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Multimedia Resources

Recording Best Practices for the Yeti Microphone

To optimize sound quality when using the external Yeti microphone and pop filter, do a few brief test recordings to determine which of the following options work best for your purpose:
 

  • Record in MONO as opposed to STEREO (see individual software instruction tabs for information on how to change these settings)
     

  • We generally recommend that the GAIN knob on the microphone be positioned at
     

    • 9 or 10 o'clock to minimize background noise pick-up (for e.g., recording voiceover files)

    • at 12 or 2 o'clock if you need louder audio quality and find some background noise to be acceptable (most other user needs)
       

    • Note: you may wish to begin with the knob centered, and then adjust accordingly:
       

      • counterclockwise: reduce sensitivity (e.g., if a loud sound source is interfering by creating digital distortion)

      • clockwise: increase sensitivity
         

 
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  • The microphone PATTERN knob should be positioned in the third slot (looks kind of like a heart)


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  • If a recording does not seem to contain audio

    • ensure Mute is not enabled

    • ensure input and output volume is turned up above 75%

Recording with Audacity

START HERE (GoogleDoc, opens in new tab)

Additional Resources

Recording with Quicktime

1 Open QuickTime

 

2 Choose File > New Audio Recording

 

3 To change the recording settings, click the arrow next to the Record button.
Then choose your microphone and recording quality.

 

4 Click the Record button   to start recording. Click it again to stop recording. 
 

5 Choose File > Export > Audio Only

Podcast Tips & Best Practices

  • ​Use notes/an outline to keep on topic while recording (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created an excellent podcast script writing guide)
     
  • Remember to leave a few seconds of blank space at beginnings, ends, and transition points in a file
     
  • Create episode notes/show notes (e.g., This Week in Virology)
     
  • Consider adding metadata to ensure files can be found and organized by podcasting software and directories (Audacity metadata reference)

Podcast Accessibility

To ensure an audio podcast is accessible, make a transcript available for hearing-impaired audiences. 

Example: This American Life

Transcript link