Cut/Copy and Paste in Audacity

Audacity is a very simple but powerful tool for audio editing. With a very basic interface, navigation is easy within the program.

Two of the most important tools you will use in Audacity are located in the toolbar at the top left:
- Selection Tool
- Time Shift Tool

You may only use one of these tools at a time.

Working with Audacity is very easy - the cut/copy and paste methods are very similar to those found in Microsoft Word. Cut/Copy and Paste is a simple, five-step process:

Step One - Record an Audio Track
Open Audacity and push the red button to record

Step Two - Select Time to Cut
Your final product will sound more coherent and appealing if you edit out unnecessary parts. Click on the 'Selection' tool, then left click and hold on the track. Drag the pointer to mark the time to cut. Use 'Shift' to expand or lessen your selection.

Step Three - Preview the Selected Audio
Pushing the space bar will play the selected audio. Make sure you know what you've cut so that you may undo it if necessary. Click the 'Time Shift' tool to shift any audio you want to change.

Step Four - Copying/Cutting
Click 'Edit' in the toolbar, then click 'Copy' or 'Cut.' Click 'Play' to hear your changes.

Step Five - Pasting
Repeat steps 1 to 4, and select where you want to paste the material. Click 'Edit' in the toolbar, then 'Paste.' Make sure you listen to the results to see if you have timed it correctly.