Windows Movie Maker: Tips for Using Narration

Windows Movie Maker does something that makes its stand out against even some of its more advanced competitors. Windows Movie Maker includes a built in function for recording narration, which is something you usually have to do in an outside application and then import in. When you are recording narration in Windows Movie Maker there are a few things you have to do to make sure it ends up being effective.

The reality is that using an on board computer is never going to work out in the way you had planned. Instead, always attach a regular microphone onto your computer for recording the narration with Windows Movie Maker. It is not that important to look at the specifics of the microphone, yet a heavily wind socked hand microphone of some sort is usually best. This is, of course, unless you have a regular sound recording studio.

When you are going to record narration go to the upper Windows Movie Maker task bar, select Tools, and then go to Narrate Timeline to bring up the narration record window. This is where you are going to select the Audio Device and the Audio Input Source Keep your Audio Device as the standard and then select the Audio Input Source that you have attached specifically for recording the narration.

When you are preparing to record look to the Input Level and then begin speaking into your recording device. Look at the bar and see where the levels are, and make sure it is above the middle of the bar but below the red. This will make it so that you get a loud recording, but also maintain clarity and avoid interference.

When you are recording the narration in Windows Movie Maker you have to put limitations on the language you use and how you say it. Keep sentences shorter and stick to words that are clear and easy to say. If you are going to have someone else record the narration make sure they do not have a strong accent or make pronunciation choices that are not conventional for your primary viewing location. Read slowly and methodically as clarity and accuracy are the most important. You may want to record several tracks until you find the one you want.

When you bring the narration track into the Windows Movie Maker Timeline you are going to have to adjust the position of the track just right. You will then have to counter balance the primary video associated audio and the audio of the narration secondary track. You will have to make the narration come up and down in intensity, which means breaking it up and changing the audio levels between them.