A participant's audio (MP3 or WAV) sounds unusually loud. There may also be parts where the speaker’s voice is harsh, flattened, or unpleasant to listen to. This usually isn't noticeable during the live session, only after the files are downloaded.
What causes this issue
The audio being too loud or distorted is usually tied to how the microphone was configured and positioned. Clipping happens when the microphone's signal is too strong for it to handle, distorting the sound.
This most frequently happens when:
Input volume or microphone gain is set too high. Input volume controls how much of your microphone's signal your computer uses; gain controls how much the microphone amplifies your voice before it reaches your computer. Either being too high can cause loud or clipped audio.
The microphone is positioned too close to your mouth, especially directly in front, where sound pressure can spike and cause clipping.
Volume changes suddenly while speaking. Moving closer to the microphone during a moment of excitement or emphasis can cause temporary clipping, even with an otherwise good setup.
Plosive sounds like "P" or "B" send a burst of air into the microphone, causing short, loud distortions that resemble clipping.
What to do if the issue already happened
You have two options to improve an existing recording, though there are limits. While editing can help reduce overall volume, clipping can rarely be fully removed, since it permanently distorts parts of the recording.
Edit with Zencastr: Zencastr’s built-in audio enhancements apply loudness normalization and leveling, which can help reduce overly loud segments. You can download a single combined file or separate enhanced tracks for further editing elsewhere.
Use external editing software: Download the original or enhanced tracks and apply filters like EQ and compression in an external audio editor.
How to prevent this issue in future recordings
To avoid overly loud or clipped audio in future recordings, each participant should follow these best practices.
Position your microphone properly
Keep the microphone 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) from your mouth, angled slightly off to the side rather than directly in front to reduce direct bursts of air and plosive sounds.
Adjust microphone’s input volume or gain
Input volume and microphone gain affect how loudly your voice is recorded. Levels that are too high can cause clipping even with a good microphone.
If you’re on Mac, follow Apple’s instructions to adjust input volume. You should aim for a range between halfway and two-thirds of the meter.*
If you’re on Windows, follow Microsoft’s instructions to adjust input volume. Adjust the input volume slider to a range between 50 and 70.*
*These ranges are general guidelines. Since ideal levels can vary by microphone, the best way to confirm is by doing a short test recording.
Additionally, if your microphone has a physical gain knob, adjust it until your voice sounds full but not distorted.
Invest in a pop filter
If you regularly record, consider investing in a pop filter. It helps soften plosive sounds and encourages better microphone distance.