New
New
Year 4

Editing audio

I can edit and combine tracks to make new audio.

New
New
Year 4

Editing audio

I can edit and combine tracks to make new audio.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A single recording of sound is referred to as a track.
  2. Audio editing software displays tracks as separate waveforms.
  3. Trimming an audio waveform allows parts of it to be removed.
  4. The alignment of tracks can be changed so they play at different times.

Keywords

  • Track - a single recording of sound

  • Waveform - a graphical representation of audio

  • Trim - to remove parts of an audio waveform

  • Align - to change the time at which an audio track starts playing

Common misconception

Audio recordings need to be done all at the same time in one go.

Audio editing software lets you combine and edit any number of audio tracks. This allows separate smaller recordings to be combined in any order required.


To help you plan your year 4 computing lesson on: Editing audio, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Mistakes will happen! Make sure pupils can see how you can undo mistakes. This should be modelled so that they understand that this is a part of the editing process.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Pupils need access to audio editing software and hardware that can be used play and record audio. Examples in this lesson use Audacity https://oak.link/audacity

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What term is used to describe sound that has been recorded on a digital device?

Correct Answer: audio

Q2.
What type of device is a microphone?

Correct answer: input device
processing device
output device
storage device

Q3.
What is the primary function of speakers?

to record sound
Correct answer: to play back audio
to edit sound
to store sound

Q4.
What does audio software allow you to do?

store files
print documents
create images
Correct answer: record, edit and play back sound

Q5.
Arrange the steps to record and play back audio.

1 - open audio software
2 - use a microphone to record sound
3 - edit the audio as needed
4 - play back the audio using speakers or headphones

Q6.
What is the difference between speakers and headphones?

Speakers are input devices, and headphones are output devices.
Speakers are output devices, and headphones are input devices.
Correct answer: Speakers play sound aloud, and headphones play sound directly to the user.
Speakers record sound, and headphones play sound.

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
What is a single recording of sound called?

waveform
trim
align
Correct answer: track

Q2.
What is the graphical representation of audio called?

Correct Answer: waveform

Q3.
What is the benefit of combining separate recordings?

it reduces audio quality
Correct answer: it allows flexibility in creating new audio
it makes editing harder
it requires fewer tracks

Q4.
Match the action to its purpose:

Correct Answer:trimming,removes unwanted sections of audio

removes unwanted sections of audio

Correct Answer:aligning,adjusts the timing of tracks

adjusts the timing of tracks

Correct Answer:undoing,corrects mistakes during editing

corrects mistakes during editing

Correct Answer:combining,creates new audio from separate recordings

creates new audio from separate recordings

Q5.
Put these actions in the correct order for combining recordings.

1 - record separate tracks
2 - import tracks into audio editing software
3 - align the tracks
4 - export the combined audio

Q6.
What happens when you align two tracks?

Correct answer: they play at the same time or in a specific order
they are deleted
they are trimmed
they become one track