Better audio. A better first impression.

Record a short sample of normal talking, a louder reaction, and a quiet pause. Listen through headphones. You are looking for distracting background noise, distortion, and big changes in volume.

Close windows when possible and move away from fans or other noisy equipment. Soft furnishings can reduce the harsh reflections of a bare room. Place the microphone closer to your voice while keeping it out of the way.

If your microphone picks up your speakers, use headphones. Change one setting at a time and record another sample so you know what helped.

Test your voice together with game audio or music. Your voice should stay understandable during the busiest moments. Leave room for louder reactions so they do not distort.

Check your streaming software’s meters, but trust a recording of the actual mix too. A healthy-looking meter does not always mean your viewers can understand you.