audio in Audacity. To get started, download it on a computer from the Audacity website. Simply choose the version designed for the computer’s OS.

1. Duplicate the File That Needs to Be Cleaned Up

It would be wise to make a copy of the original file before editing on Audacity. This way, there will always be the original track to go back to in case the edited track does not turn out as expected.

This can be done in two ways. First, by making a copy of the file before opening or importing to Audacity.

The second method is by opening the file on Audacity, then choosing “make a copy of the files before editing“ when the warning dialog pops up.

2. Open and Import the Audio File/s

When beginning a new project on Audacity, both the Open and Import buttons are available under the File tab. Choosing either Open or Import is fine to get the first track that will be edited onto Audacity.

However, if the user wishes to add another track on a project that already contains a track or more, the additional track can only be imported.

To open or import an audio track, simply go to File > Open or File > Import. Then, find the audio file to be added to the project. As mentioned above, when the warning prompt appears, choose “Make a copy of the files before editing," then press “OK."

3. Reduce the Noise

Crandell et al. (2000) cited that excessive background noise can overpower the key elements of speech, ultimately making it identifiable (Smaldino & Crandell, 2000). This is why it is important to minimize background noise in audio recordings and to know how to clean up an audio recording.

Noise reduction refers to the attenuation of constant background noise such as humming and hissing. The steps to perform this are as follows:

Audio tracks are displayed as a waveform on Audacity. “Noise" is often represented by small sections without significant waves. Look for such a section, and select/highlight it.

• Go to Effect > Noise Removal. The Noise Removal dialog will appear.
• Click “Get Noise Profile." This will prompt Audacity to capture and analyze the section you selected.
• Back in the waveform view of the track, click anywhere, then press CTRL + A to select/highlight the entire track.
• Go to Effect > Noise Removal again. Then, tick “Remove" before pressing “OK".
• Back to the waveform view of the track, the sections edited will now have become thinner, which means noise has been reduced.

4. Cut the Silence

A common issue with live voice recordings is silence gaps. For shorter recordings, these areas can be selected and deleted. However, doing this in longer tracks is tedious. The Truncate Silence feature can be used instead.

Truncating silence does not delete silence but compresses parts and elements of the track that can be considered as silence (those that are way below normal noise level). Silence compression scheme is essential to ensuring effective voice communication. It significantly reduces the transmission of bandwidth during the silence period (Seitawan et al., 2008). To truncate silence on Audacity, follow these steps:

• Highlight the whole track by pressing CTRL + A.
• Go to Effect > Truncate Silence.
• Audacity uses particular thresholds to determine silence. These are Min Duration, Max Duration, and Silence Threshold. Users can set these parameters.
• Silence compression, on the other hand, determines how much of the silence is compressed. For instance, in a 3:1 compression, a 3-second silence will be reduced to 1 second.
• Once all parameters are set, click “OK".

5. Equalize the Sound

After a significant amount of noise and silence has been removed from the audio track, it is possible that its overall sound may change. Often, the track will have a thinner or shallower sound to it. This can be remedied by equalization.

• To get started, select the entire track. Press CTRL + A.
• Go to Effect > Equalization. The Equalization dialog box will open.
• Tick “Draw Curves." On the “Select Curve" dropdown, choose “EMI 78." (Users can choose their own settings, but this is generally acceptable).
• Click on “Preview" to listen to the change. Adjust accordingly.
• Once satisfied with the outcome, click “OK" to apply the changes.

6. Check and Export the Final Output

Back to the main interface or waveform view, play the edited track. If satisfied with the output, save and export the track.

Note that saving will only save the project. Users should make it a habit to save their project from time to time while working to ensure that the actions they performed would not be lost should the program or computer encounter problems. Saving the project allows users to go back to it at a later time.

To save a project go to File > Save Project or simply press CTRL + S. To save the project to a different location or under a different name, go to File > Save Project As… This can be used to create a separate copy of the project as well.

Meanwhile, exporting the edited track allows the user to save the final output as an MP3, WAV, or Ogg Vorbis file. The exported file can now be used for sharing and distribution.

To export the edited track, go to File > Export. Choose the desired file type from the options, then select the intended location.

How to batch process multiple audio files in Audacity?

Batch processing in Audacity can save you a lot of time, especially when you have multiple audio files that need the same adjustments or cleaning. Instead of manually editing each file one by one, you can apply your chosen effects, filters, and processes to several files at once. Here's how to set up batch processing in Audacity for efficient audio cleanup:

• Prepare Your Audio Files
  • What to Do: Ensure all the audio files you wish to process are stored in a single folder and in a format supported by Audacity (such as WAV or MP3).
  • Why It Matters: Having all the files in one place makes the batch processing process more organized and efficient.
• Create a Chain of Effects
  • What to Do: In Audacity, a "chain" is a sequence of effects you want to apply to your files. You can create a custom chain using Tools > Apply Chain > Edit Chains.
  • Why It Matters: This allows you to save a series of processing steps that can be applied across multiple files, such as noise reduction, EQ adjustments, or volume normalization.
• Set Up the Batch Process
  • What to Do: After creating your chain, go to File > Apply Chain and select the files you want to process. Choose the chain you've created, and select the location where you want the processed files saved.
  • Why It Matters: Audacity will then automatically apply the chosen effects to each file in the selected folder without needing manual intervention for every single file.
• Choose Output Format and Settings
  • What to Do: Before applying the batch process, decide on the output format for the files (e.g., WAV, MP3) and adjust any export settings, such as bit rate or sample rate.
  • Why It Matters: Different uses require different file formats, so selecting the right one for your project ensures compatibility and maintains sound quality.
• Run the Batch Process
  • What to Do: Once everything is set up, click the Start button to begin the batch processing. Audacity will apply the chain to all the selected files, exporting them with the adjustments you've made.
  • Why It Matters: This significantly speeds up your workflow by processing all files automatically while you focus on other tasks.

How to record the best possible audio?

The adage “prevention is better than cure" can also be applied to audio recording. While there are tools such as Audacity that can improve audio quality, it is still best to ensure that an audio track has as little noise as possible. Some best practices to keep in mind are the following:

• Use a good quality microphone. According to Svec and Granqvist (2010), there have been multiple attempts to provide recommendations for the choice of microphones. For instance, Baken and Orlikoff (2000) recommend condenser microphones, as these stabilize sound pressure-to-voltage conversion. Spielman et al. (2007), on the other hand, recommends directional microphones as they have a flatter frequency response. Fortunately, there are fairly good yet affordable microphones available on today’s market, such as the Behringer B-1 (SRP $75.11) and Audio-Technica AT2010 (SRP $94.49), both of which are condenser microphones. This would also make it easier to clean up a voice recording
• Choose the recording space carefully. If recording in a studio is not possible, make sure that the recording will be done in a quiet room, preferably insulated from outside noise.
• Turn off sources of noise. If possible, turn off appliances that generate ambient noise, such as fans and air conditioners.
• Adjust the distance of the microphone as necessary. Do not get too close or sit too far from the microphone.
• Do a test recording. If noise such as humming or hissing is present, try reducing the gain of the microphone. Remove or turn off the source of any noticeable noise as well.

Importance of Good Quality Audio

It is now common for scientific communications to be recorded and published online. The same goes for educational and instructional content. While researchers and educators ensure that they share valuable and concise content, audio quality is at the mercy of the technical staff and/or the equipment and tools they use.

A study revealed that the quality of audio in materials that use it influences whether the audience believes what they hear or not. Audio quality can also affect whether they perceive the source of information or the speaker as reliable.

Researchers Eryn J. Newman and Norbert Schwarz (2018) used a conference talk and a radio interview. They made two versions of the specimens, one with high-quality audio and the other with low-quality audio. Ultimately, they found that whenever something (in this case, audio) is difficult to process, it is favored less by audiences and they tend to distrust the material and its content. As a result, it was seen that audio quality can influence impressions of science and information when audio-based materials are used to present them. The findings can also apply to a number of scenarios, such as in business.

How Can Further Education Enhance Your Audio Production Skills?

Investing in targeted education can significantly refine both technical proficiency and creative strategies in audio production. Specialized programs offer updated industry insights, contemporary best practices, and research-backed methodologies that complement hands-on tools like Audacity. For instance, structured courses can expand your expertise in digital sound engineering, real-time troubleshooting, and advanced audio effects without overlapping existing content. Such academic endeavors, including one-year master's programs, empower professionals to stay competitive, adapt to evolving technology standards, and achieve sustained improvements in audio quality.

Can online learning enhance your audio production skills?

Pursuing specialized training in audio production can equip professionals with advanced techniques and industry insights that streamline troubleshooting and optimize sound quality. Targeted educational programs foster a deeper understanding of both creative strategies and technical requirements, ensuring that modern audio practices remain current. For professionals aiming to balance hands-on skills with theoretical knowledge, accredited online courses provide structured learning experiences that address evolving audio standards. To explore academic options that accommodate flexible schedules and enhance technical prowess, consider reading our article Can you start online school anytime? to check what aligns with your professional goals.

How can you optimize audio metadata for discoverability?

Audio metadata, such as descriptive titles, tags, and comprehensive descriptions, plays a vital role in improving search engine visibility and user accessibility. Well-optimized metadata ensures that search engines can accurately index audio content, thereby increasing engagement and reach. Key practices include using relevant keywords consistently, implementing structured data markup, and maintaining uniform file naming conventions. For professionals looking to upgrade their skills and adhere to industry standards, consider exploring our guide on easy licenses and certifications to get to stay current with best practices.

What makes audio good?

A survey of U.S. internet users revealed that 44% typically watched videos online. The most popular video category watched in the US in 2017 was comedy and humor, while how-to videos ranked as the third most popular. Educational and political videos, on the other hand, ranked 6th and 7th, respectively (Kunst, 2019).

Podcasts also continue to grow in popularity among audiences. In 2019, there were around 68.4 million podcast listeners in the U.S. By 2021, this number is projected to grow to 82.7 million (Watson, 2020).

Given the seemingly unstoppable prominence of these forms of media, it will be wise to leverage them for disseminating knowledge and information. To create videos and podcasts that get results, they need to have quality audio.

However, as important as audio is, it is usually taken for granted. Often, creators do not get praised when their materials have good quality audio. However, when the audio is messed up, the audience will surely react negatively.

In general, people do not expect superb audio quality. In fact, only one in three people can distinguish high-fidelity audio from normal-quality audio (Chemi & Wells, 2016). However, they expect audio that is not distracting or annoying. According to Chris Lavigne, CEO of video hosting and marketing software company Wistia, bad audio can scare away audiences. For instance, if voices are not recorded clearly and there is a lot of buzzing, distortion, and other noise, the audience will abandon a video (IdeaRocket, 2019).

Fortunately, audio does not have to be groundbreaking to be good. It simply needs to meet the following criteria:

• Balanced Audio should be balanced throughout a presentation.
• Clear dialogue It is necessary to ensure that the people talking in the video, recording, or podcast can be heard clearly. Voices should not be drowned by background music or sound effects.
• Noise-free As much as possible, background noise such as wind, clicks, and electronic hums, are minimized if not totally eliminated.
• Headphone-friendly Most viewers and listeners digest material using headphones. The audio should not go beyond 6db to make sure it will not hurt the audience’s ears.

By keeping these in mind when producing audio or audio-visual content, creating good quality content that captivates your audience is possible even without expensive equipment.

How Can You Effectively Manage and Archive Audio Projects?

To ensure long-term accessibility and consistency, adopt a systematic approach when managing audio projects. Establish clear naming conventions and folder structures, integrate routine version control, and leverage both local and cloud backup solutions. Consistently update metadata—including project dates, revision details, and technical specifications—to streamline future retrieval and auditing. Enhancing your skills in structured digital asset management may also be beneficial; consider researching courses from the most respected online colleges to further optimize your workflow.

Fine-Tune Audio Files Without Fuss

Even if audio was recorded under the best possible conditions using high-quality equipment and tools, it is also a good idea to leverage audio editing tools. Audacity is just one of the programs worth checking out.

Note that there are various Audacity clean up audio functions that can be used for improving audio files, but reducing noise and silence should be enough for starters and basic materials. There is generally nothing to lose when deciding to use Audacity. After all, it is totally free software.

It is also recommended to explore other options and alternatives to determine which program suits a user’s unique preferences. Among the programs you can check out include Adobe Audition CC, a premium all-around and robust editor; Hindenburg Journalist, which is designed specifically for podcasters and journalists; and ocenaudio, another free software ideal for simple and quick edits. By taking a look at other products on the market, you can find out which tool you are more comfortable with as well as figure out which one works best for you.

How Do You Troubleshoot Common Audio Editing Issues?

When unexpected issues arise during audio editing, verify that Audacity is correctly configured and updated for your system. For instance, ensure that the noise reduction profile is obtained from a truly silent segment; otherwise, unintended artifacts may persist. Adjust processing parameters incrementally when working on batch operations to avoid widespread errors and regularly monitor audio levels for consistency. Additionally, when equalization distorts natural tone, recalibrate settings to maintain overall clarity. For guidance on balancing technical proficiency with further education, consider exploring online degrees for working adults.

Can short-term educational programs improve your audio production skills?

Focused educational programs offer structured, practical training that can significantly enhance audio production techniques. They bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications, helping professionals refine critical processes like noise reduction, equalization, and metadata optimization. Short-duration courses, including an accelerated associates degree online, provide an efficient route to gaining industry-relevant skills without the commitment of longer academic programs. This targeted approach empowers learners to quickly adapt to evolving technological standards while integrating advanced audio editing practices into their workflow.

Key Insights

• Importance of Audio Quality: Audio quality is crucial in ensuring that audiences perceive audio-visual materials as reliable and convincing. Poor audio quality can negatively affect the perceived credibility of the content.
• Audacity Overview: Audacity is a free, open-source multi-track audio editor and recorder. It is widely used due to its compatibility with multiple operating systems and its extensive range of features, including noise reduction and equalization.
• Ease of Use: Audacity is user-friendly, making it accessible for individuals with no prior experience in audio editing. Its intuitive controls and comprehensive functionalities provide a solid introduction to audio editing.
• Noise Reduction: Effective noise reduction in Audacity involves capturing a noise profile from a silent section of the audio track and applying noise removal effects to the entire track to minimize background noise.
• Silence Truncation: The Truncate Silence feature in Audacity compresses silent parts of a track, reducing the overall length and maintaining a continuous flow of audio content.
• Equalization: Equalizing audio in Audacity helps enhance the overall sound quality by adjusting frequencies to achieve a balanced and clearer output.
• Best Practices for Recording: Using a high-quality microphone, selecting a quiet recording space, and performing test recordings are essential practices for capturing the best possible audio.
• Impact on Audience Perception: High-quality audio positively influences audience trust and engagement, while poor audio quality can lead to audience dissatisfaction and mistrust of the content.

Is a Formal Degree a Game-Changer for Your Audio Production Career?

Pursuing a formal degree in audio production can significantly influence your career trajectory by providing comprehensive theoretical foundations, structured practical experience, and enhanced industry networking opportunities. Formal academic programs often incorporate advanced studies in digital sound design, acoustic engineering, and media production, which can set you apart in a competitive job market. Moreover, many employers regard candidates with higher education credentials as more adept at complex problem-solving and innovation. For instance, obtaining a highest paying bachelors degree not only signals proficiency in technical skills but also translates into better salary prospects and long-term career growth.

FAQ

1. What is Audacity and why should I use it for audio editing? Audacity is a free, open-source audio editor and recorder that is compatible with multiple operating systems. It offers a range of features, including noise reduction, silence truncation, and equalization, making it an excellent tool for improving audio quality in educational and professional settings.
2. How can I clean up audio files using Audacity? To clean up audio files using Audacity, you should duplicate the original file, import it into Audacity, and then use features like noise reduction, silence truncation, and equalization to enhance the audio quality. The steps involve selecting noise profiles, adjusting silence thresholds, and fine-tuning frequencies.
3. What are the key steps to reduce noise in an audio track using Audacity? First, identify and select a section of the audio that contains only noise. Then, use the Noise Removal effect to get the noise profile and apply it to the entire track. This process reduces constant background noise such as humming and hissing.
4. How do I handle silence gaps in my audio recordings with Audacity? To manage silence gaps, you can use the Truncate Silence feature. Highlight the entire track, adjust the silence thresholds, and set the compression rate to reduce the duration of silent sections, ensuring a smoother audio flow.
5. Why is equalization important in audio editing, and how do I do it in Audacity? Equalization is crucial for balancing frequencies and enhancing overall sound quality. In Audacity, select the entire track, open the Equalization effect, and choose a preset or adjust the curve manually. Preview the changes and apply them to achieve the desired sound quality.
6. What are some best practices for recording high-quality audio? Use a high-quality microphone, record in a quiet and insulated space, turn off noisy appliances, adjust the microphone distance, and conduct test recordings to minimize background noise and ensure clear audio capture.
7. How does audio quality impact audience perception? High-quality audio enhances audience trust and engagement by making the content more accessible and credible. Poor audio quality can lead to audience dissatisfaction and skepticism about the reliability of the information presented.
8. Are there alternatives to Audacity for audio editing? Yes, alternatives include Adobe Audition CC, a premium audio editor; Hindenburg Journalist, designed for podcasters and journalists; and ocenaudio, another free software suitable for simple and quick edits. Exploring these options can help you find the tool that best fits your needs and preferences.

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