AUDIO RECORDING GUIDE

TUTORIAL & TECH GUIDE

Achieving a professional audio recording doesn't require an expensive studio, but rather control of the environment and appropriate settings. Follow these steps strictly for any vocal project.

GOLDEN RULE: THE TARGET FORMAT

WAV | 24 bits | 48 kHz | Mono

Step 1: Mastering Acoustics (The "Pillow Fort")

Your worst enemy isn't your microphone, but the echo produced by walls. A strictly "dry" sound is essential for professional narration.

The Closet Trick: If possible, record in a walk-in closet full of clothes. Fabrics absorb sound remarkably well.
Soften Hard Surfaces: At a desk, hang a thick duvet or blanket behind you and on the wall facing you.
Treat Corners: Place pillows in the corners of the room to trap bass frequencies.
Absolute Silence: Turn off fans, AC, and noisy computers. Close windows. The room must be perfectly silent.

Step 2: Microphone Settings & Placement

Stability and distance are essential for consistent vocal presence.

Stand & Isolation

Never hold the mic by hand. Use a desk stand or tripod. Isolate the stand by placing it on a book or mouse pad to cut desk vibrations.

Pop Filter (MANDATORY)

Essential to avoid "plosives" (P and B). Place it 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) from the mic. Then speak 6-8 inches (15-20 cm) from the filter.

Pro Tip: Angle the mic slightly off-axis (towards the corner of the mouth) to mitigate aggressive "Sss" sounds and mouth noises.

Step 3: Software & Hardware Configuration

Option A: Software (Audacity, Reaper, GarageBand)

Sample Rate: 48,000 Hz (48 kHz)
Resolution: 24 bits (Sample Format)
Channels: Mono (1 channel)
Levels (Gain): Aim for peaks between -12 dB and -6 dB.
Buffer Size: Reduce to 128 or 256 if you hear delay/latency.

Option B: Portable Recorders (Zoom, Tascam)

Trap Alert: Absolutely disable "Auto Gain" (AGC) or the "Limiter". This crushes dynamics and raises the noise floor.

Avoid: MP3 format.
Select: WAV (or PCM) in 48 kHz / 24 bits.
Do not place the recorder on the same table as your computer (hard drive/fan noise).

Step 4: Recording Discipline

Consistency: Do not move your head. Keep a constant distance from the mic.
Hydration: Drink room temperature water. Avoid sugar and dairy products (they create mouth noises).
The CLAP Method: If you stumble, don't cut. Clap your hands loudly, wait 2 seconds, and restart the sentence. This visual spike will make editing much easier.
Room Tone: Record 30 seconds of pure silence at the end. It is vital for cleaning background noise properly.

Step 5: Export (No Effects!)

STOP ! Do not apply any effects.

No noise reduction, no normalization, no EQ. Send me the RAW audio to get the best possible result.

Checklist before sending:

Is the file in WAV 24 bits / 48 kHz?
Is room echo minimal?
Is the sound free of saturation (no clipping/red)?

Step 6: Sending Files

WAV files are heavy. Use these services to send them to me:

WeTransfer: Ideal and free. No account needed.
Google Drive: Right click > Share. (Warning: Set access to "Anyone with the link").
Dropbox: Create a share link.

Tip: If you have multiple chapters, compress them into a single ZIP folder.

RECORDING DONE?

It needs to be cleaned (breath, mouth noise, echo) and standardized (ACX/Audible) now.

AUDIOBOOK CLEANING

STILL HESITATING?

Send me a sample of your raw recording for a free diagnosis before recording everything.

CONTACT & DIAGNOSIS