How to import a video into Audacity (to create a voiceover)

Audacity Help Forum Windows
1

Using Windows XP (gulp!)
Audacity ® 2.0.5
.exe file

I’m trying to create a voiceover for a video, and I was wondering if there is a way to “import” the video into Audacity so I can record on Audacity while the video is playing.
If that’s not possible, can anyone please suggest any other ways to create a voiceover for a video.

Thanks!

2

Sorta… If you install the FFMpeg software package, Audacity will open the audio portions of many video formats. Then you can use the Overdubbing tools and listen to the original track to know when to talk. No video. Sorry.

The hard part is to marry the new track into your video. You need a video editor for that.

http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_installation_and_plug_ins.html#ffdown

http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/tutorial_recording_multi_track_overdubs.html

Koz

3

Yes. If you cannot upgrade to later Windows or don’t want to try Linux, make sure at least that you have XP updated to Service Pack 3. The Service Packs are still available from Microsoft.

You can import the video file into Audacity and extract the audio from the video if you install FFmpeg ( http://manual.audacityteam.org/o/man/faq_installation_and_plug_ins.html#ffdown ) .

Then ensure Transport > Overdub is “On” (checkmarked) and you can record a voiceover while listening to the audio track from the video. Make sure you wear headphones when recording so you don’t re-record the video sound.

What is your end goal? To add the voiceover to the audio track of the video? Or to submit a separate audio only voiceover to a producer?


Gale

4

Aw shucks, it’s quite unfortunate that Audacity doesn’t have more inclusive features; you get what you paid for (or didn’t haha). My goal for my project is to create a voiceover for the video, as well as adding some background music. So I see myself spending a lot of time on a video editor in the future :nerd: . Thanks for the help though!

5

it’s quite unfortunate that Audacity doesn’t have more inclusive features

Everybody wants different inclusive features. You want us to be a video editor.

Koz

6

Thank you kozi for your rather snarky reply. I didn’t necessarily say that I need Audacity to be a video editor; rather, Audacity should have the option to play a video so I can record along with it. Moreover, after I edit the audio, I can save it and import it into a real video editor.

7

Audacity should have the option to play a video so I can record along with it.

Audacity doesn’t manage MIDI well, either. There’s a list of improvements and extensions.
Koz

8

I’ll count your vote for that - it’s quite a common request.

Most decent video editors should let you drag the audio pieces along the timeline to synchronise them with the video, or should let you specify the audio delay.


Gale