Get the best sound from your microphone

In this episode, I'm going to be talking about how to get the best sound from your microphone. Getting this right is crucial to ensure your recordings sound great and keep your audience engaged. Let's dive into the steps:

Step one: Get the direction right.

It's important to know which direction your microphone records in. Mine has silver dots on it, while others may have indicator lights or require speaking into the side or top. When speaking into my microphone from the correct direction, the sound is excellent. You can hear the full range of tones and nuances in my voice, especially the deep ones, resulting in a rich sound. However, when I move to the side, the recording quality isn't terrible but not as good either. And when I move to the back of the microphone, the sound becomes more muffled. Different microphones work differently, so consult your instructions or test yours to find the best sound by trying it from various directions.

Step two: Get the distance right.

Every microphone has an optimum distance for capturing your voice. In my case, I have a pop shield placed about three inches away from the microphone. When I get too close, the sound becomes too loud and starts distorting. On the other hand, if I move too far away, I sound too distant. The ideal recording distance depends on your microphone type and the volume at which you speak. Keep in mind that during testing, you might speak more softly than during a normal conversation, so consider adjusting accordingly.

Step three: Get your settings right.

Now, let's delve into some technical aspects. You'll want to check your sound input levels for recording. On my recorder, there's a dial for adjusting this. When I turn it down, you can hear that I become much quieter. On the other hand, turning it up leads to distortion. Finding the right balance is crucial. If your microphone doesn't have a dial, you'll need to adjust the input settings on your laptop. Locate the sound settings on your computer and experiment with the input level or volume. Even a slight adjustment can make a significant difference in how you sound.

To summarise, the best way to optimise your microphone's sound is through testing. Follow these three steps: adjust the distance, direction, and input settings while keeping the recording running. As you go through each adjustment, consider talking aloud, mentioning the specific distance ("This is me speaking at four inches away, five inches away, six inches away, etc."), the direction, and the input settings. Small tweaks can often yield significant improvements. If you feel you're not getting the best results from your microphone and need assistance, please don't hesitate to get in touch. We're here to help you achieve the best sound quality possible.