80.Editing Audio

Articulate Storyline has a built-in audio editor with several tools for working with audio clips. You can record, import and export audio, delete mistakes, insert silence, adjust the volume, and more.

Accessing the Audio Editor

Here are three ways to access the audio editor:

• Double-click an audio track in the timeline.
• Right-click an audio track in the timeline and select Edit Audio.
• Right-click the audio icon at the lower left corner of your slide and select Audio Editor. Tip: If your slide has more than one audio clip and you aren't sure which one to select, double-click each audio icon to hear a preview of the audio clip it represents. Then single-click the audio icon to stop the audio preview.

Previewing Audio

To hear a preview of your audio, use the Play/Pause and Stop buttons in the lower left corner of the audio editor.

Another way to preview is to right-click the audio waveform and select Play.

To hear just part of the audio, use your mouse to select a portion of the waveform. Then use the Play/Pause and Stop buttons, or right-click the selection and select Play. 

Recording Narration

You can record additional narration or even replace the audio waveform with an entirely new recording. Here’s how:

1. Click the waveform at the point where you want to add audio. The playhead (blue, vertical line) will move to the point on the waveform where you clicked.
   
   If you want to replace some of the audio, use your mouse to select a portion of the waveform.
   
   If you want to re-record all the audio, press Ctrl+A to select the entire waveform. It'll be overwritten in the next step.
2. Click the Record button in the lower left corner of the audio editor.
3. The Record Microphone window will open. When you're ready to begin recording, click the red Record button.
   
4. When you've finished recording, click the Stop recording button.
   
5. To preview your recording, use the Play/Pause and Rewind buttons.
   
6. If you need to record your narration again, just click the Record button to start over. If you want to delete your narration altogether, click the Delete button.
   
7. If you change your mind about recording narration and would prefer to import audio instead, click the Import audio file button. Browse to the audio file you want to insert and click Open.
   
8. Click the Save button.

Importing Audio

Here's how to import additional audio:

1. Click the waveform at the point where you want to add audio. The playhead (blue, vertical line) will move to the point on the waveform where you clicked.
   
   If you want to replace some of the audio with an imported file, use your mouse to select a portion of the waveform.
   
   If you want to replace all of the audio with an imported file, press Ctrl+A to select the entire waveform. It'll be overwritten by the imported audio file.
2. Click Import on the ribbon.
   
3. Browse to the audio file you want to import and click Open.

Exporting Audio

You can export a copy of your audio for backup purposes or to use in another project.

1. Go to the File tab on the ribbon and select Export.
   
2. Browse to the location on your computer where you want to save your exported audio, and give it a File name.
3. Use the Save as type drop-down to select MP3, WAV, or Both WAV and MP3.
   
4. Click the Save button to complete the export process.

Cutting, Copying, and Pasting Audio

To cut or copy audio, use your mouse to select a portion of the audio waveform, then do any of the following:

• Press Ctrl+X to cut or Ctrl+C to copy.
• Click Cut or Copy on the ribbon.
• Right-click the selected waveform, and choose Cut or Copy.

To paste audio, click the waveform at the point where you want it to appear, then do any of the following:

• Press Ctrl+V on your keyboard.
• Click Paste on the ribbon.
• Right-click and select Paste.

Deleting and Cropping Audio

Use your mouse to select the portion of the audio waveform you want to delete or crop. To remove the selected waveform, click Delete on the ribbon. To keep the selected waveform and remove everything else, click Crop.

You can also right-click the selection, and use the Delete and Crop options.

Adding Silence

You can insert silence into your audio waveform to improve phrasing. Click the waveform at the point where you want to insert silence, then click Silence on the ribbon. (You can also right-click and choose Insert Silence.) When the Insert Silence window appears, enter the number of seconds of silence you want to add and click OK.

Tip: If you want to replace part of the waveform with silence, just select the portion you want to replace and click Silence. You won't be asked to specify the number of seconds. Instead, silence will simply replace the selected waveform.

Changing the Volume

You can change audio volume by clicking Volume on the ribbon and using the slider to make adjustments.

If you only need to change the volume for part of the waveform, use your mouse to select that portion of the waveform, click Volume, then use the slider to make adjustments.

Zooming for Precise Editing

Need to zoom in for precise editing? No problem. Use any of the following methods:

• The easiest way to zoom in or out is to scroll your mouse wheel.
• Another option is to use the Zoom slider in the lower right corner of the window. Drag the slider to the right to zoom in. Drag it to the left to zoom out.
• To zoom into a specific portion of the waveform, use your mouse to select just that portion of the waveform, then click Zoom Selection to fill the audio editor with only the selected portion of the waveform.

Tip: Click Show All on the ribbon to zoom back out to the entire audio waveform.

Correcting Mistakes and Saving Changes

If you make a mistake or change your mind, use the Undo and Redo buttons in the upper left corner to correct it.

When you're finished editing your audio, click Save & Close to return to Storyline.

Tip: To close the audio editor without saving your changes, just click the X in the upper right corner.

You Might Also Want to Explore:

Adding Audio
Using the Audio Tools