How to improve audio quality of a recording
Whether you’re a creator submitting an audio or video audition or an influencer creating marketing posts – you’re likely keen to learn how to improve audio quality of a recording. Here’s a breakdown of practical steps to improving audio quality.
Recorded audio has been around since the 1800s with sound inventions like the phonautograph and phonograph. Almost two centuries later, however, audio device size and quality have changed. Today, even a smartwatch as small as a coin has built-in recording functions. Even so, the concept of recordings remains the same – to produce top-notch audio. So, regardless of industry or device, content creators need to know how to produce high-quality audio.
What is audio quality?
Audio quality is an umbrella term that encompasses pitch, volume, accuracy, and the intelligibility of an audio recording. It’s essentially how the human ear distinguishes various aspects of sound, so it’s not, I can hear, or I can’t hear, but how the audio sounds. Since most industries prioritize audio content, those recordings can’t have background noise and/or intermittent vocals if they want to grab and hold an audience’s attention.
Consequently, the difference between good and bad audio quality is that good quality is recorded in an environment with the right equipment conducive to intelligible and clear audio. Bad audio quality is like a recording done through your phone’s camera mic without a proper recording environment. The listener would hear what sounds like a person mumbling in a cave, standing next to a rushing waterfall. So, recording high-quality audio enhances content and brings its value center stage for the audience.
The importance of recording high-quality audio
Good audio quality is essential because the listener:
- Must hear and understand the content without background and noise disruptions
- Will judge the audio quality for professionalism.
Imagine you’re in a live recording session but didn’t shut the door, so your dog runs into your booth barking into your recording. Or, there’s a tree branch you forgot to trim rapping against the window every 10 seconds.
As funny as this may play out in a movie, it’s less funny when it affects your job contracts. Though these sounds are a part of everyday life, they can reduce recording quality, making the sound appear unprofessional – alienating potential clients instead of encouraging them to book you again.
3 steps to quickly improve your audio quality
- Create your space: The best way to suppress unwanted noise is to use a proper recording studio; this could be a soundproof room or even a DIY closet.
- Get the right equipment: You don’t need to invest in expensive equipment. You can use second-hand or refurbished options, rent or borrow, and opt for mid-level quality items over ‘This is what everyone uses’ because microphones are never one size fits all.
- Audio editing software: You can use free downloadable software like Audacity or Audio Cutter to cut plosives, sibilance, and unwanted noise.
Improving audio quality in a digital era
Digital technologies now make it easier to ensure better audio quality. Actors, social media influencers, video producers, and voice actors, to name a few, have audio or video recordings as the foundation of their work. So it’s common for them to utilize these methods to improve audio quality:
- A social media influencer can edit a recipe video with audio software to ensure the ingredient names and cooking methods are audible and clear.
- A voice actor submitting an audition can use a pop filter to eliminate plosives from the audio.
- To create vocal and musical clarity, a video producer can use software and special equipment to maintain certain decibel levels during production.
Auditions, videos, reels, and portfolios are necessary for the audio and video industry because they represent a person’s work skills and personal characteristics, much like a resume or cover letter. So good audio quality affects job hiring, sponsorships, endorsements, and followers.
Think of it this way: As a social media influencer, your content is entertaining, but it has yet to bring you any new followers. Or you submitted some of your best voice over performances, but you haven’t booked any jobs. Since poor audio quality can be a deal breaker, this aspect needs the most attention. Like an expensive gift wrapped in a greasy newspaper has no physical appeal, audio with poor quality can overshadow great content by creating a less-than-appealing appearance.
If you’re happy with your video content or voice over performance but not the sound quality, you can use audio editing software to improve your sound quality instead of re-recording.
How to improve sound quality as a voice actor
In our VO guide, we built a comprehensive section to help you with 3 fundamental elements needed to set up a home recording studio; the right equipment, a good microphone, and making your voice sound better in a recording.
a) As a chef needs specific equipment to produce tasty dishes, the right voice over equipment helps a VA create high-quality audio using features like an audio interface and a computer that can handle your DAW without overheating.
b) The microphone is a voice actor’s primary recording tool, so our brief guide to microphones is like a mini mic buffet that breaks down the different microphones, prices, and uses to suit all project types.
c) Learn helpful post-production tips and tricks to make your voice sound better. How to avoid or eliminate mouth clicks, plosives, sibilance, breathing noises, and background noise.
Improve your audio quality with Voice123
To help you improve your audio quality – we’ve set up a Sound Check service with specialist sound engineers.
Now, you can benefit from their expert ears and advice as they assess your audio profile, troubleshoot issues, and provide a technical, detailed report of best practices.
This will help you improve your sound quality and optimize your work opportunities.
Get started today!
- Request a free profile assessment – our team will advise how the Sound Check service can help you.
- Complete the payment and receive a full technical report within a week detailing specific audio areas for improvement.
- Take the necessary corrective steps and start producing high-quality deliverables.
“The Sound Check service was much more than I expected! Having Voice123 review my submitted auditions helped draw my attention to things I did not hear on my own. Within the first week, I received 2 likes from 12 submitted auditions, and I climbed into the top 20% within a month! I plan to use this service again as a benchmark for my progress and implement the feedback for future growth and development.” Jessica W – Voice123 profile / Instagram
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