Audio recording is frequently overlooked by videographers and content creators. While you can take the easy route and use something like AI generated human voiceovers for your video, the technology has not reached a stage where it can completely replace a real human voice.
Audio recording is just as crucial to the final result as the footage that was captured. It requires effort to get good audio recording, and it is a big factor in creating amazing video content.
You might have the best audo recording equipment and editing software. But subpar audio may still make everything terrible. Even the best podcasts and movies may become unbearable to listen to if the “audio” quality is poor.
The best way to give the highest quality sound is to record the clearest audio in the first place, despite the fact that audio files can be endlessly modified using various tools and applications.
We provide the best audio recording advice if this is your first recording and you’re just getting started.
1. Get high-quality audio equipment
There is a saying that the vocalist makes up 50% of a successful vocal take, the room makes up 40%, and the equipment makes up 10%. If so, simply by spending money on good quality audio equipment like a condenser mic, cables, preamp, and an audio interface, you may be polishing up your bedroom recordings by up to 10%! An example of a great USB microphone is the Shure MV7.
Most folks frequently make the error of solely depending on their computer’s built-in microphone which is terrible.
Furthermore, when it comes to shooting videos, video cameras’ built-in microphones are often of poor quality. They don’t usually capture sound properly, and occasionally you can hear the video camera’s operation.
Use an external microphone whenever you can when shooting videos. When you wish to clearly hear someone’s voice, a lavalier mic, like the kind used by newscasters, is very useful. The ideal option for off-camera narration is a high-quality headset microphone, such as those used in podcasts and overdubs.
2.Reduce background noise
The presence or absence of background noise is one of the key differences between a professional recording and an amateur one. It might be challenging to reduce background noise when filming at home, particularly if you live in an apartment, close to a busy street, or with roommates.
The majority of audio editing programs can eliminate ambient noise, but only if it is constant. Variable ambient noise is difficult to eliminate.
There can be a lot of unexpected noises that find their way into your recordings when you record in your bedroom studio. Many of these noises—including street traffic, arguing neighbors, and jets flying overhead—are out of your control. Nevertheless, reducing background noise as much as you can is essential for getting a professional-quality recording.
Here are some ways to reduce background noises:
- Windows are a nemesis for audio recordings. To reduce jarring reflections from the glass, cover them up.
- Avoid keyboard typing and mouse clicking
- Turn off appliances that produce background noise, such as fans, washers, and dryers.
- Keep the recorder away from the computer fans.
- For the duration of your recording, ask others nearby to be quiet.
- To muffle the sound coming from the neighbors, cover the floor with rugs.
- If you arrange things like curtains, towels, books, and linens up against sound-producing walls, they naturally work as insulators.
Extra tip: Before beginning the real recording, you can record a sample to catch any noises you might have missed. When there is simply too much background noise, always check to see if it will be caught up by the microphone before a recording.
3. Record ambient sound
Now, that sounds pretty ironic right talking about reducing background noises! But background sounds can definitely either distract or enhance the mood of the video!
Do not forget to capture “room tone” or ambient sound. If you run out of audio, you can utilize these recordings to fill in the gaps and smooth out the areas of your audio where pops, clicks, and other unpleasant noises can be heard.
Consider the sounds that are unique to the event you are capturing and record those. The merry-go-round music and the sound of the popcorn maker, if you’re at a carnival, enhance the mood of your video and give viewers the impression that they are there with you.
Clearly capture these sounds without caring about the video. The audio clips can be moved around while editing so they play over various segments of your video.
4. Minimize echo
Make sure to arrange your recording environment so that the sound emanating from your voice bounces off the walls and back to your microphone as little as possible when you record yourself speaking or singing.
You should try to get rid of all the hard surfaces first. The sound you generate will really reverberate off of those surfaces before entering your microphone.
A excellent way to decrease the echo in your room is with books. They cushion hard surfaces while also absorbing some of the additional noise.
Walls and hard floors cause a lot of bouncing. Use textiles, such as a thick rug or a blanket, that will absorb sound rather than reflect it.
You can always make more changes, like hanging drapes or blankets on the walls. A sound-dampening panel or acoustic foam can be added if you want something a little bit more professional.
You should add echo effects in post-production if you want your voice to echo.
5. Control the distance of the mic
Learning how to set up mics for recording is among the most helpful things you can do. While you can use software EQs to correct thin or boomy recordings, it can save you much time and effort if you take the time to position the mic perfectly before pushing the record button. Even a high-end microphone will sound poor if it isn’t set up properly. Therefore, developing a sense of proper mic placement will be beneficial.
The microphone should be placed between 6 and 12 inches from your lips for recording vocals, with a good pop filter in between.
Your vocals may sound way too bassy if you’re too close to the microphone, which is known as the “proximity effect.” Everything will sound thin if your microphone is placed too far away, and you’ll also pick up additional room noises, which will significantly muddy up your recording.
Sibilance overload can be avoided with proper mic positioning. The likelihood that the microphone will pick up sibilant frequencies decreases with distance.
Additionally, position your microphone at a level with your mouth. This will enable the microphone to pick up only the sounds of your voice and cancel out any background noise, even if you don’t have a unidirectional microphone.
Each segment of any type of recorded speech changes between being louder and quieter. You should step further away from the microphone for the louder portions of the speech. Then, get closer to the microphone when recording the silent passages.
This will assist in balancing the recording’s volume changes. Consequently, the amount of compression eventually needed for the audio file will be less.
6. Prevent wind from reaching your microphone
Wind sounds incredibly loud through a microphone recording, even though it might not be as loud and annoying to the human ear, and it can cause your audio to clip.
This includes the sound you make when you pronounce words beginning with the letter “p.” To keep wind from getting to your microphone, use pop filters, windscreens, and deadcats.
On a windy day, it can be challenging to record outside since the wind’s intensity can cause the microphone to make loud popping or slapping noises.
Even high-end microphones with wind screens will be overwhelmed by really strong winds.
Here are some techniques used by experts to record audio for movies under the most trying circumstances:
- Set your microphone’s low-cut filter to on.
- Use your own body as a windbreak.
- Purchase a windscreen muff (also works with lavalivers and camera mics).
- Choose a microphone designed to face the wind.
Additionally, you might try to hide your microphone or conduct the interview from a location where the wind won’t directly affect the audio.
Author Bio: Daniel Thomas
Daniel is a full-time blogger and founder of Basigue.com where he writes articles on Web3, cryptocurrency, NFTs, E-commerce, business, and reviews on products and services. Daniel has experience in dropshipping, creating Shopify online stores, affiliate marketing, SEO, and running digital advertisements like Facebook and Google Ads. In his free time, he loves playing games or watching anime with his wife.
