5 Tips That Will Give You Better Sound Quality During Video Conferencing

No matter how many times you have found yourself hosting a video conference, and no matter how good you happen to be at it, there is always going to be room for improvement. From improving the video to making sure that there is proper sound, you have a million little things that you will need to do in order to ensure a decent call. Thought it might seem like a small thing, audio can make or break a conversation, and with that being the case there are certain steps that you will want to follow in order to gain better sound quality and make sure that you get the most out of your conversation.

Step 1: Check your Input Source

This should sound obvious but there are still many people who do not know the importance of checking the audio source before they get started with a video conference. Choosing the wrong input source can result in choppy sound or even no sound. It all depends. Now, something you must understand is that some software on your computer can serve as an alternative source for your audio, and when the software is inactive, you will find yourself unable to use your microphone. When this happens, you will need to go into your video conferencing software and change the source. Once this is done, you will be able to use your microphone properly again. This is not always the problem, and sometimes it can be beneficial to purchase a more professional microphone for your purposes. You may even want to invest in a decent headset, though that might not work in a situation where you need to be more professional.

Step 2: Update your Software

When it comes to the software on your computer you need to make sure that it is not only the most professional, you should also make sure that it is up to date. For example, your audio drivers control the sound card on your board, and generic drivers can produce less than acceptable sound. It is best that you visit your manufacturer’s website and make sure that you have the latest sound drivers, and make sure you test them with your system before you attempt to initiate a video call. The last thing you ever want to do, is find yourself attempting to start a video conference when you have not tested your configuration. This can lead to serious problems, up to and including disconnects with the client or co-worker. Remember, video  conferencing is supposed to be more efficient, not less.

Step 3: Eliminate Background Noise

There could be a lot of background noise in your home or office and you might not even think about it. It could be a ceiling fan, it could be an air conditioner, or it could be something entirely different. Whatever it happens to be, you need to eliminate it and make sure that your call recipient cannot hear it. The rule of thumb is that if you can hear it, they can hear it. Shut your windows, close your doors, and use a microphone that won’t pick up every noise on the spectrum. You will thank yourself for taking the extra effort later.

Step 4: Use  Multi-Directional Microphone

There is nothing quite as important as making sure that everyone in the room can be properly heard, and this will require you to use a high end multi-directional microphone. Assuming everyone is at the same table or at least in the same room, such a device will allow them to talk normally as if they were simply speaking to another individual in the same room. This can be very useful and it is almost an absolute necessity for those who are trying to use video conferencing as one of their main forms of communication. They are a bit expensive, but they will pay for themselves ten fold eventually.

Step 5: Increase your Bandwidth

While not specifically related to audio equipment, increasing your bandwidth can save you a lot of trouble – more than you realize. The better your bandwidth, the better your sound quality is going to be. You can increase your bandwidth by cutting down on unnecessary applications or even getting a better internet package from your service provider.

These are just a few things that you can do to make sure you have better sound capabilities in your meetings. If you opt for video conferencing via BlueJeans, the sound quality is unmatchable. A PC World article helped to detail the various methods you can use to increase your sound output, some of which we did not mention here. There are many ways you can ensure you have better sound, so start doing your research and make sure you get it right every single time.