Summary
Good-sounding audio is critical to an excellent stream, for which more people are likelier to stick around. While getting a microphone with good performance and specs is a great place to start, it will not automatically make you sound better. If you already have a decent microphone, here are some easy tips to make it sound better and not cost as much as picking up a new mic.
Don’t worry as you don’t need an audio engineering degree to accomplish these tips. For the most part, if you are willing to be a bit resourceful with the things already in your home, you don’t even need to buy anything to make your audio sound better.
5 Steps To Improve Microphone Quality For Streaming
Step 1: Prepare A Good Recording Environment
Before we even start using the microphone, the first step to making yourself sound better is to prepare the room where the audio will be recorded. If you are in a relatively empty room, you should try adding some large objects and sound dampening to reduce echo and distortion from your voice, hitting these bare surfaces and bouncing back into the microphone.
This can be accomplished by picking up some acoustic panels, the primary purpose of which is to treat the room to reduce echo and sound reflective surface. There are a ton of acoustic panels to choose from, but because of their already impressive streaming ecosystem, it is hard to go wrong with theElgato Wave Panels. These panels are relatively affordable and make hanging very accessible and renter-friendly.
If buying acoustic panels doesn’t appeal to you, it is pretty simple acoustically to treat a room with household objects, although it might not look as nice as pre-built sound panels. For a more temporary solution, you can place pillows and blankets along the walls to absorb some of that sound, and of course, there is the classic DIY solution of egg crates on the wall. However, if you also want an aesthetic look to your streaming room, the egg crates might detract from that.
Step 2: Use A Microphone Stand Or Boom Arm
Now that the streaming room is ready for better audio quality, the next step is to place the microphone correctly. Microphones are making this more manageable, with digital noise suppression options on mics like theSteelSeries Aliasand Shure MV7+. However, even if you have one of these mics, proper placement is still critical for good-sounding audio.
Ideally, you should always have the microphone a couple of inches away from your mouth. This allows you to keep the microphone’s gain reasonably low so you don’t get background hiss from PC fans or surrounding noises and speak at a normal volume throughout the whole stream instead of having to strain to keep your voice louder.
The easiest way to maintain consistent microphone placement throughout a stream is to use a boom arm like theRode PSA1+or a desk stand like theGator Frameworks desktop mic stand. If you have the space and budget, a boom arm will be the best option because of its versatility. You can move it around mid-stream to keep that consistent distance and reduce bumping and incidental sounds from gaming, like hitting your mouse against the stand.
Step 3: Practice Mic Etiquette
Along the same point of avoiding bumping and incidental sounds, proper microphone etiquette is the third step to improving your microphone quality. Don’t worry, you have to go to finishing school to learn this type of etiquette.
If you have ever been watching a video or a stream and someone bumps the mic, makes a gross noise, or even coughs into the microphone, you know how annoying improper mic etiquette can be, even if you didn’t know the term before now. As a general rule of thumb, attempt to avoid sounds you wouldn’t like to hear; if you cough or sneeze, it’s okay to mute your microphone for that moment; professional broadcasters have a dedicated cough button for that exact purpose.
The biggest no-no in mic etiquette is bumping or poking the microphone’s capsule. Even though it is common to see this in media, it is every audio engineer’s biggest pet peeve and can actually damage speakers or headphones if they are set too loud when that noise comes through. If you still want a sizable audio spike to see if the microphone is working, the best way to go about it is to lean back a bit away from the mic and clap or snap.
Step 4: Use A Windscreen or Pop Filter
Many gaming microphones and options oriented toward streamers come with pop filters nowadays, but if your microphone doesn’t have one, it is well worth picking one up. While all audio gear has quite a high price ceiling, you can easily get an excellent pop filter for under $15.
Pop filters help reduce plosives and harsh sibilance typically associated with words that have p, t, k, b, d, or g in them. Plus, they will also protect your mic from spit and keep your whole setup much cleaner.
Step 5: Speak At A Normal Volume
Speaking at a normal volume and mic etiquette go hand in hand. Not only does a consistent normal volume make it easier to nail down the levels that you have everything set at, but it also reduces the risk of vocal strain if you speak a louder volume than you are typically used to.
This can get hard while gaming on stream because you want to be reactive, which can get loud sometimes. However, it’s a good practice to follow as much as possible because when you need to be louder for a genuine reaction, it feels more natural and an escalation from your typical speaking voice without being overly loud.
Related Products
Elgato Wave Panels
Elgato’s Wave Panels transform any space into a professional recording environment. The two foam layers of varying densities reduce both room echo and reverberation, plus the hexagonal pattern makes them easy to fit together and create fun designs out of them.
Rode PSA1+ Boom Arm
The PSA1+ is designed to be as flexible as you need it to be. Perfectly balanced movement, extended reach, and full 360-degree rotation allow you to position your microphone precisely to always sound your best.
Gator Frameworks Desktop Microphone Stand
The GWF-MIC-0501 desktop microphone stand by Gator Frameworks provides a functional and simplified mic stand solution that helps get any microphone in the proper positioning for the best sound quality. This stand is a versatile fit for many recording and streaming situations, from a typical desk setup to live recording in the field.
Neewer Pop Filter Shield
Improve the sound of your vocals while keeping your mic clean with the Neewer Pop Filter Shield. The six-inch filter is made with two layers of gauze that help reduce harsh sibilance and cut down on plosive noises, giving you clearer vocal quality for recording and streaming.
FAQ
Q: How do streamers position their mic?
If you are using a dynamic microphone, you want to be ideally 2-6 inches away from the microphone capsule for the best audio quality, and for condenser microphones, you want to be around 4-8 inches away.
Q: Should I use a dynamic or condenser mic for streaming?
If you have a noise-controlled environment that has been acoustically treated and has very little outside noise, condenser microphones will deliver better performance, but for most streamers, a dynamic microphone will be easier to use in a typical gaming setup.
