Properly setting up your recording room is very important for students to understand your course. Students should be able to see and hear your video without distractions such as buzzing, clicking, or camera shake. The good news is that you don't need a professional studio to create your course. Here we'll show you how to set up your recording space at home.
Before you start preparing your recording space
Please note that you should create different locations for different types of courses. For screencast videos, record your computer screen and then add audio.
For videos where you speak directly in class, you can record yourself in a "close-up" or performing an assignment. You can also use editing software once you're done recording to create a mix of screencasts and voiceovers.
Choose your recording tools
Camera
If you don't have a camera, you can try using your computer's camera or try using your phone's camera. If both of those aren't good enough, you can buy a webcam.
Microphone
Good sound quality is critical to your students' learning. Avoid using the built-in microphone on a computer or mobile phone because the quality is not good enough. You may want to invest in a quality speaker microphone that is stable, reduces background noise, and is small enough to be barely noticeable in your video. You can also use a desktop microphone. Either way, it's a good investment in the quality of your course.
Screencasting Software
You will need some screencasting software, some we recommend are Quicktime Player , CamStudio or Jing . Some of them are free and can be installed on your computer, others you have to buy.
Lightning
Try natural light first, if that's not enough, try adding lamps and spotlights you have at home. If you still lack light, we recommend the 3-point lighting kit.
Prepare the audio
Make sure the external microphone is properly connected to the video capture device.
Check the gain level in your microphone settings. The gain determines the volume of sound that reaches the microphone. If the gain is too high, you may hear the sound of static electricity in the recording.
Check your microphone's audio output setting. It should be set to stereo, not mono.
Speak loudly and clearly into the microphone. For best results, speak 6 to 12 inches away from the microphone. Do not speak too close to or too far from the microphone.
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If you hear clicks in your recording, especially sounds that contain the letter "p," use a special filter. It's a filter you can attach to your microphone that will help absorb that popping noise. Clicks can cause unnatural bursts of noise and distract students.
Configure your camera's capture and export settings
Make sure your camera is set to the correct capture and export settings:
Aspect Ratio: This is the ratio of the frame width to height. Your video's aspect ratio must be 16:9.
Video Resolution: Represents the quality of the video, which is determined by the number of pixels (p) in a frame. Video resolution must be 720p or higher. High Definition (HD) video is 720p or higher.
Prepare a recording room
Here are some tips for setting up a recording room in your home:
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Preparing a recording room. Prepare your recording room to absorb echo. You can do this by installing acoustic soundproofing panels in the room or using simple means such as placing blankets, pillows or cushions and sofas to prevent echo pickup in your recordings.
Screencasting Desktop Background Keep your computer desktop clean so that nothing distracts you from the actual course content on the screen. Make sure your browser and tabs are clean and free of non-course related content.
Foreground video lighting. If you're shooting indoors, sit by a window where the light comes from the front or side, not the back. The main subject of the video should be clearly visible and well lit. Avoid shadows in the background or on your face. Learn how to set up your equipment.
Compose the frames of your video
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The subject of your video should be in the middle of the frame or to the side, depending on the rule of thirds. Think of your frame as a 3x3 grid divided into nine equal parts. Conveniently, the focus of the video is on the lines or their intersections to create a more interesting image.
When creating a close-up video, imagine that you are talking face to face with your students. Don't stand too far away or too close to the camera. Don't position the camera too high above your head or too low below your face.
Make sure your camera is stable. Use a tripod or place the camera on a stable surface. Do not try to hold the camera yourself.
Prepare the course recording.
Here is a pre-recording checklist. Additionally, here are some guidelines to help your students have a great learning experience.
If you're unsure about how to set up a recording or have questions about what experienced instructors use, visit our Instructor Community where you can connect, ask for advice, and have conversations with instructors.
