Digital Recording Tips

The quality of your finished transcript will largely depend on the quality of the audio you provide. You should aim to record a good quality audio file with minimal background interference.

Before you start to record your meeting please ensure you switch off any unused equipment which could interfere with the recording (E.g. mobile phone, computers and air conditioners as the recording device may pick these sounds up).

Whenever possible choose a quiet room to conduct your meeting or interview and ensure that windows and doors are closed so that the recording does not pick up any external noises such as traffic, work colleagues passing the room, etc.

When recording an interview try to place the microphone in closer proximity to the interviewee than yourself. The responses are invariably more important than the questions.

Always test your equipment prior to the recording session and make sure your recording device is set at the highest volume possible.

When recording a focus group or multi-speaker meeting ask participants to try not to talk over one another. Also, at the beginning of the meeting, ask each participant to introduce themselves clearly so we can identify precisely who is talking. Where practical, ask each participant to say their name before they speak, especially if five or more people are participating, if you want each person clearly identified throughout transcript.

If you are not using digital equipment to record your interview or meeting, though digital is highly recommended, then use standard analogue cassettes and record at normal speed. If you record at a high speed to fit more time on the tape the quality of the audio will be reduced significantly.