So, you want to record audio on your Android phone? It’s super convenient with the built-in apps, but let’s face it, the quality can be…rough. No worries! Here’s how to get cleaner, clearer recordings using your Android device.
Step 1: Prep Your Recording Space
Background noise is the enemy. Think about it – fans, street traffic, your fridge humming – it all adds up and muddies your audio. Your goal is to find the quietest spot possible. A room with soft surfaces is ideal because hard surfaces bounce sound around, creating echoes.
If a perfectly silent space is a myth in your world, don’t despair. There are other options! Also, switch your phone to airplane mode or turn on Do Not Disturb to stop notifications and calls from interrupting your audio.
Step 2: Give Your Microphone a Checkup
Your phone’s mic can get dusty and gunked up over time, which reduces sound quality. Give it a gentle cleaning before you hit record. Microphones are usually located at the back or near the bottom edge of most smartphones. If cleaning doesn’t cut it, an external mic might be the way to go. Here are a few options:
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USB Condenser Microphones: If you’re serious about top-notch audio and your phone supports USB connections (directly or with adapters), this is your best bet. You’ll get professional-level recordings.
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Shotgun Microphones: These mics are directional, picking up sound from what they’re pointed at while minimizing noise from the sides and back. Great for noisy environments or recording outdoors.
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Lavalier Mic (Lapel Microphones): These are small clip-on mics perfect for solo recordings or interviews. They deliver clear audio with minimal background noise.
Step 3: Optimize Audio Settings
Dive into your phone’s settings or your recording app to tweak the audio quality. Some devices, like Samsung phones, allow you to adjust the bitrate (e.g., to 256 kbps). Crank up the sample rate and bitrate for the best possible recording, but keep in mind that higher quality means bigger files.
Some apps/devices also support uncompressed audio formats like WAV, which will give you better quality than compressed formats like MP3. You might also find recording mode options such as Interview (using multiple mics for different directions) and Standard (best for quick voice notes).
Step 4: Position Your Device Strategically
Keep your phone or microphone about 6-12 inches away from the sound source (your mouth, usually). This sweet spot minimizes harsh “pops” when you speak certain sounds. Play around with different angles and distances to find what sounds best, especially if you’re recording something other than your voice (like music or environmental sounds). Experimentation will help you balance volume and clarity.
Step 5: Level Up with a Dedicated Recording App
While your phone’s built-in recorder gets the job done, a dedicated third-party app can give you much better results. These apps are designed specifically for recording and give you far greater control over quality. Think noise reduction, adjustable recording quality, EQ, gain control, and even audio editing tools.
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Dolby On is a fantastic (and free!) app for Android. You can record high-quality audio in lossless WAV format and reduce background noise right in the app. It even lets you apply styles like Natural and Standard to adjust the tone, and tweak bass, mids, and treble.
Dolby On -
Voice Record Pro is another solid choice. It has the ability to convert your recordings to different audio formats.
Voice Record Pro
Step 6: Banish Handling Noise
Handling noise is the unwanted sounds that get recorded when you touch or move your phone during recording. It’s annoying, and kills recording quality.
The best way to deal with it is to put your phone on a stable surface like a table or use a tripod.
If you need to hold the phone, grip it lightly around the edges and avoid any movement. Also, consider removing your phone case because some cases (especially hard ones) can amplify handling noise.
You can also place the device on a towel or record in a small, furnished room. If that isn’t effective, try hanging curtains or blankets on the walls.
Step 7: Run a Sound Check
Before you commit to a full recording, do a quick test. Record a few seconds of audio and listen back to check the sound quality. If something’s off, adjust the mic position, tweak your settings, and try again.
Additional Tips
- Once you are done recording, test the audio quality by using headphones to listen to it. Try re-recording it again until you are satisfied with the audio.
- It is possible that your final recording will still have background noise or disturbances. You can use third-party tools to edit the audio and get rid of such disturbances.
- Here are other tips that can help when recording audio using your Android phone: make sure you breath properly, block other noise sources, add wind protection for outdoor recordings, and add silence time between recordings.