Audio: I'm Recording Tomorrow, Any Last Words?

[James Legacy]

I'm going to be recording some audio tomorrow for the very first time.

That said, I've never done this before... does anyone have any last minute advice that could help me achieve a clear recording?

(I'm planning to use a headset microphone that is connected to an external sound card with Audacity as my software platform).

[Steven Carl Kelly]

I've done a lot of audio. Lots and lots.

Relax, and pretend like your speaking to a person in particular. If you can have a person to speak to while you record, that's cool. If not, imagine them sitting there listening to what you're saying.

[dalvia]

I have also done alot of audio. Yes, relax and connect with your listener. If you make a mistake, (just pause for 3 seconds or so) and start that part again and edit it out later with your audio program

[Kyle Tully]

Test the recording before you start. Nothing like talking for an hour and later finding out it wasn't recorded.

Turn off your phone. People always call when you're recording.

Tell your girl friend not to have couriers buzzing your door bell every 5 minutes. Or am I the only one with that problem?

Don't say Um. Or Ah. Just be silent and think about what you want to say.

Use your hands when you talk. It'll make you more emotive and you'll come across stronger.

[Brandon Tanner]

Originally Posted by Kyle Tully

Test the recording before you start. Nothing like talking for an hour and later finding out it wasn't recorded.

Or finding out the recording is heavily distorted! Definitely make sure your recording level is just right before you start.

Not sure what type of headset mic you're using but most of the consumer grade ones don't have any kind of pop filter built in. If the mic picks up too much breath sound and plosives (the popping sound when saying your P's and B's), then you can wrap a small piece of foam or cloth around the mic - that will make a big difference in the quality of the recording.

And run it through a compressor after your done to make the volume level consistent throughout the entire recording. Audacity has one built in - it's nothing special, but it will get the job done (Effect > Compressor).

If you do all that it should turn out great.

[James Legacy]

Originally Posted by faxinator

I've done a lot of audio. Lots and lots.

Relax, and pretend like your speaking to a person in particular. If you can have a person to speak to while you record, that's cool. If not, imagine them sitting there listening to what you're saying.

It's better to talk to one person than to a group, eh?

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Originally Posted by James Legacy

It's better to talk to one person than to a group, eh?

It depends. For most people, yes. Also, if you're recording something for distribution like a podcast or whatever, typically that's a one-person listening experience.

[JamesFraze]

You can do a few simple things that will make your audio sound better such as:

Edit out the "uhms"
Lower the noise floor and make your silent parts, truly silent
Raise the volume of the entire recording.


If you have a cheap micro phone, stretch pantyhose on a coat hanger to make a screen, put this between your mouth and the microphone - but still keep the microphone close.

This will remove the pops and small sounds like lips smacking

To stay focused, write up an outline of what you want to say and what points you want to cover. Organize them in notepad or something then simply speak naturally, like to someone in the room.

[J.Knight]

Test the difference of how you feel when you stand while you're recording. Standing can sometimes produce better results.

JK

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by J.Knight

Test the difference of how you feel when you stand while you're recording. Standing can sometimes produce better results.

JK

Yes I completely agree... Standing does help as well as moving your arms or hands as you speak to emphasize points.

At first it feels a little weird because the minute the record button is pressed it's like a dear caught in the headlights.

Oh one more thing... Have a bottle of water with you and don't rush through your points.

Mike Hill

[Steven Carl Kelly]

Originally Posted by Mike Hill

Oh one more thing... Have a bottle of water with you

Right, Mike... especially true if the recording isn't a very short one.

[Mike Hill]

Originally Posted by faxinator

Right, Mike... especially true if the recording isn't a very short one.

Yeah... for sure. I can remember my first call I hosted. I had done a lot of calls were I was being interviewed but it's an entirely different animal when you become the host.

As a guest you just have to answer questions and go into detail and let the host direct the call.

When I hosted a call I remember thinking before hand "I wonder if we'll have time for all this stuff?" ha... 20 minutes into the call and I was done talking about all the stuff I wanted to mention. So I had to think fast and ended up giving way more content than I wanted to - totally flying by the seat of my pants, but in the end it turned out great.

Mike Hill