How to use Chains in Audacity to save time – TAP095

• Tweet

• Tweet

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Learn how to simplify repetitive tasks editing audio by making custom Chains in Audacity. A Chain in Audacity is a script that performs a series of tasks on tracks or files. You can save a lot of time performing repetitive tasks with Chains. Chains also work great for remembering effect settings that can’t be saved (like for Chris’s Dynamic Compressor).

Watch the video!

How to add own chains

1. Go to File menu > Edit Chains.
2. Click “Add,” enter a name, and click “OK”
3. Insert commands by clicking “Insert” below the commands list.
4. Double-click a command to show its name in the top window.
5. If you want to edit the command’s/effect’s settings, click “Edit Parameters” and set everything as you normally would with the effect.
6. Click “OK.”
7. Repeat steps 3 through 6 as necessary to include your desired commands or effects.
8. Chang the order of the commands with the “Move Up” and “Move Down” buttons.
9. When you’re finished, click “OK.”

How to apply chains

1. Select the audio you want to modify. This can be a small selection, an entire track, or a selection across multiple tracks.
2. Go to the File menu > Apply Chain.
3. Click the Chain you want to apply to your selected audio.
4. Click “Apply to Current Project.”

How to create a keyboard shortcut

If jumping through menus is too much, make a keyboard shortcut that will be more convenient.

1. Go into the Audacity Preferences (On Windows, Edit menu > Preferences; on OS X, Audacity menu > Preferences).
2. Click “Keyboard” in the list on the left.
3. With the “All” category selected, scroll down to “Apply Chain” (about a single screen down).
4. Click in the blank space below the list.
5. Enter your desired keyboard shortcut and click Set. Audacity will warn you if there’s a conflict with another command.
6. Click “OK” when you’re finished.

Some notes about Chains

• Chains do not currently support export as AIFF, Other uncompressed files or any formats supported by FFmpeg.
• You cannot set export format options or export sample rate in the Chain. If you need to specify export options other than the current default, import or generate some audio, File > Export, select the audio type, click “Options…” then choose and save the option and cancel the export.
• (Linux) When configuring effect parameters in “Edit Chains”, the “Preview” button is not intended to be functional. Pressing it may cause a crash.
• Chains only use built-in commands or Nyquist Effect plug-ins (as of Audacity 2.0.1).

Ask your questions or share your feedback

• Comment on the shownotes
• Call (903) 231-2221 to leave a voicemail
• Email feedback@TheAudacitytoPodcast.com (audio files welcome)

Please connect with me

• Read Daniel J. Lewis's personal blog about freelancing, web design, social media, technology, and more
• Subscribe, rate, and review in iTunes
• Join the Facebook Page
• Follow @theRamenNoodle

If you enjoy The Audacity to Podcast™, please subscribe to our other podcasts to make you think, laugh, and succeed!™

• Christian movie reviews with critical thinking
• personal productivity conversations
• Once Upon a Time podcast
• clean-comedy podcast
• Christian worldview

Find more podcasts about technology on the Tech Podcasts Network.

Daniel Lewis

As an award-winning podcaster, Daniel J. Lewis helps others launch and improve their own podcasts for sharing their passions. Daniel designs websites; offers one-on-one consulting; speaks on technology, social media, and theology; and Daniel hosts a network of podcasts covering how to podcast and use Audacity, clean-comedy, and the #1 unofficial podcast for ABC’s hit drama Once Upon a Time.