Recording audio is both an art and a science, requiring technical skill, creativity, and a keen sense of sound. Whether you're capturing music, podcasts, or field recordings, the quality of your work hinges on one often-overlooked tool: your hearing. To make better recordings, you need to protect your ears, train them to listen critically, refine your mixes through persistence, and test your creations with others. Here’s how to elevate your recording game step by step.
Step 1: Protect Your Hearing from "Too Loud" Sounds
Your ears are your most valuable asset in audio production, yet they’re vulnerable to damage from excessive noise. Concerts, with their pounding speakers, and gunshots, with their sharp, explosive peaks, can push sound levels well beyond the safe threshold of 85 decibels (dB). Prolonged exposure to sounds above this level—or even brief encounters with extreme noise—can lead to permanent hearing loss or tinnitus, a persistent ringing that can sabotage your ability to discern subtle audio details.
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| Get a Decibel meter and learn what correct loudness sounds like |
To safeguard your hearing, invest in high-quality ear protection. For concerts, custom-molded earplugs with flat attenuation filters (like those from brands such as Etymotic or Eargasm) preserve sound clarity while reducing volume evenly across frequencies. For louder environments like shooting ranges, opt for earmuffs with a high Noise Reduction Rating (NRR), typically 25-30 dB, or pair them with earplugs for added protection. Make it a habit to carry ear protection wherever loud sounds might lurk—your future mixes will thank you.
Step 2: Learn to Listen by Exploring Diverse Sounds
Great recordings start with great listening. To sharpen your ears, step outside your sonic comfort zone. Your daily life might be filled with familiar noises—traffic, chatter, the hum of appliances—but there’s a world of sound waiting to train your auditory palette. Take time to evaluate birds chirping at dawn, the layered rhythms of a bustling market, or the intricate textures of avant-garde music genres you’d normally skip.
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| Can you hear the breeze, the birds chirp and the gentle flow of water? |
This practice isn’t just about enjoyment; it’s about building a mental library of tones, timbres, and dynamics. Listen to a jazz drummer’s brushwork and notice how it sits in the mix compared to a rock kit’s thunderous kick. Compare the warmth of vinyl crackle to the crispness of a digital stream. By dissecting these sounds, you’ll develop an intuitive sense of what “good” audio feels like, which translates directly into your recording decisions.
Step 3: Perfect Your Mix Through Repetition and Intuition
Creating a stellar mix is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s tempting to slap on a compressor, tweak an EQ, and call it a day, but the best mixes emerge from trial and error. Start with a rough recording, then listen critically: Is the vocal buried? Does the bass overpower the mids? Use your ears as your guide, not just the meters on your screen.
Mixing is as much about feel as it is about technique. Adjust levels, pan instruments, and experiment with effects, then step away and return with fresh ears. Repeat this process—sometimes dozens of times—until the balance feels right. Your mind will gradually align with your ears, helping you spot flaws and opportunities you’d otherwise miss. Patience is key; a “perfect” mix rarely happens on the first try.
Step 4: Audition Your Mixes with Others and Learn from Feedback
No matter how polished your mix sounds in your headphones, its true test comes when others hear it. Gather a small group—friends, fellow producers, or even casual listeners—and play your work in a neutral setting. Watch their reactions closely: Do they wince at harsh frequencies? Tap their feet to the rhythm? Look bored during the bridge? Their responses reveal what your ears, now accustomed to the mix, might overlook.
Ask for specific feedback, too. Questions like “Does the guitar feel too loud?” or “Can you hear the lyrics clearly?” can pinpoint areas for improvement. Don’t take criticism personally—use it as a mirror to see where you stand. Over time, you’ll learn to anticipate how others perceive your work, bridging the gap between your creative vision and a universally compelling recording.
Bringing It All Together
Making better recordings is a holistic process. By shielding your ears from damaging noise, you preserve your ability to hear nuances. By exploring diverse sounds, you train your brain to recognize quality. By iterating on your mixes, you hone your craft through persistence. And by sharing your work with others, you gain the perspective needed to refine it further. Together, these steps transform you from a recorder of sound into a sculptor of audio experiences—your ears, mind, and audience guiding the way.
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
©March 2025 by Mark King, It's NOT ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author.
