How to Improve Audio Quality of a Recording—Beginner's Guide

Recording audio might seem straightforward to the uninitiated. However, without the proper know-how and skills, your tracks will end up sounding flat and boring.

The sound quality for anything you create wants to be to the utmost standard. Listeners quickly get bored of a recording if it isn't engaging. Whether it's a podcast, commercial, or a YouTube video, the audio quality can have a serious effect on its success.

TYX Studios is a recording industry leader and has been helping aspiring artists achieve professional-level recordings! Read on as we share our expert knowledge with you. This guide will give you a foothold in the world of high-fidelity recordings.

Let's get started!

Table of contents

Why is sound quality so important?

Whether a music track, podcast, Youtube video, or Tiktok, sound is always important to the end product. You might be listening to something that sounds serviceable and maybe even good, but then you compare it to something with crisp, high-quality audio and the difference is like night and day.

Your audio quality will affect how your customers feel about your product, and how they feel about you.

If your recordings have high-quality audio, it'll reflect better on you. Not only does it show professionalism - as a good quality product should have good audio - it also shows that you have expertise and know what you are doing. This'll make listeners trust your product more and want to hear more.

If any of your audio involves speech and dialogue, then it is even more important to make sure the audio quality is crisp and clear. Poor audio quality can quickly drive people away and make them lose interest.

Audio quality is measured by bitrate levels, this refers to the data quality transferred into audio. The higher the bitrate, the higher the audio quality. Depending on the audio type, a higher bitrate might be needed.

Remember, there is no 'best' bitrate, only the right bitrate for the media you are working on.

What issues should I avoid to improve audio quality?

Audio recording may seem simple – just get the equipment and start recording, and maybe do it in a secure environment – but there's a lot more to take into consideration. Make sure you're aware of common mistakes so that you know how to avoid them.

Background noise

Passing traffic, people talking, ambient noise, and even the wind can create distracting sounds that detract from your recordings.

Remove background noise by recording in a secure environment, like a studio or a dedicated room in your house. If you need to record outside, you won't be able to eliminate background noise completely but certain microphones can be used to minimise it.

Microphone placement

As you can imagine, the placement of the microphone stand can affect the quality of your audio. The usual distance that you should aim for is 3-5 inches away from the microphone. The further you are away, the less sound your microphone will pick up.

Another thing to keep in mind is if the microphone is moving around. Throughout any recording, a consistent microphone placement should be kept in order to keep the volume levels normal and to improve speech clarity.

Making sure the height and distance stay the same will improve audio quality greatly.

Equipment

It goes without saying, but a quality microphone can vastly improve your sound. Poor-quality equipment can sound muffled, crackly, and unclear. Investing in a high-quality microphone will enhance your audio quality and also help reduce background noises and other issues.

A basic microphone that comes with a laptop, smartphone or headphones will be able to easily record audio for you, but if you want to improve sound quality, then you should buy a separate, high-quality microphone.

Steps for enhancing your audio

No matter what you are recording for, whether it's for work or a hobby, you should aim to get the quality of your audio as high as possible. Anything with dialogue should be crisp and clear, each word should be audible.

Music is a tough one, it needs to be kept balanced and level, but louder parts still need to stand out without breaking the pitch. You should always invest in the best recording equipment if you want to get the most out of your sound.

Whenever you're recording something, having the best sound quality is vital to the overall quality.

Record in a quiet, secure location

When it comes to noise reduction, a recording studio provides the perfect environment to enhance audio and reduce background noise. Recording studios are perfect for creating high-quality audio in a closed-off environment.

If you're unable to use a recording studio, you can create your own at home. Find a small, carpeted room. Smaller rooms lessen the effects of echoes, and furniture and carpets have the same effect.

There is also soundproofing material that you can buy and attach to your rooms. This material is good at lessening echoes whilst also redirecting sound back to the microphone.

Even if you can use a studio, it is good to have your own recording space so you can record whenever you want. Always look out for sound pollutants when recording, some common sounds are:

• Vehicles
• Voices
• Electronics
• Wind
• Household sounds
• Phones

Make sure your recording environment is free from these pollutants by staying away from open windows and soundproofing the room.

Wear headphones

Wearing headphones can isolate other sounds, letting you hear your audio clearer. This helps to locate any unwanted sounds that would affect the overall quality of your recordings.

Headphones also provide the most accurate playback, meaning you're hearing exactly what the microphone is picking up.

If you're using speakers instead of headphones, this will also create additional background noise that will be picked up on your microphone. It's good to avoid using speakers when you are recording.

Invest in good-quality headphones to make sure you're hearing your audio recordings in the highest quality.

Use a high-quality microphone

A simple way to improve the audio quality of your recordings is to use a high-quality microphone. Depending on what you are recording, different microphones may be appropriate.

You can also experiment with mic angles to see where you get the best sound from. Certain microphones are better at capturing voice recordings while others are better suited for music.

Condenser microphone

A condenser microphone can bring up more detailed sound quality and to a higher standard. This makes them ideal for recording music as they would be able to pick up smaller details that other mics might miss. This is because the condenser mic has a wider frequency range, allowing for crystal-clear audio.

Dynamic microphone

Unlike condenser microphones, dynamic microphones have low sensitivity and a higher gain threshold. This makes them ideal for louder noises due to not being as sensitive. Live performances may want to use a dynamic mic.

They are also good for things like podcasts where a lot of people would be talking.

When choosing between a condenser microphone and a dynamic microphone, consider what you are recording for. Both microphones are viable for all kinds of recordings, but different kinds of recordings will benefit more from having the right microphone.

Here are some considerations for choosing a microphone:

• Range
• Frequency of use
• Reliability
• Purpose of use
• Pop filter

What is a pop filter?

A pop is a filter that you place on your microphone. Certain letters like "p", "t" and "k" make popping sounds when sounded out. A pop filter is used to filter out these sounds, improving voice quality.

Use software

While using the base recording might be fine in some cases, like a podcast, when it comes to creating professional-sounding audio, then using recording software can help you get the most out of your recordings.

The benefit of audio software

Audio recording software is used during the editing process to enhance the end product. Audio editing can be used to remove background noise, fix volume levels which can enhance clarity, and bring out an improved finished product.

Some editing methods can automatically remove background noise, helping the process go faster.

Other than fixing mistakes in the audio quality, editing software can also be used to add audio effects and audio enhancement. Things like speech enhancement can improve or alter the quality of your dialogue, and sound effects can add a little extra ambience to your recordings.

List of sound editing programs

You can develop your post-production skills using software. Finding the right audio recording software is down to your preferences, but here are some popular options:

• Audacity
• Adobe Audition
• Acoustica Standard Edition
• AudioMass
• SOUND FORGE Audio Studio 17

These programs can be used to edit your audio files in any way you want. After recording, using software is a crucial step for increasing the quality of your recordings.

Sound editing tips

If you want to enhance the audio quality of your audio tracks and recordings, then remember to keep these tips in mind when in post-production:

• ‍Pauses – If you have recorded a conversation or some other kind of recording involving dialogue, you want the dialogue to come across as naturally as possible. Gaps between speech are natural, but pauses that are too long should be cut down so that the length isn't too long and the recording is more interesting and not filled with long silences.
• ‍Audio normalisation – Normalisation adjusts the overall volume throughout the audio file. It keeps the levels consistent.
• ‍Audio equalisation – Equalisation balances different frequencies. By balancing, you create better audio clarity and a consistent sound.
• ‍Use filters and effects – Depending on the source, you only want to add effects if they fit within the recording. For instance, adding reverb to sounds within a tunnel is an effect that fits the theme. You can add filters to voices to differentiate where they are coming from. (I.E narration and thoughts).
• ‍Dissolve or fade tracks – Having separate tracks in a recording is fine, it is normal for multiple tracks to be used in a piece of media. A new sound appearing or disappearing suddenly can be quite jarring, so remember to fade them in and out as necessary.

Gain

Gain is the decibel input volume of your recording. The gain level needs to be set correctly, otherwise your audio will come across as too loud or too quiet. Recording software comes with a way to measure your gain level with a soundbar.

If your recording goes into the red, then you'll want to lower your gain. Keeping your gain levels from being too high will also keep your audio levels sounding crisp and clear.

Conclusion

Getting to grips with recording audio is a difficult task at first, but as with anything, often the hardest step is getting started. With enough practice, and a solid understanding, you'll be creating high-quality audio for your recordings in no time!

Remember, mistakes help us learn and are a part of the creation process, so don't be scared of messing up.

If you are still feeling lost and need further guidance and information, don't be afraid to reach out to us, and we'll assist you every step of the way.

TYX London Recording Studios

No matter what sort of sound recording you need, having the right environment with no background noise is key for your sound quality and for creating a product you can be proud of.

Our London recording studios provide you with everything you need, from top-quality recording equipment to a quiet space with amazing soundproofing.

If you want expert advice and want to improve your audio as best you can, then reach out to us today to find out more.