Would you like to make a few promotional recordings for you website or maybe you want to send an audio message that needs to be impressive, but you don’t have a budget for expensive equipment? Here are some tips for the best possible quality… using what you have.
OK, you have your script ready for recording your daily affirmations… 😉 or whatever!
What to use…
If you already have a microphone to use with your computer, use that. If not, get a good microphone. One that you can clip to your head is good so that you don’t have to worry about being directly in front of it all the time.
In Windows XP, you can find Sound Recorder in this path: Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Sound Recorder. I seem to recall this program being in earlier versions of Windows, too. This program does have a 60 second recording limit, but here is a really good explanation of how to get around it. Vista’s Sound Recorder supports unlimited record times.
You should do a sample recording to check for background noise and static. If you have too much, you may need to get a recording/editing program. Audacity is a popular freeware program that is powerful and easy-to-use. It’s available for Mac, Linux PC, or Windows PC.
If you want background music, it’s best to mix that in later.
Are you ready to record? Great! Let’s get started…
I found a nice 2-minute vocal warm up here. Don’t be shy! It’s really kind of fun anyway.
Be as natural as possible. One of the worst things you can do is to sound like you’re reading! Imagine you are speaking for only one person driving home from work and tell your story to him or her. If you think it might help, have someone sit with you while you’re recording.
Make sure the microphone isn’t too close to your mouth or you’ll be popping your p’s and b’s.
Use your normal voice and try to smile.
If you make a mistake, you don’t have to stop the recording and start all over again. Just pick up where you made the mistake and edit it out later.
When you’re finished recording don’t forget to save the file! If you used Sound Recorder as mentioned above it will be saved as a .wav and will be a pretty big file. Converting it to MP3 will condense it and allow you to share it or post it on your site faster.
Voila! Hope you have tons of fun with your recording.
Cheers!
P.S. If you have any tips to add, please don’t hesitate.
Sounds great! Your blog is one of my most favorite now ;). You have hit the nail on the head, just like you always do.
Thank you! Hope you come back soon. 🙂