Having an audio recording is a great note-taking or archival tool for most businesses, courtrooms and medical practices—but you need to be able to hear what’s being said in the first place. If you’re working in an area with a lot of background noise, there are a few things you can do to ensure the best results from your recording and transcription machines in Seattle, WA. Some methods include the hardware, some require editing after the fact and some include temporary acoustic fixes.
Here are our best tips for getting rid of the background noise:
- Choose a microphone that blocks background sound: When purchasing professional recording equipment, make sure you look for hardware that offers noise-canceling microphones. This is the most reliable way to get rid of noisy environments. Courtrooms and busy offices are notorious for the ambient noise level, so invest in great equipment if you’re going to work in these types of environments.
- Use recording software tools to remove noise: Your professional equipment will more than likely come with recording software, which should allow you to further edit the files if necessary. Check to see if there’s a noise reduction option in the software. If so, you may want to record 10 seconds of room noise before beginning the actual recording. This helps the software determine what to remove in the editing process. Don’t have recording software? Audacity is a free tool created by experts that does feature a noise removal option.
- Try temporary acoustic treatments: If you’re in charge of your surroundings when recording, try adding a heavy rug and drapes around the room. This prevents sound from bouncing off the walls and other hard surfaces and creating a higher level of background noise. This works best for places like conference rooms.
- Position the microphone closer to the speakers: When in doubt, move the microphone closer to whomever is speaking. If they’re the loudest thing in the room, chances are, they’ll drown out the background noise. Be sure to test first if this is an important recording like a courtroom procedure.
- Try an acoustic screen: Accessories can also help reduce noise—specifically, invest in an acoustic microphone screen. It attaches to the microphone and helps shield the mic from crackles, pops and background noise.
- Seal windows and turn off unnecessary electronics: Finally, if you’re recording in your own environment, think about where the most background noise is coming from. Is it the office fridge? Are you hearing traffic and kids playing outdoors? Try unplugging unnecessary electronics like fans and other noise-generating devices. If you’re hearing noise from the outdoors, try weatherstripping, heavy drapes and other sound-blocking methods to maintain a quieter environment.
Using today’s advanced technology plus following these basic tips will help you get clear recordings even in the noisiest environment. Of course, the best thing you can do is invest in high-quality recording and transcription machines in Seattle, WA—and if you need help choosing the right kind for your needs, contact the experts at Efficiency, Inc. today.