How to Make Your Voice Recordings Clear

Do you have access to a key source as a journalist? Maybe you organize a focus group that solicits feedback from product testers. In either case, recording interviews is a valuable tool in ensuring that you don't miss anything. This can be replayed later or you can make a transcript order with a service such as Rev if you want to review everything that was said.

A recording has to be clear to be valuable. Background noise and distorted voices prevent you from finding the exact quote. There is nothing more frustrating than having an amazing interview conversation only to find that the audio is completely useless. You can do a mic test to make sure and check the accuracy of the mic.

You can start recording high-quality audio by following these three tips:

Make sure you have the right equipment, like a microphone, audio splitter, and recorder.

Speak clearly and loudly into the microphone.

To eliminate static noises, choose a quiet location to record in.

Audio Recording Devices

In order to start, you must first purchase the proper equipment.

Depending on the circumstances, your exact setup may vary, but basic equipment includes:

You need a microphone as well as every person participating in the conversation.

A digital recorder for capturing audio. In the case of a budget, your smartphone or laptop will serve you well.

The splitter allows multiple 3.5 mm output jacks to be plugged into one input.

You can use this setup to attach microphones to each speaker, then connect them to the headphone splitter (if more than two people are speaking, you may need one with multiple inputs). Next, hook up the splitter's output to the digital recorder. By doing this, the recorder will be able to capture all the audio from the conversation at once.

How to Choose a Microphone

Various types of mics are available, so there are several options to choose from. You need to decide the kind depending on where you will be recording and the budget you have available.

The types of microphones are as follows:

Shotgun mics: Shotgun mics are stationary microphones that capture sound at a distance. This may work best if you are interviewing just one person and they will be sitting the entire time.

Lavalier mic: Lavalier microphones are small microphones that attach directly to the person. It's perfect for sessions with multiple speakers.

Handheld mic: Handheld microphones are devices that can be held and used to speak. If only one person speaks at a time, this works best.

Recording a Conversation: Tips and Tricks

Now that you have all the necessary equipment, you should consider the interview itself. Your speech plays a huge role in the final audio. Audio producers will need to keep loudness balanced without being overly loud, which can cause distortion. Having your voice too quiet, however, might mean you can't be heard at all. Is there a perfect volume?

The ideal level for your voice is between -10 dB and -20 dB. If you go above -6 dB, you will notice telltale distortion which can make it hard to tell what's being said.

You can check your volume by connecting your microphone to your laptop and downloading a free audio recording program. A favorite of ours is Audacity. Audacity, for example, lets you see your audio levels in real-time. It's smart to perform a few tests prior to getting started to see what volume works best.

How to Place the Microphone

Another important consideration is where to place the mic. You'll pick up a lot of unwanted sounds if you're too close to the mouth. It will sound like your subject is way off in the distance if it is too far away.

Ideally, the microphone should be placed 6 to 12 inches from the speaker's mouth. You will want to place the mic slightly below the chin since this is where the sound projects the clearest. When you clip the microphone to clothing, use a crocodile clip to prevent it from brushing and causing distortion.

Here are some tips to help you speak more clearly

It is important to speak in a clear, bright voice in order to produce good audio. You should enunciate each word clearly, but don't overthink it, as this can make you sound robotic. During recording, you may even want to smile, as this can make your voice sound more approachable. Be aware of your pace as well. Keeping things steady without rushing or crawling at a snail's pace is the key.

The Best Ways to Reducing Background Noise during Recording

In spite of all these precautions, your recordings will not be unusable if you don't remove background noise. It's important to find a relatively quiet recording environment, but you also need to consider your equipment.

A dynamic microphone is an example of what you may want to choose. Their limited range of sound detection allows them to remove squeals and pulsing that aren't in the same frequency as the human voice. In addition, you may want to purchase an acoustic screen, which is a shield that goes in front of the microphone to eliminate low-level background noises.

Furthermore, you'll need the support of your subjects. Eat, drink, and chew gum are all sounds that are easily picked up by microphones. Make sure they avoid side conversations, especially while others are speaking.

Choosing the Right Place to Record

When recording interviews, deciding where to record is probably the most important step in avoiding annoying background noise. Ideally, an isolated room with carpets and soft furnishings will absorb echoes. In case you can't find one, you can cover the floor with a rug or hang curtains on the walls and windows.

Aim to avoid areas where you can hear traffic, the heating and cooling system, or voices from another room. It may not sound loud to you, but these emissions can ruin your recordings.

How to Get Rid of Static in Audio

The first thing you should check if your audio has a lot of static is your connections. Are all mic lines connected properly? Static is now commonly caused by the jack not being in the plug hole. The microphone jack may also be plugged into the wrong hole, causing distortion. If you can't find the problem, your equipment might be malfunctioning, so try out new equipment to see if it helps.

Now is the time to start recording high-quality audio

In the end, recording high-quality audio doesn't have to be difficult. It's relatively simple to ensure recordings of interviews and meetings come out clear. Just make sure you have the right equipment, speak clearly, and record in an area that's not noisy.

While our professional transcriptionists will work with whatever audio you provide, high-quality audio plays a key role in ensuring accuracy. Try out these tips for the best results so your voice recordings are usable and full of value.

Izmainīts 09.08.2021 15:29.

Izmainīts 09.08.2021 15:30.

Izmainīts 09.08.2021 15:32.