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Free Apps & Software: Audio

Audio recording and editing

Audacity

Please Note: In Audacity, if you want the option to export your audio as an mp3 file (the default for Audacity is a wav file) you must download and install the LAME mp3 encoder. See the Audacity LAME mp3 encoder section below for instructions and links to the encoder downloads.

Audacity LAME mp3 encoder

The default export format for Audacity is a .wav file. If you want the option to export your audio as an mp3 file you must download and install the LAME mp3 encoder. The encoder file is available for download below, along with instructions on how to install it on your computer.

Podcasting

Audio format conversion

Some of the free software that we recommend in our Libguide comes from NCH Software - specifically: Debut, Prism Video Converter, Switch and VideoPad Editor. Users sometimes experience problems in dealing with programs from NCH. This article from MakeUseOf.com, "What’s The Problem With NCH Software & How To Remove It?", covers the details of the software issues. Use your own judgment in choosing which software to install on your own machines.

Free music and sound effects

Music at the SMS

The SMS has Sonic Fire Pro software that can generate music from our music library of copyright free music to fit any type and length presentation. Ask for it when you come to the SMS. You can also try Myna (described above in the Audio recording and editing section) for generating copyright free music.