In this post  we can look at the techniques and “best practice” involved in audio recording.

Technique:

• Use short blurbs/bullets to prepare what you’re going to say in writing. Writing out whole sentences and reciting them causes a loss of conversational tone, resulting in a boring monotone. Not writing it out at all results in long pauses while you figure out what to say, and re-work when you have to go back and include something you forgot.

• If you are using a printed script, arrange it so that when you turn the page it is away from the microphone.

• Take your time when talking and err on the side of over-pronunciation. We cannot emphasize enough how important it is to speak slowly. It may feel unnatural to you, but your audience (especially those accustomed to a language/accent other than yours) will appreciate this.

• Don’t try to record in an unnaturally loud or quiet tone. This takes a lot of practice to maintain over a long recording session–adjust the microphone sensitivity instead.

• If you make a mistake, restart from the beginning of a sentence and leave a few seconds of empty recorded space before you begin again. it is easier to edit out long pauses then remove individual words in a sentence. It is also easy to edit out words (such as expletives) we often engage in after we catch ourselves making a mistake. Pause, allow a few seconds of time to pass and begin the sentence again.

• Leave a few seconds before you start a new section of content as well as between topics. This is easy to edit out in post-production, and it makes it easier when re-recording to splice in the new audio.

• Use the pause button to eliminate noise that doesn’t belong on the recording, to take a few seconds to gather your thoughts, or to say a phrase a few times in order to untie your tongue.

• Try to avoid using filler words like “um” and “ah” (use the pause button instead to figure out exactly what you want to say and how you would like to say it).

• Always have a glass of water sitting next to you while you record. Speaking dries out your mouth quite a bit, and most beverages (soda, coffee, milk) have side effects that can interfere with enunciation.

• If recording over multiple days, try to record at the same time of day if possible. Voice quality changes markedly between morning and night.

We are aware of growing anecdotal evidence of people using podcasts as their preferred method of personal professional development for example. (Click here to see the results of our own survey)

They listen on the train, in the air and, probably most regularly, in the car when reading stuff is not an option.

The Audio Pixie was set up to record podcasts specifically for the corporate world where we can use our expertise to react fast to an organisation’s needs and at a level of quality not achievable in the DIY set ups.

Our aim is to support you in your continuous drive towards business improvement by helping to improve your internal and external communications using podcasting technology.

So what is podcasting?

Podcasting is not the same as broadcasting. It is far more focused and targeted at a specific group of listeners. This means you could use podcasting to deliver a highly focused message to a well targeted group of people.

For example, a sales director or manager might record the monthly briefing. This may only be targeted towards his sales team (although he may well choose to send a copy to the marketing and operations teams so they know what is going on as well) and will contain information specifically of value to them. This maybe about last month’s performance or this months priorities or a blend of both.

Generally podcasts are short sharp and to the point. For example the BBC use them to create a “best bits” for a particular show. Other organisations use them for quick (5-10 minute) message hits.

Why use podcasts?

For many years we have communicated using verbal briefings in groups with supporting paper copy.Then we used e-mail (which a lot of people seemed to prefer to print off) but which in any case ended up in their in-box or on their desks marked with a “promise to read later”.

AND if, as I do, you ask people in organisations what is the one thing that doesn’t get done very well, they will usually include poor communication as their number one or two.

So why are podcasts any different?

The best bit about a podcast is that your audience can choose when to listen. This means that when they listen it’s because they want to not when they have been forced to at a time that may not be convenient.

And we know that relaxed receptive listening leads to greater retention of information so your message will stick for longer.

How do we do podcasts?

There are several ways of doing this but they all start with you being clear about your message. You could write a script but it’s usually better just to list the key bullet points and then speak naturally about them. We sometimes use an interviewer: by asking the right questions we make sure the answers reveal the information you want to get across.

This is then recorded onto a laptop or PC.

We then edit the recording, removing any background noises or “urms” and “errs” that have found their way into the recording (We all do it.) We will also close up any gaps that have appeared while you were thinking about your next sentence to make the recording sound sharp and punchy.

Finally we make a copy of the recording in a format that is recognised by all the various players.

Of course, you could do all of this yourself and there are posts on this site that will help you. We firmly believe that this technology can help organisations to communicate better with their people – and that makes for better organisations.

I have actually split her original piece into two separate posts. This one is all about the technical aspects of audio recording. The next one will be her thoughts around the techniques of audio recording.

I hope you enjoy them.

Technical:

• Test record a section of content to set the sensitivity of your microphone. Most of us talk more loudly or quietly during an artificial sound check, so just pretend you’re recording the actual content. During the sound test, check for background noise.

• Make sure that your machine is actually recording. Do a few very short takes and listen to them before doing a long take.

• Check your recording periodically (about as often as you save a typed document). Watch the recording volume meter–a flat line indicates your audio is not recording.

• Try to record in smaller sections then edit together later. This prevents the loss of large amounts of recorded content if something goes wrong.

• Keeping a constant distance between your mouth and the microphone is extremely important to overall audio quality. Use a body-mounted microphone where possible, preferably the kind attached to headphones. One of the biggest detractors from audio quality is people’s habit of sitting back from the microphone at the ends of sentences, and if the microphone is attached to your head (or your shirt) then it won’t affect sound quality.

• Use a microphone with a foam cover (it looks like a small sponge over your mic, usually black or grey) to help prevent Ps and Ts from sounding explosive. Also try to control your sibilants if possible (in other words, minimize the hiss in your words–the foam also helps with this).

The survey is still live so if any of you want to invite other people in your network to take part, that would be fab. Here is a link.

And here is a summary of the results.

1 In the last 6 months have you or your organisation used audio recordings (for example podcasts) to spread a message through the business?

Yes: 28.0%

No: 72.0%

2 If you answered yes, what was the subject matter and how was it done?

• Team updates,
• Innovation challenge,
• Business updates,
• Planning committees and other meetings are podcast,
• Testimonial by client,
• Project management topic for the ProjectLeadershipPodcast.com.
• Internal news letter on line,
• Product Demo

3 Did you do this in-house or did you call in some outside help?

• In house: 71%,
• Got some help:  14%,
• Both: 14%.

4 And whose was the voice on the recording?

• Someone from inside the company: 88%
• Someone from outside the company: 12%
• Didn’t recognise the voice:

5 How did you spread the message?

• Internal intranet: 25%
• E-mail: 12%
• Link to internet (eg –YouTube): 25%
• Other social media (Twitter, FaceBook…) : 37.5%

Which sites?

These varied hugely depending on the type and style of the communication. Most popular were Twitter and FaceBook but LinkedIn was also used.

6 Have you used audio recording as part of a training programme?

Yes: 39.1%

No: 60.9

7 If yes, how did you use audio in the training programme?

Here are some of our favourites:

• A speech recorded on MP3 used for Listening Skills module
• Vodcasts,
• Instructions, challenges etc…..
• Part of an exercise,
• Customer scenarios,
• Concert review,
• Example telephone conversation for compliance supervision,
• To listen to calls & coaching sessions,
• Incentive/ follow up

8 How did you spread the programme into the organisation?

• Internal intranet: 71.4%
• E-Mail 0.0%
• Link to internet (for example Youtube) 0.0%
• External host 28.6%
• Other social media (Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin) 0.0%

9 Do you think using audio (or even video) recording will be important for you or your organisation in the future?

Yes: 76.0%

No:  24.0%

This is very interesting because 72% have not used audio for internal comms and 61% have not used it for training, 76% of you think audio will be important in the future.

Looks like we set The Audio Pixie up just in time!

Thanks again to those of you that took part.

And, if you signed up for the free tutorials we will have the next one out soon. (If you didn’t, you could sign up here)

All the best,

Paul

Creating a podcast from scratch can sound daunting but with some basic starter kit and a bit of know-how it can be done.

One of THE most important elements in getting a good podcast is the microphone you use. We will be offering words of wisdom on this in later posts but as a simple rule of thumb you should get the best you can afford.

Next you will need a PC or a laptop (we use both) or an Apple computer.

In this YouTube tip from Tinketnut.com you will learn pretty much all you need to know to get started. It’s only about 3 minutes long and give some really good tips for the software to use as well.

I hope it helps.

If you would like any more advice, use the contact us form on theaudiopixie.com website.

Cheers for now,

Paul