Audio Recording Tips

Online Resources Available Scan QR codes with a mobile device to view online video tutorials or PDFs. An Internet connection is required to view online content.

Audio Basics

Get Great Sound PDF

• Use the best microphone you can afford.
  Sound is critical to screen recording videos. Quite often, if the sound is bad, people will not watch the video.
• Use a USB microphone.
  USB microphones use less computer resources and record better audio than an analog microphone connected to your computer’s sound card.
• Use the Camtasia Recorder default settings for audio.
  This includes recording your system audio to a separate track (not supported on the Microsoft® Windows XP operating system).
• Practice using a microphone.
  Experiment with different volume levels and the microphone placement. Six inches from the microphone is usually good to record full tones, but not too close that other noises interfere.
• Record in a quiet location.
  Any microphone can pick up nearby noises. Most office areas have a lot of background noise that you may or may not notice.

  Take a second and listen. What do you hear?

  • Try not to record your audio in a public location.
  • Use an office or conference room away from high traffic areas.
  • Place a note on the door letting others know that you are recording.
• Do a short test recording to make sure audio is being recorded.
• Use a script.
  A script helps you produce the best audio by allowing you to avoid mistakes or saying "um" or "uh." Even if you do not want a formal presentation, an outline can help reduce some mistakes.
• Project and enunciate.
  Speak as though you are addressing a small audience in a large room.
• Monitor the audio level as you record.
  The green to yellow range indicates normal. Orange to red warns you the input is close to becoming over-modulated. Best audio quality occurs when the Audio Input meter is in the green to very light orange range.
• Use the Editor’s Audio Enhancements after you record
  Audio enhancements help you automatically improve the quality of the audio tracks by reducing noise, evening out volume levels, and eliminating white noise, as well as "um’s," and "ah’s."
• Adjust the audio volume in Editor.
  If your volume is too low or too loud, use the volume controls in Editor to adjust the audio up or down. Add audio points to enhance certain areas of the waveform.
• Background music can add a nice touch if done correctly.
  If you have background music playing on your computer while you are recording narration with a microphone, the background music appears on a separate track within Editor. Edit the background music to fit the narration using fade effects or volume adjustments.
• Record the audio and video separately.
  After you become familiar with using Camtasia Studio, try recording the screen without the audio. Within Editor, complete all of your video editing. When the video editing is finalized, add the audio using the Voice Narration option. This is the preferred process for people who routinely create screen recordings.
• Stop and listen to the sound in your recording area.
  Record your screen with audio, but don’t speak. Then, listen to the recording. You’ll be surprised how much noise is in a room. Is your chair squeaky or creaky? Is your phone ringer on? Is your keyboard loud when you type? Are there pets or kids in the background? Do you have a heating or cooling vent overhead that can be heard? Is your microphone picking up humming from your computer or other devices?
• Block the computer’s humming sound.
  Build a small box lined with foam to put your microphone in as you record, use pillows or blankets to muffle the noise, or cover your head with a blanket.