Audacity is one of the most popular digital audio editing software packages used by professional podcasters and hobbyists alike. But did you know that it also allows you to change the pitch of a recorded audio file easily? Pitch, or frequency, is one of the most important aspects of any sound recording; adjusting it can completely change the tone and feel of a track.
In this step-by-step guide, we’ll take a look at how to adjust the pitch in Audacity and get your podcasts sounding just the way you want them. So without further ado, let’s get started!
Related: How To Edit A Podcast In Audacity
Contents
Changing The Pitch In Audacity
Following are the steps to change the pitch in Audacity. A few clicks are all it takes:
Step One: Launch Audacity
The first step to changing pitch in Audacity is to launch the program. Whether you are working on a PC, Mac, or Linux computer, Audacity can be easily downloaded from their website and installed for free. Once you have opened the software, you will need to locate an audio file that you would like to edit.
Step Two: Select The Audio File
Once you have opened Audacity, click the drop-down arrow on the far left side of your screen. This will open a prompt window where you can select an audio file from your computer that you would like to edit. Once you have selected the file, it will automatically appear in the timeline below. If you’re looking to import M4A files, we also have a guide for you.
Step Three: Change The Pitch
Once your audio file is in the timeline, you will need to select it with your mouse. This can be done by left-clicking and dragging on the waveform until all of it is highlighted. Then, navigate to “Effect”, located at the top of your screen, and select “Change Pitch”.
A small window will appear after you make that selection. In this window, you’ll find a few options that allow you to change the pitch of your audio file. The “Semitones” box is what we’re concerned with here; it allows you to adjust how many semitones up or down you would like your audio file to be pitched.
You can also select the “Fine Tune” box, which allows you to adjust the pitch in small increments of cents; this is typically only used for very precise adjustments. The middle c-note is calibrated to be 0 cents and the range can go up or down from there.
Once you’ve entered the desired numbers into either/both of these boxes, click “OK”, and the pitch of your audio file will be changed. To listen to the changes, hit “Play” at the top of your screen or press the spacebar. You can continue to adjust these settings until you reach your desired outcome. Pitch detection is also possible in Audacity, which can be helpful to make more precise adjustments. Lower pitch or higher pitch, it’s all up to you!
Step Four: Export The File
Once you are satisfied with the changes to your audio clip, it is important to export the audio file. This can be done by navigating to “File” and selecting “Export” from the drop-down menu. An additional window will pop up that allows you to enter a name for your new file and select the format in which it will be saved. Once you’ve done that, click “Save”, and the newly edited audio file will be saved to your computer.
If you have more questions about how to export files from Audacity, you can check out our other post.
These four simple steps will allow you to change the pitch of an audio file in Audacity easily. With some practice, you’ll be able to quickly adjust the sound of your recordings with ease.
Related: How to Use Audacity Equalizer to Improve Your Audio Quality
What Is The Optimal Pitch For An Audio Recording?
Now that you know how to use Audacity to change the pitch of an audio recording, let’s talk about what the optimal pitch is for a good audio recording. Generally speaking, it depends on several factors: the purpose of your recording, who will be listening to it, and any particular preferences you may have.
For example, if you are creating a recording for an audiobook, you typically want to have a pitch that is slightly lower than the average speaking voice. This helps ensure the listener can follow along without having any difficulty hearing or understanding the words.
On the other hand, if your audio recording is meant to be more of a performance piece, like music, then you may prefer to have a higher pitch for your entire song. This can give the audio recording more of an energetic feel, which is often desirable for this type of content. Audacity provides high-quality stretching and pitch-shifting tools for this purpose.
No matter what your purpose or preference is, remember that you can always adjust the pitch in Audacity until it sounds perfect to you. With some experimentation and know-how, you can create the exact recording you have in mind.
Related: How To Make Your Voice Sound Better In Audacity
How Pitch Affects Audio Quality
In addition to affecting the tone and feel of your audio recording, the pitch can also affect the overall quality. The higher the pitch, the more treble will be present in the recording; conversely, lower pitches tend to have more bass. Both of these things can greatly influence how clear or muddled a recording sounds.
It is important to keep in mind that not all audio files are created equal; some will sound better with higher pitches, while others may be best suited for lower ones. As you experiment with different pitches in Audacity, pay attention to how the pitch change affects your recording and adjust accordingly until you reach a sound that pleases your ears.
Sometimes the best solution is to find a balance between the different pitches of your musical note. If you change speed and pitch simultaneously, you can create an interesting effect and truly customize the audio file to your own liking.
The Bottom Line
Changing the pitch of an audio recording in Audacity is a simple sound editing process that can have dramatic results. With some practice and experimentation, you can create recordings with the perfect tone and feel for your project. Remember to consider both the purpose of your recording and your own preferences as you adjust the pitch and export your final product.
Memorize the golden rule: always save a backup of your original recordings before you begin making changes because you never know what amazing results they could lead to.
