There is one very simple way to take your elearning module to the next level. Recording.
Recording almost like a pro means, several things:
– the right voice
– no noise
– the right pace
For the right pace, there is a lot to say but that is not the topic today. What I want is to give you a couple of tips you will find useful to create quality recording on the cheap.
– the right voice
Some people say I sound very well when I record myself. Truthfully I started to think so when people said it. I would have never started recording myself if nobody else would think my voice is good for recording.
I think most people can record themselve. I don’t think there is a bad voice and a good voice. It’s a matter of how you articulate, the noise, the technique. Not the texture of the voice. So if you sound like a screeching bird, keep faith, there is hope!
– no noise
That’s where there is usually room for improvment.
First, you really need a good microphone. I bought a Samson Meteor mic. It’s awesome. I just have one problem with it, the first time I showed it to my colleagues, they were wondering what I was doing with a dildo…
The sound of this mic is just fantastic and it costed me 100 euros.
http://www.samsontech.com/samson/products/microphones/usb-microphones/meteormic/
When you are recording yourself you may have to hit the keyboard, if you do a screencast, you may have to click, etc. These little noise can be captured by the mic and it may even be necessary to give a sense of reality to your performance, but it can also create loud banging noise every time you hit a key.
So here a little piece of advise. Find another table and put the mic there. Or find something like a laptop pouch, a backpack, whatever soft and big you may have and put the mic on it.
That’s my setup and it works. You can also put a pullover under, a coat or whatever you have close by.
Also make sure the CPU fan is not blowing directly towards the mic. That would mean more noise to get rid off in post production.
– Microphone orientation
One of the most annoying thing in amateur audio recording is Ps and Bs popping. Some people will sell you expensive screens to prevent them Some other people will teach how to make one yourself. But the true real way to get rid of them without investing anything is to setup your mic properly.
Just make it point upwards and don’t speak directly towards it. Direct your speech slightly to the side of it. that way you will not create bursts of air