Remove Unnecessary Audio with Audacity
There are lots of different types of audio extras that you might want to remove from a file, and accordingly a number of different methods you can use. It's important to remember that even with the best equipment, some audio can't be removed and the rest can't be removed without impacting the quality of the rest of the recording. However, with Audacity you can achieve some pretty impressive results, safely, and at no cost to you.
Contents
Steps
Cutting Basic Pieces
- Open the file. Open the file in Audacity (File->Import, select file), and listen to the beginning and end.
- Choose the audio to cut. Determine which, if any, parts you would like to cut out.
- Cut the section. Click and drag to select the unwanted audio and press Ctrl-X (cut) to delete it.
- The file must not be playing when you cut the tracks, so press STOP (which is the button with the orange square).
- Save the file. When finished cutting your audio file, save your file by exporting it.
- Choose your save settings. A new window will pop-up to save your audio file. You can rename your file and change where you want to save it. You can also choose what Audio file type you want like, mp3, wave or any other audio formats.
Removing Background Noise
- Open the file. Open the song you want to edit in Audacity.
- Make sure you have a copy of the original file saved somewhere else, in case you accidentally over-edit.
- Select a section with several seconds of background noise. Find a section with several seconds of just the background noise that you're trying to get rid of. This can be audience chatter or it can be the standard ambient background noise that comes with a low-quality mic. Select this noise using the select tool, which should be activated by default.
- Get the noise profile. Open the "Effect" menu on the top bar and then select "Noise Removal". This will bring up a new menu. You want to click "Get Noise Profile" and then close the menu.
- Select the section to remove noise from. Select, using the selection tool as before, the area where you want the noise removed from.
- Click "Repeat Noise Removal". Open the "Effect" menu on the top bar again. Now you will see a new option at the very top that says "Repeat Noise Removal". Click this.
- Save your new file. You should now have a noise-free file. Save the file as normal and enjoy!
Removing Vocals
- Open the file. Open the song you want to edit in Audacity.
- Make sure you have a copy of the original file saved somewhere else, in case you accidentally over-edit.
- Split the tracks. Split the stereo tracks, to separate the right and left channels.
- You should see a program with a pretty standard layout, with tools and menus at the top and a grey window with your file below. Within the window for your file, you'll see that it's further broken down, with a few buttons to the left of the visualization of your audio.
- In the top left corner is an X. Next to it you'll see the words "Audio Track" with an arrow next to it. Click this to open a drop-down menu.
- Click "Split Stereo Track".
- Make your selection. Select the part of the track you want to remove vocals from on the lower of the two channels, using the cursor.
- You will want to double check that the cursor tool is selected. It looks like an "I" and is located to the right of the record button (red circle).
- Invert the lower channel. Open the "Effect" menu on the top bar and then select "Invert".
- Return the channels to mono. Open the same "Audio Track" menu that you opened before and set the track back to "Mono". Do this for both of the two audio channels.
- Notice that you lose certain instruments with this method, along with the vocals. Drums are one instrument that suffers.
- Save your file. Save the file as normal.
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