Getting Started

Basics	Editing	Effects and Tools
Getting Started	Common Operations	The Effects Menu
The Interface	Copying Data	The Process Menu
Playing a Sound	Regions	The Tools Menu
Recording	Markers
Saving a File

What is
Sound Forge?

Sound Forge is an application that will let you capture sounds into your computer and create sound files, which you can then add to your multimedia projects. You can either record from a CD or use a microphone to record your voice or other "live" sounds.

How do I specify
the sound source?

Before you begin using Sound Forge, you must tell the computer what your sound source (also called the sound input) will be, and adjust the settings appropriately. You can select either CD or microphone. To do this, follow these steps:

1) Open the Volume Control panel by double-clicking the Volume Control icon () in the lower right corner of your screen:

The Volume Control panel will appear, like this:

If the Mute checkbox in the CD Audio column is checked, uncheck it so that you can hear CD's when they play.

2) Open the Properties dialog box by pulling down the Options menu and selecting Properties:

The Properties dialog box will appear.

3) View the Recording Control panel. Under the "Adjust volume for" area in the Properties dialog box, click on the Recording radio button, then select "Microphone" and "CD Audio" from the scrolling list to show those controls. Then click OK:

The Recording Control panel will appear, with columns for both CD Audio and Microphone inputs:

4) Specify the sound source. If you are recording from a microphone, click the Select check box in the Microphone column; if recording from a CD, click the Select check box in the CD Audio column. Click the Close box to close the Recording Control panel.

5) Verify that your sound source is properly connected. If you are using a microphone, make sure that the mic is properly plugged in to your computer. If you are using an external CD drive, ensure that it is connected correctly. (If you have an internal CD drive, you don't have to check this.)

Tip: You can adjust the volume and balance from these "recording input" controls. Setting the volume between 1/2 to 3/4 (sliding the selector lever up) will ensure proper recording level.

How do I play a CD?

To record from a CD, you need to be able to play it. This is done with the CD Player accessory that comes with Windows. To launch it, click on the Start menu and select Programs->Accessories-> Entertainment -> CD Player:

IMPORTANT! Do not use the Windows Media Player; you cannot record digitally from it.

Use the CD Player controls (labeled below) to control the CD functions.

CD Practice

Now let's practice getting started with the CD Player:

Open the Volume Control panel
Make sure "CD Audio" is not muted
Open the Recording Control panel (using the Options->Properties command)
Click the Select check box in the CD column
Verify the CD player is properly connected
Insert the music CD
Open the CD Player application
Press the play button to hear the CD

If you hear music coming out of your speakers or headset, you're ready to start recording from CD!

Tip: When recording a soundtrack from a CD, start recording before you start playing the CD. You can edit out the extra blank sound at the beginning, but it's not so easy to add what you don't have!

Mic Practice

This time let's practice getting started with the microphone:

Open the Volume Control panel
Open the Recording Control panel (using the Options->Properties command)
Click the Select check box in the Microphone column
Make sure your microphone is plugged into the appropriate spot on your computer
Sing a verse of your favorite song

If you can hear your voice coming out of your speakers or headset, you're ready to start recording with the microphone!

Revised, March 2002