Rock-Star Tips to Improve Audio for

Videos & Podcasts By Andrea Kalli

You've decided to make a commitment to

incorporate rich media into your marketing

plan and your products.

Right now.

No more waiting.

You're taking the bull by the horns.

Website and blog visitors love these presentation formats because they can obtain information

quickly instead of wading through lengthy

text-based posts and articles.

Because they are more engaging than text,

podcasts, audios, and videos also help visitors retain more of the information

you present.

In order to keep them listening and watching, though, you have to make sure that your presentations contain quality audio sound.

Your audience members do not expect the same professional audio quality that they would

expect from high-budget movie and television

productions;

however, if your voice cannot be heard clearly or your presentations are laden with background

noise, viewers and listeners will quickly look elsewhere for the content they want.

The same is true for your audio and video products that

you sell.

Theres a higher level of expectation from someone who just handed over their hard earned cash to buy

your media product.

If you take a little extra time and effort to ensure a superior recording, everybody wins.

The time to think about your audio

recording quality is before recording, not in post-production editing.

Plan and Prepare first, THEN Record.

These five tips can help you improve audio to keep your audience

members paying attention:

Tip #1

Avoid depending on your video camera or webcam's

microphone for audio.

These devices are acceptable for video chats; however, they

cannot produce the level of audio quality that your audio members

expect from a professional podcast or video.

Instead, use a quality external microphone when presenting

content.

There are several options when it comes to choosing a

microphone. You can purchase a simple desktop microphone for

about $20 at an electronics store.

This type of microphone is appropriate if you plan to sit at your desk while recording your

video or podcast.

A lapel microphone might be a better choice,

particularly if you want to produce video presentations.

These models clip to your shirt or jacket and are barely visible.

If you are on a budget, you can pick up a corded lapel microphone for about $30

as long as you do not plan to move around during the

presentation.

If you will be moving around or writing on a whiteboard, though, you might opt for a

cordless version, which typically costs $200 or more.

Tip #2

Hang acoustic foam from walls that will not be visible

in the finished video.

This is particularly important if you are

recording in a small room such as a home office.

Acoustic foam can reduce or eliminate noise from nearby rooms, and can also

significantly reduce echoes that can bleed into your video or

podcast audio.

There are several available styles,

including pyramid, wedge, and grid foam.

Also, acoustic foam is available in 1-inch, 2-inch, and 3-inch thicknesses.

As you might expect, thicker foam offers more effective

sound control than thinner foam.

Wedge and grid foam styles are typically more expensive than pyramid

styles.

You can purchase 1-inch pyramid foam squares for

less than $1 per square foot.

Budget tip: While some audio pros might balk at the idea, you might want

to try other budget-friendly options.

Ive read that some people use egg crate bed pads, carpet padding, or really thick blankets to some success.

Many moons ago I remember reading that a popular podcaster would record his podcast audio sitting in his closet and covered

with a blanket.

Tip #3

If you are recording in a home office, turn off your home's

heating and cooling system just before you begin recording your

video or podcast.

Noise from air vents can show up in your audio and can be very difficult to remove with editing

software.

At the very least, cover vents in your recording room with a heavy blanket during recording sessions to

decrease the level of noise produced by your furnace or air conditioner.

And dont forget about the little fan you might have

blowing on you or itll sound like a freight train when

you play it back for review.

Tip #4

Run an audio test before you start recording your

presentation.

Record about 30 to 60 seconds of audio while reading a portion of

your presentation script.

Play back the recording and listen for any background noise, echoes, or other

distractions that might reduce the quality

of your audio.

This can save you time later because you can identify and fix audio problems early

instead of discovering them after you have recorded your entire

podcast or video.

Keep in mind that, while audio editing software can reduce some types of noise, such as echoes and ambient noise, you shouldn't rely on

software exclusively.

Applying noise filters after recording will not likely make your audio crystal clear, & at times, make it worse.

It can also reduce the volume of your voice, which can make it difficult for viewers and

listeners to hear you.

Tip #5

This one is for folks that are using a headset with a built-in mic. The mic sits very close to your face.

Position the mic to just in front of the tip of your nose.

This keeps it out of your own blast one (aka, the wind coming out of your nose and out of your mouth).

It might seem a little high to you, but if youve ever listened to a recording where you can hear the person breathing like theyve just

run a marathon, youll know exactly what Im talking about.

Its distracting to the listener, but completely

avoidable by adjusting the position of your mic.

Ive also seen people accomplish this

successfully by placing the mic closer to the

chin area.

ust do a wind check before recording anything.

Put your hand where you plan to put your mic, and

then blow.

If you feel the wind, adjust. Then do a test recording to make sure

your voice is being picked up enough. If not,

adjust again.

Taking the time to improve the quality of your audio will result in professional videos and podcasts that will keep

your audience members coming back for more.

Find out more about my media editing

services. Let us join you on this new adventure!

You Record Well o The Rest

Andrea Kalli www.virtualassist.net