The quality of your recording directly impacts transcription accuracy. Here are our top tips for capturing meeting audio that transcribes beautifully.

1. Position Your Microphone Strategically

Place your microphone centrally so it can pick up all participants equally. For larger rooms, consider using multiple microphones or a conference speakerphone with omnidirectional pickup.

2. Minimize Background Noise

Close windows, turn off fans, and choose quiet meeting spaces. Even small amounts of background noise can significantly impact transcription quality.

⚠️ Common Mistake: HVAC systems and fluorescent lights create constant low-frequency hum that degrades transcription quality. Turn them off during important recordings when possible.

3. Use Quality Recording Equipment

While smartphone recordings can work, dedicated recording devices or USB microphones produce noticeably better results. The investment pays off in transcription accuracy.

4. Test Before You Start

Always do a quick test recording before important meetings. Check audio levels and ensure everyone can be heard clearly.

5. Establish Speaking Protocols

Ask participants to:

Speak clearly and at a moderate pace
Avoid talking over each other
State their name before speaking (helps with speaker identification)

6. Choose the Right File Format

Record in WAV or high-quality MP3 (320kbps). Avoid heavy compression that can degrade audio fidelity.

Format	Quality	File Size	Recommendation
WAV	Excellent	Large	Best for critical recordings
FLAC	Excellent	Medium	Great balance
MP3 320kbps	Very Good	Small	Good for most uses
MP3 128kbps	Acceptable	Very Small	Avoid if possible

7. Mind Your Meeting Length

For very long meetings, consider breaking recordings into chunks. This makes processing faster and review easier.

8. Use a Backup Recording

Technology fails. Having a backup recording on a second device can save hours of lost work.

The one time you don't have a backup is the time your primary recording fails. Always. Have. A. Backup.

9. Label Your Files Clearly

Use consistent naming conventions with dates and meeting topics. You'll thank yourself when searching archives later.

✨ Naming Convention: Use YYYY-MM-DD_MeetingType_Topic.mp3 format. Example: 2026-02-06_Standup_SprintPlanning.mp3

10. Upload Promptly

Transcribe recordings while the meeting is fresh in your mind. This makes reviewing and correcting any errors much easier.

10 Tips for Better Meeting Recordings