Legal video audio must be intelligible, continuous, and monitored. Difficult rooms reward proximity and planning more than expensive equipment.
Move microphones closer before increasing gain. A well-placed microphone reduces room echo, HVAC noise, and keyboard sounds at the source. Keep clothing, jewelry, paper, and table vibrations from contacting the microphone or cable.
Listen through the full signal path with closed-back headphones. Watch meters, but trust what you hear. If a participant is unusually quiet or turns away while speaking, adjust during an appropriate off-record moment rather than allowing a known problem to continue.
Maintain an independent backup whenever possible. The backup should not depend on the same cable, power source, or recorder as the primary path. Synchronize all devices at the beginning and after substantial breaks.
When conditions cannot be fully corrected, document them neutrally. Never process an evidentiary recording in a way that changes meaning or conceals an interruption. The professional response is transparent mitigation, not invisible repair.