Perfecting Your ASMR Audio Settings: A Simple Guide

ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos and audio have certainly taken the online world by storm. By providing tingling, relaxing and satisfying sensations to people across the globe, ASMR videos are increasing in popularity.

Videos featuring product unboxing, whispering sounds, mouth and eating sounds, roleplay, fingernails tapping and scratching sounds, nature sounds, brushing and touching, and the like come under the ASMR video category.

Visual triggers are indeed crucial in such videos. But one cannot deny the role of audio in creating an immersive and satisfying ASMR experience as well.

If you are planning to make ASMR videos, you need to pay attention to their audio settings. 

Let’s talk about the fundamental audio settings to elevate your ASMR recordings. With the right audio settings, your audience will get exactly the autonomous sensory meridian response they desire.

Set Proper Volume and Gain Levels for Creating ASMR Videos

When managing the audio settings for your ASMR recordings, pay special attention to the volume and gain levels.

Why Set Appropriate Volume and Gain Levels?

‘Gain’ is your mic’s input sensitivity. It influences the extent to which your microphone amplifies the audio it captures.

When the gain is appropriate, it prevents distortion and unwanted background noise in the ASMR recording. As a result, you get clean and clear audio with crisp sounds.

The volume levels also play a crucial role in the ASMR realm. An appropriate volume level ensures the viewers and listeners comfortably engage with the video’s content. 

Plus, it creates a tranquil and engrossing auditory experience. Thirdly, proper gain and volume levels also help control distortion during post-production which enhances the audio quality.

Moreover, different ASMR triggers including gentle tapping and soft-spoken or whispering voices sound more powerful when recorded at suitable volumes. You can lose the beauty of these triggers if the volume is too low or too high.

Appropriate Gain Level Setting for ASMR

The most suitable gain level setting for ASMR content is as follows:

• Your aim should be to have a moderate gain level as that it ensures crystal clear audio devoid of distortion and noise.
• Set the gain level between -12 dB and -6 dB at first.
• Listen to the audio and make adjustments if needed.

The gain level following in the ‘-12 dB to -6 dB’ range works well for majority of the mics.

How to Set Appropriate Gain Levels Settings for An ASMR Video

Now that you know the importance of setting the right gain level for recording ASMR sounds, let’s take a look at what you need to do.

• First, understand your mic’s specifications and sensitivity. Some mics tend to be more sensitive than others so knowing your mic helps you set the gain levels accordingly.
• Always begin recording with a low gain setting. Slowly, increase it till you can hear clear sound without any distortion.
• Record a short segment first to check the mic’s sensitivity.
• Listen to the recording’s playback to see if any adjustments are required. In case, the audio feels too quiet, increase the gain a little.
• Use your headphones while doing the ASMR recording so you can monitor it in real-time. You can detect any problems with the gain levels instantly, and overcome them.

Work on these steps, and after some experimentation, you’ll discover the ideal gain settings for your mic to record a great ASMR video.

Appropriate Volume Settings for ASMR Audio

The perfect volume setting and level for ASMR audios varies. It depends on factors such as the mic’s sensitivity, personal preferences and the intensity of the different sounds you are recording.

That said, a general appropriate volume setting for ASMR audios is as such:

• Generally, volume level ranging between -16 dBFS and -20 dBFS works well for most ASMR audios. This level is suitable as it helps listeners hear minute sounds clearly without feeling overpowered.
• Set the volume level in the recommended range while you record and later when editing too. 
• The peak levels of the audio should be below -6 dBFS. This peak audio level helps prevent distortion and clipping.
• Sometimes peaks that reach -3 dBFS are okay, but it is better to minimize them in order to maintain clarity in the audio.

How to Adjust Appropriate Volume Levels for An ASMR Video

The volume adjustment happens best during post-production of ASMR videos. Here are the different techniques you can try to ensure the volume level is best suitable for making creative ASMR content.

• When recording ASMR sounds, set the volume at a moderate level. Record a short segment first. Listen to the recording to check if the audio is clear and crisp. In case it sounds muffled, increase the volume level.
• Use a  good audio editing software so you can fine-tune the volume levels during post-production.
• Try the ‘normalization’ feature in your editing software. It balances the overall volume of your recording without distorting its dynamics.
• In case of any volume fluctuations, apply compression to your recording. Compression helps in keeping the volume at a consistent level which improves the listening experience.
• Balance the different ASMR sounds in your videos such as tapping, scratching, eating and whispering. Balancing these audio elements produces a harmonious and cohesive soundscape.
• Keep volume levels as such that they are comfortable for your audience. ASMR is primarily appreciated for its soothing and sensual effects. Sudden and extremely loud noises tend to destroy that calming experience.

Refining the volume of ASMR videos plays a very rudimentary role in its audio settings. Practice it consistently to master it so you deliver a mesmerizing auditory experience for your viewers.

Work on The Sample Rate and Bitrate

Working on the sample rate and bitrate of your ASMR recording is also important to ensure the end result is captivating and powerful.

The bitrate is the number of bits that are processed per every time unit in audio data. It determines the amount of data that represents every second of audio. When the bitrate is high, the audio quality is generally better too.

Sample rate signifies the number of audio samples that are captured in every second during a recording. 

Appropriate Bitrate and Sample Rate Settings for ASMR Audio

The best bitrate and sample rate settings for ASMR audio are as follows:

• Commonly used sample rates are 44.1kHZ and 48kHz. A higher sample rate helps in reconstructing the audio waveform very accurately.
• Opt for a higher bitrate like 24-bit so you get a bigger dynamic range. The dynamic range refers to the difference between the loudest and softest sounds. To make your audience experience ASMR, your content needs to have subtle nuances of sound. With a higher bitrate, you can capture these sounds with great accuracy.
• When you increase the bitrate, also go for a higher sample rate such as 48kHz. This combination helps in capturing the minute details in sounds such as tapping, brushing and nature sounds. Plus, it also reproduces the intricate sound details with precision.

Here’s what you need to do to set the sample rate and bitrate so that you get high quality and compelling ASMR videos.

• Check the audio quality on different bitrates. You will notice that as you increase the bitrate, the audio reproduction will be more authentic. Also, the quantization noise will reduce too. The quantization noise refers to the error you get when analog signals are represented in digital format. With less quantization noise, your audio recording becomes accurate and cleaner.

To make ASMR work, experiment with different bitrate and sampling rate combinations. When both of these are high, your recording will be just perfect to trigger the desired autonomous sensory meridian response in your viewers. Also, high sample rate and bitrate give you more flexibility for editing using a video editing software.

Focus on Background Noise Reduction

An extremely crucial audio setting to trigger ASMR in your videos is to reduce background noise. If your ASMR video contains unwanted sounds, its relaxing effect automatically diminishes.

To manage the unwanted background noise in your recording, do the following:

• To enhance clarity of the audio, use noise gates to mute the audio automatically when there is no significant sound present.
• Make use of an effective pop filter to avoid picking unnecessary sounds and also reduce the plosive sounds.
• Always record in a peaceful, quiet environment. To sound treat your recording space, you can hang moving blankets on the walls. They are effective in absorbing unnecessary sounds from your recording space. Consequently, you get crisp and clear recordings.
• For excellent noise reduction, find the optimal mic position so it captures the intended ASMR sounds, and also minimizes the background noise. You will have to experiment a little with the microphone placement in your recording studio to discover the best recording position.
• To further improve the audio quality of your recordings, apply noise reduction to your recordings using a good audio editing software. These tools identify the unwanted background noise including unnecessary background music and cancel it. Audio editing software like Reaper, Adobe Audition, and Audacity are quite popular as they provide you with control on your recordings.
• Monitor your audio using noise canceling headphones. They help you easily detect subtle sound details so you can make adjustments in the recording accordingly.

When trying these hacks, work with one hack at a time. Check the results of implementing that hack, and then add in another. With this strategy, you are able to find the tactics that work out best for your ASMR recordings, be it YouTube videos or Instagram reels.

Choose the Right Mic for ASMR Videos

Selecting a good mic is the most fundamental step to having a good ASMR recording. If the microphone isn’t sensitive and powerful enough, it won’t successfully capture the tiny nuances in the sounds you are trying to record.

The three most suitable types of microphones to create an ASMR video include the following:

Stereo or Binaural Mics

Stereo or binaural mics pick audio from two main channels. As a result, they mimic sounds exactly how the human ears hear them. Consequently, your viewers get a three-dimensional and engaging experience in your ASMR videos.

Some popular and suitable binaural and stereo microphones for creating ASMR videos include:

• Roland CS-10EM Binaural Microphone
• 3Dio Free Space Pro II Binaural Microphone
• Roland R-07 High-Resolution Audio Recorder
• Hooke Verse Binaural 3D Audio Headphone
• Zoom H3-VR Handy Audio Recorder

Omnidirectional Mics

Omnidirectional mics pick sounds from all directions which makes them appropriate for capturing a diverse array of ambient sounds and sound effects. These microphones are often used in ASMR videos to pick up the sounds of the surrounding environment. Plus, their sound quality is pretty neat too.

Some of the commonly used omnidirectional mics for ASMR recordings include:

• Zoom H1n Handy Recorder
• Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Microphone for Smartphones
• Sennheiser AMBEO Smart Headset
• Audio-Technica ATR3350iS Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone

Lavalier Microphones

Lavalier (lav) microphones are clip-on mics that you can attach to your clothes. Providing movement-flexibility, they help you move freely while capturing the desired sounds in your ASMR video.

Popular lav microphones for ASMR recordings include:

• Sennheiser ME 2-II Omnidirectional Lavalier Microphone
• Rode SmartLav+ Lavalier Microphone
• Audio-Technica ATR3350iS Omnidirectional Condenser Lavalier Microphone
• Sony ECM-CS3 Clip style Omnidirectional Stereo Microphone
• Movo WMIC50 Wireless Lavalier Microphone System

You can choose any other microphone too besides the ones mentioned above. Just make sure that they have the following attributes for successful ASMR recordings:

• Has low self-noise so the mic does not introduce unwanted sounds in the recording
• Has extended and flat frequency response to easily capture a wide range of sounds with precision
• Has excellent durability so it can withstand routine handling along with wear and tear

Pay attention to these factors, and you’ll find a good microphone for your ASMR recordings. For your first ASMR video, go for a good but affordable mic. Experiment with it, and as your recording abilities improve, invest in a better mic.

Final Thoughts

Creating mesmerizing ASMR videos is certainly an art. To master it, you need to have the right audio settings so the video authentically showcases the different sounds captured in it.

Pay attention to the mic you use, its volume and gain levels, the bitrate and sampling rate, and noise reduction. Take care of these factors, and you will get a fine quality ASMR video.

Frequently Asked Questions