Raw audio
Raw audio is the unedited recording straight from the microphones, before any cutting, mixing or mastering. It is the source material that post-production works from, and is usually kept as a backup.
For example, after a session the engineer archives the raw audio from each person's separate track, so the editor can mix them independently and return to the originals if needed.
Why it matters: keeping clean raw audio protects you against editing mistakes and lets you re-edit or repurpose later, which safeguards the investment in each recording.
Good raw audio is captured as separate, locally recorded tracks per speaker at healthy levels with headroom - the cleaner the raw, the less post can hurt it.
- Recording everyone onto one combined track, removing all editing flexibility.
- Clipping the input by setting gain too hot with no headroom.
- Failing to back up raw files before editing begins.
What is raw audio?
Raw audio is the unedited recording straight from the microphones, before any cutting, mixing or mastering. It is the source material that post-production works from, and is usually kept as a backup.
Should each speaker be recorded on a separate track?
Yes. Recording each person to an isolated track gives the editor independent control over levels and noise, and is far easier to fix than a single mixed file.
What format should raw audio be saved in?
Uncompressed formats like WAV preserve full quality. Avoid recording masters in lossy formats like MP3, which discard data that cannot be recovered.