I was behind-the-scenes editing podcasts at RRR today. After having my choice of audio editing programs at RMIT I was a bit trepidatious about re-familiarising myself with Audacity. I concluded that the program is pretty decent for open-source software, and a great way to introduce people to audio editing. It’s a program I used extensively at 4ZZZ in Brisbane many years ago. Along with Cool Edit and Fruity Loops it’s a program many people of my age used to experiment with home recording. In my teens and early twenties the burgeoning home recording scene was responsible for a lot of people being able to share their music online. The DIY ethic of the early 2000’s in Brisbane was great. We had many DIY gigs, zines, DIY fashion, and skill-shares. The freedom of a less-organised and less-controlled internet meant that people were meeting each other and sharing ideas. Part of that was open-source software like Audacity which exemplified the DIY ethos of people just giving things a red hot go. Probably the peak of DIY for me was making an electric ukulele with my Dad and, with the aid of a multi-effects pedal, being a member of Brisbane’s only electric ukulele-led experimental punk band. I’m glad that the DIY scene still continues to flourish in various forms today.
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