Hi, I'm Ned Boyle, one of the audio producers with the Center for Teaching and Learning. I'd like to take this opportunity to talk to you about one of the most essential components of your recording... your microphone - and not just any microphone but a good one that you may now have in your possession to record your presentation. This microphone is designed to make you sound substantially clearer and more listenable to your students, as opposed to the microphone that's built into your laptop. So what could possibly go wrong? How does a good mic go
bad?

Well, like a television with a poor picture that needs some sort of adjustment, so does even a good microphone require proper, and I'm happy to say, easy adjustment to take full advantage of its better performance. On your computer, a microphone is an input and all inputs have levels or that can be raised or lowered - like a television that has a brightness control. Too much brightness and the picture is washed out. Too little and the images are dark. And a microphone that is plugged into your computer, has a volume control, found in your operating system's preferences. On an Apple computer, open your system preferences and find an image of a speaker with the word, “Sound” underneath it. Once you click on that, you will see three categories at the top of the window, Sound Effects, Output and what we're looking for, Input. So go ahead and click on input. In the center of the window, you choose from a list of options - this allows you to select either your better mic or the mic that's built into the computer. Now look down toward the lower middle of the window and you'll see Input Volume with the image of a microphone on either side. Underneath that, is a meter that shows you the volume. The meter's lights will move as you speak. Move the input volume adjustment left and right and you will see the volume indicator become louder or softer as you move it. Moving the adjustment to the center is usually a safe bet. The process is very similar on Windows-based computers.

If you're being recorded remotely over Zoom, the same basic process applies. Be sure to check your Zoom audio preferences, found in the dropdown menu on the upper left -hand side of your screen, and be sure your better mic is selected as the input.

Also, think about taking full advantage of a good mic by pointing it directly at you - as well as remaining a consistent distance away from it as you speak- preferably about 12 inches or so in front of you. If you work in a large and more cavernous room, you may want to move in just a bit closer to the microphone.

There may also be a switch on the microphone itself that adjusts the pick-up pattern. One of those patterns may result in better sound. Your Audio Producer may have you toggle between the settings prior to the recording, just to maximize the mic's capabilities.

A good microphone will better represent the hard work you've put into your presentation and reduce listener fatigue.

Thanks for listening and look we forward to working with you to make your recording everything you hoped it would be.