Tutorials On XP Recording Software
If you're using Windows XP vocal recording software, click the Start button followed by Settings, Control Panel, then Sounds and Audio Devices. Select the Audio tab. Under Sound recording, make sure the soundcard you're using is selected and click Volume. The microphone volume will appear - drag it up or down to get the right volume. Don't worry if adjusting the level control doesn't have any effect through the speakers - or even if you can't hear the microphone at all. The important thing is that Audacity can hear it, which you'll know when its level meters start responding.
In Windows Vista, the process is a little different. Right-click the speaker icon in the System tray then selects Recording Devices. You should then see a list of audio inputs. Click the one labeled Microphone (or Line In, if you're using an external mixer) and click the Set Default button. Click Properties followed by the Levels tab to access the microphone's volume control.
Making tracks
With the volume level set, it's finally time to start recording. If you're recording an instrument, make sure it's in tune, and that the room you're in is silent. Place the microphone about 30cm away from the instrument, facing the area where the sound comes from. Hit the Record button and Audacity will create a track and start recording. If you're planning to layer other instruments on top and want them to come in on the first beat, remember to say a countdown before playing - this can be removed later. When you're done, press Stop, Skip to Start and Play to hear it back.
To record another instrument put your headphones on, turn the speakers off and click Record again - Audacity will start recording on another new track. The previous recording should be playing as you record, but if it isn't, stop recording and click the X at the top-left of the new track to delete it. Click the Edit menu followed by Preferences, and on the Audio I/O tab, tick the box labeled 'Play other tracks while recording new one'.
Once you've built up a few tracks - maybe one of guitar, and one of singing, for example, it's time to adjust the volumes so that they sound good. There are various ways to do this, but the easiest is with the Gain control to the left of each track. This makes adjustments in rather large steps, but by holding down the Shift key as you adjust it, it's possible to get more fine control. Try using the stereo Pan controls too, located just below the Gain control. These help give a sense of space to recordings. Keep the most important instrument - usually the voice, if you're using vocals - in the centre, though.
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