One of the more common questions I get asked from beginner DJ's is how to move tracks in Audacity. Some other DJs I've known have been able to do it without any problem at all. Others still get frustrated and angry, while trying to do it, and never get it right. If you fall into that latter category, read on!
The fact is, that there are a few different ways you can go about moving your tracks, depending upon the program you're using. Some programs allow you to drag and drop files and even include a library feature where you can name and save each track. Other programs (such as Pro Tools) give you more freedom, but still limit the moves to how you want them to be. So how does one move tracks in Audacity, if they don't really understand the confusing yet powerful drag and drop features?
The short answer is simple: you just click! This might not be very helpful if you're new to DJing or aren't particularly good at using the mouse, but trust me, you'll get better with practice. So, how does this work? Let's say you have a track name, which is saved in the "My Tracks" section of the preferences menu. Once you click "OK", a list of all of your tracked items will appear, along with their position and type (meaning whether it's a loop, hi-hat or play/pause).
How to Move Tracks in Audacity
Now you have two choices. You can either click on the title and move it around the selection area to make it easier to locate where it is, or you can click on it and then drag over the selection area to reveal and select it. Whichever method you choose, however, is clearly visible as you can see what moves are made, which ensures you don't accidentally click the wrong button.
For beginners, I suggest you do one of these two things. First, as with the mouse, simply click and drag to reveal and select the track. Second, select "Properties" and scroll down the left hand side to reveal "Track Position". Click the "New" button and enter the desired track position. Finally, click "OK". The following steps repeat for each track in your Mix Master.
If you want to move one of your tracks by dragging it, you will need to learn the right moves. This is probably easier than it seems, as each character has its own moves. Each one is best learned by watching someone perform them, so that you can get a feel for how they make the song sound. We will cover some basic moves in later lessons.
One basic move is to shift the cursor one octave down. The character's position remains static, but the cursor moves up one step. To change which note the cursor is currently moving to, double-click anywhere on the audio track. A pop-up box containing the notes will appear. Use the up and down arrows to jump to the next note.
Another basic move is to increase the volume of one track at a time. Double-click anywhere on the audio track. A drop-down menu containing the various volume levels will appear. Using the left and right arrows, you can easily adjust the levels from there. To undo any of your moves, just click on the red" Reset" button on the" Moves" tab.
One useful trick is to add one track to an existing mix. Click anywhere on the audio track, then hold the shift key while clicking the track you want to add it to. The track you are dragging will change to a blank spot, and you will be able to see the track below it in the mixer. Click and drag the new track into the spot where you want it. Now you have one extra input on your track!
Some advanced users may find it useful to create a combination move and edit one track at a time. When you open an audio track in Audacity, the main window will look like this:
What you need to do from here, is to select any track and then use the arrow keys to drag it to where you would like to put it in your mix. This brings up the Editing panel. Click on the Move button and start dragging, as this makes the track move with you. This is the first tip on how to move tracks in audacity. Try it out and you might be surprised at how well this is going to work for you!
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