Reading & Writing
As I continue my second week learning about audio design, I’ve become much more familiar with the production and post-production process. This week’s readings helped deepen that understanding and gave me new insights into how sound shapes the overall listening experience.
More importantly, I learned how to make my own audio projects sound a lot less like an echoey hot mess. In other words, it’s easy to grab my iPhone and start voice recording wherever I am, but that’s not going to give me the clean, high-quality sound I’m aiming for.
In podcasting, the audio has to carry everything; there’s no video to distract listeners from all the little creaks and cracks.
Lucky for me, and maybe for some of you who are looking to make audio content, there are some great ways to get your sound polished and professional. The best part is, it doesn’t have to be recorded in some fancy tech studio.
7 Secrets of Getting Pro-Sounding Vocals on Home Recordings
The article “7 Secrets of Getting Pro-Sounding Vocals on Home Recordings,” by Filippo Gaetani, shares some helpful tips on how to make your vocals sound studio-quality, even when you’re recording at home.
One of the main takeaways I had from the article is that a good recording starts before you even hit the record button. Things like choosing the right space, paying attention to background noise, and using a pop filter can make a huge difference. Everything you might not think about during pre-production becomes a lot more noticeable once you listen back to the audio.
I learned this the hard way last week, after recording audio with my loud air conditioner buzzing in the background the whole time. It wasn’t until post-production that I realized how distracting it was and how hard it was to fix afterward. You live and you learn!
The article also talks about how small adjustments, like standing at the right distance from your mic or controlling the room’s echo, can instantly make your vocals sound more professional. Even tiny changes, like angling the mic slightly or adding a blanket to soften hard surfaces, can make a big difference in a recording setup. These are the kinds of details that might seem minor at first, but they really add up and could make your audio go from messy to something people actually want to listen to.
Sound Advice: Editing Audio for Video
The article “Sound Advice: Editing Audio for Video,” by Videomaker, emphasizes that sound should come first, even when you’re working with video. Too often, editors treat audio like something that just “goes along” with the visuals, but starting with strong audio can make the entire project feel more professional.
It also breaks down the difference between A‑roll and B‑roll audio. A‑roll, or primary footage, needs careful recording with good microphones and monitoring. B‑roll audio should not be ignored either, especially because sloppy sound anywhere can hurt the overall quality.
One of the main takeaways is that editing the audio track first before cutting visuals can create a smoother, more cohesive final product. The article covers practical techniques such as trimming clips with extra frames, overlapping audio to make transitions smoother, and using equalizers or compressors to balance the sound across clips.
This is definitely going to help me, especially in the upcoming weeks when I start adding in video content as well!
Research to Inform
There are so many great examples of video content that use audio in powerful ways. The ones I chose really show how sound can enhance the visuals and make the overall experience even better. Good audio has a way of taking something that’s already great and making it feel next level.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQZEoZ4W0ac
- Nothing Beats a Jet2holiday TV Advertisement
- This is one of the best examples of content that becomes even better when audio is added. The visuals alone already give off a sense of excitement and relaxation, but once that signature soundtrack kicks in, everything instantly feels elevated. The upbeat music and perfectly timed shots of beaches and families in the sun make you feel like you are already on vacation. The song has become so recognizable that just hearing the first few notes can make people picture the red Jet2 logo and imagine packing their bags. At this point, the ad has even taken on a life of its own online, turning into a meme because of how catchy and over-the-top the song feels. It is a perfect example of how powerful and memorable the right audio can be in shaping emotion, building identity, and even inspiring internet culture.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFS5vxYlfY8&t=159s
- The link above is to a YouTube series titled Chicken Shop Date, the episode is titled “ANDREW GARFIELD”
- Chicken Shop Date is an online series hosted by Amelia Dimoldenberg, whose mix of awkward humor and really strong interview skills makes every episode fun to watch. Her dry delivery and the sometimes uncomfortable pauses add to the entertainment, creating a sense of tension that keeps viewers engaged. The editing and camera cuts also really highlight that tension too, often switching between Amelia’s reactions and her guest’s attempts to keep up with her energy. I specifically chose her interview with Andrew Garfield because the chemistry between them was so clear, making the back-and-forth even more entertaining to watch.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0ZJvU2ciBM
- The link above is to a YouTube vlog posted by Emma Chamberlain titled “i went thrifting (again) and it was INTENSE”
- Although the video isn’t a recent one, Emma Chamberlain did a great job using audio effects to enhance her video. She mixes background music, quick sound effects, and intentional pauses to match her tone and humor. The sound design gives her videos rhythm and personality, helping transitions feel smooth and moments of silence feel purposeful. The way the audio aligns with her editing choices makes her content feel more polished and engaging without losing its natural, conversational style.
Create
I’m excited to share with you all my first-ever attempt at creating a podcast episode!
The process of making this 3:32-minute recording was definitely not what I expected. I started out trying to be fancy and decided to borrow a nicer mic from my school — the ZOOM H4n portable audio recorder, to be exact. I even went into a special room on campus literally called The Podcast Suite.
Long story short, everything about that experience did not work in my favor. Despite watching multiple mic tutorials and following my professor’s instructions, I looked and felt like a five-year-old pressing random buttons and hoping for the best. I could not, for the life of me, figure out how to actually use the microphone. So, I ended up just using my computer’s built-in mic instead.
The so-called Podcast Suite wasn’t my best decision either. I walked in to find a ridiculous amount of non-beginner-friendly equipment, and I quickly realized the only real benefit was the comfy couches. That didn’t help much, though, since I recorded the first half of my audio with my laptop sitting directly on my lap — not even on a flat surface. Then it started getting late, and even though I wasn’t done recording, I knew it was time to go home. (That’s mistake number three or four — not recording all my audio in one location.) I’m so sorry, Professor Golden, that’s such a big no-no.
Mistake number five is currently still on my wrist. If you hear jingling in the audio, you’re not going crazy. I move my hands a lot when I talk, and my bracelets decided to make themselves part of the recording. I guess these are the kinds of things you only learn by trying.
All of this goes back to the article I mentioned earlier, which talked about how you don’t need fancy equipment to make something great. My best work came from being at home in my bedroom with just me and my laptop. No special room, no fancy equipment, just everything I already had.
Even with all the little mistakes and learning moments, I actually really enjoyed the process. It felt rewarding to figure things out on my own and see how much I could create with the basics. Now that I’ve done it once, I’m excited to keep experimenting and make the next one even better.
A Master in the Making 
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