The quick and mostly-technical list that makes a recording sound good on a small speaker.

Most phones are already excellent microphones. The biggest wins come from the room and how you’re holding the phone, not from gear.

Room

• Soft surfaces absorb echo: carpet, blankets, curtains.
• Close any background noise: AC, dishwasher, open windows.
• Tell people in the house you’ll be recording for the next N minutes.

Distance

• About a hand’s width (~20 cm) between mouth and the phone’s bottom microphone.
• Tilt the phone about 30°. Reduces “pop” on P and B sounds.

Voice

• Read like you’re in the room with the listener, because you are.
• Drink water first. A dry mouth adds crackle.
• Warm up your voice for a minute before starting.

Don’t chase perfect. Recordings that mean the most are the ones that sound like the person: background dog, chuckles, a stumble on a word.

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More in help

• Making a recording
• Re-recording before it seals

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