Audacity is an open source program for Windows, Apple and Linux computers. While it is very easy to use, you can create some fairly complex projects using this program. Audacity can be downloaded from the Source Forge website at http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Audacity requires a Lame Encoder file also be downloaded (no cost) to allow the Audacity files to be exported as mp3 files - a format that is used by many of the sound devices that students use today. Download links for lame encoder files are located on the Source Forge website.

***Please remember - there is always a risk of contaminating your computer when downloaded software/files from the internet****

When you open Audacity for the first time after it is installed, you must 'point' the exported sound file to where you want it saved, and in what format. In the elementary schools, we recommend storing sound files in the Music folder and in the mp3 format.

Watch the demonstration video to see how to open Audacity, record and export an mp3 file for the first time after installation on an Apple computer. Teachers must perform this step with students the first time this program is used in each school year.