This guide covers the complete workflow for recording by yourself, from preparation through file management.
Solo recording is perfect for:
- Solo podcast episodes
- Monologue content
- Voice-overs and narration
- Video introductions
- Practice sessions
Solo mode works completely offline - no internet required.
Room:
- Choose a quiet space with minimal echo
- Soft furnishings (carpet, curtains) reduce reflections
- Close windows and doors
- Turn off noisy appliances
Technical:
- Connect microphone and camera
- Close unnecessary applications
- Silence phone notifications
- Check available disk space
- Launch Capturly
- Select your microphone from the dropdown
- Verify audio levels by speaking normally
- Select your camera (or "No Camera" for audio-only)
- Check the preview for framing and lighting
Speak at your normal recording volume:
- Peaks should reach the yellow zone
- Most speech should stay in green
- Avoid hitting red (clipping)
Adjust your position or gain accordingly.
- Enter your display name - Used in file naming
- Set save location - Where files will be stored
- Take a breath - Relax before starting
- Click Start Recording
After clicking start:
- Pre-flight checks run automatically
- Voice slate plays (session ID + sync beep)
- Wait for the beep to complete
- Begin your content
Best practices:
- Maintain consistent distance from microphone
- Speak clearly and at a steady pace
- Monitor the audio level meter
- Take natural pauses - easier to edit
- Don't worry about mistakes - you can edit later
Recording controls:
- Timer shows elapsed time
- Stop button ends the recording
- Audio meter shows real-time levels
- Finish your content
- Brief pause - Leave silence for editing
- Click Stop Recording
- Wait for files to save
- Review the session summary
The Complete Screen shows:
- Recording duration
- Files created
- File locations
- File sizes
Click the folder icon to open your recordings directory.
Your recordings are organized as:
[Save Location]/
└── [Date]/
└── [SessionID]_[Name]_[Date]_[Time]_audio.wav
└── [SessionID]_[Name]_[Date]_[Time]_video.mp4
└── [SessionID]_[Name]_[Date]_[Time]_video-audio.mp4
Before closing Capturly:
- Play the audio in your system player
- Check the video (if recorded)
- Verify the entire recording captured
- Note any issues for the next session
Raw recordings are valuable - back them up:
- Copy to an external drive
- Upload to cloud storage
- Keep originals until editing is complete
Microphone technique:
- 6-12 inches from the microphone
- Slightly off-axis to reduce plosives
- Consistent position throughout
- Use a pop filter if available
Environment:
- Record during quiet hours
- Close HVAC vents if possible
- Remove ticking clocks or buzzing electronics
- Consider acoustic treatment for regular recording
Lighting:
- Face your light source (window or lamp)
- Avoid backlighting
- Use soft, even lighting
- Ring lights work well for webcams
Framing:
- Eye level camera position
- Centered with some headroom
- Clean, uncluttered background
- Consistent framing each session
Delivery:
- Smile - it comes through in your voice
- Stand up for more energy
- Gesture naturally (even if not on camera)
- Vary your pace and tone
Content:
- Have an outline but don't read verbatim
- Embrace natural speech patterns
- Mistakes are okay - you can edit
- Energy dips? Take a break and restart
For content with multiple sections:
- Record each segment as a separate session
- Or record continuously and split in editing
- Use natural pauses between topics
If you make a mistake:
- Don't stop the recording
- Pause briefly
- Repeat the section cleanly
- Continue - edit out the mistake later
This is faster than stopping and restarting.
For podcasts without video:
- Select "No Camera" in device dropdown
- Only audio files will be created
- Smaller file sizes
- Less storage needed
Now that you have your recording: