Introduction

Poor audio quality directly impacts transcription accuracy. This guide explains common audio issues and how to improve recording quality for better transcripts.

Common Audio Quality Issues

Several factors can degrade audio quality and transcription accuracy:

Background Noise

Fans, traffic, typing, or other ambient sounds interfere with speech recognition.

Low Volume

Quiet or distant speakers make speech difficult for AI to detect and transcribe.

Multiple Speakers

Overlapping voices or crosstalk confuses speaker identification.

Microphone Setup Best Practices

Proper microphone positioning dramatically improves transcription quality.

Recommendations:

Position microphone 6-12 inches from your mouth
Use a headset or external microphone instead of laptop built-in mics
Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
Avoid covering the microphone or moving it during recording
Test audio levels before important meetings

Quick Test

Record a 30-second test clip and review it before your actual meeting. Listen for background noise, volume levels, and clarity.

Recording Environment

Your physical environment significantly affects audio quality.

Ideal Environment

• Quiet, enclosed room
• Minimal background noise
• Soft furnishings to reduce echo
• Close windows and doors

Avoid

• Open spaces with echo
• Near air conditioning or fans
• High-traffic areas
• Directly facing hard walls

Audio File Quality

When uploading pre-recorded files, format and bitrate matter.

Recommended settings:

Format - WAV, MP3, or M4A for best compatibility
Sample Rate - 16 kHz minimum, 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz preferred
Bitrate - 128 kbps minimum for MP3, 256 kbps recommended
Channels - Mono is sufficient for speech; stereo works too

Avoid Over-Compression

Heavily compressed audio files (low bitrate MP3s) lose clarity and make transcription less accurate. Use higher bitrates when possible.

Speaker Clarity

How participants speak affects transcription accuracy just as much as technical quality.

Best practices for speakers:

Speak at a moderate pace (not too fast or slow)
Avoid mumbling or talking while eating/drinking
Minimize interruptions and talking over others
Pause briefly between topics for better segmentation
Pronounce technical terms clearly

Meeting-Platform Recordings

When using the NoteWave notetaker, the quality it receives depends heavily on each participant's microphone, connection, environment, and meeting-platform audio processing.

Before the Meeting

• Ask remote participants to use headsets where practical
• Test the chosen microphone and connection
• Confirm the notetaker is admitted and remains in the call

During the Meeting

• Avoid several people speaking at once
• Keep microphones close enough for clear speech
• Address persistent echo, clipping, or connection dropouts early

Troubleshooting Poor Transcription

If transcriptions are consistently inaccurate, try these steps:

Test your audio setup with a short recording first
Verify the correct language is selected for transcription
Check if background noise reduction is needed
Ensure all participants are using good quality microphones
Review the audio file yourself to assess clarity
Consider re-recording if quality is very poor

Hardware Recommendations

Investing in quality audio equipment significantly improves transcription accuracy.

Recommended Equipment

A well-positioned headset microphone or external USB microphone is often more useful than an expensive device used from too far away. Prioritise clear speech, low background noise, stable placement, and a short test recording before an important meeting.

Audio Quality Issues