Are you looking to enhance your audio recording quality? Let us help with these ways to improve your overall sound quality, from getting the right equipment to recording in the ideal environment.
1. Record in a Controlled & Quiet Environment
The environment in which you record has a tremendous effect on the sound quality of your recording. Whether you’re recording a music album or podcast, you want your recording space to be free of distracting outside noises, such as:
- Fans
- Furnaces
- Cars
- Other electronics
- Buzzing lights (fluorescent)
- Weather (wind, rain, etc.)
- Drafty windows
The last thing any artist wants is great audio ruined by a car horn honking near a window or a dog barking in the background.
Pro Tip: It’s always wise to do a test recording in your chosen environment and listen for any distracting noises it might pick up. If you detect any, you may want to consider finding another location.
2. Eliminate Echo
Another problem you must watch out for when recording audio is the dreaded echo. If you hear an echo in your recording, it’s a clear sign the recording space isn’t right.
Echoes can come from sound bouncing off hard surfaces, meaning hardwood floors and any similar surfaces should be avoided when recording. If your recording space has a lot of hard surfaces, you’ll either want to change environments or try to dampen their effects by covering as many areas as possible with carpets, curtains, blankets, and even books. It may make the studio look like a mess, but sometimes that’s what it takes to record great audio.
3. Invest in a Quality Microphone
Perhaps the simplest—but most effective—way to improve your overall sound quality is to invest in a better microphone. Not every worthwhile mic has to be expensive, though; today, there are plenty of mics that offer high quality at more affordable prices.
There are many choices for mics, and not all of them may be suited to your taste. One strategy to consider is visiting a recording studio and testing various microphones to see which best fits you and your needs. At Band Barracks, you can book a session at one of our Houston music studios with ease!
4. Use Multiple Tracks
If you have multiple voices on a recording, ensure everyone has their own recording tracks. This may mean a greater investment in equipment for capturing audio, but it’ll no doubt help the sound quality of the recording.
Additionally, using multiple tracks for vocals makes editing the recording much easier and provides more options for audio customization.
5. Get a Pop Filter
One of the most annoying sounds on any vocal recording is the “plosive.” A plosive is a sound we make when we pronounce hard consonants and puff air directly into the mic.
This sound can be like nails on a chalkboard for some recording artists, and the simplest technique for eliminating plosives is using a pop filter. Pop filters are screens that sit in front of mics to eliminate the plosive sound.
These are just a few tips for improving the quality of your audio recording, but there are many more. Which methods work best for you? If you feel your home studio’s sound quality isn’t good enough, stop by Band Barracks in Houston and ask about booking our high-quality recording studio!