When you’re recording audio to be used in a professional setting, it’s important that it’s clear and as high quality as possible. Today’s digital recorders and transcription software are advanced, but it’s still possible to get unusable recordings if you don’t take enough care. As trusted law enforcement dictation equipment suppliers in Seattle, WA, here are our foolproof suggestions for recording high-quality audio:
- Invest in the best microphone possible: Good recordings come from investing in high-quality equipment. When you’re shopping for a professional recorder, look for a model that will work with your recording needs. For example, if your recordings primarily consist of one person speaking, you’ll probably need a unidirectional microphone. These types of microphones record sound coming from one direction. Omnidirectional microphones record sound from all directions, which is useful for recording conversations, conferences and other proceedings where more than one person is speaking. Some recorders have settings where you can toggle between the microphone types.
- Record in a consistent, quiet environment: The best way to get consistent results is to record in the same environment every time. Even if you can’t get perfect results or get rid of all the unwanted sounds, this will help if you need to do retakes. Find the settings that work for you, and use the same ones every time. Obviously, this won’t be possible for every profession or proceeding, but it makes a big difference when you need to edit your audio files together.
- Get rid of ambient noise: Depending on where you record, you’re probably not going to be able to get rid of all the ambient noise—but you can at least get rid of some of it. Close the doors and unplug everything that makes noise, such as computers, refrigerators, fans and heaters. While they don’t make a lot of noise, it will definitely come through in the recording. Also, make sure to shut the door to the room (when possible) and put up a sign to let people know you’re recording. This should take care of the majority of the ambient noise.
- Improve your acoustics: Finally, you can improve your room’s acoustics. Hanging fabrics on walls will “dampen” the sound, muffling small noises that will interfere with your recording. You can also buy a portable sound booth to house your microphone—they typically run about $40, and will help ensure you get clear, crisp and high-quality audio recordings.
Following these tips will help cut down on distracting noise and make your recordings sound a lot better. Of course, nothing is perfect—sometimes you won’t be able to avoid the sounds of a busy office or loud computer fan. However, the more extra noise you can avoid, the better.
For help finding the right high-quality audio recorder, call the trusted law enforcement dictation equipment suppliers in Seattle, WA at Efficiency, Inc. We offer a selection of recording equipment suitable for every profession, and will be happy to teach you how to get the most out of your machine.