/
Tips for Recording Audio

Tips for Recording Audio

Description: Audio recordings can be linked in Moodle, then downloaded and listened to at the convenience of the audience.

Best Practices:

  • Limit audio recordings to 30 minutes
  • Segment lengthy topics sub-points to record separately
  • Write a script for prepared content
  • Determine key points; deliver them succinctly and concisely
  • Extend longevity for lecture content intended for reuse by avoiding: references to current events, dates, page numbers, the weather, etc.

Examples of Use:

  • Course lecture content
  • Narrate Slides (e.g., PowerPoint or Keynote)
  • Guest Speakers
  • Interviews
  • Discussions
  • Weekly communication
  • Summaries of forums, assignments, blog posts, wikis, etc.
  • Audio contributions to assignments or forums by students

Apps:

Microphones

  • Use an external USB microphone to record on a computer, when possible
    • e.g., Blue Snowball Mic available for checkout from the BU library
    • a microphone on a headset (even earbuds) is better than the internal mic on a computer
  • Use an audio recording app to record on a smartphone (e.g., Voice Memo on iOS, Recorder App on Android)
    • The microphone on a smartphone is better than the internal mic on a computer
    • a  microphone on a headset (even earbuds) will improve the sound quality
    • an external mic can be purchased for a smartphone, which will improve the sound quality

Locations:

Recording Tips

  • Drink water before recording to avoid mouth noises
  • Silence all devices
  • Keep microphone a few inches away from mouth
  • Make sure audio quality and levels are good by recording a quick test and listening back to it through headphones

Tips for Recording From Home:

  • Find a quiet room to record in
  • Record during a quiet time of the day or night
  • Avoid other voices, traffic noises, barking dogs, kitchen noises, etc.
  • Mute phones and other devices with alarms or audible signals
  • Select a room that has a significant amount of "softness" which will reduce echos. This includes items like:
    • carpeting
    • drapes
    • furniture upholstered with fabric
    • bedding
    • clothing
    • pillows

How to do it yourself:

Step One

  • Write an outline or script
  • Record a short segment and play it back to check the sound quality
  • Record yourself
  • Save your file as an .mp3, .m4a, or .wav

Step Two

  • Choose Your Deployment Method - place in Moodle (audio files that are less than 50MB), or share via Google Drive (audio files greater than the 50MB Moodle file limit).

Related content

Tips for Recording Narrated Slides
Tips for Recording Narrated Slides
More like this
Tips for Recording Screen Capture
Tips for Recording Screen Capture
More like this
Media Standards for Audio and Video Course Content
Media Standards for Audio and Video Course Content
More like this
Considerations for Course Videos
Considerations for Course Videos
More like this
Using Google Meet
Using Google Meet
More like this