How to create an effective audio recording.

"You can't create a miracle if it's just not recorded well." 

Dr. Youngblood's words couldn't be any truer when making an audio recording. While some of these tips may seem like common sense to people experienced in the world digital media for us beginners they can be useful facts.

Here are some of the top things to keep in mind during the actual recording:

1. Make sure your recording is clear. 

Enunciate all your words and speak slowly. Being familiar with your material will help you do this more easily. Underline words you want to emphasis. Sometimes when recording the narrator will speak to quickly and run words together. On a recording the clarity of your words becomes even more important because the listener only has your voice to listen to and nothing to see.

2. Sound natural


While enunciation and pronouncing words is essential, you can always have to much of a good thing. Over pronouncing words makes your voice seem robotic and emotionless. The listener won't want to hear something that doesn't sound comfortable or natural to them.

3. Do not read!


Nothing is worse than listening to someone read off a paper. Just like how a speaker will look up from their paper and make eye contact with their audience you need to make contact through your words. Try to make it sound conversational. Including pauses can make this happen. Marking out pauses on your script can make this easier to be able to visually see the break. Also do not forget to take breathes in between sentences. No one likes to here someone gasping for air noisily.

4. Practice makes perfect

The best thing you can do to create an effective audio recording is to practice your script. The more familiar you are with what you have to say the more comfortable you will sound saying it. Because it is a recording it should sound PERFECT. While this does seem like a daunting task its important since you have unlimited chances to do it over. There is no excuse for mistakes in a edited and rehearsed recording.

Editing:


Because getting the perfect recording in one try can be nearly impossible editing software is needed to make it as great as it can possibly be. But you don't have to be an expert or spend a lot of money on sophisticated software. Free programs like audacity work great for the average person.

Get the free download for audacity here.