Audacity
©2008 Audacity Audio Page 4 of 29
If you have a function that you use over and over again and you want easy one-handed access to it, set
one of the other hardware buttons to access that function. Use the Audacity button setup to set
functions for any or all of the screen buttons. The four (or 6 on most modern hardware) lower buttons
also change the function of the associated hardware button providing easy one-handed access. For
example, I want to easily delete a file after I listen to it; I want an easy one-handed way to edit a file
Action (the way the file is processed); I want a one-handed way to record a QuickMemo. Audacity
provides the one-handed control you want.
Memory Location, Folders, File Names, and SD Cards
Audacity lets you record directly to either Internal Memory or to the SD Card. Most people record to the
SD Card because Internal Memory is usually limited, and audio files can be quite large. The active
memory location is displayed in the top portion of the Home Screen. Tap the arrow to select another
location. The default folder is "Record" and it is located under Audacity Pro. New folders or subfolders
may be created or deleted by using this pull-down.
The default filename is a four-digit date, a four-digit time, and two-digit seconds. Seconds are show to
make sure all file names are unique. File names may be changed at any time. The default filename
template may also be changed in the preferences section. Remember that all file names must be
unique.
The SD Card must be a high quality card for audio recording. It must be fast enough to write the audio
files in real time. If it is not, the recordings will sound fast and choppy. Not all SD Cards are created
equal. How well your card works is a function not only of the card, but your handheld hardware as well.
Audacity Audio has two excellent and free tools to help you with your card selection. First, our
installation file includes a free Utility called CardSpeed. Use it to test your specific card working with
your hardware. Second, Audacity Audio has a section of our website devoted to SD Card education. It
explains why a good SD card is important and also includes a section for people to post the results of
their experience. http://www.audacityaudio.com/sdhome.htm is a link to our SD Card Education page.
This is a great tool for learning from the experience of others using your same hardware. Please add
your experience to help others.
Dual Processing Structure
Audacity Professional offers a dual processing structure. It is more than just two folder definitions, it is a
dual way to process files. The normal or standard folder is the Record folder. This folder could be used
for your business recordings. Perhaps these files are set to automatically get sent to your transcriptionist
and delete from your handheld after 1 day.
You also have a QuickMemo folder and a QuickMemo record button. You could use the QuickMemo
button for your personal recordings--little reminders to yourself as you drive in your car. These files just
sync to your desktop so you have a permanent record, but are set to never delete from the handheld.
As you complete the task in your reminder, you delete these files manually.
The dual processing allows you to use Audacity for two completely different functions. The QuickMemo
file names will always be preceded by a QM for QuickMemo and will always be placed into the
QuickMemo folder. This folder does not use subfolders.
The Record folder can have as many subfolders as you wish and you are free to create or delete them
at will. Using the Record button will open a file in the folder that is displayed at the top of the Home
Screen.
Setup for the two processing methods is found under Options, Preferences. You will find a Record tab
and a Memo tab.
