How to Make a Superior Recording

you need 3 things to produce a great recording:

1. The Perfect Place

• find a quiet, carpeted space (avoid the echo of kitchens or empty rooms)
• turn off all background machinery and/or appliances
• unplug phones and silence pagers, computers, etc
• put a "Quiet: Recording in Progress" sign on the door

2. The Correct Set-up

• the speaker must directly face the microphone (not the interviewer!!)
• the microphone must be 10-12 inches from the speaker
• if you are recording to a computer, the microphone must be located away from the computer
• if the speaker will be reading off a page or a book, it should be laid flat on the table in front of him or her.
  (the speaker should not hold paper during the recording!)
  

3. The Right Equipment
Choose one of the following recording devices, and click below for specifications and directions.

• tape recorder
• your computer's "sound recorder"
  • PC
  • MAC