Signal to Noise Ratio

When you record any audio you will essentially record two things:

1. The signal (the main thing you’re recording)
2. Some noise (background noises like fans and air conditioners, or room reverb, or electrical hums, etc.)

A high signal to noise ratio means your signal is much louder than the noise, and this is good and makes the signal easier to hear for the listener.

A low signal to noise ratio means your signal is not much louder than (or the same loudness as) the noise, and this is not good because it makes it difficult for the listener to hear the signal clearly through all the noise.

To record good audio with a high signal to noise ratio you should eliminate or avoid as much noise as possible, and the person speaking should be very close to the microphone.

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