Tag audio recording

Technological advances have made people’s standards higher, especially when it comes to audio and video recording. When it comes to audio, people expect it to be clear. Whether it’s a YouTube video podcast, a music video, a commercial, or an online conference, your audio quality should be spot on. Today’s audience has a very short attention span, and if your audio quality is poor, you will not get their attention. You will most likely lose them to the thousands of other creators who create the same content as yours. Needless to say, if you are a podcaster, a music video producer, a voiceover talent, or anyone who creates audio content for a living or even as a hobby, high-quality audio recording is paramount to creating content that resonates with your audience. On the contrary, poor audio will seem unprofessional and cause your listeners to tune out. The good news is through the help of affordable audio-visual technology and by applying a few audio recording best practices, you can significantly improve the quality of your audio recording regardless of your budget or experience level. 

Audio Recording Best Practices

Choose the Right Microphone

You probably know that microphones play a significant role in the quality of your recordings. Orient yourself with the types of microphones available to you and choose the one that suits your particular situation best. Two of the most common types of microphones are the dynamic type and the condenser type.

Dynamic Microphones

If you are a live performer or a producer of live performances, this type is an ideal choice for you. These microphones are more rugged and better suited for use in noisy environments. They have no problem handling louder sounds but are not sensitive enough to capture fine details.

Condenser Microphones

These microphones are more sensitive and perfect for studio recordings. They are designed to capture a broader range of frequencies. This results in crisp and clear sound. However, care should be applied because they may pick up unwanted background noise if they are used in an uncontrolled environment.

Control Your Environment

It is essential to control your environment if you want to achieve a clean sound. Here are some tips to minimize background noise and echo.

Soundproofing

If you want to improve the audio quality of your recording:

1. Record in a quiet, acoustically treated room.
2. If your budget or location makes a professional studio impossible, use foam panels, blankets, or pillows to absorb sound reflections in your space.
3. If you are recording at home, use the smallest room you have. You can use your closet if you want, as long as it allows you to have a comfortable setup.

Reduce Background Noise

Choose the right time to record your audio. Ambient noise can be frustrating. Record at a time when background external noise like traffic is minimal. Turn off fans, air conditioning, and other electronics that may create humming or buzzing sounds in the background.

Microphone Placement

Strategic positioning of your microphone is a must. Place it about 6 to 8 inches away from your mouth. If you are too close, you run the risk of recording unwanted pops and breaths. Meanwhile, if you are too far away, this will result in thin and distant sound.

Monitor Your Levels

One big mistake you can make while recording is not being fully aware of your levels. Recording too quietly will result in noise when you amplify the sound later. Meanwhile, recording too loudly will result in distortion.

Adjust Gain

Gain is what you call the input volume of the microphone. Set your gain so that the loudest part of your recording does not peak on your audio meter. However, make sure that it is loud enough to avoid background noise. Ensure that the meter stays on green and just touches yellow during the loud moments of the recording.

Depending on your setup, using audio converters and mixers allows you to regulate these levels and maintain the sound clarity you are aiming for.

Use a Headphone Monitor

Monitor your recording in real time using a headphone monitor. This will help you catch problems before they even become a major problem. Listening to the live feed of your recording gives you the chance to address issues like background noise or voice distortion early on.

Post-Recording Management

Sometimes, no matter what you do, background noise is inevitable. Post-production techniques can help you clean it up.

Programs like Adobe Audition and Audacity allow you to remove low-level background noise like hums, hisses, or distant traffic sounds. 

EQ, or Equalization, can remove unwanted frequencies and help balance your audio. 

Compression is key to ensuring consistent volume levels, preventing loud sounds from becoming overwhelming, and making quiet sounds be heard.

Make sure that you edit out mistakes, awkward pauses, and filler words like “uh” and “um” to keep the recording sound professional.

Prepare Your Voice

Remember that your voice is your primary and most important instrument. Even if you have the best and most expensive equipment, if you do not have the right instrument, then your recording will be a complete failure. Nobody wants to listen to a voice that does not have any life.

Be conscious of your posture. Sit up straight while you speak to ensure that you will be speaking with your best voice.

Do some light vocal warm-ups before recording. This will help you relax your vocal cords and help you enunciate better. Practice saying your message in the tone you want to say it. Drink plenty of water before recording, and keep a glass of water nearby to keep yourself hydrated during long recording sessions.

Get the Professional Sound You Want for Your Audio Recording Projects

You do not have to spend a fortune just to sound professional and have an audio record that your audience would love listening to. All you need to do is apply these best practices in your next project and ensure that you have the right equipment in your setup. If you are ready to take your next audio recording to the next level, explore our website today for the perfect equipment that will give you the best results.