How To Record Over A Backing Track In Audacity | Audacity Accelerator Course [Part 10]

[@bardofely]

Thank you so much for this information. Although I am a singer-songwriter I have never used Audacity to record my vocals and lyrics over someone else's music. This is what I am trying to do now. I think I just learned what I was doing wrong. I hadn't gone to Preferences - Recording and chosen "play other tracks." Just made a note of this and will try it.

[@1970FLcrkr]

can't thank you enough for this series I've been struggling with digital DAW courses for too long they are too advanced for me. I'm an old school live band mixer, just give me a board, I have the ear. This digital age got me for a loop. Thank you so much Joe for the simple approach and I can accomplish exactly what I was looking to do without all the fluff behind how it all works. Just learning as I go. cheers

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi Gwyn, I'm so glad it helped and was easy to follow!

[@garypalaypay3700]

YOU ARE A LIFESAVER AND A BIG HELP...SMASHING LUV!

[@walktalkbooks]

Very clear and concise. Many thanks Joe

[@ramkk512]

Hi Joe, Thanks you so much for your series, God Bless You

[@nelsonkerr1119]

Thanks for this Joe - very practical and straight forward information...I'm in a guitar class and need to record my part over an imported backing track, so this is perfect. Thanks again!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Awesome. Glad it helped for the class, Nelson!

[@BonnieLeighMusic]

Very helpful and easy to follow. Thanks for not talking too fast!

[@4gcole]

Thx! You are the only person who address's the situation of being able to record and play backing track at the same time! YooHoo! Thx soooo Much!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help 🙂

[@BhanteWayne1]

After poking around in Audacity for an hour trying to record guitar over a time track, I went to Google and found this great explanation from Joe Crow. Appreciate the info, friend.

[@thoutube9522]

REALLY helpful. They've changed the record over backing track thing - the shift-r thing was new to me. Brilliant - great, clear instructions!!

[@favourabua1]

This is so amazing.I just learned something I was ready to pay any sum to get .Thank you so much 🙏

[@paulmartin39]

Very helpful, informative tutorial on Audacity. I'm wanting to record my harmonica playing over a backing track, I've wondered how for a long time, now I know. Got all the kit, except an interface, got a mic and headphones. Thanks for this video.

[@deathrager2404]

bro you're a legend.

[@Clipper_Damez]

Perfect. Succinct and straight to the point which is exactly what I wanted, because I've known how to do it before but haven't used the software in a few years so just wanted a reminder/refresher without a theoretical lecture, and this gives exactly that. Thank you!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Awesome, I'm glad it helped!

[@SaajRaja]

Super helpful - thank you Joe!

[@danielmaxwell5856]

Superbly simple. Thanks, Joe!

[@bettymreeves1]

Thank you for your help. I was a bit lost until I found this video.

[@JazzStephane]

Very informative and straight to the point! Thank you very much Joe!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help, Gregory!

[@JakeAye]

This was very helpful, thank you!

[@BuzzyWhitlowIndy]

Thank you so much. I am just getting started and I am excited to watch more. You do a wonderful job and speak so that I can clearing understand. Good job!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help, Tom!

[@SweetShaymaa]

Thanks for the help Joe. Enjoyed this video very much 👍😊

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching.

[@juliab.simpson8023]

This was a life today! Thanks!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help, Julia 🙂

[@juliab.simpson8023]

I was so excited I left out "saver!"

[@JoeAtClaricast]

@@juliab.simpson8023 Haha I assumed you meant that :)

[@pienkruisbrink4942]

Spent hours to figure out how to listen and record at the same time. Found the solution in your video. Thanks!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Great stuff. I'm glad it sorted it out for you. Good to know the video is clear.

[@SKINNERGUITAR]

Hey thanks a million! 😊

[@leticiamuniz]

This is so helpful for recording my part in virtual choirs! Thank you very much.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

That's awesome, no worries!

[@kenastroswazzuro848]

Great concise helpful video! Just the advice i needed! Many thanks!🙂👍

[@junpolistico]

thank you Joe.. very helpful.. simple, direct to just what I needed.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Nice one. Happy to help 🙂

[@anniemhenderson]

Thank you!!! So simple and easy- you rock!

[@JanJohanssonmusic]

Great presentation, Joe...

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Thanks! I hope it's been a help.

[@JanJohanssonmusic]

@@JoeAtClaricast yessir

[@blackchild2356]

genius 👑

[@Ikkcicle]

Awesome Joe Crow,Thanks

[@martinlee8057]

thank you very much very helpful

[@godsproperty]

Thank you Joe. This was quick and to the point.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Glad it helped!

[@pebblesss12]

2:29 is all u need, just hold shift while pressing the record button

[@julieharper5121]

Thanks Joe for your help! I was asked by a big wig in Nashville to add vocals of harmony to a pre-recorded sound track. These videos are helping a lot! I was a bit overwhelmed and this was the info I needed. Thanks again and you should be charging for this!=)

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Amazing, glad it's helped! Thanks Julie 🙂

[@WillsJazzLoft]

Thank you so much for what is a very thorough tutorial. There are many others. Yet somehow or another they neglect to mention the small and yet crucial detail of the punch_in 0:03:07 Thank you

[@JoeAtClaricast]

So glad it helped!

[@PeaGabi]

cheers mate

[@sofierutherford1563]

So easy to follow, you really helped me out there Joe... thank you!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

I'm glad it helped, Sofie 🙂

[@longlayover123]

thanks very clear and handy explanation! thanks for taking the time to share what you know!!!!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Glad it was helpful! 🙂

[@samuelbarclay7493]

Hey gang..awesome BUT How can I play guitar over myself while holding a shift key down?!?!?!? 😂 😂 ?????

[@indug72]

Thanks so much! Came to me at the right time.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help 🙂

[@adityagurung_10]

Thanks bro.. searching for this since a long 👍

[@JoeAtClaricast]

I'm glad you found it :D

[@haa846]

THANKS SO MUCH I WAS HAVING A PANIC ATTACK. I OWE YOU ONE. A+ EFFORT.

[@pacificdivaworld]

Thank you so much for this. I was getting frustrated trying to figure this out and your tutorial really helped me.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Amazing, glad it helped!

[@LoBucks]

Perfect, thank you!!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help 🙂

[@MaDBaZ]

MUCH APPRECIATED

[@Mangalugab]

Hey Joe, how do I loop the backtrap indefinetly ? Everytime the track i record gets longer than the backtrack, the backtrack stops I want the backtrack to restart and keep going. How can I do that ?

[@LETHALAPOLLOGAMING]

Thanks helped a lot and i watched 2 before this, This video is the one i needed Thanks again

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Awesome, glad it helped!

[@gregorygregson3238]

Thanks for the clear explanation, Joe. I was trying to record a vocal track mixing up Russian, German, and English translation over a Russian wedding song as a joke for a Russian Skype friend who just got married in Germany. The Russian, German, and English lyrics I could figure out. But Audacity is just too complicated for me.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi Gregory, I hope it's helped you put it together!

[@KavirDaya]

super helpful ! many thanks

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mesumie]

Awesome video. Thank you !

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help!

[@-sanjibghosh8076]

so helpful, thank you

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help!

[@emmakemp9704]

Thank you. So helpful! Perfect timing for me :-)

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Awesome, glad it helped!

[@dustinrisinger1958]

Thanks!!

[@Ali-w1i8i]

thanks

[@LILRHONDALEE]

Thanks for all of your info.! Can you tell me how I can monitor my vocals WITH EFFECTS, and backing track, while recording? Thanks!

[@ApexAshan]

Thank you my good sir. You have my gratitude. I used this to help make a diss track to roast my friend for his birthday 😂

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Glad to be of service 😂

[@FARKA1TA]

Hello Joe this was very helpful but I have one problem I have a Macbook air with a M2 chip, I have the blue snowball iCE mic which is a decent mic but it didn't work so I had to get an adapter, what would I have to get in order to make recording possible? I can't really explain the issue as its pretty complicated

[@monikaspiritcom]

Joe, this course is so helpful, thank you so much! I have a question... could you please recommend me any audio bank, where to download backing track and be able to use it without breaking copy rights? I am a therapist, recording tailored meditations and I am looking for a calm meditative music for a backround of my voice, thank you co much!

[@pas0003]

Thank you!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

You're welcome!

[@thesacredgates3079]

Thank you! I knew there must be a way and you showed me how so that i can keep moving forward with my ideas! thanks Joe PRO! Will subscribe and watch some of your other videos!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help 😀 what are you working on?

[@thesacredgates3079]

@@JoeAtClaricast I am returning to a childhood dream! I used to make guided meditations using a few cassette players and home made sound effects! I will be offering my guided relaxation journeys on Patreon next month! I am working on affirmation songs right now...fun and cheesey and positive! Learning to work with Audacity at another level - so I appreciate your kind presence and knowledge!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

That's awesome Illura! I hope it goes well. Possibly the first time I've heard someone utilising a cassette player with Audacity 😅 I do still have an old Walkman somewhere...

[@thesacredgates3079]

@@JoeAtClaricast oh this was back in the 80's! Just a couple of cassette recorders was all i needed...mixing in sfx using two tape recorders! They are good memories! The tech is amazing now! yeah walkman's were great. I love cassettes....i got really good at sticky taping them together...so physical compared to now! Got to go and get a covid test for my whole family now! A child in my son was diagnosed yesterday!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Yeah there is something special about it! I used to record stuff off the radio onto cassette. I've never had to deal with recording to tape though... Even the studios that have tape machines, they're normally sitting gathering dust. I hope your tests came back clear!

[@sudeshbhelekar8410]

hi may i know why is backing track is also recoeded with the vocal ??

[@riprasta4540]

stll makes me record at the end of playback though?

[@rgceducation8971]

Thanks for this tutorial. How do you get it to not record your voice immediately?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

No worries! How do you mean, sorry? So there's a delay before it starts recording?

[@jeff8967]

Joe, i need help setting up my Pa system to input my music and record my voice to a soundtrack using audacity. I can record a music trac but how do I input my voice to the track, Thanks!

[@gsmoto9790]

i came ot tjhis looking for guidance on how to make sure the vocal track actually records in the new empty track allovated for the vocal, but when i press record it just records on the backing track. How do I select the new track for the vocal, please?

[@jenkinsl3]

When I do this it not only records my voice on the new track, it also re-records the audio?

[@AustinRoberJohnson]

Thank you for the video. I’m having trouble myself because when I do shift + R is opens a new track but stays at 0 and will not begin recording. I have my recording and playback date to the same interface and I’ve followed what you’ve said to do and other have said to do but still it stays at 0 and doesn’t allow me to record. Very frustrating.

[@mange2]

Ive tried over and over to record vocals with the backing track playing, but it very slightly goes out of sync and no matter what I do, it will not sync up.

[@davidnorris221]

SO I have been messing around with recording but can't quite figure out how to hear my voice while I sing in the Headphones (playback) without the delay in real time. I have been fixing it later on but it really throws me off while singing with a slight delay. Any suggestions?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi David, it sounds like latency that you're noticing once you're playing to another track. You could try changing the buffer length in Audacity of your interface software. There's a guide on testing for latency in Audacity here - manual.audacityteam.org/man/latency_test.html

[@JeromePiliOfficial]

The output of my record is already mixed with the backing track. pls help, thanks

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hey there, do you not have the original backing track file?

[@ramseycalvino]

I'm still having issues. My backing track keeps getting recorded when i try and voice over music. I have everything double and triple checked. I am using a mixer as an interface. It seems to work if i use the computer mic which i dont want to do. im at a loss.

[@naveenanshmishra1471]

Hi.! This function is not working in the current version 3.3.3 Please help..

[@bishopsland]

Hi Joe, I have audacity and a yeti usb mic. Can you tell me what (if any) additional equipment I need in order to record music (from my pc) and voice together in real time (to create a music show)? Up until now I have had to record each separately and then edit them together because audacity does not seem to let me switch audio inputs (from mic to pc and back) in real time. Apologies if you cover this in one of your broadcasts, but I couldn't find it. Cheers, Rob

[@wendigoboy3678]

Hi Joe. When I record a second track there is a delay on the new track. To fix this I have been cutting some of the audio to match. I wonder if there is a way to prevent the delay so I don't have to cut the new audio to match.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi Dennis, it sounds like latency that you're noticing once you're playing to another track. You could try changing the buffer length in Audacity of your interface software. There's a guide on testing for latency in Audacity here - manual.audacityteam.org/man/latency_test.html

[@wendigoboy3678]

@@JoeAtClaricast I was able to correct the latency with your suggestion. Thank you very much for your assistance!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Amazing 😀

[@TM-nw6gk]

That's okay, but how do I hear the new play over the backtrack without recording ? I haven't found that function. Or am i dumb?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hey there, when you click play or press the space bar, does it start recording?

[@TM-nw6gk]

@@JoeAtClaricast the overdub is on. Recording in new track also. When I load the "backing Track" I can record a new track, when I click on record. But I cannot Monitor while playing the backtrack, or simply playing over the backtrack without recording.

[@IzukuMidoriya-yu5gy]

Hey, I'm recording guitar over a backing track but whenever I record it, some leaks from the backing track are also recorded even though I have an interface. How is that fixed?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hey there, is it bleed from speakers? Or is it recorded internally through the system?

[@IzukuMidoriya-yu5gy]

It's recorded internally, I use headphones as monitoring.

[@leonardHMusic]

Hey Joe I’m having problems with the tracks. So I have a backing track loaded, then when I add another track and record my guitar it also records that backing track which really bothers me. Do you know how I could fix that?

[@captainbrianwilkinson7723]

how do you vary the volume of the audio track I do presenting on a radio station Ive lost use of Audition were you adjusted keyframes to vary the audio track how do you do it in Audacity many thanks

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi Brian, to adjust the volume as it goes on, you can use the Envelope Tool. It looks like a line with two dots. You can activate with F2.

[@DebarghaGupta]

thank you

[@JoeAtClaricast]

No worries!

[@thatchernall5135]

Hey Joe, thank you for the video, it really helped out. I'm currenty having a problem with some mic delay, where I will press "Shift + R" to start the recording, yet no matter what I do or what backing track I pick, the audio from my mic over the backing track is not in sync. I am using a Blue Yeti connected to a Surface Pro 8. If you know anything you think would help, please let me know, thanks!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hey, no worries. Does it record out of sync? Or is your mic monitoring out of sync? Or both? Have you tried the different hosts? MME, WASAPI etc. And try changing the buffer length and latency compensation in preferences.

[@thatchernall5135]

@@JoeAtClaricast Found an article by Audacity that showed how to correct latency. Worked great! Super in sync now. Thank you for getting back to me :)

[@theblindguitarman649]

Hello can you please help me I am blind and use my laptop with a screenreader and audacity. I already record a lot with my guitar and audacity. Both my laptop crashed and now there is something wrong with the latency. I don’t know how to figure out which numbers you have to put in there. I put my guitar straight into a interface. Thanks already

[@jamespotts419]

Everything works but sound now--and I'm not sure why it is working now--but I'm beginning to think that the connection, either the cable or the socket in the Focusrite is broken. Thanks for taking an interest.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Glad it works now! If it's intermittent it's probably worth raising with Focusrite.

[@jamespotts419]

No, it doesn't work now. It runs the first track, and it looks as if it will record, but it doesn't take in any sound. I went to a guitar store and he said the cable and socket are fine. I tried it tonight--no sound.

[@santoshrout6381]

Sir,when I record with backing track . The backing track is also recording in another track. what should I do for this?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi Santosh, do you mean your vocals are being recorded on the track with the backing on as well?

[@santoshrout6381]

@@JoeAtClaricast yes

[@JoeAtClaricast]

@@santoshrout6381 Just to be clear, if you hold Shift and click record, it creates a new track to record to, but also records on the initial track and records on both tracks at the same time?

[@santoshrout6381]

@@JoeAtClaricast yes

[@JoeAtClaricast]

That's strange! Off the top of my head I'm not sure. I'll see if I can try and replicate it on my side.

[@DavidRogers-x7b]

Joe, I tried the method you describe in this lesson (part 10) and I did get two tracks, however, the only sound waves recorded were on track 2, not on track 1? Any suggestions? Thank you

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi there, are you trying to record two tracks at once? Are you using an interface?

[@Outsiderr_sltwrst]

I’m having trouble with the timing my voice isn’t adding up with the beat it’s a bit late how do I get it to start at the same time as the beat ?

[@yupyup625]

How do I record over a selected part of the audio I recorded

[@kouvhoen]

Very helpful. But when I'm recording the voice is very soft recorded. How come? What do I do wrong? The mic potmeter goes to -24/-1

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi Dave, have you set the level to -1? And mic input up in Windows and Audacity? What mic are you using and how close are you?

[@throwawayaccount8206]

For whatever reason when i hit record the overdubbed audio becomes super low quality. Any ideas on how to fix that?

[@jrp0610]

Thanks for all the info...Great teacher....Question concerning Audacity.....The backing track plays perfect until I press control and recording starts.....Then the backing track is distorted even though the vocals are being recorded on another track and are clear.....Any input?.....Thanks....JP

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Thanks for watching, glad it's helped! That's odd, is it constant distortion? Does it happen with all backing tracks or just that one? Have you tried reinstalling Audacity?

[@bragdoll2370]

@@JoeAtClaricast I have the same problem and I have uninstalled and re-installed audacity. Please help.

[@thesacredgates3079]

Do you have any videos on easily sound proofing a room for recording? I just surround myself with pillows! Illura

[@JoeAtClaricast]

It depends on the shape and size of the room. If you can record in a smallish room and get some acoustic panels on the walls that would help. Soft furnishings and pillows are better than nothing if you don't have the budget. It depends a lot on the room though.

[@alextzou5011]

i have a problem. when i record my voice i also record the song too. and i want it to play while i am recording, but not be recorded

[@aquamarine0023]

Thank you!!!!

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Happy to help!

[@rockarollcountryQ]

Hi Joe .Im new to recording.I am using a dixon mixer and Carol mic .What i want to know is must i stil use the compression,EQ ,normalize and all thows things after i recorded .The effects an all other settings is set on my mixer. Thanks Quentin

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi Quentin. It's up to you really. In a professional studio, compression, EQ etc. are often added during the mixing stage. Sometimes the recording is done 'dry' with no compression or EQ. The benefit of doing it all afterwards is that you have flexibility to make changes. It's your recording every part separately this will be especially important. But then some prefer to use hardware compressors, EQs etc. and record through them, if they have a particular effect that they like.

[@rockarollcountryQ]

@@JoeAtClaricast Ok thank you very much. My recordings sounds good but got littke to much bass in my voice. How can i cirrect that. Thanks

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Ideally you want to get it right in the recording stage. If you have a lot of bass build up in your room, or you're too close to the microphone, you'll end up with a bassy recording. But I would always EQ a vocal anyway. You'll likely want a high pass filter on them. An EQ cutting off everything below around 80Hz. This video shows my general vocal mixing process - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3XHYaOvjNl6g9U

[@rockarollcountryQ]

@@JoeAtClaricast Hi Joe. Thanks very much. I saw video 16 and it wil help but now my pc packed uo lol. Bad luck hey but wil sort it out. Thanks very much. Keep up the good videos. Kind regards Quentin

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Oh no 😫 I know the feeling. Had to do a rebuild last year. I hope you're able to get back on track soon!

[@warren4838]

hi, hope you can help me, I already setted the settings(play other tracks while recording), but everytime I record my guitar tracks, the backing track also records with the guitar track, thanks,

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi there! As long as you're not recording with speakers instead of headphones (to rule out bleed), this is a bug, I think. There's talk of this on the forum - forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?t=73893, but no clear resolution. It may be to do with a certain sound card. If you have another sound card or interface to test, this could help to track down where the issue lies.

[@mklbgn]

Hello Joe. I have a slight problem with audacity. When I record my vocals over my music track, the music track doubles, I don't know why. I hope you can help me. Thank you very much.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi there! As long as you're not recording with speakers instead of headphones (to rule out bleed), this is a bug, I think. There's talk of this on the forum - forum.audacityteam.org/viewtopic.php?t=73893, but no clear resolution. It may be to do with a certain sound card. If you have another sound card or interface to test, this could help to track down where the issue lies.

[@sumankurapati7984]

I tried to record voice over backing track dont know why it doesnt start recording it gets stuck

[@mikaaurela1848]

Hi, Not sure if this is the right video to ask this, but is it possible to record PC output (backing track from Spotify for example) and USB input (Focusrite Scarlet 2i2) together (as a stereo mix) with Audacity in Win 11? It used to be possible with my old computer with Win 7 and PCI audio-card. But have not succeeded with my new set-up.

[@JoeAtClaricast]

Hi, do you have a SPDIF connection on the back of your interface? This is how I do it - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIKqq3eEhcmJoac

[@MikaAurela]

Hi, Thanks a lot for your reply. Unfortunately, in the 4gen Scarlet 2i2 I don't have SPDIF connection. Are there any other solutions - or should I go back to my old system😕?

[@JoeAtClaricast]

The alternative is using virtual routing with VoiceMeeter like in this video - kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5TcmYaead5kmrM. It is a bit more fiddly but it's what I used to use to record Windows audio.

[@psychsoulogy8018]

Hi my track works like a bird sound and end immediately,, how to fix it Sir?

[@zanarchie]

Doesn't work for me. The record button changes to the triangle when I press shift, but then when I click the record butten I get an error message...

[@lildoughboy2085]

When i start to record it automatically starts me at the end of the backing track. How could i fix that?