Sound Recorder Help Index

Sound Recorder lets you play, record, and edit sound files in the WAVE format. To play a file, click the Play button. As the sound plays, the Wave box graphically displays the sound as if it were being shown on an oscilloscope. Before Sound Recorder can play, edit, or record a file, you must have the sound hardware installed, and the driver installed and configured.

The Index lists the Help topics available for Sound Recorder. Use the scroll bar to see entries not currently visible in the Help window.

To learn how to use Help, press F1 or choose Using Help from the Help menu.

Keyboard

Sound Recorder Keys

Commands

File Menu Commands

Edit Menu Commands

Effects Menu Commands

Procedures

Adding Echo to the Sound

Creating a Sound File

Deleting Part of a Sound File

Inserting Another Sound File

Making a Sound Softer or Louder

Mixing In Another Sound File

Opening a Sound File

Playing a Sound File

Recording a Sound File

Restoring a File

Reversing the Sound

Saving a Sound File

Slowing Down or Speeding Up a Sound


Sound Recorder Procedures

The Procedure topics give you step-by-step instructions for using Sound Recorder. Use the scroll bar to see more topics.

To learn how to use Help, press F1 or choose Using Help from the Help menu.

Working with Sound Files

Opening a Sound File

Playing a Sound File

Creating a Sound File

Recording a Sound File

Saving a Sound File

Editing Sound Files

Deleting Part of a Sound File

Inserting Another Sound File

Mixing In Another Sound File

Restoring a File

Creating Sound Effects

Making a Sound Softer or Louder

Slowing Down or Speeding Up a Sound

Adding Echo to the Sound

Reversing the Sound


Opening a Sound File

You open sound files to play or edit them.

To open a sound file:

1	Choose Open from the File menu.

2	If the file is in the current directory, type the filename in the File Name box. Then choose OK.

Or if the file is not in the current directory, type the complete pathname. Then choose OK.

Or to use the File Name, Drives, and Directories boxes to open the file, complete steps 3 through 6.

3	Type a different extension in the File Name box if appropriate. Then choose OK.

4	To select a different drive, select the drive from the Drives drop-down list box.

5	To select a different directory, double-click in the Directories list box to find the directory that contains the file.

6	Double-click the filename in the File Name box.

Related Topics

Playing a Sound File


Playing a Sound File

After opening a sound file, you can play it.

To start playing:

*	Click the [image] Play button.

The status bar displays the word "Playing."

Each time you click the Play button, Sound Recorder plays the file from beginning to end.

To stop playing:

*	Click the [image] Stop button.

When playing is stopped, the status bar displays the word "Stopped." Click the Play button again to resume playing.

To move to the end of the sound file:

*	Click the [image] Forward button.

To move to the beginning of the sound file:

*	Click the [image] Rewind button.

Related Topics

Opening a Sound File


Creating a Sound File
Creating a New Sound File

To create a new sound file:

1	Choose New from the File menu.

2	Create the sound file.

You can create the sound file in three ways: recording sound, inserting one sound file in another, and mixing one sound file with another. You can also combine all three methods.

3	Save the File.

Related Topics

Inserting Another Sound File

Mixing In Another Sound File

Recording a Sound File


Recording a Sound File

You record sound files through a microphone attached to your MPC. See your MPC manufacturer's documentation for details on configuring the microphone.

To record a new file:

1	Choose New from the File menu.

2	Click the [image] Record button.

3	Speak into the microphone.

You can record up to one minute of speech.

4	When you finish, click the Stop button.

To record into an existing file:

1	Open the file.

2	Place the scroll box where you want to insert your recorded speech by using the Play and Stop buttons.

Or, move the scroll box by dragging it, clicking the scroll arrow, or clicking the scroll bar. Clicking the scroll arrow moves the sound back or forward .1 second. Clicking the scroll bar moves the sound back or forward 1 second.

3	Click the Record button.

4	Speak into the microphone.

5	When you finish, choose the Stop button.

You can record a file up to 60 seconds in length.

Related Topics

Playing a Sound File


Saving a Sound File

You can record a file up to 60 seconds in length.

To save changes to an existing file:

*	Choose Save from the File menu.

To save a new file or to save an existing file under an additional name:

1	Choose Save As from the File menu.

2	To save the file in the current directory, type the filename in the File Name box, including a filename extension if you want to specify one.

Or to save the file in a different directory, type the complete pathname, including a filename extension if you want to specify one.

Or to find a directory, choose a drive from the Drives box or double-click in the Directories list box. Then type the filename, including a filename extension if you want to specify one.

If you don't specify an extension, .WAV is automatically assigned to the filename. If you specify an extension, it overrides any automatic extension.

3	Choose OK.


Deleting Part of a Sound File

You can cut the part of a sound file before or after the current playing position in the sound.

Until you save the file, you can undo a deletion with the Revert command.

To delete before the current position:

1	Open the sound file that you want to edit.

2	Place the scroll box where you want to cut sound before the current playing position by using the Play and Stop buttons.

Or, move the scroll box by dragging it, clicking the scroll arrow, or clicking the scroll bar. Clicking the scroll arrow moves the sound back or forward .1 second. Clicking the scroll bar moves the sound back or forward 1 second.

3	Choose the Delete Before Current Position command from the Edit menu.

4	Choose Yes to confirm the deletion.

To delete after the current position:

1	Open the sound file that you want to edit.

2	Place the scroll box where you want to cut sound after the current playing position by using the Play and Stop buttons.

Or, move the scroll box by dragging it, clicking the scroll arrow, or clicking the scroll bar. Clicking the scroll arrow moves the sound back or forward .1 second. Clicking the scroll bar moves the sound back or forward 1 second.

3	Choose the Delete After Current Position command from the Edit menu.

4	Choose Yes to confirm the deletion.


Inserting Another Sound File

You can insert the contents of another sound file into the current sound file. The total length of the new sound file, however, must not exceed 60 seconds.

To insert a sound file into an existing file:

1	Place the scroll box where you want to insert the sound file by using the Play and Stop buttons.

Or, move the scroll box by dragging it, clicking the scroll arrow, or clicking the scroll bar. Clicking the scroll arrow moves the sound back or forward .1 second. Clicking the scroll bar moves the sound back or forward 1 second.

2	Choose the Insert File command from the Edit menu.

3	If the file is in the current directory, type the filename in the File Name box. Then choose OK.

Or if the file is not in the current directory, type the complete pathname. Then choose OK.

Or to use the File Name, Drives, and Directories boxes to open the file, complete steps 3 through 6.

4	Type a different extension in the File Name box if appropriate. Then choose OK.

5	To select a different drive, select the drive from the Drives drop-down list box.

6	To select a different directory, double-click in the Directories list box to find the directory that contains the file.

7	Double-click the filename in the File Name box.

Related Topics

Mixing In Another Sound File


Mixing In Another Sound File

You can mix the contents of another sound file within the current sound file. Both sound files will blend together and play simultaneously. The total length of the new sound file, however, must not exceed 60 seconds.

To mix in a sound file into an existing file:

1	Place the scroll box where you want to mix the sound file using the Play and Stop buttons.

Or, move the scroll box by dragging it, clicking the scroll arrow, or clicking the scroll bar. Clicking the scroll arrow moves the sound back or forward .1 second. Clicking the scroll bar moves the sound back or forward 1 second.

2	Choose the Mix with File command from the Edit menu.

3	If the file is in the current directory, type the filename in the File Name box. Then choose OK.

Or if the file is not in the current directory, type the complete pathname. Then choose OK.

Or to use the File Name, Drives, and Directories boxes to open the file, complete steps 3 through 6.

4	Type a different extension in the File Name box if appropriate. Then choose OK.

5	To select a different drive, select the drive from the Drives drop-down list box.

6	To select a different directory, double-click in the Directories list box to find the directory that contains the file.

7	Double-click the filename in the File Name box.

Related Topics

Inserting Another Sound File


Restoring a File

You can restore a file to its last saved state. After you save a sound file, you can't undo any of the changes you've made to the file.

To restore a sound file to its last saved state:

1	Choose Revert from the File menu.

2	Choose Yes to confirm the restoration.


Making a Sound Softer or Louder

To decrease the volume of a sound file:

1	Open the sound file whose volume you want to decrease.

2	Choose Decrease Volume from the Effects menu.

You can return the file to its normal volume by immediately choosing the Increase Volume command.

To increase the volume of a sound file by 25%:

1	Open the sound file that you want to make louder.

2	Choose Increase Volume from the Effects menu.

You can return the file to its original volume by immediately choosing the Decrease Volume command.


Slowing Down or Speeding Up a Sound

To decrease the speed of a sound file by 50%:

1	Open the sound file that you want to slow down.

2	Choose Decrease Speed from the Effects menu.

You can return the file to its original speed by immediately choosing the Increase Speed command.

To increase the speed of a sound file by 100%:

1	Open the sound file that you want to speed up.

2	Choose Increase Speed from the Effects menu.

You can return the file to the original speed by immediately choosing the Decrease Speed command.


Adding Echo to the Sound

You can add an echo to a sound file. Until you save the file, you can undo the echo with the Revert command.

To add echo to a sound file:

1	Open the sound file to which you want to add echo.

2	Choose Add Echo from the Effects menu.


Reversing the Sound

You can reverse a sound file so that it plays backwards. You can return the file to playing in the normal direction by choosing the Reverse command again.

To reverse a sound file:

1	Open the sound file that you want to play in reverse.

2	Choose Reverse from the Effects menu.


Sound Recorder Commands

To get help with a command, choose the appropriate menu.

File Menu Commands

New

Open

Save

Save As

Revert

Exit

Edit Menu Commands

Insert File Command

Mix with File Command

Delete Before Current Position Command

Delete After Current Position Command

Effects Menu Commands

Increase Volume Command

Decrease Volume Command

Increase Speed Command

Decrease Speed Command

Add Echo Command

Reverse Command


File Menu Commands

Use the scroll bar to see more information.

New Command

Creates a new sound file.

When you choose this command, Sound Recorder lets you save changes to the current file before opening the new file.

Related Topics

Creating a Sound File

Open Command

Opens an existing sound file.

When you choose this command, Sound Recorder lets you save changes to the current file before opening the new file.

Related Topics

Opening a Sound File

Save Command

Saves changes to the current sound file.

When you choose this command, the file remains open so you can continue working on it.

Related Topics

Saving a Sound File

Save As Command

Saves a new sound file or an existing sound file under another name.

If you don't specify an extension when you name a new or rename an existing file, .WAV is automatically assigned to the filename. If you specify an extension, it overrides any automatic extension.

You might want to rename a file so that you can change an existing file without modifying the original.

Related Topics

Saving a Sound File

Revert Command

Reverts the sound file to its last saved state.

After you save a sound file, you can't undo any of the changes you've made to the file.

Related Topics

Restoring a File

Exit Command

Exits Sound Recorder and closes the Sound Recorder window.

Exiting Sound Recorder ends the playing of the sound file.


Edit Menu Commands

Use the scroll bar to see more information.

Insert File Command

Inserts another sound file into the current sound file at the current playing position.

Inserting a file increases the length of the current sound file. The total length of the new sound file must not exceed 60 seconds.

Related Topics

Inserting Another Sound File

Mix with File Command

Mixes another sound file with the current sound file.

Both sound files will blend together and play simultaneously.

Mixing a file might increase the length of the current sound file. The total length of the new sound file must not exceed 60 seconds.

Related Topics

Mixing In Another Sound File

Delete Before Current Position Command

Deletes the portion of the sound file before the current playing position.

Until you save the file, you can undo a deletion with the Revert command.

Related Topics

Deleting Part of a Sound File

Delete After Current Position Command

Deletes the portion of the sound file after the current playing position.

Until you save the file, you can undo a deletion with the Revert command.

Related Topics

Deleting Part of a Sound File


Effects Menu Commands

Use the scroll bar to see more information.

Increase Volume Command

Makes the volume of the sound file 25% louder.

You can return the file to its original volume by choosing the Decrease Volume command.

Related Topics

Making a Sound Softer or Louder

Decrease Volume Command

Makes the volume of the sound file quieter.

You can return the file to its normal volume by choosing the Increase Volume command.

Related Topics

Making a Sound Softer or Louder

Increase Speed Command

Speeds up the sound file by 100%.

You can return the file to the original speed by choosing the Decrease Speed command.

Related Topics

Slowing Down or Speeding Up a Sound

Decrease Speed Command

Slows down the sound file by 50%.

You can return the file to its original speed by choosing the Increase Speed command.

Related Topics

Slowing Down or Speeding Up a Sound

Add Echo Command

Adds an echo to the sound file.

Until you save the file, you can undo the echo with the Revert command.

Related Topics

Adding Echo to the Sound

Reverse Command

Reverses the sound file so that the sound plays backwards.

If you choose the command again, the file will play normally.

Related Topics

Reversing the Sound


Sound Recorder Keys

Use the following keys in Sound Recorder:

Press	To

Alt+Spacebar	Open the Control menu.

Alt or F10	Select the first menu on the menu bar.

Letter key	Choose the menu or menu item whose underlined letter matches the one you type.

Left or Right Arrow	Move among menus.

Move backward or forward when the scroll bar is selected.

PgUp	Move back 1 second when the scroll bar is selected.

PgDown	Move forward 1 second when the scroll bar is selected.

Home	Move to the beginning of the sound when the scroll bar is selected.

End	Move to the end of the sound when the scroll bar is selected.

Up or Down Arrow	Move among menu items.

Enter	Choose the selected menu item.

Esc	Cancel the selected menu.

Tab	Move from button to button (left to right).

Shift+Tab	Move from button to button (right to left).

Spacebar	Press a button.


scroll bar

A bar that appears at the right and/or bottom edge of a window whose contents aren't completely visible. Each scroll bar contains two scroll arrows and a scroll box, which allow you to scroll within the window or list box.


drop-down list box

A single-line list box that opens to display a list of choices.


extension, defined
extension

Part of a file or directory name appearing after a period. The extension can provide additional information. It usually indicates the type of file or directory. For example, program files have default extensions of .COM or .EXE .

Many applications include a default extension automatically when you save a file the first time. For example, Notepad adds .TXT to all filenames unless you specify otherwise.


pathname, defined
pathname

The directions to a directory or file within your system. For example, C:\WINDOWS3\\APPTS\JUNE.CAL is the pathname of the JUNE.CAL file in the APPTS subdirectory in the WINDOWS3 directory on drive C.