Recording Space

The Space

Ideally, you would record in a sound-treated space, like the Digital Studio’s Podcasting Room, but when that is not an option, you need to be as strategic as possible about the space you choose and consider its level of reflection and ambient noise.

When I record at home I do so in my living room because it is the least reverberant place in my apartment. This is due to its size and the height of the ceiling and how well matched those aspects are with the sound-absorbing objects in the space. They include my sofa and chair, rug (which sits on top of a wood floor), and curtains, which make an even bigger difference when they are closed. The room also has a wide doorway, which allows some sound to escape. The room’s flaws can be reduced by my microphone choice and any additional sound dampening I choose to do. For example, I can reduce the sound that bounces off the wall behind my computer with things like blankets, pillows, or acoustic panels. (See at-home sound dampening tips.)

Microphone Choice

You also need to be mindful of the mic you are using and its placement. Here I have recordings done in my living room using five different mics. You will see that you can considerably improve the sound even when using basic headphones or spending $25 on a lavalier mic. There is also the option of buying a decent condenser or dynamic mic for around $80 and up.