The online course is one of the most chosen formats by those who decide to work in the digital market, both because of the high demand for specialization and the potential to scale sales.
Whether in technical training, personal development courses, or academic education, the quality of the video lesson makes all the difference in the learner’s experience.
But how do you record high-quality video lessons that convey a professional image?
In this guide, you will discover the step-by-step process to plan, record, and edit your lessons.
If you are a content creator who is just starting out or wants to take your online course to the next level, this content is for you!
What to Do Before You Start Recording Video Lessons
Before hitting the rec button, there are some steps you need to take to ensure a quality recording. Let’s go over them:
1. Scripting: Have a Plan Before You Record
Recording without a script can leave the lesson confusing, with disorganized information and unnecessary pauses. Because of this, the script is pointed out by experts as fundamental to the success of the content.
If you want a complete guide on how to create a script for video lessons, check out this article:
Video Script: How to Create Amazing Lessons from Scratch
2. Choose the Recording Environment
The choice of the location where you will record your video lessons is very important, as it influences three factors:
- Acoustics: It is necessary to choose a quiet environment without echo or external noise.
- Lighting: Poorly lit locations directly affect image quality.
- Visual identity: The environment will be part of your identity and reflect your professionalism.
Nowadays, many people choose to record at home, turning a room into their home studio.
3. Equipment: What You Really Need
You don’t need to spend a lot at the beginning, but some items are essential:
- Camera: A good smartphone is enough for beginners.
- Microphone: A simple lavalier mic greatly improves audio quality.
- Lighting: We’ll talk more about this in the next topic, but ideally, don’t rely solely on ambient light.
- Tripod or stand to keep the camera steady.
If you can invest more, consider a professional microphone and a ring light to further enhance the result.
How to Ensure High Audio Quality in Your Video Lessons
If your budget allows you to invest in only one piece of equipment, invest in improving the audio.
Even if the image isn’t perfect, bad sound will quickly make the student give up on the content.
That’s why you should follow this step-by-step guide to ensure clean and professional audio in your recordings:
Step 1: Choose an External Microphone
The built-in microphone on your phone or laptop captures a lot of ambient noise and leaves the audio with amateur quality.
For this reason, investing in a lavalier microphone makes a huge difference.
Another option is a desktop microphone, which also captures clear sound and enhances the environment.
Step 2: Keep the Environment Quiet
Before you start recording:
- Close doors and windows.
- Turn off the air conditioner to avoid noise.
- Notify people around you that you are recording to prevent interruptions.
Additionally, decorative objects like books, rugs, and curtains help absorb sound, improving acoustics and reducing echo.
Step 3: Adjust the Microphone Input Volume
Before you start recording, it’s necessary to ensure that the microphone is capturing at an ideal volume.
For this, check the audio levels in your recording software (OBS Studio, Premiere, or even on your phone).
The ideal volume should be between -6 dB and -12 dB while you speak normally.
If the level goes over 0 dB, the audio will distort.
If it is below -18 dB, it may sound too low, and if you try to fix it in editing, you will amplify unwanted noise.
Step 4: Clap Your Hands Before You Start Speaking
If you are using an external recorder to record the audio, by the end of the video, you will have two audio files: one from the camera and the professional one.
When transferring these files to the editing software, the editor will need to sync the external audio with the video.
To make this process easier, a good practice is to clap your hands close to the microphone.
This will generate a distinct audio spike, making the synchronization process much simpler.
How to Ensure Good Lighting for Your Recordings
Good lighting is more important than a professional camera.
The best part is that you don’t need a big investment to achieve satisfying results.
Take Advantage of Natural Light
Prefer natural light instead of the room’s lamp.
Record your video lessons near a large window, preferably at times of the day when the light is soft, such as early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Avoid direct sunlight, which can create overexposed (too bright) areas and harsh shadows.
If one side of your face is too dark, use a white surface (like poster board or a piece of Styrofoam) on the opposite side of the window to reflect light and soften shadows.
Invest in a Simple Lighting Kit
With little budget, you can buy a softbox and portable LED kit to provide more controlled and consistent lighting in your space.
Moreover, this will allow you to record at any time of day without relying on natural light.
Here are some tips:
- Position the main light (called the key light) at a 45-degree angle from your face, slightly above eye level. This creates a natural light effect and avoids unwanted shadows.
- To soften the light and avoid harsh shadows, you can bounce the light off a white surface or use diffusers (poster board works fine).
- Add a fill light on the opposite side at lower intensity to balance the lighting on your face.
- If possible, light up the background, separating yourself from the wall and creating a greater sense of depth in the image.
How to Record Video Lessons by Sharing Your Screen
Many courses need to show presentations, tutorials, or system and tool demonstrations. For this, recording the screen can be an excellent option.
Here are some recommendations:
- Use OBS Studio (free and complete) to capture the screen and even include your webcam in the corner.
- Keep your desktop clean and close notifications that may pop up during recording.
Post-Production: How to Edit and Finalize Your Video Lessons
After recording your video lesson, comes the post-production stage—where you organize, cut, and adjust the video to make it more dynamic and easier to follow.
With simple edits, your lessons will already have a professional touch.
Here are some recommendations:
- Cut moments of hesitation, long pauses, or repetitions.
- Insert titles and support texts to help with content understanding.
- If you mentioned charts, data, or visual examples, include them in the video.
- Add a 3 to 5-second intro with your course or brand logo.
These edits can be done in programs like CapCut, Davinci Resolve, and Adobe Premiere.
Check out: 12 Tools to Edit Videos with Artificial Intelligence
Conclusion
Knowing how to record quality video lessons is a great advantage for any content creator who wants to positively impact their students. By following the steps in this guide, your lessons will become much more professional and engaging.
But it’s no use producing amazing material and neglecting security when making your lessons available. After all, your content is valuable and needs protection against copying and piracy.
That’s where Panda Video makes all the difference!
With our platform, you ensure not only the best playback experience but also advanced security features.
Try Panda Video and start delivering a secure, high-quality experience for your students.
