I am looking for input on audio recording. My company wants to record audio for communication and training purposes. Currently, we are using Audacity and a low-end USB headset/mic.

We are not looking for highend studio quality results necessarily, but we do want a good sound. An ideal situation would require no outside mixing hardware etc.

Anyone have experience with this or suggestions?

Thanks!

I asked an audio professional for some thoughts on your question:
--------------------------------------------
They need a nicer way to collect the sound. This means a better quality microphone and transmitter.
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=G2-5

Or if they want to stick with a headset get the:
http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productdetail.asp?transid=005019

A good quality wireless mic will always produce a balanced signal. Computers do not have balanced inputs. This means you need an breakout box that accepts a balanced signal and then passes it on to the computer, flawlessly:
http://www.motu.com/products/motuaudio/ultralite/

Any audio program for PC that is compatible with the standard WDM/ASIO audio drivers will be suitable to accept and cut up the audio. If they are using a MAC then any audio program that is compatible with Macintosh core audio drivers.
-------------------------------

Hope this helps. If you need more details let me know and I can hook you up with the person who provided the response.

Hello PhoenixRisin,

I initially started out in a similar fashion as your company but have since moved on to a better quality system for recording. I create Powerpoint tutorials with a voice-over that I later convert to flash via Wondershare's PPT-to-Flash program. I can also just create a voice recording (MP3, etc)that can also be used for just communication purposes instead of embedding it into a powerpoint or some other presentation program.

If you want to go a bit better in quality, you might want to consider a podcast setup which run the spectrum in price. The quality will be better than what you are currently using. Also, you get a mobile capability as well and software similar to Audacity and more stable.

This should adaquately meet your needs and is not complicated to use.

Here are potential sources for you to review that offer complete package setup's and general info.

http://www.bswusa.com/podcastgearguy.asp

http://www.bswusa.com

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/navigation?q=Podcasting

I hope this helps.

One of the big mistakes people make that has an effect on audio recording is that they use a lot of amateur voices that aren't very good. Just because someone has a nice voice doesn't mean they can deliver a lot of narrative in an interesting manner. At least look for someone who's done some acting or sometimes singers are really good.

I have used few different tools to record the audio. All of them worked for me on most cases. Currently I am using Sony Sound Forge 8 to record the audio with Plantronics head set (it comply with FCC standards). I think it works really great because it has noise reduction and other functionality that helps for non experienced users.

I use empty meeting room or small office to record the audio, do the edits in the tool and take it to any design tool in no time.

I agree with professional voice but it all depends on training audience and also budget. I hope you will find this useful.