Equipment
- If at all possible, record using an external/USB mic. Phone/laptop mics will almost always have lower quality.
- A pop filter is immensely helpful—if you don’t want to buy one, a sock over an embroidery hoop (or similar “stretched fabric over a frame” setup) between you and the mic will suffice. A face mask may also work.
- Try not to record using programs such as Zoom, Discord, Skype, etc. These programs will compress audio. One option is Audacity—a popular free, open-source audio editing/recording app.
Location
- Record in a quiet room with minimal background noise/echo. Large, empty rooms will echo; try to find a small room with carpet and furniture. An easy (if slightly undignified) way to cut down on echo is to record under a blanket.
- Close windows, avoid machinery that generates white noise (fridges, fans, etc.), tell your roommate to quiet down, etc.
Practices
- Stay about 3–5 inches away from your mic, and don’t turn/move away from the mic to prevent uneven volume levels. Mic stand is ideal if you have one.
- If you do have low level/steady background noise/static, try to record a length of “silence” with the noise in it—this will make it easier to remove in editing.
- Try not to jostle/move the mic or any connecting cables during recording—this may be picked up during recording, and is immensely difficult to remove.