Recording audio is something that is done for a number of reasons. You may be recording it to work on a movie, video game, or you could be recording for an audio album. No matter the reason, how to improve audio recording quality is likely to be a challenge you will face, because unless there can always be a better more acoustically sound room, and your role as an audio engineer is to control all the ways the sound you are recording will interact with the room around it.
Tips on improving quality
Start with your computer. Before you buy any additional equipment, make sure that your computer or laptop is able to do the things you’ll need it to do, as far as recording goes. You’ll need it be able to connect to different peripherals, save and play files, and you may even need it to run additional programs. If your computer is out of date or can’t do these things, it will require an upgrade to something that can. If your computer is newer, you may still need to upgrade the hard drive or get an additional one that’s reliable each time. The files you are creating may be large, so choose a hard drive that has a lot of space that you can fill up.
Get the best equipment you can afford
You should always get the best equipment that you can afford. This doesn’t mean it has to be the most expensive, but it has to at least be well suited to what you need to use it for. This includes the microphone, speakers, and anything else you think you might need.
Maintain this equipment
Once you purchase this equipment, you’ll want to be able to use it as long as possible. This is why it’s imperative to maintain it and keep it working properly. Register your products, so you can take advantage of any warranties they come with. This will also ensure that you’ll be able to replace them if something goes wrong.
Learn how to properly use everything
You should also read the manuals or directions that come with the items, so you know exactly how to use them. This helps if you get something that has a lot of features, so you’ll be able to see how each one of them work. You should be able to take advantage of all the features of your products, so you are getting your money’s worth and making your recording sound as clear as possible.
Have a special area you can record in
It is best if you have an area that you can record in, which is separate from other places in your home. Even if you don’t have a separate room, perhaps you have a place where you can keep a lot of the ambient noise away from you, or soundproof the area a little bit. Some people use their basements or create a special space for things like this. You can even place a soundproof box around your equipment, to protect it from noises that you don’t want to be heard.
Search around for software that can help
In this modern age, there are so many apps and programs that can give you the upper hand when it comes to recording. You can ask around or search online for software that may make your life easier, and purchase anything you feel may help you. Be sure you know how to use these programs properly as well, and that they work in conjunction with all of the equipment that you own and are using.
Listen carefully and make changes
Some of the work happens after you have recorded. You should listen to the material and see if there are any problems or if you can hear something that you aren’t supposed to. This will help you see what you need to change about the way you record, and what steps you need to take for your next recording.
Additional tips
When it comes to finding the equipment you’ll need, all it takes is a quick search to find pretty much anything you may need to get started. There are websites you can check out, articles you can read, and you may even be able to find a store near you that will sell you what you’re looking for. It’s probably not a good idea to go with the first thing you find, so make sure you spend a little bit of time choosing the best products and not necessarily the ones that have the most praise online.
At the same time, you can ask other people what they use or find out what people in your chosen industry use. For example, if you know a certain artist utilizes a specific type of microphone and monitors, you may want to get the same kind. You can also read online reviews to see what items perform the best. It is up to you to determine what you should purchase.
Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes things will mess up or not go the way you planned. The only thing you can do about this is to keep at it. There’s no need to get upset about things that are out of your control. When you keep your area maintained and your equipment in working condition, it is more likely that you will have recordings that are solid most of the time, but life will inevitably get in the way on occasion. Again, always keep trying and improving your techniques and you will get the hang of it.
Conclusion
Even if you are recording audio in your bedroom, there are things you can do to make it sound more professional. Besides investing in costly gear, you can also keep your area free from most sounds and find programs that will help. You’ll likely also notice that the more you record, the better you get at it. Keep trying and know that there are times you’ll make mistakes, but that they aren’t that big of a deal.