Accessible Auphonic User Guide.

1. What Auphonic is and how it can help.

Auphonic is an online service that improves the sound of recordings you have already made. You send it a recording, choose the improvements you want, and receive a new version to listen to or share. It can be useful for interviews, podcasts, lessons, spoken books and other recordings where people need to hear the words comfortably.

The official website is Auphonic: www.auphonic.com. You can visit it to create an account, use the service in your browser, read its help and manage your available processing time.

Imagine listening to an interview where the presenter is easy to hear but the guest speaks very quietly. You turn the volume up for the guest, then down again when the presenter returns. Or perhaps a fan hums behind both speakers. Auphonic offers different tools for these different problems. You choose the ones that suit your recording.

What Auphonic can change.

• Balance quiet and loud voices. It can bring quieter passages and louder passages closer together, so the listener needs to adjust the volume less often. This is called leveling.
• Reduce distracting background sound. It can reduce noises such as a fan, hiss or passing traffic. This is called denoising. Some methods keep music; others try to keep only speech.
• Reduce the sound of an echoey room. A voice recorded in a bare room can seem distant because the sound lingers after each word. Reducing this lingering sound can make the words clearer.
• Adjust the character of a voice. It can help when speech sounds boomy, dull or harsh. Later chapters explain these choices through what you hear.
• Make the overall volume more consistent. It can prepare separate programmes at a similar listening level, or meet a level requested by the service that will publish them. This is called loudness normalization.
• Combine separate recordings. It can bring microphone recordings and music together into one finished programme.

You can hear examples on Auphonic's features page. You do not have to use every improvement. Begin with the problem you can hear, then compare the finished recording with the original.

How Accessible Auphonic fits in.

Accessible Auphonic is the Windows application described in this guide. It gives you keyboard controls for choosing recordings, selecting sound settings, sending work to the Auphonic service and downloading the finished files. It is designed to work with a screen reader, including JAWS and NVDA.

The sound is processed by Auphonic over the internet. The Windows app needs an Auphonic account and your permission to use it. Chapter 2 explains how to connect Accessible Auphonic with an access code called an API key.

Accessible Auphonic also lets you add programme information and cover artwork. Chapter 4 explains these choices. The website offers further features, such as connections to publishing services; see Auphonic's service overview for its wider capabilities.

Accessible Auphonic does not break Auphonic's Terms and Conditions. It provides another way to use Auphonic's tools, just as a screen reader provides access to the company's website. The Auphonic website states: "The API allows you to integrate our complete services and algorithms into your scripts, external workflows and third-party applications." Here, API means the connection through which another application, such as Accessible Auphonic, uses Auphonic's services.

What happens to your recording.

This is an overview of the process. Chapter 4 gives the controls and detailed instructions for your first recording.

Step 1. Select an existing recording on your computer.

Step 2. Choose the sound settings you want to use.

Step 3. Start the job.

Step 4. Confirm the upload. Uploading means sending a copy of the recording over the internet to Auphonic.

Step 5. Wait while Auphonic makes the requested changes and Accessible Auphonic downloads the finished recording. One processing job is called a production. Downloading means bringing the new file back to your computer.

Step 6. Listen to the result.

Step 7. Decide whether it is ready to share.

Your original file stays in place. Keep it so you can compare the two versions or try different settings. Accessible Auphonic works with existing recordings; use a recording or editing application to record new material, remove a mistake or rearrange sections.

You can read this guide and Accessible Auphonic's help without an internet connection. A preset is a saved group of settings, explained in Chapter 5. Sending recordings, using presets saved in your account and finding earlier productions require a connection.

Free use, paid use and processing time.

Auphonic measures use in hours and minutes of audio. These are called credits. They refer to the recording's length, rather than the time you spend choosing settings or reading help.

At the time this guide was reviewed, the free service included two hours each month. Unused free time did not carry forward, and free productions included an Auphonic jingle: a short audio message added to the result. Combining separate recordings into one programme is called multitrack processing. Free multitrack productions had to be shorter than 20 minutes.

For more time, Auphonic offers plans with a monthly allowance and one-time credit purchases. The monthly credits reset each month; one-time credits do not expire. A successful production uses at least three minutes of credit, even for a shorter recording. See the current plans, limits and charging rules before deciding what you need.

Each audition (a short processed sample for you to judge) and each full production started by Accessible Auphonic creates a separate job. Allow for both when trying settings. Your Auphonic account settings show your available credits.

Checking your account and available time.

You can check your account without leaving Accessible Auphonic. This does not upload a recording or spend processing time.

The information appears in separate read-only Edit Fields. These are areas of text that you can read and copy but cannot change. Focus means the control that receives your next keypress.

Recurring allowance is the processing time that renews each month. One-time credit is time bought separately. If a figure says Not supplied, it does not mean you have no time left.

Step 1. In the main window, press Control+Shift+I.

Step 2. Wait for Account information to open. Focus starts in Account name.

Step 3. Read the account name.

Step 4. Press Tab to Processing time available.

Step 5. Read the available time.

Step 6. Press Tab to Recurring allowance remaining.

Step 7. Read the time remaining from your recurring allowance.

Step 8. Press Tab to One-time credit remaining.

Step 9. Read the time remaining from separately purchased credit.

Step 10. Press Tab to Allowance at renewal.

Step 11. Read the allowance that applies at renewal.

Step 12. Press Tab to Email address.

Step 13. Read the email address.

Step 14. Press Escape. You return to the previous control in the main window.

Shift+Tab moves back through the fields. To copy a field before leaving the window:

Step 1. Press Control+A to select the field's contents.

Step 2. Press Control+C to copy them.

To open the same account window through Help instead of Control+Shift+I:

Step 1. Press Alt+H to open Help.

Step 2. Use Up or Down Arrow to reach Account information.

Step 3. Press Enter.

Continue with Step 2 of the account-reading procedure. To close the window using its Button instead of Escape:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Open Account information again to obtain fresh figures after processing a recording. See Auphonic's current account and plan information for the service's rules.

Judging the result.

You do not need to understand sound engineering before you begin. Listen for whether the words are easier to follow, the changes in volume are comfortable, and the voice still sounds natural. Listen for music and other sounds that you wanted to keep, too.

Very strong noise removal can change a voice in unwanted ways. If it starts sounding watery, muffled or artificial, try a gentler setting. Auphonic can improve many difficult recordings, but it cannot guarantee a good result from every source. A short comparison is often more useful than turning every setting up.

Choose the kind of work you want to do.

Singletrack improves one file. That file may contain one speaker, a complete interview or speech already mixed with music. A stereo recording, which can have different sound on the left and right, is still one file and belongs here.

Batch applies the same choices to several files. Each becomes a separate production. This suits a collection of lessons or episodes recorded under similar conditions.

Multitrack combines separate files into one programme. For example, you may have one file per microphone and another for accompanying music. The files must already line up in time: each sound must occur at the correct point when the files are played together.

History helps you find previous productions, read their reports, download their finished files and remove productions from your Auphonic account.

How to use this guide.

For a first session, connect your account in Chapter 2 and follow Chapter 4 with a short recording. You can then explore the sound settings as particular problems arise. There is no need to change every setting.

The procedures name both the control and the keys to use. These terms explain the controls you will encounter:

• Focus identifies the control that will receive your next keypress.
• A Button carries out an action. Reaching it does not activate it.
• An Edit Field is a place to type or read text.
• A Combo Box offers a list of choices.
• A dialogue is a window asking for a choice or information.
• A default is the choice used automatically unless you change it.

Press Tab repeatedly until you reach the named control. Shift+Tab moves back if you pass it. On a Button, press Enter or Space when you are ready to carry out its action. In a Combo Box, use Up or Down Arrow until you hear the required choice.

In the app's Yes/No confirmation dialogues, Yes is selected initially. Read the question before agreeing. Enter or Space accepts the selected Button. To decline, use Tab to reach No before pressing Enter or Space. You can press letter Y for Yes or N for No. Where Cancel is offered, it abandons the operation. Pressing the Escape key activates the Cancel Button. The procedures separate reading the question, choosing a response and accepting it.

This guide is stored with Accessible Auphonic. F1 opens it in your default browser. User Guide on the Help menu opens the same guide. It works without an internet connection, except when following an external link.

With JAWS or NVDA in its usual browser reading mode, H moves to the next heading and Shift+H moves back. Tab moves to a link in the contents; Enter follows the selected link. Your screen-reader's Find command can locate a particular word or heading.

Technical Support.

This application is available free of charge. Technical support is provided on a case-by-case basis. It is not covered by Hartgen Consultancy's commitment to provide regular technical support under a paid product's licence agreement. Technical Support queries are likely to take considerably longer to answer than those submitted for a paid product.

Any Technical Support questions should be addressed to brian@hartgenconsultancy.com or on Mastodon to hartgenconsultancy@leaseysocial.com.

2. Getting ready and connecting your account.

You need Windows, an Auphonic account, an internet connection for processing, and an existing recording. Accessible Auphonic uses standard Windows controls and provides status messages to supported screen readers. Reading this guide and the local Shift+F1 explanations does not use Auphonic credit.

Installing Accessible Auphonic.

The installer sets up Accessible Auphonic for your Windows user account. Use a 64-bit version of Windows 10 or Windows 11.

Close any running copy of Accessible Auphonic before starting. If you are updating, finish your current work first. Your saved API key, preferences and completed recordings are kept. An API key is the private access code that connects the app to your Auphonic account. File selections and sound choices made for the current session will need choosing again after the app closes.

Step 1. Save the Accessible Auphonic Setup file to your computer. It can be downloaded from this documentation page.

Step 2. Locate the saved zipped file. It is likely to be in your Downloads folder.

Step 3. If you are using File Explorer or Leasey File Manager, press Enter to open the zipped archive.

Step 4. Press Down Arrow to select the executable installer inside the zipped archive.

Step 5. Press Enter to launch the installer.

Step 6. If Windows displays a security message about the downloaded file, read it before deciding whether to continue.

The following sections describe each installer screen. Tab moves forward through controls and Shift+Tab moves back. Space changes a Check Box. Enter or Space activates the Button that has focus. Back returns to the previous screen. Cancel stops setup and may ask you to confirm.

Welcome to the Accessible Auphonic Setup Wizard.

This screen introduces the installation.

Step 1. Press Tab until Next has focus.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The installer continues to Select Destination Location.

Select Destination Location.

This screen chooses where the application will be stored. The suggested folder is normally suitable. When updating an existing installation, keep its existing folder.

The folder appears in an Edit Field. You can read or edit that field, or use Browse to choose another location.

When the folder choice is ready:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Next.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

If a message says the folder already exists, this is expected when updating. To use that folder, press Enter or Space to choose Yes. Typing the letter Y is an alternative.

The next installer screen is Select Start Menu Folder.

Select Start Menu Folder.

This screen chooses the Start menu folder for the app's shortcuts. Leave Accessible Auphonic as the folder name unless you have a reason to change it. The shortcuts open the app, open its User Guide and uninstall the app.

The Don't create a Start Menu folder Check Box controls whether those shortcuts are created. Leave it unchecked to keep the shortcuts. Check it only if you want to omit them.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Don't create a Start Menu folder.

Step 2. Check whether it is checked or unchecked.

Step 3. If you need to change its state, press Space.

Step 4. Press Tab until you reach Next.

Step 5. Press Enter or Space. The installer continues to Select Additional Tasks.

Select Additional Tasks.

This screen offers a Create a desktop shortcut Check Box. Check it to add a desktop shortcut. Leave it unchecked if you do not want one.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Create a desktop shortcut.

Step 2. Check its current state.

Step 3. If you need to change its state, press Space.

Step 4. Press Tab until you reach Next.

Step 5. Press Enter or Space. The installer continues to Ready to Install.

Ready to Install.

This screen summarises the folder and shortcut choices. Use Back if you need to correct them before installation.

Step 1. Read the summary of your choices.

Step 2. When the choices are correct, press Tab until Install has focus.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space. Setup begins copying the application files, and the Installing screen appears.

Installing.

Wait while setup copies the files. You do not need to choose any settings on this screen. If setup reports that a file is in use, close the other copy of Accessible Auphonic before trying again.

Completing the Accessible Auphonic Setup Wizard.

The final screen confirms that installation has finished. It offers two optional Check Boxes: Launch Accessible Auphonic and Read the User Guide. Both are initially unchecked.

To choose whether the app opens when setup closes:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Launch Accessible Auphonic.

Step 2. Check its current state.

Step 3. Press Space if you want to change it. Checked means the app will open.

To choose whether the guide opens:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Read the User Guide.

Step 2. Check its current state.

Step 3. Press Space if you want to change it. Checked means the guide will open.

To finish setup:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Finish.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Setup closes and opens the items you selected.

To open the installed app later:

Step 1. Press the Windows key.

Step 2. Type Accessible Auphonic.

Step 3. If necessary, use the Arrow keys to select the app.

Step 4. Press Enter to open it.

You can also use the desktop shortcut if you chose to create one.

Checking for an update.

An update replaces the application with a newer version that may fix a problem or add an improvement. You decide when to check: the app does not check or announce updates automatically at startup. Checking needs an internet connection but does not use your Auphonic API key or upload recordings.

The same steps work in the installed and portable editions. A portable edition runs from its own folder without installation. The updater changes only the copy you opened. A portable update stays in its existing folder and does not create an installed copy or Start menu shortcuts.

Finish your current work before updating. Saved preferences, your saved API key and recordings are kept. The current session's file selections and sound choices are not restored after restarting.

Step 1. From the main window, press Alt+H to open the Help menu.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to reach Check for updates.

Step 3. Press Enter. The app checks for a release.

Step 4. Wait for the check to finish.

Pressing D while the Help menu is open is an alternative to Steps 2 and 3. During the check, Escape cancels it and leaves the app unchanged. Cancel update provides the same action.

If a newer version is available, an update window opens. Continue with “Read the update details”. If you already have the current version, see “Repairing or removing Accessible Auphonic”.

If the update service is not yet available, the app tells you. That does not mean your Auphonic account has a problem. If your copy is newer than the one on the website, it leaves your copy unchanged.

Read the update details.

Download and install is the first Button in the update window. Read the details before activating it. The two reading Edit Fields show your current version, the available version, the download size and an explanation of the changes.

Step 1. Use Tab or Shift+Tab to reach Update details.

Step 2. Read the details with the Arrow keys.

Step 3. Use Tab or Shift+Tab to reach What has changed.

Step 4. Read the changes with the Arrow keys.

Control+Home returns to the beginning of either field. To leave the current copy unchanged, press Escape or activate Cancel.

If you want the update, continue with “Download and install the update”.

Download and install the update.

During downloading, Escape or Cancel update can still stop the update. Cancellation is available only before installation begins.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Download and install.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Downloading begins.

Step 3. Wait for the download to finish. There are no automatic download-progress announcements. This is by design. The file size is quite small and such announcements can be overly verbose. You can still press Escape to cancel before installation begins.

Step 4. Wait while the app checks the complete download.

If the connection fails or the download is incomplete, the app reports the problem and keeps your current version. Try again later.

After a successful check, Accessible Auphonic closes. Setup applies the update to the same folder without asking you to choose the installation options again. Wait for setup to finish. The app reopens automatically; you do not need to restart Windows.

To confirm the version after the app reopens:

Step 1. Press Alt+H to open Help.

Step 2. Press A to open About Accessible Auphonic.

Step 3. Read the version with the Up or Down Arrow keys.

Step 4. Press Escape to return to the main window.

Repairing or removing Accessible Auphonic.

If Check for updates finds that you already have the current version, focus starts in Update details, a read-only Edit Field. Its first line says, “No new update is available.” You can read the message with the Arrow keys or press Escape to close the window.

The window also offers Reinstall current version. This downloads a fresh copy of the same release and replaces its application files. Use it if an application file has been damaged or removed.

Reinstalling keeps saved settings and recordings. It does not reset your preferences or fix a problem in your Auphonic account. Cancel leaves your app unchanged.

Step 1. Read Update details with the Arrow keys. This field has focus when the window opens.

Step 2. Decide whether you want to reinstall the application. If you only wanted to check for updates, press Escape; otherwise continue below.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach Reinstall current version.

Step 4. Press Enter or Space to begin reinstalling.

Repair a copy that cannot open.

If the installed app cannot open at all:

Step 1. Close the app.

Step 2. Run the downloaded Setup file again.

Step 3. Keep the existing installation folder when setup asks for the destination. Follow the installer screens described earlier in this chapter.

For a portable copy that cannot open, keep both the old and new copies closed during this procedure:

Step 1. Extract a fresh portable ZIP into a new folder. Extracting makes the files inside the ZIP available for use.

Step 2. Copy the Data folder from the old copy into the new copy.

Step 3. Copy the Recordings folder from the old copy into the new copy.

Remove an installed copy.

Uninstalling keeps saved preferences, the saved API key and downloaded recordings. If you also want to remove the saved key, use “Removing the saved API key” in this chapter before uninstalling.

Step 1. Press the Windows key.

Step 2. Type Uninstall Accessible Auphonic.

Step 3. Use the Arrow keys to select that shortcut.

Step 4. Press Enter. The uninstall confirmation appears.

Step 5. Read the confirmation.

Step 6. To proceed, press Tab until Yes has focus.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space to confirm removal.

Installed apps in Windows Settings provides another way to remove the app.

Using the portable edition.

The portable edition runs from a folder you choose, such as a folder on a USB drive. It does not need installation. Keep all its files and folders together; moving Accessible Auphonic.exe on its own can prevent it from starting.

A ZIP packages several files together. Extracting it makes those files ready to use. Always run the extracted copy, not the file shown inside the ZIP.

Step 1. Download the Accessible Auphonic Portable ZIP file. You can download the portable edition here.

Step 2. In File Explorer or Leasey File Manager, select the ZIP file.

Step 3. Press Enter to open it. The Accessible Auphonic folder is shown inside.

Step 4. Copy that folder to a location where you can save files.

Step 5. Open the extracted Accessible Auphonic folder at the new location.

Step 6. Use the Arrow keys to select Accessible Auphonic.exe.

Step 7. Press Enter to open the app.

Step 8. Press Control+Comma to open Preferences.

Step 9. Save your API key using “Connecting the Windows app” in this chapter.

This edition has its own settings, separate from an installed copy. Its Data folder contains those settings. Its default folder for completed recordings is Recordings. You can choose another output folder in Preferences; see “Where completed recordings go”.

Move or remove a portable copy.

To move the portable edition:

Step 1. Close the app.

Step 2. Copy its whole folder to the new location, including Data and Recordings.

The saved API key is encrypted: it is protected for the Windows account and computer where it was saved. You may need to enter it again on another computer. If a source or output folder is unavailable on the new computer, choose a suitable folder there.

Use Help, Check for updates to update the portable copy in place. Its Data and Recordings folders are kept. “Checking for an update” gives the steps.

To remove the portable edition:

Step 1. Close the app.

Step 2. Save any recordings or settings you want to keep in another location.

Step 3. Remove the portable app's folder.

Creating or signing in to your Auphonic account.

Open the Auphonic website in your browser. Then use the appropriate procedure below.

If you already have an account:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Login.

Step 2. Press Enter.

Step 3. Press Tab to reach the sign-in method or fields you normally use.

Step 4. Type the details requested by the field you have reached.

Step 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for any other fields your sign-in method requires.

Step 6. Press Tab to reach the sign-in Button.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space.

Step 8. Complete any confirmation the website requests.

Once you are signed in, continue with “Obtaining your API key” in this chapter.

If you need to create an account, the registration page offers Create an Auphonic Account, Sign in with Google and Sign in with Apple. The details requested depend on the method you choose.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Sign Up.

Step 2. Press Enter.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach the method you want.

Step 4. Press Enter.

Follow the website's instructions for the method you chose. The fields and their order depend on that method. Whenever you need to enter information:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the requested field.

Step 2. Type the details it asks for.

For a Check Box that you need to change:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the Check Box.

Step 2. Press Space to change it.

When the requested information is complete:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the Button that continues the form.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Step 3. Complete any confirmation the website requests.

Once you are signed in, continue with “Obtaining your API key”. You do not need to buy a plan to start with the free allowance. Any later purchases are managed through Auphonic's website.

What an API key is.

An API key is a private access code that lets Accessible Auphonic use your Auphonic account. Think of it as a key you give the application so it can send recordings and collect results for you. It is different from your account password. You do not need to understand programming to create or use one.

Obtaining your API key.

Keep your API key private. If you choose an expiry date when creating it, the key will stop working after that date and you will need a replacement.

Step 1. Open Auphonic account settings.

Step 2. If a login page appears, sign in.

Step 3. Use your screen reader’s Find command to search for API.

Step 4. Press Enter to move to that position on the page. The API keys area has a form for creating a key and shows any keys you have already created.

Step 5. Press Tab until you reach the name field in the key-creation form.

Step 6. Type a recognisable name, such as Accessible Auphonic, so you can identify the key's purpose later.

Step 7. Press Tab to review the other choices in the form. Follow their labels when deciding whether to change them.

Step 8. Press Tab until you reach the form's Button for creating the key. The website supplies the exact Button label.

Step 9. Press Enter or Space to create the key.

Copy the new access code itself, rather than the name you gave it:

Step 1. Select the whole new access code.

Step 2. Press Control+C to copy it.

If the website provides a copy Button, you can use this alternative:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the copy Button.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Auphonic describes key creation in its official API-key help. Keep the code private. You can revoke a key in account settings: this stops it working.

Connecting the Windows app.

Before you begin, copy your API key using the preceding section, “Obtaining your API key”.

Step 1. Open Accessible Auphonic.

Step 2. Press Control+Comma to open Preferences. Focus moves to the Auphonic API key Edit Field.

Step 3. Press Control+V to paste the key. This replaces any selected text in the field.

Step 4. Press Enter to save it. Accessible Auphonic saves the key for your Windows account and attempts to load presets. The field clears after saving; this does not mean the saved key was lost.

Step 5. Read any error before continuing. Saving the key on your computer and having Auphonic accept it are separate steps. Chapter 14 explains how to read the full status report.

Step 6. Press Escape to close Preferences.

There is also a Button for saving the key. To use it instead of pressing Escape in the key field at Step 4:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Save API key securely.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Continue with Step 5 of “Connecting the Windows app”. To close Preferences using its Button instead of Escape:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

The saved key is protected for the current Windows user. You normally enter it only once.

On later launches, your presets load quietly in the background. You can begin moving around the main window without listening to loading messages. A connection problem is still announced.

To read the latest status yourself:

Step 1. Press Alt+E. The status report opens.

Step 2. Read the latest message.

Step 3. Press Escape to return.

If Accessible Auphonic cannot connect, check that you copied the complete access code and that your internet connection is working. Then try saving the key again. A newly saved key can be present on your computer even if Auphonic has not accepted it. Open status report gives the result; Chapter 14 explains how to read it.

Removing the saved API key.

This removes the saved copy from Accessible Auphonic. It does not revoke the key on the website or delete your Auphonic account.

Step 1. Press Control+Comma to open Preferences.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Remove saved API key.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space.

Step 4. Read the confirmation.

Step 5. Decide whether to remove the saved key. Choose Yes to remove it, or No to keep it.

Step 6. Press Tab until you reach your chosen response.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space to accept it.

Where completed recordings go.

In the installed edition, finished recordings normally go to the Accessible Auphonic Outputs folder inside your Downloads folder. The portable edition uses its Recordings folder by default. To choose another destination, use the steps below. Escape cancels the folder dialogue and keeps the existing destination.

Step 1. Press Control+Comma to open Preferences.

Step 2. Press Tab repeatedly until you reach Choose outputs folder.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space.

Step 4. In the folder dialogue, press Tab to reach the folder list or tree.

Step 5. Use the Arrow keys to select a folder. Right Arrow expands a folder in a tree; Enter opens one in a list.

Step 6. Press Tab until you reach the Button that confirms the selected folder.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space to confirm the folder.

Step 8. Back in Preferences, press Shift+Tab until you reach Current outputs folder.

Step 9. Read the saved path to check the destination.

Step 10. Press Escape to close Preferences.

If you know the folder's path, you can enter it instead of browsing at Steps 4 and 5:

Step 1. In the folder dialogue, press Tab to reach the folder or address field.

Step 2. Type the folder path.

Continue with Step 6 of the folder-selection procedure.

This destination is remembered when you close Accessible Auphonic. Changing it affects future automatic downloads; files already downloaded stay where they are.

What goes online.

Choosing files, changing sound settings and reading help do not upload recordings. Starting a production shows an upload confirmation. An audition has its own confirmation because it also sends audio to Auphonic.

Processing uses the account allowance described in chapter 1. Before trying several auditions or full productions, check that you have enough time available for them.

Loading presets, saving presets and viewing History also contact your account, but do not upload your recording files. A preset can include account features beyond the controls in Accessible Auphonic, such as services to which recordings are published. Review unfamiliar presets on the website before using them.

3. Finding your way with the keyboard.

The main window has four pages. Control+1 selects Singletrack, Control+2 Batch, Control+3 Multitrack and Control+4 History. Focus moves to Main sections with the requested page selected. Press Tab to enter its controls. Control+Tab also moves between pages.

Tab moves forwards through controls and Shift+Tab moves backwards. Use Up and Down Arrow in a Combo Box. In a list, Arrow keys move through entries.

Batch files and Tracks are lists inside Accessible Auphonic. They show recordings you have already added. The Control+Arrow and Control+Space method below applies to these lists. When browsing for files in the separate Windows Open file dialogue, use standard Windows techniques for selecting files in a list view.

To select several entries in Batch files or Tracks, use the following method. Moving with plain Arrow keys may replace a multiple selection.

Begin with focus in Batch files or Tracks. Select the first entry:

Step 1. Hold Control down.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to move to the first entry you want.

Step 3. Press Control+Space to select it.

To select more entries:

Step 1. Keep Control held down.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to move to the next entry you want.

Step 3. Press Control+Space to select it.

Step 4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for any other entries you want to include.

When you have finished selecting, release Control. To remove an entry's selection, use the selection procedure again on that entry. Control+Space switches its selection off. This changes the selection only; it does not remove the entry from the list.

F6 moves from the main window to Available outputs. This list is shared by the pages: it shows files for the most recently loaded production. It is different from the History list of productions.

Press Control+F6 to return to the last control you used on the main page. For example, if you were editing Production title before pressing F6, Control+F6 takes you back to that field. It also works from the buttons beside Available outputs. Pressing F6 again while reviewing outputs does not change your return point.

If you have not yet used a control on a main page, Control+F6 moves to Main sections. Press Tab to enter the selected page.

Editing text.

When you move into an editable field with Tab, Shift+Tab or a shortcut, any existing text is selected. Typing replaces that selection. This applies to production titles, preset names, Search commands, the API key field and the text fields in Programme information and artwork.

To replace the whole entry, type the new text. Control+V pastes text instead. To keep the existing entry, press Tab without typing.

To change only part of an entry:

Step 1. Press Home, End or an Arrow key to position the cursor. This removes the selection without deleting anything. The cursor is the point where typing will appear.

Step 2. Type your change.

For example, to add words to the end of Production title:

Step 1. Press End. The cursor moves to the end of the title, and the existing text is no longer selected.

Step 2. Type the words you want to add.

In a description with several lines, Control+Home and Control+End move to the beginning and end of the complete text.

If you have already moved the cursor and then decide to replace the whole entry:

Step 1. Press Control+A to select the whole entry again.

Step 2. Type the replacement text.

Read-only fields, such as account information and reports, are for reading and copying. Their text is not automatically selected in this way. Closing context help or cancelling the Command Centre restores your previous text selection or cursor position.

Checking which version you are using.

With Accessible Auphonic in focus, when using JAWS press Control+Insert+V if you are using the JAWS Desktop Keyboard Layout or Control+Caps Lock+V if using the JAWS Laptop Keyboard Layout.

You can also read the version and the location of the running copy in About:

Step 1. From the main window, press Alt+H to open the Help menu.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow until you reach About Accessible Auphonic.

Step 3. Press Enter to open About.

Step 4. Read the information with Up and Down Arrow. The version appears near the beginning, followed by the location of the copy you opened. The location information is especially helpful if you are using a portable version. Control+Home returns to the beginning.

Step 5. Press Escape to close About and return to your previous control.

As an alternative to Steps 2 and 3, press A while the Help menu is open.

To copy the details when reporting a problem, use these steps while About is open:

Step 1. Press Control+A to select the text.

Step 2. Press Control+C to copy it.

Step 3. Press Escape to close About.

Alternatively, while About is open, press Tab until you reach Copy, then press Enter or Space. This copies all the information, including the version and running location, without selecting it first. A short message confirms the result and the window stays open. You can also press Alt+C to copy the information directly.

Shortcuts for common actions.

You can use shortcuts to carry out common actions without tabbing through the main window. Hold Alt, press the indicated letter, then release both keys. A shortcut for a Button activates it immediately: you do not press Enter afterwards. For example, Alt+B opens the file browser, Alt+S opens processing settings, and Alt+F opens output settings.

A final mix is the combined sound of all the separate tracks. On Multitrack, Alt+F opens the settings for this combined sound and its finished file.

Each main-window Button has a shortcut. JAWS announces it as you Tab to the Button. You can still use Tab to reach a Button and press Enter or Space to activate it.

Shortcuts for fields and lists move you straight to them. Alt+P moves to Select a preset, where you use Up or Down Arrow to choose. Alt+T moves to the production title and selects its text, ready to replace. Alt+L moves to the selected file name on Singletrack, Batch files on Batch, Tracks on Multitrack or Production history on History.

The action follows the page you have selected. For example, Control+2 followed by Alt+B opens the chooser for Batch files. Control+4 followed by Alt+R refreshes History. On a recording page, Alt+R refreshes presets instead. A shortcut does nothing when its action is unavailable on that page. These shortcuts apply to the main window; inside a settings window or file chooser, use that window's own controls.

Alt+G activates the current page's Start Button. Alt+A activates Audition on Singletrack or Multitrack. The usual checks and upload confirmation still appear before recordings are sent. Read the confirmation and choose Yes or No as you would when using the Button.

Alt+N opens Preset actions on the selected recording page. Alt+K saves the current sound settings as a preset on Singletrack or Multitrack, beginning with the name window. Alt+X removes the selected entries from Batch files or Tracks; on History, it asks to delete the selected production from Auphonic. Removing an entry does not delete the original recording from your computer.

Alt+I opens Programme information and artwork on Singletrack or Multitrack. Control+Shift+I reads your account information, and Alt+J reads a production report. Chapter 4 explains the new-production choices; Chapter 13 covers History reports, downloading and deletion.

You do not need to memorise the keys. The Accessible Auphonic Command Centre lets you search for an action and read its shortcut. Shift+F1 on a main-window control also includes its shortcut, if it has one. Chapter 15 lists all the keys.

The Accessible Auphonic Command Centre.

Use the Command Centre when you know what you want to do but are unsure where to find the control. It contains commands from all four pages, along with general actions such as Preferences, User Guide and About. Opening it or typing a search does not start a command.

When searching for a shortcut, type its name as text; do not press the shortcut itself. Leave the search field empty to review all commands.

Step 1. From the main window, press Control+Shift+C. Focus starts in the Search commands Edit Field.

Step 2. Type part of the action's name, its shortcut or its page. For example, type Batch processing settings, Alt+N, or About.

Step 3. Press Down Arrow to enter the Matching commands list.

Step 4. Use Up and Down Arrow to move through the results. Each entry gives the action, its shortcut and its page or group, such as Batch, General or Help. Entries that say currently unavailable cannot be run yet.

Step 5. Press Enter to run the selected command. The Command Centre closes before carrying out the action. When you choose a command from another page, that page opens first. Upload, preset and other confirmations still apply in the usual way.

Escape closes the Command Centre without running anything and returns to your previous control.

To open the Command Centre through the Help menu instead of using Control+Shift+C:

Step 1. Press Alt+H to open Help.

Step 2. Press C for Command Centre.

Continue with Step 2 of the search procedure. To use the Run command Button instead of pressing Enter in the results:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Run command.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

To change your search, including when no commands match:

Step 1. Press Control+F. Focus returns to Search commands with the text selected, ready to replace.

Step 2. Type a different search, or clear the search text to review all commands.

Continue with Step 3 of the search procedure.

Example: opening another page's settings.

You can open Batch processing settings while working on Singletrack. This does not copy your Singletrack choices into Batch or start processing any files.

Step 1. From the Singletrack main page, press Control+Shift+C.

Step 2. Type Batch processing settings.

Step 3. Press Down Arrow to move to the matching entry.

Step 4. Read the entry to check that it is the action you want.

Step 5. Press Enter. Accessible Auphonic selects Batch and opens its processing settings.

To read help for the control you were using before opening the Command Centre, search for Help for the previous control using the search procedure. Running that command explains the original control, as Shift+F1 would.

Help for the control you are using.

Context help explains the control you are using and, where relevant, its current choice.

Step 1. Press Tab or Shift+Tab until you reach the control you want explained.

Step 2. For a Combo Box, press Up or Down Arrow until you reach the choice you want to learn about.

Step 3. Press Shift+F1. Control+F1 opens the same help.

Step 4. Read the help with Up and Down Arrow, or your usual text-reading commands. Focus is in a read-only Edit Field: you can read or copy the text but cannot change it. Control+Home returns to the beginning.

Step 5. Press Escape to close help. Focus returns to the original control with its choice unchanged.

To copy the explanation, use these steps while the help window is open:

Step 1. Press Control+A to select the text.

Step 2. Press Control+C to copy it.

Step 3. Press Escape to close help.

Help for a sound setting explains its purpose, the current choice and the things to listen for. Amount controls also identify the current denoising method where relevant. There is no automatic extra explanation whenever you Tab; help is available when you request it.

Every context-help explanation ends with the reminder: Press Escape to close this window.

F1 opens the complete User Guide in your browser. Alt+Tab returns to Accessible Auphonic when you have finished reading.

Choosing files in an Open or Save dialogue.

In a standard Open or Save file dialogue, you can enter a complete file path if you know it. A path includes the folder location and the file name.

Step 1. Press Tab or Shift+Tab until you reach File name.

Step 2. Type the complete file path.

Step 3. Press Enter to accept it.

To browse for a folder or file instead:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the file list.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to select a folder or file.

Step 3. Press Enter to open it.

Repeat the selection and opening steps as needed to reach the folder you want. When an Open dialogue allows several files, use standard Windows techniques for selecting files in a list view. This is a Windows file dialogue, separate from the Batch files and Tracks lists inside Accessible Auphonic.

When your selection is complete, press Enter while you are still in the file list. The selected files are accepted and the file dialogue closes.

Alternatively, press Tab until you reach Open, then press Enter or Space to accept the same selection.

Escape leaves a file dialogue without choosing anything.

When you choose a recording and accept it with Open or Enter, Accessible Auphonic remembers its folder. The next time you use Browse or Alt+B, the chooser starts in that folder, even after you close and reopen the app. Singletrack, Batch and Multitrack share this remembered folder. Cancelling a file chooser leaves the remembered folder unchanged.

If the folder is no longer available, for example because an external drive is disconnected, the chooser starts in Documents or your Windows user folder so you can select another recording. Choosing source recordings does not change the destination for finished recordings; choose that separately in Preferences.

Closing Accessible Auphonic.

When you have finished and are back in the main window, press Alt+F4 to close Accessible Auphonic.

If a settings or help dialogue is open, press Escape to return to the main window first. While an upload or processing task is running, use Cancel and wait for its progress window to close before closing the app. Chapter 14 explains cancellation.

What Accessible Auphonic remembers.

The saved access key, outputs folder and last folder used to choose recordings are remembered when you close Accessible Auphonic. The remembered source folder helps you find recordings again; it does not restore the selected files or the working list. Other working choices last only while the app remains open. These include the files selected for processing, titles, and custom sound and output choices. Reopening a settings dialogue shows those choices, but closing the app clears them. Save an Auphonic preset if you want to reuse the sound settings you have chosen another day.

4. Your first finished recording.

Begin with a short recording whose content you know. Listen to it in your usual player before making changes. Decide on one useful improvement: perhaps bringing a quiet guest closer to the interviewer's volume. Having a clear aim makes it easier to judge the result.

Choose the preset and recording.

A preset is a saved group of settings. Choose one you know, or make your own choices. The steps below use Tab so you can explore the controls in order. Once you know your way around, Alt+P moves straight to Select a preset, Alt+B opens the file chooser, and Alt+T moves to Production title. Use these shortcuts while the Singletrack page is selected.

Step 1. Press Control+1. Singletrack is selected, and focus is on Main sections.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Select a preset.

Step 3. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose a familiar saved setup, or choose No preset; use custom settings to make your own choices.

Step 4. Press Tab repeatedly until you reach Browse for singletrack audio or video file.

Step 5. Press Enter or Space. The file dialogue opens.

Step 6. In the file dialogue, press Tab until you reach the file list.

Step 7. Use the Arrow keys to select your recording.

Step 8. Press Enter to accept it. The file dialogue closes and the recording is selected on Singletrack.

If you know the recording's complete path, you can use this alternative to Steps 6 to 8:

Step 1. In the file dialogue, press Tab until you reach File name, if focus is not already there.

Step 2. Type the complete path.

Step 3. Press Enter to accept it.

After either method, continue with “Check the production title”.

Check the production title.

An empty production title is filled from the file name. If you later choose another file, an existing title is kept. Check that it still describes the recording.

Step 1. Back in the main window, press Tab repeatedly until you reach Production title. Alt+T is a shortcut to this field. The existing title is selected.

Step 2. Read the current title.

If it is suitable, press Tab to keep it and continue with “Choose the sound changes and finished file”. Otherwise, use one of the following methods.

To replace the whole title:

Step 1. Press Control+A to select the whole title. This is useful if you moved through it with the Arrow keys while reading.

Step 2. Type a useful title for the recording. It replaces the selected text.

To add words to the existing title:

Step 1. Press End. The cursor moves to the end, and the title is no longer selected.

Step 2. Type the words you want to add.

For another small change, use Home or the Arrow keys to position the cursor before editing. When the title is ready, continue with “Choose the sound changes and finished file”.

Choose the sound changes and finished file.

Continue with your recording selected. For this example, the aim is to make quiet and loud voices easier to follow. The Adaptive leveler reduces differences between quiet and loud passages.

From the Singletrack page, Alt+S opens Processing settings with focus on Denoising method. You can start choosing settings straight away. The steps below describe opening the same window using Tab.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Processing settings.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space to open it. Focus starts on Denoising method.

Step 3. Press Tab repeatedly until you reach Adaptive leveler on or off.

Step 4. Press Up or Down Arrow until you hear Enabled.

Step 5. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 6. Press Enter or Space. The settings are accepted and you return to the Singletrack main page.

If you want an explanation of any setting before accepting the window, use this optional procedure while on that control:

Step 1. Press Shift+F1 to open its help.

Step 2. Read the explanation.

Step 3. Press Escape to return to the setting.

Continue with the remaining settings or Step 5 of the processing procedure. When you have accepted the settings, continue with “Choose an MP3 listening copy”.

Choose an MP3 listening copy.

MP3 makes a compact file for listening. The type of file is also called its format. Bitrate is the amount of data used for each second of sound; Chapter 9 explains how it affects quality and file size. If the service receiving your recording specifies a bitrate, use that value. Otherwise, leave the default for this example.

Continue from the Singletrack main page after accepting the processing settings. Alt+F is a shortcut for opening Output settings; the following steps use Tab.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Output settings.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Focus starts on Output format.

Step 3. Press Up or Down Arrow until you hear MP3.

Step 4. Press Tab until you reach Output bitrate.

Step 5. Read the current bitrate.

Step 6. If you need to change it, press Up or Down Arrow until you reach the required value.

Step 7. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 8. Press Enter or Space. The output settings are accepted and you return to the Singletrack main page.

PCM WAV is an uncompressed WAV file: it stores the sound without using file compression to make it smaller. If your original recording is in this format, you can try a short processed sample before starting the full production. This sample is called an audition.

Chapter 10 gives the steps for using Audition singletrack settings, including reaching its Button with Tab and opening it with Enter or Space.

Otherwise, continue with “Process the recording and listen”.

Process the recording and listen.

Starting the production uploads a copy of your recording and uses your Auphonic allowance. Your original file stays in place. If you need to stop a running job, use Cancel operation and wait for cancellation to finish; Chapter 14 explains the steps and the limits of cancellation.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Start singletrack production.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The upload confirmation appears.

Step 3. Read the upload confirmation.

Step 4. Decide whether to send this recording to Auphonic. Choose Yes to send it, or No to return without uploading.

Step 5. Press Tab or Shift+Tab until you reach your chosen response.

Step 6. Press Enter or Space. If you chose No, the procedure ends here. If you chose Yes, the progress window describes the current stage.

Step 7. Wait for processing and downloading to finish. During a long upload, the app gives regular progress updates. Chapter 14 explains these messages.

Step 8. Listen to or read the completion status.

If you need to read the status again before opening the file:

Step 1. Press Tab or Shift+Tab until you reach Open status report.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Step 3. Read the message with Up and Down Arrow.

Step 4. Press Escape to close the report.

When the download has finished, open the recording:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Open outputs folder.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. File Explorer opens at the automatic-download folder.

Step 3. In File Explorer, use the Arrow keys to select the finished file.

Step 4. Press Enter to open it in your usual player.

Step 5. Listen to the result at a comfortable volume.

Step 6. Press Alt+Tab to return to Accessible Auphonic.

Compare the result with the original. Has the specific problem improved? Are words complete and natural? Is music that belongs in the programme still present? If necessary, use the processing procedure in this chapter to change one choice, then try again.

Processing creates another file; it does not change the original. Existing files in the automatic-download folder are also preserved. A number is added to a new file name when needed.

Use preset does not switch processing off. With a saved preset, it uses that preset’s setting. Without one, Auphonic supplies defaults for choices you have not made. Select Off or Disabled when you want to switch a treatment off.

Adding programme information and cover artwork.

Programme information helps listeners identify a recording. For example, the presenter can be shown as the author, while the series name groups episodes together. Cover artwork is a picture associated with the programme. Whether these details appear depends on the finished file type and the player used to open it.

These choices are available on Singletrack and Multitrack. Singletrack works with one recording; Multitrack combines separate recordings into one programme. The information applies to new full productions started from the chosen page during the current session. It does not alter a production already in History. Closing the app clears these choices.

A preset is a saved group of settings. Save current settings as preset saves sound and audio-output choices, but does not save the programme information or artwork described here.

Blank fields leave any information supplied by the preset or original recording in place. The production title is still entered in the main window. Nothing is uploaded while you fill in this window. The information and chosen image are sent when you confirm starting the full production.

Step 1. Press Control+1 for Singletrack or Control+3 for Multitrack.

Step 2. Press Alt+I. Programme information and artwork opens with focus in Author or presenter.

To use its Button instead of Alt+I:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Programme information and artwork.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Continue with “Enter the programme details”. Escape cancels changes made in this window.

Enter the programme details.

Any existing text is selected when you enter a field. Type to replace it. To keep an entry, leave it untouched and move to the next field. Backspace clears selected text.

To change only part of an entry, first use Home, End or an Arrow key to position the cursor. Then edit the text. Chapter 3, “Editing text”, gives the separate steps.

Step 1. In Author or presenter, type the name you want listeners to see, if you want to change it.

Step 2. Press Tab to Series or album.

Step 3. Enter the programme series, if wanted.

Step 4. Press Tab to Short programme description.

Step 5. Enter a short description, if wanted.

Step 6. Press Tab to Programme description.

Step 7. Enter the longer description, if wanted. This field accepts several lines.

Continue with “Enter the episode number and website”.

Enter the episode number and website.

An episode number must be a whole number of 1 or more. These fields are optional too; leave an entry untouched if you want to keep it.

Step 1. Press Tab to Episode or track number.

Step 2. Enter the number, if wanted.

Step 3. Press Tab to Programme website.

Step 4. Enter the website address, if wanted.

Continue with “Choose cover artwork”, or go to “Accept the programme information” if you do not want to choose a picture.

Choose cover artwork.

The picture must be a JPEG or PNG image. These are two types of picture file.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Browse for cover artwork.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. A file chooser opens.

Step 3. Use the folder and file lists with the Arrow keys to choose the image.

Step 4. Press Enter to accept it.

Step 5. Back in the information window, press Tab until you reach Cover artwork file.

Step 6. Check that it shows the image you intended to choose.

If you know the image's full path, use this alternative in the file chooser. A full path includes the folders and file name:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach File name.

Step 2. Type the full path to the JPEG or PNG image.

Step 3. Press Enter to choose it.

Continue with Step 5 of the artwork procedure to check the selection.

Clear artwork choice removes your selection from this window. The production then uses any artwork supplied by the preset or recording.

Accept the programme information.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space to keep the choices.

Escape cancels changes made in this window instead. The information and picture are not uploaded until you confirm starting a full production.

5. Understanding and managing presets.

A preset is a saved group of settings. It lets you repeat a useful setup without making every choice again. You might keep one for a weekly interview and another for spoken lessons recorded in a quiet room.

Select a preset offers the presets loaded from your account. Shift+F1 explains the control and summarises recognised saved sound settings when they are available. For presets that transcribe speech, it also explains the written results and how to receive them. A name alone is not a description of what a preset will do. For example, a preset called “Interview” may have been created for a very different recording situation.

Singletrack and Batch use singletrack presets. Multitrack has a separate preset list and does not come with the ready-made setups you see on Singletrack. Until you create or add a multitrack preset to your account, choose No preset; use custom settings. You can process your recordings without saving a preset first. Chapter 12 explains how to choose the track and final mix settings, and the saving procedure below explains how to keep them for another session.

How a preset and custom choices work together.

A custom choice is a setting you choose yourself in Accessible Auphonic. It takes the place of the corresponding choice in the preset for this production. Other preset settings remain. Suppose your preset balances voices and removes noise, but you choose Off in Denoising method. The production can still use the preset’s voice balancing while leaving denoising off. Denoising means reducing unwanted background sound.

Selecting another preset does not clear the custom choices already made on that page. The following procedure returns sound settings to the preset's choices on Singletrack or Batch. One of these settings is Compression method. Here, compression means controlling brief loud moments; it does not mean making the file smaller. For Multitrack, follow the separate track and final-mix procedures in Chapter 12.

Step 1. On Singletrack, press Tab until you reach Processing settings. On Batch, reach Batch processing settings instead.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The processing settings window opens.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach a setting you want the preset to supply.

Step 4. Press Up or Down Arrow until you hear Use preset. For Compression method, choose Use preset compression method.

Step 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the other settings you want the preset to supply.

Step 6. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space. The processing settings are accepted and you return to the main page.

To use the preset's output list, which is the list of finished files it creates, continue from the main page. The option below includes a fallback of MP3 at 320 kbps. The unit kbps means kilobits per second; it measures the amount of data used for each second of audio.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Output settings on Singletrack, or Batch output settings on Batch.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Focus starts on Output format.

Step 3. Press Up or Down Arrow until you hear Use preset output files; otherwise MP3 at 320 kbps.

Step 4. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 5. Press Enter or Space to accept the output settings.

Singletrack, Batch and Multitrack have separate working choices. Selecting a preset in one page does not set up another page.

Automatic Chapters, Summary and Transcript.

This preset combines sound improvements with a written version of the speech, called a transcript. It also asks Auphonic to prepare a summary of the main points and chapter marks. Each chapter has a title and start time, so someone using a suitable player can jump to a particular topic. Auphonic chooses the times from the speech; you do not need to work them out or enter them.

This can be useful for interviews, lessons and podcasts. The preset uses Auphonic's own speech service and tries to recognise the language automatically. No separate transcription account is needed. These features require paid Auphonic usage and processing uses your Auphonic allowance.

With the preset's saved output choices, the results include an MP3 recording and an HTML transcript that you can open in a web browser. The transcript includes the generated summary and chapter list. There is also a WebVTT subtitle file, containing words with timings for a compatible player, and a JSON speech data file intended for other software. For ordinary reading, start with the HTML file. Shift+F1 on Select a preset describes the saved settings currently supplied by Auphonic.

Try the preset on a recording.

Use a short spoken recording for your first test. Follow these steps for a normal Singletrack production. Audition is for checking the sound and requests a WAV sample, so it does not test the complete set of written results.

Step 1. Press Control+1 to select Singletrack.

Step 2. Press Alt+P to reach Select a preset. Use Up or Down Arrow to select Automatic Chapters, Summary and Transcript. You can press Shift+F1 to read its help, then Escape to return.

Step 3. Press Alt+B to choose your recording. Use the file chooser as described in Chapter 4.

Step 4. Press Alt+T to reach Production title. Check or replace the selected title.

Step 5. If you previously made custom sound choices, use the preceding procedure, "How a preset and custom choices work together", to return those choices to Use preset when you want to hear this preset's sound treatments.

Step 6. Press Alt+F to open Output settings. Focus starts on Output format. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose Use preset output files; otherwise MP3 at 320 kbps.

Step 7. Press Tab until you reach OK, then press Enter or Space. Choosing a specific audio format instead would replace the preset's file list with one audio file. It would not turn off transcription.

Step 8. Press Tab until you reach Start singletrack production, then press Enter or Space. Read the upload confirmation and press Enter or Space on Yes when ready.

Step 9. When processing and downloading finish, press Alt+U to open the outputs folder. Use the Arrow keys to select the HTML transcript and press Enter to open it in your web browser. You can listen to the MP3 in your usual audio player.

Read the transcript while checking against the recording, especially names, numbers and unfamiliar words. Check that the summary accurately describes the discussion and that the chapter titles and times make sense. Automatic text can contain mistakes; review it before sharing. Accessible Auphonic downloads the files. Reading and editing them takes place in a suitable browser or editor.

If a file did not download, or you want to return to it later, select the production in History and press Enter. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose a file, Tab to Download selected file and press Enter or Space. Chapter 13 describes the download steps in detail.

Save a reusable setup.

Before saving a preset, choose the settings you want to store. Follow Chapter 4 for Singletrack or Chapter 12 for Multitrack: those procedures use Tab to reach controls, the Arrow keys to choose values and OK to accept each settings window.

Make your own choices for settings you want to save. A control left at Use preset is not copied from the selected preset into the new one. Escape cancels the name window if you decide not to save.

Step 1. From the Singletrack or Multitrack page whose settings you want to save, press Alt+K. This opens the name window; it does not save a preset until you accept the name.

Step 2. Type a descriptive name in the Preset name Edit Field, which has focus. If a name is already present, it is selected and your typing replaces it.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 4. Press Enter or Space to accept the name. No recording file is uploaded. After the presets refresh, the newly created preset is selected.

Step 5. Press Alt+P to move to Select a preset.

Step 6. Press Shift+F1 to open help for the saved preset.

Step 7. Review the saved settings described in the help.

Step 8. Press Escape to close help.

You can also review the preset's settings on the Auphonic website.

To use the save Button instead of Alt+K at Step 1:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Save current settings as singletrack preset or Save current settings as multitrack preset, according to your page.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Continue with Step 2 of the saving procedure. At Step 5, Tab or Shift+Tab to Select a preset is an alternative to Alt+P.

A multitrack preset also saves the names and settings of the listed tracks. It does not store copies of your local recordings. You still need to add the recording files when you use the preset again. Accessible Auphonic uses the track names, based on the file names, to match recordings to their saved settings. Check each track’s choices and audition the result, especially when using different recordings.

Rename, update or delete a preset.

Updating an existing multitrack preset applies the final mix and output choices, but does not replace its individual track settings. Save a new multitrack preset when you need to preserve a new track setup.

The following procedure lets you change a preset's name. A second question lets you choose whether to apply the current page's custom processing and output choices as well.

Step 1. Select the required page with Control+1 for Singletrack, Control+2 for Batch or Control+3 for Multitrack.

Step 2. Press Alt+P to move to Select a preset. Alternatively, use Tab or Shift+Tab to reach it.

Step 3. Press Up or Down Arrow until you reach the saved preset.

Step 4. Press Alt+N to open that page's Preset actions menu.

Step 5. Press Up or Down Arrow until you reach Edit selected preset.

Step 6. Press Enter. The Preset name window opens, with the existing name selected.

Continue with “Enter the preset name and choose what to update”.

While focused on Select a preset, Shift+F10 or the Applications key opens the same Preset actions menu as Alt+N. To use its Button instead:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Preset actions.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Continue with Step 5 of the rename procedure, or choose the appropriate menu item for a different preset action.

Enter the preset name and choose what to update.

Begin in the Preset name window opened by Edit selected preset. The existing name is selected.

If you want to keep the name, go directly to “Accept the name” below. To replace it, type the name you want; your typing replaces the selection.

To change only part of the existing name:

Step 1. Use Home, End or an Arrow key to position the cursor. The name is no longer selected.

Step 2. Edit the name.

Accept the name:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. A second question asks whether to apply this page's custom processing and output choices too.

Step 3. Read that question.

Step 4. Decide what you want to do: Yes changes the name and applies the choices; No changes only the name; Cancel abandons the edit.

Step 5. Press Tab until you reach your chosen response.

Step 6. Press Enter or Space to accept it.

Delete a saved preset.

Deleting a preset removes it from your Auphonic account. You cannot undo this from Accessible Auphonic. No preset; use custom settings cannot be renamed or deleted.

Begin on the required recording page.

Step 1. Press Alt+P to move to Select a preset. Alternatively, use Tab or Shift+Tab to reach it.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to select the preset you intend to remove.

Step 3. Press Delete. The deletion confirmation appears.

Step 4. Read the preset name in the confirmation.

Step 5. Decide whether to remove the named preset. Choose Yes to delete it, or No to keep it.

Step 6. Press Tab until you reach your chosen response.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space to accept it.

To use the menu instead of pressing Delete at Step 3:

Step 1. Press Alt+N to open Preset actions. Shift+F10 or the Applications key also opens it when focus is on the preset selector.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow until you reach Delete selected preset.

Step 3. Press Enter.

Continue with Step 4 of the deletion procedure.

Reload presets changed elsewhere.

Refresh presets loads account changes made on the website or elsewhere. It keeps selections that still exist. If a selected preset has been removed, it selects No preset; use custom settings instead.

On the required recording page, press Alt+R to refresh presets. To use the Button instead:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Refresh presets.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

6. Reducing distracting background sound.

Start by deciding what belongs in the recording. A fan behind an interview may be a distraction. Birdsong in a nature programme may be part of the story. A setting that removes the most sound is not necessarily the best choice.

Denoising method chooses how background sound is treated. Off switches denoising off. Use preset uses the saved choice. Read the descriptions in this chapter before choosing a method.

To choose a method on Singletrack or Batch:

Step 1. On Singletrack, press Tab until you reach Processing settings. On Batch, reach Batch processing settings instead.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Denoising method has focus when the window opens.

Step 3. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose a method.

For a Multitrack recording, first select the tracks and open their processing settings as described in Chapter 12. After choosing a method, continue with “How much noise to remove” and “Room echo, breaths and electrical hum” in this chapter. The latter section includes the steps for accepting your settings.

Dynamic denoiser; keeps voice and music.

This method is useful when distracting sounds change during speech. It aims to keep the voice and music. Check any sound effects and background atmosphere you want to keep, because they may be removed.

Speech isolation; removes music and ambience.

Use this when the voice is the only sound you want, such as speech recorded in a noisy public place. Ambience means the background atmosphere of a place. Avoid this method when music or that atmosphere belongs in the programme.

Static denoiser; works without a quiet section; keeps music and ambience.

Consider this for a steady noise when you want to keep music and the sounds of the surroundings. It can work even if there is no quiet pause in the recording.

Classic denoiser; automatically uses quiet sections; no separate sample file.

This method uses quiet passages containing the unwanted steady sound to learn what to reduce. It suits recordings without music. You do not have to create a separate noise sample: a file containing only the unwanted sound.

These distinctions follow Auphonic's explanation of its denoising methods.

How much noise to remove.

Noise reduction amount controls how strongly noise is reduced. Numbered amounts are measured in decibels, written dB, which express a change in sound level. Larger positive numbers allow stronger reduction. They do not promise that every unwanted sound will become exactly that much quieter.

Full asks the chosen method for full reduction. Auto, used with Classic, lets Auphonic judge the amount. Method default uses the amount normally chosen by the active method. Use preset keeps the preset’s amount. Help for the amount control also identifies the current method.

To set the amount, begin in the processing window after choosing Denoising method:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Noise reduction amount.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose its strength.

Continue with “Room echo, breaths and electrical hum” to choose any other reductions and accept the settings.

Try a modest change, then listen to the processed result. If the background is quieter but the voice sounds watery, hollow or metallic, reduce the strength. Concentrate on complete words and a convincing voice rather than absolute silence between sentences.

Room echo, breaths and electrical hum.

Reverb is the lingering sound of the room after someone speaks. Reverb reduction can help when words seem to overlap in a bare room. It works with Dynamic, Speech isolation and Static, not Classic. Leave a little room character if complete removal makes the voice sound unnatural.

Breath reduction reduces audible breathing and is available with Dynamic or Speech isolation. Listen around word beginnings and endings. Breathing exercises and intimate spoken performances may need those breaths left intact.

Electrical hum reduction reduces a continuous low buzz and is intended for Classic denoising. Auto frequency is useful when you do not know the pitch of the hum. Frequency describes how rapidly a sound vibrates; hertz is the unit used to measure it. The 50 hertz and 60 hertz choices select particular hum pitches. They do not describe how much sound is removed.

If Denoising method is set to Off, these reduction amounts do not turn it back on. The help explains when an amount does not apply to the chosen method. For the detailed relationships, see Auphonic's production settings.

To change one of these settings, begin in the processing window:

Step 1. Decide which sound you want to reduce. Reverb reduction amount is for room echo; Breath reduction amount is for breathing; Electrical hum reduction is for a steady electrical buzz.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach the chosen control.

Step 3. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose a value.

Step 4. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 for any other reduction you want to change.

If you need help with a selected control before continuing:

Step 1. Press Shift+F1.

Step 2. Read the explanation.

Step 3. Press Escape to return to the control.

When you have finished choosing settings, accept them:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

7. Making voices comfortable to hear.

Three different listening problems can all be described as “the volume is wrong”. It helps to separate them before changing a setting. The sections in this chapter explain which controls suit each problem.

Leveling brings quiet and loud passages closer together. Compression controls brief loud moments. Choosing a strength or compression method normally enables leveling. However, if Adaptive leveler is set to Disabled, it stays off.

Loudness normalization adjusts the programme's overall volume towards a target. Choosing a way to measure loudness or a target normally enables this treatment. However, if Loudness normalization is set to Disabled, it stays off. Check these Disabled choices when a strength or target seems to have no effect.

To open the sound settings on Singletrack or Batch:

Step 1. On Singletrack, press Tab until you reach Processing settings. On Batch, reach Batch processing settings instead.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The processing window opens, with focus on Denoising method.

Continue with the section for the problem you want to address. When you have made your choices, use “Accept the voice-level settings” at the end of this chapter.

Multitrack combines separate recordings into one programme. Its final mix is the combined sound of those recordings. To change the overall loudness of that combined sound, use Final mix and output settings as described in Chapter 12.

One person is much quieter than another.

A quiet guest and a louder presenter can be difficult to follow without adjusting the volume. The leveler reduces that difference. Adaptive leveler on or off controls whether Auphonic makes this adjustment within the recording.

Strength controls how firmly those differences are reduced. Higher percentages bring passages closer together; lower ones preserve more variation. The percentage is not your player's volume.

To enable the leveler, begin in the processing window:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Adaptive leveler on or off.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose Enabled.

Continue to any other settings you want to change, then use “Accept the voice-level settings”.

When judging the result, listen to a conversation between speakers and to expressive speech. You should need fewer volume adjustments, while a deliberately quiet or emphatic moment still makes sense.

Sudden words are uncomfortably loud.

A sudden loud word can be uncomfortable even when the rest of the conversation is at a suitable volume. Compression controls these brief loud moments. Automatic lets Auphonic decide; Soft, Medium and Hard apply increasing control. Hard can make speech very even but also tiring or flat. Compression off leaves this treatment off while broader leveling can still operate.

This kind of compression changes the sound's level differences. It is different from file compression, which makes a file smaller. See Auphonic's explanation of leveling and compression for more background.

To choose a compression method, begin in the processing window:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Compression method.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose a method.

Continue to any other settings you want to change, then use “Accept the voice-level settings”.

Different episodes play at different overall volumes.

Listeners should not need a large volume adjustment whenever a new episode starts. Loudness normalization helps by bringing the overall listening volume of each finished programme towards a target. Loudness measurement is the way Auphonic measures that average level. Program loudness considers the complete programme; Dialog loudness considers speech detected in the recording. Use a particular measurement method when the service receiving your recording requests it.

Target loudness sets the number to aim for. LUFS is a unit used to describe loudness as people hear it. A negative number closer to zero is louder: minus 16 is louder than minus 23. A louder target is not automatically better.

RMS for Audible or ACX selects a different way of measuring average sound level. The target then uses dB RMS.

A preset is a saved group of settings. If the loudness measurement comes from a preset, the app may not have its unit available. In that case, the target list says preset units. Choosing a measurement yourself makes the unit clear.

Follow the receiving publisher’s current requirements. Setting a loudness target alone does not check every requirement for the finished file.

To enable loudness normalization, begin in the processing window:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Loudness normalization.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose Enabled.

To choose how loudness is measured:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Loudness measurement.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose the measurement method.

To choose the level to aim for:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Target loudness.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose the required target.

When your choices are complete, continue with “Accept the voice-level settings”.

Accept the voice-level settings.

Use these steps when you have finished changing settings in the processing window:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space to accept your choices.

8. Improving voice tone.

A voice can be loud enough and still be difficult to hear. It may sound muffled, too heavy in the lower sounds, thin or sharp. Voice filtering and enhancement changes the character of the sound rather than the playback volume.

Vibration through a microphone stand or desk can create a low rumble. High-pass filter reduces this low sound. Listen for less rumble while a deep voice still sounds full.

A voice may sound muddy or sharp, or change tone as the speaker moves. Voice AutoEQ adjusts the balance of lower and higher sounds for each speaker. EQ means equalisation, or tone adjustment. Check that clarity improves without losing the speaker's natural character. Auphonic's AutoEQ introduction includes listening examples.

A muffled telephone call may contain only a limited range of sound. Voice AutoEQ plus bandwidth extension reconstructs some of the missing higher sounds as well as adjusting the tone. It can make the voice sound brighter, but cannot recover the untouched original sound if that detail was never recorded. Listen for harsh or artificial consonants. See the bandwidth extension examples.

For damaged or distorted speech, Studio Voice Beta reconstructs the voice sound more extensively. It may help, but can change how the person sounds. Beta means the feature is still being developed. Accessible Auphonic asks for confirmation when you accept this setting. Audition it and compare familiar phrases before using it on an important recording. Auphonic provides Studio Voice examples and background.

Disable filtering switches off this tone treatment. It does not switch off separate noise reduction or leveling. A clear original voice may need very little processing; use enhancement when it helps with a problem you can hear.

Choose a voice treatment.

For individual Multitrack tracks, open their processing settings using Chapter 12. On Singletrack or Batch, use the following procedure:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Processing settings on Singletrack, or Batch processing settings on Batch.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The processing settings window opens.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach Voice filtering and enhancement.

Step 4. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose one of the treatments described in this chapter.

If you want an explanation of the current choice before accepting it:

Step 1. Press Shift+F1.

Step 2. Read the help.

Step 3. Press Escape to close help.

When you are ready to accept your choice:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

If you chose Studio Voice Beta, the app asks for confirmation as described at the start of this chapter.

9. Choosing the finished file.

An output is a new file made from the processed recording. Choose its format according to what you will do next: listen to it, edit it further or upload it with video. These uses can need different types of file.

The original file's format and the finished file's format are separate choices. Selecting a WAV recording does not automatically request WAV output. A preset may have been saved to produce MP3, WAV, or several different files. Choose a specific format when you want only that type of finished file.

The sections in this chapter explain file formats, bitrate and sampling rate. Bitrate is the amount of data used for each second of sound. Sampling rate describes how often sound is measured each second when it is stored digitally. These are different properties. For Multitrack, Chapter 12 explains how to reach the output window after the final-mix choices.

Choose an output format on Singletrack or Batch.

Begin on the main Singletrack or Batch page. Alt+F opens that page's output settings. To reach the same window using Tab, follow Steps 1 and 2 below.

Escape leaves the settings window without accepting changes.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Output settings on Singletrack, or Batch output settings on Batch.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Focus starts on Output format.

Step 3. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose a format.

For MP3, AAC or Opus, choose the bitrate next. Bitrate controls the amount of data used for each second of sound:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Output bitrate.

Step 2. Read the current value.

Step 3. If you want to change it, press Up or Down Arrow to choose the required value.

For WAV, FLAC and preset outputs, Output bitrate is unavailable and Tab skips it. For all formats, finish by reviewing and accepting the choice:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Output details.

Step 2. Read what the chosen format will produce.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 4. Press Enter or Space to accept the settings.

MP3.

A compact audio format accepted by many players. Some information is discarded to reduce file size.

AAC audio, M4A file.

AAC is another way of storing audio in a compact file. Choose the M4A option for an audio-only file when your player or the service receiving it accepts M4A.

AAC audio, MP4 file.

This option stores AAC sound in an MP4 file. It is an audio output choice; choosing it does not request a video output.

WAV, 16-bit.

This stores uncompressed audio for ordinary editing or sharing with another editor. “16-bit” describes the detail used to store sound levels. Files are usually much larger than MP3.

WAV, 24-bit.

This stores uncompressed audio with finer sound-level detail than 16-bit WAV, for further editing and production work. The file is larger. Choosing it cannot restore information missing from the original recording.

FLAC.

This stores audio without discarding sound information, usually in less space than WAV. Check that the player or service receiving the file accepts FLAC.

Opus.

A compact audio format. Check compatibility with the player or publishing service before choosing it.

Using the preset's output formats.

Use preset output files; otherwise MP3 at 320 kbps keeps the preset's output list. If there are no outputs, Accessible Auphonic adds a 320 kbps MP3. This option does not mean “keep the original file's format”. Choosing a specific format replaces the preset's output list with one requested file for each production, while keeping the preset's sound settings.

Receiving only a WAV file.

Choose WAV, 16-bit for ordinary editing or sharing, or WAV, 24-bit when your next editing step requires it. Bitrate does not apply to these WAV choices, so its control is unavailable. Sampling rate describes how often sound is measured each second. For example, 44,100 Hz means 44,100 measurements per second. “Sampling rate is different from bitrate” explains the distinction.

Begin on Singletrack or Batch. For Multitrack, use “Set the final mix and output” in Chapter 12 to accept the final-mix choices first. When Final mix output settings opens, continue with Step 2 below.

Step 1. Press Alt+F to open the current page's output settings. Focus starts on Output format.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose WAV, 16-bit or WAV, 24-bit.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach Output details.

Step 4. Read the explanation with the Arrow keys.

Step 5. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 6. Press Enter or Space to accept the settings.

The next production requests only the selected WAV format, even if the preset normally creates an MP3. You can use the same opening procedure to check your choice again. Files from earlier productions remain in your outputs folder.

Bitrate and file size.

Output bitrate controls how much data is used for each second of MP3, AAC or Opus sound. The unit kbps means kilobits per second. Higher numbers usually keep more detail and make larger files. At lower settings, listen for unwanted swishing sounds, rough consonants or music that sounds metallic.

Only rates supported by the selected compact format are offered. Use format default lets Auphonic choose that format's normal bitrate. It does not change the format or add another file. A higher bitrate does not repair a poor recording.

Sampling rate is different from bitrate.

A sampling rate describes how often sound is measured each second when it is stored digitally. For example, 44,100 Hz, also written 44.1 kHz, means 44,100 measurements per second. A bitrate such as 320 kbps describes how much data is stored per second. Choosing 320 kbps does not select 44,100 Hz.

Accessible Auphonic cannot currently request a particular output sampling rate. Selecting WAV chooses the file type and bit depth (the detail used to store sound levels), but does not promise a particular sampling rate. If you need exactly 44,100 Hz, check the finished file in an audio editor and convert a copy there if needed before delivering it.

10. Listening to an audition.

An audition is a short processed sample that helps you judge your settings. It can answer a question such as whether noise reduction is making a voice sound unnatural. The sample is sent to Auphonic for processing over the internet. You do not hear the change immediately as you would with an effect running on your own computer.

PCM WAV is an uncompressed WAV file. Auditions require this type of recording. The sample starts at the beginning and lasts up to three minutes. A file shorter than three minutes is included in full. You cannot select a later passage. In Multitrack, every listed track is included, not only the highlighted ones. An audition creates a separate processing job and can use credit.

Open the audition file chooser.

PCM WAV is an uncompressed WAV file. Auditions require this type of recording. If the required recording or tracks are already selected, continue with “Choose the settings for the audition”.

For Singletrack, which works with one recording:

Step 1. Press Control+1. Singletrack is selected, and focus is on Main sections.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Browse for singletrack audio or video file.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space. The file dialogue opens.

Continue with “Select one file for a Singletrack audition”.

For Multitrack, which combines separate recordings:

Step 1. Press Control+3. Multitrack is selected, and focus is on Main sections.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Browse for multitrack audio files.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space. The file dialogue opens.

Continue with “Select files for a Multitrack audition”.

Select one file for a Singletrack audition.

Begin in the file dialogue opened from Singletrack. Choose a PCM WAV recording: an uncompressed WAV file.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the file list.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to select an uncompressed PCM WAV file.

Step 3. Press Enter while you are still in the file list. The file dialogue closes and the recording is selected on Singletrack.

Alternatively, after selecting the file, press Tab until you reach Open, then press Enter or Space.

Continue with “Choose the settings for the audition”.

Select files for a Multitrack audition.

Begin in the file dialogue opened from Multitrack. You need at least two PCM WAV files. PCM WAV is an uncompressed WAV file. The recordings must already line up in time: each sound must occur at the correct point when the files play together. Chapter 12 explains this further.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the file list.

Step 2. Use standard Windows techniques for selecting files in a list view. Select at least two PCM WAV recordings.

Step 3. Press Enter while you are still in the file list. The Windows file dialogue closes and the chosen files are added to Tracks inside Accessible Auphonic.

Alternatively, after selecting the files, press Tab until you reach Open, then press Enter or Space.

Continue with “Choose the settings for the audition”.

Choose the settings for the audition.

Begin back in the main window, with the required recording or tracks selected.

Step 1. Press Tab or Shift+Tab until you reach Select a preset.

Step 2. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose a saved preset or No preset; use custom settings. For a first Multitrack audition, choose No preset; use custom settings unless you have already created or added a multitrack preset to your account.

Step 3. Choose any custom settings using the procedures in Chapter 4 for Singletrack or Chapter 12 for Multitrack.

When you have accepted those settings and returned to the main page, continue with “Create the audition”.

Create the audition.

The confirmation in this procedure asks permission to send the sample to Auphonic. This is a separate processing job and can use credit.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Audition singletrack settings or Audition multitrack settings, according to your page.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The upload confirmation appears.

Step 3. Read the upload confirmation.

Step 4. Decide whether to send the sample. Choose Yes to send it, or No to cancel.

Step 5. Press Tab until you reach your chosen response.

Step 6. Press Enter or Space. If you chose No, the procedure ends here. If you chose Yes, Accessible Auphonic creates temporary excerpts and sends them to Auphonic.

Step 7. Wait for the result window to appear. Focus is in its report.

Step 8. Read the report with Up and Down Arrow to check how much was processed. Control+Home returns to its beginning.

Continue with “Play the audition”.

Play the audition.

The player uses the processed WAV sample, even when your preset normally requests other formats. It cannot pause playback or move to another point in the sample. Playing again starts at the beginning.

Begin in the audition result window:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Play audition.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space to listen.

To stop playback:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Stop audition.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

To play again after stopping:

Step 1. Press Shift+Tab until you reach Play audition.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

If the sample cannot be downloaded or read, the app reports the problem. If Play cannot start playback, use these steps:

Step 1. Read the Audition playback error window.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space to close it.

If no error appears but you hear nothing, check the Windows playback device and volume, including Accessible Auphonic's volume in the Windows Volume mixer.

After listening, continue with “Change settings after an audition” or “Process the full recording after an audition”.

Change settings after an audition.

If you want to try another setting, use this route from the audition player:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Return to settings.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The player closes and focus returns to the main window’s Audition Button.

For Singletrack, continue as follows:

Step 1. Press Shift+Tab until you reach Processing settings.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Step 3. Change the required setting using the procedures in Chapters 6 to 8.

For Multitrack, return to Tracks and use “Adjust the selected tracks” in Chapter 12.

When you have accepted your changes, use “Create the audition” in this chapter to try them.

Process the full recording after an audition.

If you are satisfied, you can start the full production from the audition player. The following Button starts a separate job immediately, without another upload confirmation, and may use additional credit. It uses the complete original recording or all listed tracks.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Use settings and process full production.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space only when you are ready to start the full job.

Temporary audition files on your computer are removed when you leave the player. The online production may remain in Auphonic History. An audition is made as WAV regardless of the final output choice, so also check the finished MP3, AAC or other file you intend to share.

For a useful comparison, keep your listening volume comfortable and reasonably consistent. Check quiet speech, louder words, pauses, and any music or atmosphere you need to keep. Change one setting at a time so you can hear what helped.

11. Processing several recordings.

Batch processing saves repeated setup when recordings need similar treatment. It does not join episodes or place them one after another in a new file. Each input becomes its own production.

Choose the files for the batch.

Begin in the main window. This procedure chooses a preset and adds the recordings that will each become a separate production. A preset is a saved group of settings; a production is one processing job.

Step 1. Press Control+2. Batch is selected, and focus is on Main sections.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Select a preset in the Batch controls.

Step 3. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose the preset for this batch.

Step 4. Press Tab until you reach Browse for batch audio or video files.

Step 5. Press Enter or Space. The file dialogue opens.

Continue with “Select and review the batch files”.

Select and review the batch files.

Begin in the file dialogue opened from Batch. Each chosen file will become a separate production, or processing job.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the file list.

Step 2. Use standard Windows techniques for selecting files in a list view. Choose the recordings you want to add to the batch.

Step 3. Press Enter while you are still in the file list. The Windows file dialogue closes and the chosen recordings are added to Batch files inside Accessible Auphonic.

Step 4. Press Tab or Shift+Tab until you reach Batch files.

Step 5. Review the entries with Up and Down Arrow.

Alternatively, after selecting the files in Step 2, press Tab until you reach Open, then press Enter or Space. Continue with Step 4 to review the batch files.

Continue with “Set the batch options and start processing”, or remove unwanted entries using the next procedure.

Remove files from the batch list.

This optional procedure removes selected entries immediately. It does not delete the original recording files. Begin with focus in Batch files.

Select the first entry you want to remove:

Step 1. Hold Control down.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to move to the first entry you want.

Step 3. Press Control+Space to select it.

To select more entries for removal:

Step 1. Keep Control held down.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to move to the next entry you want.

Step 3. Press Control+Space to select it.

Step 4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for any other entries you want to include.

With Control held down, pressing Control+Space on an already selected entry deselects it. When you have selected only the entries you want to remove:

Step 1. Release Control.

Step 2. Press Alt+X. The selected entries are removed and focus returns to Batch files.

Step 3. Use Up and Down Arrow to review what remains.

To use the removal Button instead of Alt+X, begin after releasing Control:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Remove selected batch files.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The entries are removed and focus returns to Batch files.

Step 3. Use Up and Down Arrow to review what remains.

Continue with “Set the batch options and start processing”.

Set the batch options and start processing.

Continue with only the required files in the list. Every file left in the list will be processed, regardless of which entries are highlighted. Batch choices are separate from the choices on Singletrack.

First choose the sound settings:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Batch processing settings.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The Batch processing settings window opens.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach a sound setting you want to change.

Step 4. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose its value.

Step 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the other settings you want to change.

Step 6. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space. The settings are accepted and you return to the Batch main page.

While choosing settings, Shift+F1 opens help for the current control. Escape closes help and returns to that control. Chapters 6 to 8 explain the sound treatments.

Continue with “Choose the batch output”.

Choose the batch output.

Begin back in the Batch main page after accepting the processing settings.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Batch output settings.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Focus starts on Output format.

Step 3. Press Up or Down Arrow to choose the file type.

For MP3, AAC or Opus, choose the bitrate next. Bitrate is the amount of data used for each second of sound:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Output bitrate.

Step 2. Read the current value.

Step 3. If you need to change it, press Up or Down Arrow to choose the required value.

For WAV, FLAC or preset outputs, bitrate is unavailable; Tab takes you to Output details instead. When you have chosen the output settings, accept them:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Continue with “Start the batch and read its report”.

Start the batch and read its report.

This sends the listed recordings to Auphonic for processing. Before starting, check that the list contains only the files you want to process.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Start batch processing.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The upload confirmation appears.

Step 3. Read the upload confirmation.

Step 4. Decide whether to process the listed files. Choose Yes to proceed, or No to cancel.

Step 5. Press Tab until you reach your chosen response.

Step 6. Press Enter or Space. If you chose No, the procedure ends here.

Step 7. Wait for processing to finish. The final batch report appears.

Step 8. Read the report with Up and Down Arrow. Control+Home moves to its beginning. The report lists successful files, saved locations and failures.

Step 9. Press Escape to close the report.

To keep a copy of the report, use these steps before closing it:

Step 1. Press Control+A to select its text.

Step 2. Press Control+C to copy it.

Then close the report with Escape.

Files are processed one at a time and named from their original file names. One failure does not prevent later files from being attempted. Cancel prevents the remaining files from starting after the current operation can stop safely.

There is no separate Batch audition Button. Try a file that is typical of the batch in Singletrack first. Then choose the same suitable preset and custom settings in Batch. If only part of a batch succeeded, use “Remove files from the batch list” to remove successful entries before trying again. This avoids processing them a second time.

12. Combining separate tracks.

Multitrack processing combines separate recordings into one programme. Each separate recording is called a track. Use it when the parts of your programme are still separate. Imagine an interview with one microphone recording per person, plus music. Keeping them separate lets you treat a noisy microphone differently and place music beneath speech.

All files must already start at the correct shared point in time. A track can include silence before its speaker begins. Accessible Auphonic does not move late-starting recordings into place, move clips or join chapters one after another. Prepare that timing in your recording or editing software first. Auphonic's multitrack explanation provides further background.

What a multitrack preset remembers.

A preset is a saved group of settings. When you choose Save current settings as multitrack preset, it saves the names of the listed tracks and the settings you have chosen for them, as well as your final mix and output choices. This allows a speech track and a music track, for example, to have different sound settings.

The track names come from the recording filenames without their extensions. For example, Speech.wav gives a track called Speech, and Music.wav gives a track called Music. If two files would have the same track name, the app adds a number to make each name different.

The preset does not save copies of the recordings or their folder locations. You still need to browse to and select the recordings when you use the preset again. Selecting the preset does not put the old recordings back into the Tracks list.

This differs from Singletrack. A singletrack preset saves sound and output settings without remembering the name of the selected recording.

When you use a multitrack preset again, the app matches recordings to their saved track settings by name. Suppose you saved settings for Speech.wav and later choose Interview.wav. The new track is called Interview, so it will not automatically receive the individual settings saved for Speech. Check and choose the settings for the new track before processing. The preset's final mix and output settings can still apply to the complete programme.

Add and review the tracks.

Continue only when the recordings line up in time, as described at the start of this chapter.

Multitrack does not come with a list of ready-made presets. Until you create or add a multitrack preset to your Auphonic account, Select a preset offers No preset; use custom settings. This is normal. The presets shown on Singletrack are for a different type of production and do not appear here.

For your first multitrack production, choose No preset; use custom settings and follow this chapter to choose the sound settings. You do not need to save a preset before processing. Once you have a useful setup, you can save it with Save current settings as multitrack preset, or Alt+K. Chapter 5 explains that procedure.

Step 1. Press Control+3. Multitrack is selected, and focus is on Main sections.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Select a preset.

Step 3. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose No preset; use custom settings. If this is the only entry, leave it selected. If you have already created or added a suitable multitrack preset, you can select it instead.

Step 4. Press Tab until you reach Multitrack production title. Alt+T is a shortcut to this field. Any existing title is selected.

Step 5. Read the title to decide whether it describes the complete programme.

If the title is suitable, go to “Open the file chooser” below. To replace the whole title:

Step 1. Press Control+A to select the whole title. This also restores the selection if you moved through the text while reading it.

Step 2. Type the title you want. It replaces the selected text.

To change only part of the title:

Step 1. Use Home, End or an Arrow key to position the cursor. The text is no longer selected.

Step 2. Edit the title.

Open the file chooser:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Browse for multitrack audio files.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The file dialogue opens.

Continue with “Select and check the Multitrack files”.

Select and check the Multitrack files.

Begin in the file dialogue. Select at least two recordings that already line up in time. If you plan to make an audition first, each must be a PCM WAV file: an uncompressed WAV recording.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the file list.

Step 2. Use standard Windows techniques for selecting files in a list view. Select at least two recordings.

Step 3. Press Enter while you are still in the file list. The Windows file dialogue closes and the chosen files are added to Tracks inside Accessible Auphonic.

Step 4. Press Tab or Shift+Tab until you reach Tracks.

Step 5. Use Up and Down Arrow to review the list. Each entry includes its name and current settings.

Alternatively, after selecting the files in Step 2, press Tab until you reach Open, then press Enter or Space. Continue with Step 4 to review the tracks.

Continue with “Adjust the selected tracks”, or remove unwanted tracks using the following procedure.

Remove unwanted tracks.

Removing tracks from the list does not delete the original recording files. Removal takes effect immediately.

To select one track for removal:

Step 1. Press Alt+L to move to Tracks. Alternatively, reach it with Tab or Shift+Tab.

Step 2. Use Up or Down Arrow to select the track.

To select several tracks instead, begin with focus in Tracks:

Step 1. Hold Control down.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to move to the first track you want.

Step 3. Press Control+Space to select it.

To select more tracks for removal:

Step 1. Keep Control held down.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to move to the next track you want.

Step 3. Press Control+Space to select it.

Step 4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for any other entries you want to include.

With Control held down, pressing Control+Space on an already selected track deselects it. Release Control when you have selected all the tracks you want to remove.

After either selection method, remove the selected entries:

Step 1. Press Alt+X. The tracks are removed from the list and focus returns to Tracks.

Step 2. Use Up and Down Arrow to review what remains.

To use the removal Button instead of Alt+X:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Remove selected tracks.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Focus returns to Tracks.

Step 3. Use Up and Down Arrow to review what remains.

If you removed a track by mistake:

Step 1. Press Alt+B to open the file chooser.

Step 2. Add the file again using the file-selection method described in Chapter 3.

Step 3. Check its settings using “Adjust the selected tracks”.

Adjust the selected tracks.

You may want a voice to lead the programme while music plays more quietly behind it. Role in mix describes that relationship between tracks. Compression controls brief loud moments. Gain raises or lowers a track by a fixed amount, rather than changing only its louder or quieter passages. The sections “Putting music behind speech” and “Gain and editing several tracks” explain these choices in more detail.

When several tracks are selected, the settings window shows the first selected track’s choices. Changing a control applies that change to every selected track. Controls you leave untouched keep each track’s own value. To compare tracks, or give one track the same choice already shown for the first track, select and edit each track individually.

First select the track or tracks to change:

Step 1. Press Tab or Shift+Tab until you reach Tracks.

Step 2. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose one track. To select several tracks instead, use the Control+Arrow and Control+Space procedure in Chapter 3.

Then choose their mix settings:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Mix settings for selected tracks.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Focus starts on Role in mix.

Step 3. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose the role.

Step 4. Press Tab until you reach Compression.

Step 5. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose its value.

Step 6. Press Tab until you reach Track gain.

Step 7. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose its value.

Step 8. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 9. Press Enter or Space to accept the settings.

If individual voices or background problems need further treatment, continue with “Change processing for the selected tracks”. Otherwise, continue with “Set the final mix and output”.

Change processing for the selected tracks.

This optional procedure changes sound treatments for the selected tracks. Begin in the main window with the required tracks still selected. The rules for editing several tracks together also apply here.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Processing settings for selected tracks.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The processing window for the selected tracks opens.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach a processing control you want to change.

Step 4. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose its value.

Step 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the other controls you want to change.

Step 6. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space to accept the changes.

While choosing settings, Shift+F1 explains the current choice. Escape closes help and returns to that control. Continue with “Set the final mix and output”.

Set the final mix and output.

The final mix is the combined sound of all the tracks. Its settings are accepted in two stages: loudness first, then output format. Cancel in either stage keeps the previous final settings.

Loudness measurement chooses how the programme's average level is measured. Target loudness sets the level to aim for. Chapter 7 explains these choices. Set the finished programme's target here; do not rely on a loudness target set for an individual track.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Final mix and output settings.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. Focus starts on Final mix loudness measurement.

Step 3. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose how the completed programme should be measured.

Step 4. Press Tab until you reach Final mix target loudness.

Step 5. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose the target.

Step 6. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 7. Press Enter or Space. Final mix output settings opens with focus on Output format.

Continue with “Choose the final mix output format”.

Choose the final mix output format.

Begin in Final mix output settings, which opened after you accepted the loudness choices. Chapter 9 explains the available file formats.

Step 1. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose Output format.

For MP3, AAC or Opus, choose the bitrate next. Bitrate is the amount of data used for each second of sound:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Output bitrate.

Step 2. Read the current value.

Step 3. If you need to change it, use Up or Down Arrow to choose the required value.

For WAV, FLAC or preset outputs, bitrate is unavailable; Tab takes you to Output details instead.

To save both the loudness and output stages:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach OK.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Escape cancels both stages and keeps your previous settings. When you have saved your choices, continue with “Audition or process the Multitrack programme”.

Audition or process the Multitrack programme.

Both actions use all listed tracks. For a short processed sample, every input must be an uncompressed PCM WAV file. Use “Create the audition” in Chapter 10 to reach Audition multitrack settings with Tab, open it with Enter or Space, and follow the confirmation and listening steps.

To process the complete programme instead, begin on the Multitrack main page:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Start multitrack production.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The upload confirmation appears.

Step 3. Read the upload confirmation.

Step 4. Decide whether to process the complete programme. Choose Yes to proceed, or No to cancel.

Step 5. Press Tab until you reach your chosen response.

Step 6. Press Enter or Space to accept it.

Putting music behind speech.

Music can support speech without hiding the words. Role in mix describes how each track relates to the others. Foreground is the main sound to follow; Background is softer supporting sound. Automatic lets Auphonic decide. When music becomes quieter while someone speaks, that is called ducking. Ducking background lowers the track while another speaker is active. This is useful for music beneath speech.

Unchanged keeps the changes in volume within the track, such as fades you already prepared. A fade is a gradual change in volume. This role does not switch off all processing or prevent the overall volume from changing. These roles are described in Auphonic's mix-role help.

Listen where speech starts and stops. Music should support the words without hiding them, and its return after speech should feel natural.

Gain and editing several tracks.

Track gain raises or lowers a track by a fixed amount. Gain is measured in decibels, written dB. Negative dB values make the track quieter, zero adds no change, and positive values make it louder. Other leveling can still affect how loud it is compared with the other tracks. After raising gain, listen for harsh or distorted sound.

When several tracks are selected, a settings window shows the first selected track’s choices. If you change a control to a different choice, that change is applied to all the selected tracks. Controls you leave untouched keep each track’s own value. To compare tracks, or give one track the same choice already shown for the first track, select and edit each track individually.

Choose the finished programme’s loudness target in Final mix and output settings. The processing window for individual tracks also contains loudness controls shared with Singletrack, but Auphonic applies programme loudness to the combined mix. Do not rely on a target set for one track to determine the finished programme’s volume.

13. Finding and downloading earlier results.

History reads your Auphonic account rather than a list of files on your computer. It can include productions started elsewhere and auditions as well as full recordings.

You can inspect the available files before deciding to download one. Viewing outputs does not itself download them. Productions completed through Accessible Auphonic normally download automatically; manual download is useful for earlier jobs or a download that failed.

Find a production and its outputs.

A production is one Auphonic processing job. Its outputs are the finished files. Begin in the main window:

Step 1. Press Control+4 for History.

Step 2. Wait for History to load. The first visit loads it automatically if you have saved an API key. Focus moves to Production history when loading finishes.

Step 3. Use Up and Down Arrow to find the job. The first group contains up to 100 recent productions.

Step 4. Read its title, kind, status and creation time to check that it is the production you want.

If you need earlier work, use “Load older productions”. Otherwise, continue with “Open the production's files”.

Refresh History or return to its list.

To load current information after the first visit, press Alt+R. Alternatively:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Refresh production history.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Wait for loading to finish. Focus moves to Production history. Alt+L also moves directly to this list whenever you need to return to it.

Load older productions.

Begin on the History page when the production you need is older than those currently listed.

Step 1. Press Alt+Y. The next group of productions is added when available. Your current selection is kept.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to continue through the list until you reach the required production.

Step 3. Read its title, kind, status and creation time to check it.

You can load another group in the same way. To use the Button instead of Alt+Y:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Load older productions.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Continue with “Open the production's files” when you have selected the required production.

Open the production's files.

Begin with the required production selected in Production history. An incomplete production, or one whose files are no longer available from Auphonic, may have nothing to download. In that case, the app opens its report instead of the file list.

Step 1. Press Enter. When files are available, a separate window opens with focus on Production files.

Step 2. Use Up and Down Arrow to choose a finished file. Its size is also given when available.

Continue with “Download an output”. Escape closes this window and returns to the selected History item.

Alt+V is an alternative to Enter for opening a production's files from History. To use the Button instead:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Open files for selected production.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

The shared Available outputs list in the main window is also filled with this production's files. F6 reaches that list and Control+F6 returns to the last page control. Inside the separate Production files window, use its own Buttons as described in the following sections.

Download an output.

Begin in Production files after opening your chosen History entry. If a file already exists at the destination, choose another name for this download.

Step 1. Use Up or Down Arrow to choose the file you want.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Download selected file.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space. The Save dialogue opens.

Step 4. In the Save dialogue, press Tab until you reach File name.

Step 5. Press Control+A to select the existing text.

Step 6. Type the desired file name, or a complete path including the folder and file name.

Step 7. Press Enter to save it.

If you entered a file name without a folder path at Step 6, you can browse for a folder before saving:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach the folder list.

Step 2. Use the Arrow keys to select a folder.

Step 3. Press Enter to open it.

Repeat the selection and opening steps as needed to reach the desired folder. Then continue with Step 7 of the download procedure.

Open outputs folder shows the destination for automatic downloads. A manually saved file may be elsewhere.

Download all files from a production.

This downloads the finished files from one production. It does not process the recording again. Existing files on your computer are kept; the app adds a number to a new name when needed.

Cancelling stops further downloads after the current file finishes. Files already saved stay on your computer.

Step 1. In the main window, press Control+4 to select History.

Step 2. Press Alt+L. Focus moves to Production history.

Step 3. Use Up or Down Arrow to select the production.

Step 4. Press Alt+D to download all its files.

Step 5. Wait for the download report to appear.

Step 6. Read it with the Arrow keys to check the saved locations and any failures.

Step 7. Press Escape to close the report.

Step 8. Press Alt+U. File Explorer opens your outputs folder.

To use the main-window Button instead of Alt+D at Step 4:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Download all files for selected production.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Continue with Step 5 of the download procedure.

Inside the Production files window, Download all files performs the same download. It is shown only when the production has more than one available file. For one file, use Download selected file as described in “Download an output”.

Read a production report.

A production report describes one processing job. It gives the status, length, warnings or errors, available finished files and any supplied volume measurements. It also shows processing time used when Auphonic supplies it.

Step 1. In History, use the Arrow keys to select the production.

Step 2. Press Alt+J. Its production report opens.

Step 3. Read the report with Up and Down Arrow.

Step 4. Press Escape to return to the main window.

To use the Button instead of Alt+J:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Production report.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Continue with Step 3 of the reading procedure.

After processing a new recording, Alt+J on a recording page reads the latest loaded production report. This includes download locations and failures recorded during that operation. Those download details describe what happened on this computer. They are not a complete account-wide record and may be absent when you load the production afresh from History.

Volume measurements can help you compare the original and finished recording, but listening is still essential. A warning may describe something that needs attention even when processing completed. Open status report, on Alt+E, continues to show the latest general app message.

Delete a production from Auphonic.

Deleting a History entry removes the production and its stored files from your Auphonic account. You will no longer be able to download that production through History. It does not delete the original recording or copies already downloaded to your computer.

This deletion cannot be undone through Accessible Auphonic. Once you confirm it, the deletion request has no Cancel action.

First select the production and open the confirmation:

Step 1. Press Control+4 for History.

Step 2. Press Alt+L. Focus moves to Production history.

Step 3. Use Up or Down Arrow to select the production.

Step 4. Read its title carefully.

Step 5. Press Delete. A confirmation appears, with Yes selected initially.

Step 6. Read the confirmation, which includes the production title.

If you are sure that you want to delete this production, press Enter or Space. Then wait for the result. The app stays quiet while deleting and announces success or failure when it finishes. On success, the entry disappears. If Auphonic cannot delete it, the entry stays in the list and the app reports the problem.

To keep the production instead, use these steps while the confirmation is open:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach No.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space. The deletion is not requested.

Alt+X is an alternative to Delete at Step 5 of the selection procedure. To use the Button instead:

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Delete selected production.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Read the resulting confirmation before deciding whether to delete. While focus is on a History item, the Applications key or Shift+F10 opens a menu containing Open files, Download all files, Production report and Delete production.

14. When something needs attention.

A large recording is taking time to upload.

Uploading means sending a copy of your recording to Auphonic over the internet. A long WAV recording can be a large file, so sending it may take several minutes, depending on your connection.

During a long upload, Accessible Auphonic gives a progress update about every 15 seconds through speech and Braille when supported by your screen reader. For example, 50 percent means about half of the upload has been sent. In a batch, the percentage refers to the file currently being uploaded. In Multitrack, it covers all the tracks together. Auditions provide the same feedback when their upload takes this long.

The percentage describes uploading only; Auphonic still needs to process the recording afterwards. If the connection pauses, you may hear the same percentage again. When the app says “Finishing the upload. Waiting for Auphonic to respond,” leave it open while Auphonic confirms receipt. The app announces when uploading has completed and processing is starting. Short uploads may finish before a periodic update is needed.

A message disappeared before I finished reading it.

Open status report shows the complete latest message. It is not a permanent record of every earlier message.

Step 1. From the main window, press F6.

Step 2. Press Shift+Tab until you reach Open status report.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space. A read-only Edit Field opens.

Step 4. Read the message with the Arrow keys. Control+Home returns to its beginning.

Step 5. Press Escape to close the report.

To copy the message, use these steps before closing the report:

Step 1. Press Control+A to select all its text.

Step 2. Press Control+C to copy it.

Step 3. Press Escape to close the report.

Accessible Auphonic cannot connect or load presets.

First check the connection and read the full error:

Step 1. Check your internet connection.

Step 2. From the main window, press F6.

Step 3. Press Shift+Tab until you reach Open status report.

Step 4. Press Enter or Space.

Step 5. Read the full error with the Arrow keys.

Step 6. Press Escape to close the report.

If you need to replace the saved key, copy an API key from your account first. Use the API key, rather than your account password. The saved key is not displayed for reading back.

Step 1. Press Control+Comma to open Preferences. Focus moves to Auphonic API key.

Step 2. Press Control+V to paste the replacement key.

Step 3. Press Enter to save it.

Step 4. Press Escape to close Preferences.

If the key has expired or been revoked, it no longer works. Create a replacement using “Obtaining your API key” in Chapter 2, then follow “Connecting the Windows app” to save it. To load preset changes made on the website, use “Reload presets changed elsewhere” in Chapter 5.

No saved multitrack presets is not itself an error. You can choose No preset; use custom settings and build a mix. The preset list loads up to 100 entries; check the website if an older preset is missing.

The sound is unchanged or unexpectedly different.

Check the settings on the page you are using: Singletrack and Batch choices are independent. A change made on one page does not change the other.

Check the on/off setting for the treatment first. Then check its strength. Setting a strength does not make a disabled treatment take effect. Use the following procedure for each control you need to check.

Step 1. Press Tab until you reach Processing settings on Singletrack, or Batch processing settings on Batch.

Step 2. Press Enter or Space.

Step 3. Press Tab until you reach a setting relevant to the problem.

Step 4. Read the control's current choice.

Step 5. If you need to change the choice, use Up or Down Arrow to select the required value.

Step 6. Repeat Steps 3 to 5 for other relevant settings.

Accept any changes with OK using the procedures in Chapters 6 to 8.

Review custom choices when switching presets, because those choices remain. If wanted music disappeared, check for Speech isolation. If the voice sounds watery or unnatural, try less reduction. Use an audition and change one choice at a time.

The audition cannot use my file.

PCM WAV is an uncompressed WAV file. Auditions require this type of recording. Changing an MP3 filename to end in .wav does not convert its sound data. Choose one of these methods:

• Export a PCM WAV copy from your audio editor and select that copy for the audition.
• Process the original as a full production without using an audition.

Processing finished but I cannot find the file.

First check whether downloading failed:

Step 1. From the main window, press F6.

Step 2. Press Shift+Tab until you reach Open status report.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space.

Step 4. Read the report with the Arrow keys to check whether downloading failed.

Step 5. Press Escape to close the report.

To check where automatic downloads are saved:

Step 1. Press Control+Comma to open Preferences.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Current outputs folder.

Step 3. Read the path.

Step 4. Press Escape to close Preferences.

To open that folder and listen to a file:

Step 1. Press F6.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Open outputs folder.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space.

Step 4. In File Explorer, select a finished file with the Arrow keys.

Step 5. Press Enter to open it.

If the production finished online but downloading failed, use History and follow “Download an output” in Chapter 13. You do not need to process the recording again.

I need to cancel.

Cancellation cannot undo an upload that has already finished or guarantee that no credit was used. Downloads already saved remain on your computer.

In the progress window, focus starts on Cancel operation. If focus has moved, press Tab until you reach that Button before beginning.

Step 1. Press Enter or Space to request cancellation.

Step 2. Wait for the window to close. Accessible Auphonic may need to finish its current transfer or request over the internet before it can stop. During batch work, later files will not start.

Before starting the same work again, particularly after a connection failure, check History:

Step 1. Back in the main window, press Control+4 for History.

Step 2. Press Tab until you reach Refresh production history.

Step 3. Press Enter or Space.

Step 4. Review the results with the Arrow keys.

What information helps with a problem report.

When reporting a problem, do not include your access key. Copy the status report and note:

• The application version. With JAWS, press Control+Insert+V to hear it. For details you can copy, press Alt+H, then A to open About; it also gives the location of the running copy.
• The page and Button you used.
• The file type and relevant settings.
• For an accessibility issue, the control with focus, the keys you pressed, what JAWS or NVDA announced, and what you expected.

15. Keyboard reference.

Main-window action shortcuts.

Shortcuts for Buttons carry out the action immediately, with the same checks and confirmations as pressing the Button. Shortcuts for fields and lists move focus there so you can type, choose or read. Select the main page first with Control+1, Control+2, Control+3 or Control+4. These Alt shortcuts do not apply inside other windows or dialogues.

Shortcut	Action	Where it is available
Control+Shift+C	Open the Accessible Auphonic Command Centre to find and run an action. Chapter 3 gives the search procedure.	All main pages.
Control+Shift+I	Read account information, remaining processing time and renewal details.	All main pages.
Alt+P	Move to Select a preset. Use Up and Down Arrow to choose.	Singletrack, Batch and Multitrack.
Alt+N	Open the selected page's Preset actions menu.	Singletrack, Batch and Multitrack.
Alt+K	Save current settings as a preset, beginning with the name window.	Singletrack and Multitrack.
Alt+B	Open the file chooser to select a recording or add recordings.	Singletrack, Batch and Multitrack.
Alt+T	Move to the production title and select its text, ready to replace.	Singletrack and Multitrack.
Alt+L	Move to the selected file name, Batch files, Tracks or Production history.	All main pages, according to the selected page.
Alt+X	Remove selected Batch files or Tracks from the list; on History, ask to delete the selected production from Auphonic.	Batch, Multitrack and History.
Alt+S	Open processing settings; on Multitrack, edit the selected tracks.	Singletrack, Batch and Multitrack.
Alt+M	Open Mix settings for selected tracks.	Multitrack.
Alt+F	Open output settings; on Multitrack, begin with final mix loudness.	Singletrack, Batch and Multitrack.
Alt+I	Open Programme information and artwork.	Singletrack and Multitrack.
Alt+A	Start an audition, including its upload confirmation.	Singletrack and Multitrack.
Alt+G	Start the current page's production or batch, including its upload confirmation.	Singletrack, Batch and Multitrack.
Alt+R	Refresh presets on a recording page, or refresh production history on History.	All main pages.
Alt+V	Open the selected production's files. Enter on its History item does the same.	History.
Alt+Y	Load the next group of older productions, when available.	History.
Delete	Ask to permanently delete the selected production from Auphonic. Local downloads are kept.	Production history list.
Alt+D	On a recording page, open Save for the selected output. On History, download all files for the selected production.	All main pages, according to the selected page.
Alt+J	Read the latest loaded production report, or the selected History item's report.	All main pages.
Alt+U	Open the automatic-download folder in File Explorer.	All main pages.
Alt+E	Open the latest status report for reading or copying.	All main pages.
Alt+F4	Close Accessible Auphonic. Close any settings or help dialogue first.	Main window.

Keys inside the Command Centre.

Open the Accessible Auphonic Command Centre from the main window with Control+Shift+C. Focus starts in Search commands. Type an action, page or shortcut name to find matching commands.

Key	Action
Down Arrow from Search commands	Move to the matching commands, if there are any.
Up Arrow or Down Arrow in Matching commands	Review the results, including each action's shortcut and page or group.
Enter in Search commands or Matching commands	Run the selected command, if it is available. The Command Centre closes first.
Control+F	Return to Search commands and select the search text, ready to replace.
Tab or Shift+Tab	Move between the search field, results and available Buttons.
Escape	Close the Command Centre without running a command and return to the previous control.

Run command provides a Button for running the selected result; Chapter 3 gives the steps for using it. It is unavailable when there are no matches or the selected action cannot currently be used.

Control+Insert+V with JAWS.

Read the version number of Accessible Auphonic while the application has focus.

Alt+H, then A.

Open About Accessible Auphonic from the main window. Read the version and the location of the running copy with Up and Down Arrow. Control+A, then Control+C copies the details. You can also press Tab to Copy and press Enter or Space, or use Alt+C while About is open. Escape closes About.

Alt+H, then D.

Open Check for updates. This can install a newer release or reinstall the current release to repair application files. It works for installed and portable copies.

Alt+H, then C.

Open the Accessible Auphonic Command Centre through the Help menu. Control+Shift+C opens the same window directly.

Control+1, Control+2, Control+3, Control+4.

Select Singletrack, Batch, Multitrack or History respectively. Tab enters the chosen page.

Control+Tab.

Move between main pages.

Control+Comma.

Open Preferences from the main window.

F1.

Open the local HTML User Guide.

Shift+F1 or Control+F1.

Read context help for the focused control.

F6.

Move from the main window to Available outputs.

Control+F6.

Return from Available outputs or its nearby buttons to the last control you used on the main page. If no return point is available, move to Main sections, then press Tab to enter the selected page.

Tab and Shift+Tab.

Move forwards and backwards between controls.

Up Arrow and Down Arrow.

Choose an item in a Combo Box or list.

Control+Arrow and Control+Space.

In Batch files or Tracks inside Accessible Auphonic, hold Control while moving with Arrow keys to keep a multiple selection. Press Control+Space to select or deselect the current entry. When browsing in a Windows Open file dialogue, use standard Windows techniques for selecting files in a list view instead.

Enter or Space on a Button.

Activate the Button.

Shift+F10 or the Applications key on a preset.

Open Preset actions.

Delete on a preset.

Open its deletion confirmation.

Escape in help, a report or a settings window.

Close help or the report, or cancel changes not yet accepted in a settings window. In Preferences, changes you have already saved remain.

Control+Home in a reading Edit Field.

Return to the beginning.

Control+A, then Control+C in a reading Edit Field.

Select and copy the complete text.

16. Audio terms in everyday language.

Audition.

A processed sample you listen to before deciding whether to process the full recording.

Bitrate.

The amount of data used for each second of sound in a compact audio file. It affects file size and can affect sound quality.

Compression.

In sound settings, control of brief loud moments. File compression is a separate process for reducing file size.

Decibel, or dB.

A unit for expressing a difference in sound level. In a reduction amount, larger positive values allow stronger reduction. In Track gain, a negative value makes the track quieter.

Denoising.

Reducing unwanted background sound.

Ducking.

Lowering one sound, often music, while another person speaks.

Final mix.

The combined sound of all the separate tracks in a programme.

Gain.

A change in a track's volume by a fixed amount.

Leveling.

Bringing quieter and louder passages closer together.

Loudness measurement.

The way the average sound level of a recording is measured.

Loudness normalization.

Adjusting the overall average volume towards a target.

LUFS and RMS.

Different ways of measuring average sound level. LUFS is intended to reflect loudness as people hear it; RMS uses a different measurement. Use the method required by the service receiving your recording. A target for one method cannot be used as an equivalent target for the other.

Multitrack.

Combining separate recordings into one programme. Each separate recording is a track.

Output.

A finished file created by a production.

PCM WAV.

A WAV file containing uncompressed audio. This is the file type required for auditions.

Preset.

A saved group of choices for reuse.

Production.

One Auphonic processing job.

Reverb.

The lingering sound of a room after the original sound, which can make speech seem distant.

Sampling rate.

How often sound is measured each second when it is stored digitally. It is different from bitrate, which measures the amount of data used per second.

Track.

One part of a multitrack programme, such as a microphone recording or music file.

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