Changing Sound Quality

Changing Sound Quality in PowerPoint Narration

     The default sound recorder setting is not the lowest possible setting and for most cases it is sufficient. However, the sound is noticeably scratchy, like weak radio reception. With a small boost in kilohertz and bit rate, the sound will improve dramatically with little increase in file size.

The default for sound recording in PowerPoint is approximately 11.025 kilohertz, 8 bit

Even the slightest Attribute increase will make a noticeable difference in sound quality

The suggested increase is to try settings between the default and double the default, or 22.050, 16 bit

The highest setting is 48 kHz, 16 bit stereo, will greatly increase the file size, but the average listener will not notice much discernable difference in quality from 22.050 kHz

The lowest setting is 8 kilohertz, 8 bit

See the Screen shots below for example and clarification:

First Window in Record Narration Process

You can just click OK BUT consider sound quality. Default sound is set for average quality at small file size. Default is good if you wish to do a lengthy narration and share your story with this class by uploading it. It will help keep the overall project file size at five megabytes.
However, you may select a higher quality if you are dissatisfied with the default. Perhaps do a trial narration and listen to it. If you don't like the sound quality, re-do it and increase the Attributes: kilohertz and bit rate. , larger file size by selecting Change Quality... menu

Change Quality... Window - Default Setting

Default is 11 kilohertz 8 bit -- that's low, but OK

Change Quality... Window - Attribute Options

Click the down-triangle on Attributes to select a higher sampling

Change Quality...Window - Higher-Quality Setting

An Upgrade suggestion is to to double the kHz and Bit rate.
Sound quality will improve with only a modest increase in file size

High quality, large file size option

Huge file size over 10x the default setting file size
This is the highest quality setting for a mono microphone
This is a good choice if you do not intend to ever upload your project across the Internet. If you want maximum quality and have the storage and transportation capabilities for large files, this is an excellent setting. However, there is little discernable difference in sound quality from 22.050 kHz

Sound Quality Options outside of PowerPoint

     Sound settings in PowerPoint are limited to PCM mode (Pulse Code Modulation). Recordings made by using Microsoft's built-in Sound Recorder directly give other Format options, such as ADPCM, which does file compression with no noticeable loss in quality. If you have MP3 codecs installed in your computer, you will be able to record your voice as an MP3.

     It is possible to record portions of your narration separate from your PowerPoint story. Save the sound files as .WAV or .MP3 files and IMPORT them into PowerPoint where needed.

Sound Recorder (SNDREC32) and its many formats

Sound Recorder allows MP3 and compressed ADPCM
as well as many other less necessary formats

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