Recording a professional-sounding album and making videos are very easy nowadays. There are a lot of free and affordable resources available on the Internet. However, you have to start slow, evaluate things very carefully, and set up a reasonable budget. Do not go overboard. This is what you need:
Basic requirements
1) Professional microphone
Don’t be scared by the adjective “professional”. They are getting very cheap, nowadays. You will find good advice here. For example, the Q1U – Dynamic USB Microphone is affordable and offers very good value for the money. As a USB microphone, it does not require any pre-amp and is plugged directly in the computer.
2) Pop filter
When reciting poetry, people tend to stress some words more than others. Sometimes, it creates pop sounds or sibilance. A pop filter avoids those annoying sounds and will save you time when it is time to edit audio. A regular pop filter costs about 20 dollars; or you can make it yourself…
3) Audio editing software
This essential tool will help you make your recording sound professional. The best ones areAudacity, WavePad Sound Editor and Sound Forge.
Audacity and Wave Pad are free and used by many spoken word artists. Audacity is fairly simple and offers neat options. Wave Pad is a little more limited, except if you buy the master version. Sound Forge costs about 300 dollars, but it is 300 dollars well spent. This excellent software is used by most professionals.
Recording your music/poems
Time to start working! If you cannot secure a very quiet room where to work, here are a couple of tricks:
- Put towels under the door to prevent air from coming in and out. It will reduce background noise.
- Create a screen behind you, using a towel or curtains.
Attach the pop filter to your microphone stand, plug in your microphone and check your computer settings. In the Control Panel, look for the SOUND section. Check your recording settings and set the levels at about 70%. Never record at 100 percent or the sound will be distorted. Open your audio editing software and start recording. When you are satisfied with your recording, it is time to edit it. Here is one way to do it.
a) Pops and hisses removal
b) Noise reduction
c) Noise gate, should there be some background noise left
d) Equalization (optional)
e) Reverb effect, to add more “room” to the voice
f) Miscellaneous effects, such as “echo” or “chorus”
Then, save your file in WAV format (uncompressed). Avoid working on an MP3 file, unless you really have to. MP3 is compressed format and every editing may ruin the final version.
Now, you can add sound effects and / or music. When you are happy with the result, save your file in WAV format; then convert it into an MP3. Sound Forge will let you do it very easily. Audacity requires that you download a special application. However, if you want to convert several files at the same time, Switch Sound File Converter will do the trick. Conversion should be at least 192kbps. Higher kbps mean bigger files and better quality.
If you want to create videos, Windows Movie Maker is the way to go. It is included on your computer, so look for it.
Now, if you want to add sound effects and music, there are tons of free resources on the Internet. Always ask permission before downlading anything.
GREAT article. These are basic common mistakes that could cost someone a job.
Great post, and a good reason why people cannot depend entirely on their “spill chucker.”
Thank you both! I trained enough professionals to have a say on the topic. And as a professional translator, typos could cost me my clients.
. . . and don’t forget the all-time classic Type-OH’s:
“were there any doughts”
“knowlage is powur”
“waching jepardy makes me feel smarter”
“finished rapping gifts last night”
“never ly to me! i see rite threw you”
“jst got mum to proof reada my annalyticol esssay, first thing she sais. who did you copy off. Do i realy come of that stupd?”
Indeed, there are as many typos as words in a dictionary. lol
I think I should write a book on them, it would be funny!
It would be funny, and you might be able to donate some of the income to a great charity: The International Society of Former Poofreaders.
What a good idea! LOL
Good stuff, I’ll share on the Project DGTS FB page.
Thank you, Khadija!
Good to see that some people really write good content nowadays. Offtopic: I don’t know why but i’m having javascript errors viewing your website on Internet Explorer.. can you check it please? Best Regards
Hello Paul, thank you for your feedback.
I checked for javascript issues, but none on my end. Just remember that IE is not a very good browser. I advise you to go for Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or even Safari.