How to Record Voice in a Car

The short version

Park, switch the engine off, and close the windows.
Turn off the fan and any climate system before you record.
Sit in the back seat, where the cabin is quieter than the front, with the mic close.
Record a few seconds of the cabin alone to check the noise first.

Choose the right moment

Park in a quiet place, away from traffic and from a running engine. A car on a quiet street with the engine off is the best case.

Set the cabin

Switch the engine and the climate system off, close every window, and turn off any fan. Soft seats and the car’s own fabric help absorb reflections.

Position

Sit where the cabin is most enclosed. The back seat is often a quieter spot. Keep the mic close to your mouth, and check that the car’s structure is not right beside you.

Check the cabin first

Record ten seconds of silence and listen on headphones. If you hear a tick from the engine, a fan or traffic, wait or move. The room tone guide explains why this matters.