Audio Recording Tips

Use a USB microphone

USB microphones use less computer resources and record better audio than an analog microphone connected to your computer’s audio card.

Practice using a microphone

Experiment with different volume levels and different microphone placement. Six inches from the microphone is usually good to record full tones, but not too close that other noises interfere.

Record in a quiet location

Any microphone can pick up nearby noises. Most office areas have a lot of background noise that you may or may not notice. Take a second and listen. What do you hear?

Block the computer’s humming sound

Build a small box lined with foam to put your microphone in as you record, use pillows or blankets to muffle the noise, or cover your head with the blanket.

Use a script

A script helps you produce the best audio by allowing you to avoid mistakes or saying um or uh. If you do not want a formal presentation, an outline can help reduce some mistakes.

Project and enunciate

Speak as though you are addressing a small audience in a large room.

Monitor the audio level as you record

The green to yellow range indicates normal. Orange to red warns you are too close to the over-modulated input. Best audio quality occurs when the Audio Input meter is in the green to very light orange range.

Use the Audio Enhancements option

Audio enhancements help you automatically improve the quality of the audio tracks by evening out volume levels and by removing noise.