SPOTLIGHT ON AUDIO QUALITY

If you’re using a desktop PC, you’ll have to use an external microphone. However, if you’re recording away from home, a laptop is the obvious platform. Here, the option of using the laptop’s internal microphone presents itself but our recommendation is that you don’t. Using an external microphone means that whoever’s speaking only needs a microphone in front of them, while you can operate Audacity on your PC at a convenient location.

The other advantage of using an external microphone is that, almost certainly, it’ll provide better quality audio. Now we’re getting into the question of how much to spend and, generally speaking, the more you pay the better but, for most applications, it probably doesn’t make sense to spend much more than between £5 and £10 for a desktop microphone. Desktop and handheld microphones are unidirectional, though, so if you want to record an interview, unless you and your interviewee sit side-by-side, you’ll need an omnidirectional conference microphone which will be more expensive. More expensive still are clip-on tie or lapel microphones, while cordless radio microphones are another step up in costs.

Whatever format of microphone you use, make sure it either has a USB interface or a 3.5mm mono jack plug. Lead length will also be an factor if you want to record someone speaking from the front of a meeting but, in most instances, you’d address this using an extension lead. Do keep the overall length as short as possible with analogue microphones, though.