We have been having a hard time recording narration and I think it is our eqipment. Can anyone recommend the best equipment to use and tips and tricks. for recording narration?
Hi, Stephanie: This is a big question. What specific problems have you been having?
Assuming you have a relatively new computer and are using an audio editor such as Audacity (or Studio or Storyline's built in audio editor), the next most important thing is a decent condenser microphone. Usually cost between $100-200.
But really to answer your question, let us know about your specific issues.
A bit more clarity around the issues you're trying to overcome would help. But here are some general tips that might get you started with a good basic set up...
Basic Gear:
1) Microphone
USB Mic - $100 - 200
Works well if recording directly into PC. Cheap and good quality. However, limited to single mic usage forever and everything has to go through PC.
OR
Traditional Mic - $200 - 500 if including D/A or basic board
Even higher quality possible, but requires either mixing board or D/A convertor to get into your PC. Additional benefit is that it's expandable if you wish to go to dual mic (or more) set up in the future.
2) Recording/Editing Software - $0 - 300
From the free "Audicity" up through big name offerings, this software allows you to record and edit your narrations.
3) Headphones - $50 - 200
Better phones will be more accurate allowing you to hear the real deal and also isolate external noice. Note - Many serious users buy for comfort first, then choose the sound quality they need.
4) Isolation - $0 - 300
These are materials/products that limit the bad/echoey sound of your room. Good mics will pick up everything, including wall bounce, flourescent lights buzz, etc. Simply solutions include putting your mic in a cardboard box with some packing foam, up through room treatments. Remember, one theory is treat the mic's space, not the room space... often cheaper and easier.
Thanks so much for all of your replys. The problem we are having is with the equipment. We are currently using a hand-held recording device, which apparently is of high quality, but when we transfer the recording onto the computer we get a lot of background 'noise'. We have tried turning off the HVAC system in case it was interferring and going to a quiet room but we still get the 'noise'. I was wondering if we needed to purchase a special mic or recording device or go to the extreme of renting a sound studio..lol
Here is an image of a soundtrack recorded in a fully insulated, double-glazed recording "pod", with acoustic foam, (good condenser mic and pre-amp setup...)
There's still noise, (the yellow bits...).
The good news is that you can remove most of this ambient "hum" very easily - if you use audacity for example, it's all documented here.
As shown in one of the bits of the link I sent, "quiet rooms" are seldom that when it comes to the tolerances you need to work with for sound recording.
Bruce is of course right, that often times the background noice can be removed after the fact via the editing software.
However, it's also a good practice to try and limit the noise you pick up during the recording process itself. There are a couple of ways to do that...
Try moving your actors closer to the mic so you don't have to use as much "gain" when recording. Remember, when you boost the recording level, you boost ALL sounds... good and bad.
Try putting your mic/device inside a mini-booth just for it. Think "dog house" with an open side. Homemade or store bought, these work pretty well. Like this one... link
Change your location
See if your device supports an external mic... some do.
This may sound counterintuitive but I've found adding a little white noise to the room (a fan going for instance) helps tremendously because I can then use that as the baseline for removing noise.
Bob makes a good point above. Change your recording location. Have any closets in your home or office that might work well? Go around the different spaces in your home or office and just listen for a few minutes or so.
Also, if you are in a relatively loud location, it may be very helpful to wear headphones as you record, so you can better hear what the mic is picking up. --Daniel
I am using a USB microphone for recording directlly into Storyline. When I record with the wireless radio on my computer, I get a "hum" in the baseline of all my recordings. I now hardwire my computer to the network when I am recording and the "hum" is gone.
In my most recent Storyline we recorded the audio using Adobe Audition 3.0 and saved the files as .MP3s. We then imported them into Storyline. Our recordings come out very clearly.
Are you create .wav or mp3s? With Articulate products, I generally have better luck with .wavs. Not exactly sure why. But curious as to what format people use and why. Maybe we can get Andy Bowyer on this.
The rule-of-thumb I learned for both audio and video and even still images was...
Record uncompressed, Edit uncompressed, then Render compressed.
In other words, for as long in the chain as possible you want to keep the signal as high fidelity as you can. Then go to a lower fidelity (ie compressed) format only at the last moment as needed.
I even keep full-fidelity edited "masters" stored because I never know when I might need the better version, or an alternate reduced fidelity version in a new file type.
Thanks, Bob, for the reminder of the importance of keeping the uncompressed ("master") tracks handy. Are the VO pros moving to .wavs? I think they are or already have--just sort of curious why. Of course, I could do a google search on it, but if anyone one here knows why (if they have), I'm curious. Anyway...
Crash course and know I'm taking some liberties with the facts a bit to simplify...
There is really one uncompressed digital audio techncology, called Pulse Code Modulation. PCM is what CDs (remember those?) introduced. For the computer/web world PCM streams are stored as .wav for the PCs and .aiff for the Macs. These two file formats are very similar and indistinguishable in quality as they are based on the same structure.
.WAV is great in that it can handle a variety of sampling rates, bit rates, etc and store the music/voice totally uncompressed.
That was also the bad part.... uncompressed media files were size hogs in terms of file size and bandwidth/bitrate. So the proliferation of COMPRESSED formats like .mp3 amongst others.
While compresses formats are fine, most of them "thow away" data (aka Lossy Compression), to get the file size down. Once that data is gone, it's gone forever and it can have audible effects. This is espcially true if you do further conversions/editing.
Now it today's computer world, storage is CHEAP. Processing power is CHEAP. Everyone has Broadband. Remember, we are now in a world where its commonplace to download and watch high-def VIDEO (magnitudes of bandwidth higher than PCM audio) on your laptop or tablet. So why not go with .wavs and the increased fidelity and flexibility they offer? The "need" for a lossy compressed audio format just isn't what it used to be.
Advice from my 4 time Grammy Award Winning Audio Engineer Super Husband when he set me up for voiceover.
Place mic with pop filter with bottom at nose level OR top at chin level with talen about 2" from mic which reduces Ssssss and Psssss and allows for minimal gain.
He has set me up with a rig if I need to be mobile and we have succesfully reduced "hum" by "packing the rear of the microphone and recording in a corner using the same microphone configuration.
The end result required zero post recording EQ. Best of luck.
Note: If have used the same technique using an el cheapo Blue Snowball USB microphone and it worked flawlessly.
19 Replies
Hi, Stephanie: This is a big question. What specific problems have you been having?
Assuming you have a relatively new computer and are using an audio editor such as Audacity (or Studio or Storyline's built in audio editor), the next most important thing is a decent condenser microphone. Usually cost between $100-200.
But really to answer your question, let us know about your specific issues.
Hi Stephanie....
Good advice from Daniel however, in the meantime - this may help.
Ignore the silly bits....and the fact that (ironically...) the voiceover goes up and down in volume/quality.
Bruce
Hi Stephanie,
Welcome to the communnity!
A bit more clarity around the issues you're trying to overcome would help. But here are some general tips that might get you started with a good basic set up...
Basic Gear:
1) Microphone
USB Mic - $100 - 200
Works well if recording directly into PC. Cheap and good quality. However, limited to single mic usage forever and everything has to go through PC.
OR
Traditional Mic - $200 - 500 if including D/A or basic board
Even higher quality possible, but requires either mixing board or D/A convertor to get into your PC. Additional benefit is that it's expandable if you wish to go to dual mic (or more) set up in the future.
2) Recording/Editing Software - $0 - 300
From the free "Audicity" up through big name offerings, this software allows you to record and edit your narrations.
3) Headphones - $50 - 200
Better phones will be more accurate allowing you to hear the real deal and also isolate external noice. Note - Many serious users buy for comfort first, then choose the sound quality they need.
4) Isolation - $0 - 300
These are materials/products that limit the bad/echoey sound of your room. Good mics will pick up everything, including wall bounce, flourescent lights buzz, etc. Simply solutions include putting your mic in a cardboard box with some packing foam, up through room treatments. Remember, one theory is treat the mic's space, not the room space... often cheaper and easier.
Hope this helps,
Bob
Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for all of your replys. The problem we are having is with the equipment. We are currently using a hand-held recording device, which apparently is of high quality, but when we transfer the recording onto the computer we get a lot of background 'noise'. We have tried turning off the HVAC system in case it was interferring and going to a quiet room but we still get the 'noise'. I was wondering if we needed to purchase a special mic or recording device or go to the extreme of renting a sound studio..lol
Stephanie,
Here is an image of a soundtrack recorded in a fully insulated, double-glazed recording "pod", with acoustic foam, (good condenser mic and pre-amp setup...)
There's still noise, (the yellow bits...).
The good news is that you can remove most of this ambient "hum" very easily - if you use audacity for example, it's all documented here.
As shown in one of the bits of the link I sent, "quiet rooms" are seldom that when it comes to the tolerances you need to work with for sound recording.
Hope this helps.
Bruce
Hi Stephanie,
Bruce is of course right, that often times the background noice can be removed after the fact via the editing software.
However, it's also a good practice to try and limit the noise you pick up during the recording process itself. There are a couple of ways to do that...
Hope this helps.
This may sound counterintuitive but I've found adding a little white noise to the room (a fan going for instance) helps tremendously because I can then use that as the baseline for removing noise.
Hi, Stephanie:
Bob makes a good point above. Change your recording location. Have any closets in your home or office that might work well? Go around the different spaces in your home or office and just listen for a few minutes or so.
Also, if you are in a relatively loud location, it may be very helpful to wear headphones as you record, so you can better hear what the mic is picking up. --Daniel
Hi Stephanie,
I am using a USB microphone for recording directlly into Storyline. When I record with the wireless radio on my computer, I get a "hum" in the baseline of all my recordings. I now hardwire my computer to the network when I am recording and the "hum" is gone.
Peg
Recording Software
In my most recent Storyline we recorded the audio using Adobe Audition 3.0 and saved the files as .MP3s. We then imported them into Storyline. Our recordings come out very clearly.
Recording Equipment
I used a headset called Microsoft LifeChat LX-3000 Model 1084 - You can find some on Amazon for $29.99 - http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-JUG-00001-LifeChat-LX-3000-Headset/dp/B000J4WPW8
If the recordings come out crackly, it could be that the headphones/headset/recorder could have a wire that has becom disconnected.
Recording Location
We usually record in a conference room away from noise. Hope this helps!
Question for Bruce, Bob, and others:
Are you create .wav or mp3s? With Articulate products, I generally have better luck with .wavs. Not exactly sure why. But curious as to what format people use and why. Maybe we can get Andy Bowyer on this.
Hi Daniel,
The rule-of-thumb I learned for both audio and video and even still images was...
Record uncompressed, Edit uncompressed, then Render compressed.
In other words, for as long in the chain as possible you want to keep the signal as high fidelity as you can. Then go to a lower fidelity (ie compressed) format only at the last moment as needed.
I even keep full-fidelity edited "masters" stored because I never know when I might need the better version, or an alternate reduced fidelity version in a new file type.
Daniel,
Articulate recommends 16-bit, 44KHz, PCM WAV format:
Presenter
Storyline
Sorry, Bruce, but whenever I hear your voice my mind goes immediately to Monty Python!
Chuckles, snickers, and outright gafffaws!
Thanks, Bob, for the reminder of the importance of keeping the uncompressed ("master") tracks handy. Are the VO pros moving to .wavs? I think they are or already have--just sort of curious why. Of course, I could do a google search on it, but if anyone one here knows why (if they have), I'm curious. Anyway...
Crash course and know I'm taking some liberties with the facts a bit to simplify...
There is really one uncompressed digital audio techncology, called Pulse Code Modulation. PCM is what CDs (remember those?) introduced. For the computer/web world PCM streams are stored as .wav for the PCs and .aiff for the Macs. These two file formats are very similar and indistinguishable in quality as they are based on the same structure.
.WAV is great in that it can handle a variety of sampling rates, bit rates, etc and store the music/voice totally uncompressed.
That was also the bad part.... uncompressed media files were size hogs in terms of file size and bandwidth/bitrate. So the proliferation of COMPRESSED formats like .mp3 amongst others.
While compresses formats are fine, most of them "thow away" data (aka Lossy Compression), to get the file size down. Once that data is gone, it's gone forever and it can have audible effects. This is espcially true if you do further conversions/editing.
Now it today's computer world, storage is CHEAP. Processing power is CHEAP. Everyone has Broadband. Remember, we are now in a world where its commonplace to download and watch high-def VIDEO (magnitudes of bandwidth higher than PCM audio) on your laptop or tablet. So why not go with .wavs and the increased fidelity and flexibility they offer? The "need" for a lossy compressed audio format just isn't what it used to be.
I think that may be what you are seeing.
Hi there Stephanie,
What I do to every of my recordings. Honestly, I don't have expensive tools for recordings. I just do this technique all the time.
Click START - ALL PROGRAMS - ACCESSORIES - click SOUND RECORDER
IF and WHEN my recording has noise in the background, this is my solution:
Click START - then type in the SEARCH BOX Find And Fix Audio Recording Problems. Then kindly follow the steps given.
I hope it would help solve your recording problem.
Thank you very much everybody!! This has been very helpful.
Advice from my 4 time Grammy Award Winning Audio Engineer Super Husband when he set me up for voiceover.
The end result required zero post recording EQ. Best of luck.
Note: If have used the same technique using an el cheapo Blue Snowball USB microphone and it worked flawlessly.
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