How To Edit Windows Sounds

Edit Windows Sounds

by Michael E. Callahan aka Dr. File Finder

Windows comes with a fair number of sounds that alert you of various things. Windows startup, Windows shutdown, critical error, and more. From the email I've received I've gathered that many of you feel that these default sounds are boring. Well, without spending a dime you can easily edit the default sounds and make them your own. Windows comes with a relatively simple program called Sound Recorder. No, you can't mix the song your band is working on with it, but you can use it for basic recording and editing and it's already on your computer. The version with Windows Vista just does recording, no effects. The screen shot is the entire Sound Recorder for Vista. Under other versions of Windows you can find the program by clicking:

Start -- Programs -- Accessories -- Entertainment

Under Vista you can click on the Start button and in the "start search" box just type Sound Recorder. Either way you'll see Sound Recorder. Now, assuming you're not using Vista it's time to edit your first sound file. Click on the "File" menu and select "Open". You can find the default sounds that came with Windows in this directory

C:\WINDOWS\MEDIA

From the file dialog under open and select a sound file to edit. Now, lets try a few things. Try picking from the Effects menu and pick "Add Echo." Now listen to the sound. Using the "Reverse" effect gives you a pretty strange sound as well.Another option is to increase or decrease the volume of the sound. Another interesting effect can be found by either increasing or decreasing the speed of the sound.

Okay, lets say you've been making changes and you just aren't happy with the end result. You'd like to start over? Easy. Just click File and Revert. A dialog will come up and ask you if you want to lose all of the changes. Just answer "Yes" and your sound file is back to the way it was originally. You can start over. Once you get to the point where you like your editing job, save it. You can do this by clicking File -- Save, or Save As. If you want to keep the original sound select Save As and give the sound file a unique name.

I will admit, that even with a good imagination you can only do so many things with the Sound Recorder that comes with Windows. So, for those of you who want to take it up a notch, here are just a few of the many sound editing programs you can find here on Tucows.

• Arial Sound Recorder
• Total Recorder Standard Edition
• Blaze Audio Power Recorder

Try Sound Recorder, one of the programs listed above, or do your own search here on Tucows. You can have a lot of fun working with and editing sounds. And there are tons of sounds you can find all over the Internet in addition to recording your own.

If you have a question on how to do something on the computer you can submit it via email by clicking HERE You will not receive a reply, but all topics will be considered.