Click on the File Formats tab and look for the area labeled MP3 Export Setup. If you’re using Audacity 1.2.6, go to the Edit menu and drag down to Preferences.Be sure to take note of where the encoder is installed (what folder), so that you can let Audacity know where to find it, following the steps below. Regardless of which version of Audacity you download, you will also need to download and install the LAME MP3 Encoder, which is what will allow Audacity to export files in MP3 format. The LAME MP3 Encoder page may now have better instructions for how to install it, but if not, here are the instructions I wrote for students in 2011. After the download finishes, install the app.Īlso follow the link to the LAME MP3 Encoder for instructions on how to download and install that, which you’ll need to export Audacity files in mp3 format. Visit the Audacity for Windows Recent Versions page to download the version for your version of Windows. You can, however, export an mp3 out of GB and import that. You can use GarageBand on a lab computer, but you can’t import a GB project into Audacity.

Keep in mind that you won’t be able to use Audacity on a lab computer, so you should bring your own laptop to class, if applicable. (You’ll also see a Mac version, but I recommend that Mac users go with GarageBand instead.)

Audacity is open-source and free and is available for Windows XP, Vista, and 7.

If you choose to use Audacity for your audio project, you’ll need to download it as well as the separate mp3 encoder that works with it and install them on your computer.

Install audacity