With the huge surge in the number of people watching video content over the internet, many instructors / advisors have turned to create YouTube content that makes them get noticed and bring in better reach for them.

In almost all the e-learning videos or audio books, the quality of narration plays an important role.

For audio engineers, one thing to note is that little bit more work and effort is needed in long form narration recording or while creating audio books than creating 30 to 60 seconds TV or Radio commercials that all audio engineers love to do.

In one of our previous article we had discussed about the film dubbing tips shared by our senior faculty Mr. KS Ravi and today we are going to learn some helpful tips which will be helpful for audio engineers in clean narration recording which doesn’t sound awkward.

Here are 3 important things to consider while recording a narration,

1. Location
2. Position and
3. Recording Tips

Location
** Many instructors record with a mic which is sitting just inches away from the computer, but it will pick up the computer fan noise and may be even a buzz from signal interference.
** If you are wearing certain types of clothes like overcoats with metal hangings or jewellery, if you move it will be heard.
** Is there any fluorescent lights in the room you are planning to record your narration? Turn it off. It is a fact that these lights produce a feeble buzz or hum sound, there are possibilities that your mic will pick up their buzz or hum during the recording.
** Another thing which you already know is to turn of your TV, Radio and do ask people to leave the room, so do it before starting the recording.
** There are other noises to consider, your cell phone, which can create unwanted electronic interference and it shouldn’t be in the room.
** Where can you go to record quietly , Is there an air conditioner in the room, turn it off, get away from them or block the vent.
** Clapp you hands while you are inside the room, do you hear an echo? You need to deaden the sound. Get your room with Carpets, Drapes and Angled wall to get rid of echo.

Position
** The right position to record a narration is obviously in a standing position rather than sitting.
** Do note that connecting a mic to the computer, keep the paper on the table and narrator sitting, bending towards the mic will not produce the best sound. Why is it recommended to stand? Just because it opens up the diaphragm and allows you to gesture so that your narrarion will be natural.
**  For some mics you can speak directly into the centre, the mic should be at a distance of 6-12 inches from your face.
**  It is a common mistake that many narrators are not usually speaking on the correct side of the mic, make sure that you are not making this mistake.
** Position your papers in a stand so that they can be seen without turning your head to the side so it will not affect the audio
** Do hold the paper in which the narration text is written on your hand as it could restle and will get recorded along with the narration
** Keep the mic at a height that allows you to talk in an easy manner preferably reading the text over the top of it

Recording Tips
Listed below are some recording tips which you can follow to,

** As it was mentioned in one of our previous article, the narrator has to drink water an hour before. It is a foremost recording tip and it goes without saying, but you have to stay hydrated. Everybody knows you have to drink water when you do voice-over, especially it is important when you are doing long form narration. It is going to keep down mouth noise like clicks, pops all of that sort of stuff which is going to save a ton of time on the editing side. Make sure the you are staying hydrated. Keep a bottle or two with all time, may be a couple of bottles of water depending on how long that the narration is.

** Mark your spot on the floor so even if the narrator walks away in between and come back he can be at the same position as he is supposed to be.
** Ask the narrator to feel free and move you hands and body to talk as he would be doing in a natural conversation.
** Increase the font size and the space between the words in the script for the narrator to see clearly from a distance.
** Read out the script loud so that it sound conversational and do mark on the script where the narrator want to pause or need to have an emphasis.

Hope you have got some tips on narration recording and it is true that there is lots more to learn.

Happy Recording