Tips to improve your audio quality

In this guide, I'm going to share some tips to enhance your audio quality. First and foremost, invest in making your space audio-friendly. In the main course, we've addressed how to achieve this by hanging blankets and positioning the microphone as close to your face as possible. For example, my microphone is always right there, easily accessible — the closer, the better. Investing in a good microphone is critical, and it's advisable to record when external noise is minimized. Implement these strategies, as they are crucial for achieving top-notch audio.

Improving audio during editing

Once you've recorded your footage, there are additional tweaks you can make to improve audio quality. If your audio happens to be low, which I've experienced when I've accidentally turned down my microphone, or if there's background room noise, like air conditioning, making small tweaks during the editing process can help. But remember, it's imperative to start with strong audio for optimal results.

Detach and edit audio

One helpful feature in editing software is the ability to detach audio. This means you can separate the audio track from the video, giving you more flexibility. This is particularly useful if you need to cut out specific sounds like a cough, a sneeze, or ambient noise such as sirens without affecting the video portion. By detaching the audio, you can precisely edit small sections.

Transition techniques

When transitioning between audio clips or from full-screen to talking-head segments, audio might have stutters or jitters. A trick to smooth these transitions is to use crossfades. Crossfading helps in blending the audio of adjacent clips, creating a seamless auditory experience without altering the video.

Adjusting audio properties

With the properties panel in your software, you have several options to fine-tune your audio. A starting recommendation is to use the 'remove background noise' feature. However, proceed with caution as excessive use can lead to a muffled sound. A setting of 10–15% often provides a good balance.

Monitoring and volume adjustments

It's essential to monitor your audio levels to ensure consistency. Occasionally, the microphone might be too quiet, or settings could have been wrongly adjusted, necessitating volume boosts. You can raise the volume to achieve the right mix without causing audio clipping, known as peaking.

Utilizing presets

Presets in your software can simplify the editing process. For example, my 'remove background 15' preset keeps background noise to a minimum while maintaining audio quality. In situations where the microphone was unintentionally quiet, presets like 'louder BG' can further adjust settings effectively.

Challenges with audio features

I advise caution with the 'smooth volume levels' feature. My experience indicates it often results in undesirable audio effects, such as abrupt volume changes at the end or start of clips. Therefore, I recommend manually adjusting volume levels combined with the background noise removal for optimal results.

Achieving professional audio quality

Ultimately, although I'm not an audio engineer, my recommendations stem from practical experience. The key to good audio is investing considerable effort in optimizing your recording environment, choosing a quality microphone, and making minor post-recording adjustments. With these strategies, you can attain high-quality audio for your screencasts.