Skip to main content

Audio Quality Tips for Perfect Transcription

Professional recording techniques to maximize transcription accuracy and get the best results from your audio files

+15%
Accuracy improvement with proper audio quality
98%
Max accuracy with studio-quality recordings
5min
Setup time for professional results

Microphone Placement & Setup

Optimal Distance

Too Far (Poor)Perfect DistanceToo Close (Distorted)
6-12 inches
  • 6-12 inches: Optimal distance for clear audio without breath sounds
  • Less than 4 inches: Creates plosive sounds and distortion
  • More than 18 inches: Picks up room noise and reduces clarity

Multi-Speaker Setup

✅ Best Practice

Central microphone equidistant from all speakers

  • • Equal distance for all speakers
  • • Speaker identification works better
  • • Consistent audio levels

❌ Avoid

Microphone too close to one speaker

  • • Uneven volume levels
  • • Harder speaker separation
  • • Reduced accuracy for distant speakers

Background Noise Reduction

Critical Impact

Background noise can reduce transcription accuracy by up to 30%. Even small improvements make a big difference.

Common Noise Sources & Solutions

Air Conditioning / Fans

High Impact

Constant low-frequency hum that interferes with voice recognition

Turn off HVAC systems during recording
Use directional microphones pointing away from vents
Record in rooms without forced air systems

Traffic & Street Noise

Medium Impact

Variable noise that can mask speech at unpredictable moments

Close windows and use interior rooms
Schedule recordings during quieter hours
Use soft furnishings to absorb external sounds

Echo & Reverb

High Impact

Hard surfaces create sound reflections that confuse AI transcription

Add rugs, curtains, and soft furniture
Avoid large, empty rooms with hard floors
Position microphone closer to speakers than to walls

Optimal Recording Settings

Recommended Technical Settings

Sample Rate

44.1 kHz

Standard CD quality, perfect for speech recognition

Bit Depth

16-bit

Sufficient dynamic range without large file sizes

Format

WAV

Uncompressed format preserves all audio detail

Channels

Mono

Single channel reduces file size, perfect for speech

💡 Pro Tip: Recording Levels

Too QuietPerfectToo Loud
Peak: -6dB to -12dB

Aim for consistent levels between -6dB and -12dB peak. This provides headroom while maintaining clear signal strength.

Pre-Recording Checklist

Quality Impact

Poor Audio Quality65-80%
Good Audio Quality90-95%
Excellent Audio Quality95-98%

Following these audio quality tips can improve your transcription accuracy by 15-25%.

Ready to Get Perfect Transcription Results?

Apply these audio quality tips and experience the difference professional recording techniques make in your transcription accuracy.