How to Use Audacity Macro Manager for Batch Processing

Audacity's Macro Manager allows you to automate repetitive audio editing tasks and process multiple files at once. By chaining together specific effects, commands, and export settings into a single macro, you can apply consistent processing across an entire library of recordings with just a few clicks. This guide covers how to create a custom macro, add and configure editing commands, and run batch processes on multiple audio files.

Accessing the Macro Manager

1. Open Audacity.
2. Navigate to the top menu and select Tools.
3. Click Macros... to open the Macro Manager dialog window.

Creating a New Macro

1. In the left panel of the Macro Manager, click the New button.
2. Enter a descriptive name for your macro (for example, "Podcast Vocal Cleanup" or "Normalize and Export") and click OK.
3. Your newly created macro will now appear selected in the left-hand list.

Adding Commands to the Macro

1. Click the Insert button on the right side of the window to add your first command.
2. Scroll through the list or search for the effect or action you want to perform (such as Normalize, Compressor, or High-Pass Filter).
3. Select the command and click Edit Parameters to adjust the specific settings for that effect. Once configured, click OK.
4. Repeat this process to add more commands in sequence.

Note: If your goal is batch processing external files, always end the chain with an export command, such as Export as MP3 or Export as WAV.

Reordering and Removing Commands

• Reorder: Use the Move Up and Move Down buttons on the right to place your commands in the correct execution sequence. For example, place cleanup effects like noise removal and equalization before compression and limiting.
• Delete: Select an unwanted command and click Delete.

Running the Macro on a Batch of Files

1. With the Macro Manager still open, look at the Apply Macro to: section at the bottom left.
2. Click the Files... button.
3. Use the file browser to select all the audio files you want to process. You can hold Ctrl (or Cmd on Mac) to select individual files, or Shift to select a range.
4. Click Open.

Audacity will sequentially open each file, apply the chained commands in order, export the processed audio, and close the file. Processed files are automatically saved in a new folder labeled macro-output located inside the original directory of the source files.

Running the Macro on the Current Project

To apply the macro to the currently open project instead of external files, open Tools > Apply Macro, and select your macro name from the list. Alternatively, click Project inside the Macro Manager window to run it on active tracks immediately.