How to Create a Clean Version of a Song

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Obtain music editing software.

   Audacity is a free, open source software program available for download off their website.
   
   Follow the download instruction, then install Audacity.
   
   Once installed (a computer restart may be necessary) open Audacity and click File, then Open, or press Ctrl+O (Command-O on a Macintosh).
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   Step 2: Browse to the song file (.mp3

   Click Open.
   
   Two large, blue oscilloscope-like shapes will appear on the screen—one for the left channel (bottom) and one for the right (top). , Press pause, and then zoom in on that section.
   
   Continue zooming and rewinding until you can place your cursor on the exact part of the blue line that begins the foul word. , Verify you have the right selection by clicking on the green Play arrow. , Click "Generate" on the popup window to complete the silence.
   
   Tone—This selection will make a tone with a pitch that you can vary in the window which appears.
   
   This is a "television style" edit.
   
   Use the settings shown:
   If you're musically inclined, you can set the pitch of the beep to be the same as the key of the song.
   
   For example, if the song is in the key of A (major or minor), set frequency to 880Hz.
   
   Keep the Amplitude low to begin with, especially if you don't choose Sine wave—you can always undo and make it a bit louder if it's too soft.
   
   You can also click the Effect menu and select Wahwah, setting resonance to
   6.0.
   
   This makes the voice make another traditional radio edit sound, while leaving the beat rather than silence, although it does not work for all curse words. , Take care so that the inserted section is the same number of samples as the deleted section, and if possible, make sure the waveforms line up at the beginning and the end. , If you inserted a tone, for example, you'll see what looks like a solid block: , Rewind to a few seconds before the word, then press the play button to hear your effect.
   
   If it's not to your liking, simply undo, then try other methods till you find something acceptable. ,, Then, click the effects button again and at the top it will say Repeat Sliding Time Scale/Pitch Shift.
   
   Click that button two or three times more and for the f word it will make a sound like 'fuwwww' or for the b word 'bewwww'.
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   Step 3: or .wav) you wish to edit.

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   Step 4: Press the play icon on the toolbar and listen to the song until you reach the part of the song with the vulgar word.

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   Step 5: With your cursor

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   Step 6: click and drag in the waveform area to select the duration of the inappropriate word.

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   Step 7: Press the stop icon (the orange square)

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   Step 8: click on the Generate menu

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   Step 9: and select one of the following options: Silence—This selection will eliminate all sound from the selection

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    Step 10: creating a traditional "radio edit."

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    Step 11: Tip for the really musically-inclined: Take an instrumental section that matches the key and rhythm of the offending section

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    Step 12: and replace the offending section with the instrumental bit.

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    Step 13: Note the change of the waveform display.

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    Step 14: Test your edit.

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    Step 15: Enjoy your music without the profanity.

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    Step 16: Alternatively select the curse word

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    Step 17: press the effects tab at the top and go down to Sliding Time Scale/Pitch Shift and where it says Final Pitch Shift (Semitones): type in -12.000 and click okay.

Detailed Guide

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