Best Practices When Recording Audio for Transcription

Why Recording Quality Matters

Clean input produces better transcripts — with any service. These recording tips for transcription help you capture clear speech, reduce errors, and minimize post‑edit time. Use this guide to optimize recording for speech to text in interviews, meetings, podcasts, or field work.

1) Choose the Right Microphone

Use a headset or close‑talk dynamic mic when possible. USB mics are fine if positioned correctly. Avoid relying on laptop mics in echoey rooms.

Quiet spaces favor condensers; noisy spaces favor dynamics.
Use cardioid pickup to reject room noise.
Prefer mono capture for speech.
Stabilize the mic to avoid handling noise.
Keep 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) from your mouth, slightly off‑axis.

2) Control the Environment

Reduce reverb and background noise to improve audio quality for transcription.

Record in smaller, soft‑furnished rooms (curtains, carpets, bookshelves).
Turn off HVAC, fans, or move away from windows and traffic.
Ask participants to silence notifications and avoid table tapping.
Use separate rooms or headsets for remote guests to reduce crosstalk.

3) Set Smart Levels

Prevent clipping and keep speech consistent — a key recording tip for transcription.

Aim for peaks around -12 dBFS to -6 dBFS with average at -18 dBFS.
Enable a low‑cut/high‑pass filter (~80–120 Hz) to reduce rumble.
Disable aggressive noise gates that chop syllables; prefer gentle noise reduction post‑recording if needed.
Use a pop filter or windscreen to tame plosives.

4) Recommended Formats & Settings

For best microphone settings for transcription, choose reliable, speech‑friendly formats:

Container: WAV (uncompressed) preferred; high‑quality MP3 or M4A is acceptable.
Channels: Mono.
Sample rate: 16 kHz–48 kHz (common: 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz).
Bit depth: 16‑bit is sufficient for speech.
One speaker per mic when possible; otherwise, keep speakers close to the mic and take turns.

5) Prompt and Coach Speakers

Ask speakers to face the mic and speak at a steady pace.
Spell unusual names and acronyms on mic.
Minimize overtalk; let each person finish before the next starts.
Pause audio playback from other devices to prevent bleed.

6) Field Recording Tips

Use lav mics in windy/outdoor settings with proper wind protection.
Carry a spare battery or power bank.
Monitor with headphones; do a 10‑second test and listen back.
Capture room tone (10–20 seconds of silence) for later cleanup.

Simple Checklist

Mic: positioned 4–8 inches, pop filter on, cardioid pattern
Room: quiet, soft furnishings, phones on silent
Levels: peaks at -12 to -6 dBFS, no clipping
Format: mono WAV, 16‑bit, 44.1/48 kHz
Test: 10‑second test, headphones check

From Recording to Transcript

Once you’ve captured clean audio, upload to Safe Scriber. For video, try our secure video transcriber. For audio‑only, see MP3 to text. If you’re publishing, remember our guide on how to record clean audio transcript and use transcripts for SEO.