Audio in eLearning: How to Create High-Quality Audio For eLearning?

How important is audio in eLearning? Well, this can be explained easily. We can look at a slightly uncomfortable image, we can look at a slightly over-exposed or a little bit of a grainy image, but on the other hand conversely, we cannot look at a well color graded image and be hearing a buzzing in the background. This shows how audio has importance above visuals in a lot of ways. An unwanted echo or distracting sounds in the background audio can easily reducing learner’s retention and absorption of the content which in result affects the efficiency of the eLearning program.

“Anything you add to your eLearning must enhance the learner experience. If it doesn’t, then it is a distraction to learning.”

If you are an instructional designer, eLearning expert, a voice-over artist or even someone associated with video production, pause for a second and explore how you can make your audio better and maximize the potential of your content by just following these easy tips.

1. Choose Top-notch equipment

Let’s get this straight, you can record an audio on your phone with an average quality microphone. But can you use it for an eLearning program or as a background for your videos? definitely no.  Just like the driving experience between a BMW and a Honda differs greatly, cheap quality equipment for voice over works the same way. The voice quality will have a huge difference. That also does not mean that you should pay an arm and a leg to buy just the equipment for the audio. The market has many products that are on the less-pricey side.

Some of the components that are essential for recording good-quality recording are microphone, headphones, microphone stand, shock mount, pop filters and some acoustic treatment to avoid the noise of ambience of the room.

2. Focus on the Post-recording process

Now that you have recorded the audio, it’s time to edit. The raw audio clips that you have recorded needs to be touched up and edited to make them more professional and smoother for the eLearning program.

The post recording process for audio recording pretty much depends on the software that is being used for editing. Some of the most recommended audio softwares include Adobe Audition, Ableton Live, Logic Pro X, GarageBand and Audacity.

The editing process mostly consists of normalizing the audio, applying EQ, using noise reduction and finally cutting or fading the audio clips. This process will be easier if the pre-editing process i.e. the recording process has been done professionally.

3. Streamline the revision process

Before offering the audio to your learners or client, make sure you go through the whole process of revision. The revisions are fewer if the pre and post audio recording process is carried professionally. Whether you are recording audio from a home studio or from a professional studio, the production of eLearning audio clips should not be a catch 22. All it will require is upright equipment, environment, softwares and

Whether you work from home or an office, producing high quality audio for e-learning doesn’t have to be difficult, time-consuming, or expensive. All it takes is the right equipment, the controlled environment, and the right software.

What other tips do you have for recording high quality audio for e-learning? Share them by commenting below.