Why is calibrating recording equipment before use important?

Calibrating recording equipment before use is important because it ensures optimal performance and helps to avoid technical issues that could compromise the quality of the recordings. Proper calibration adjusts the equipment to the correct settings tailored to specific recording environments and microphone inputs, ensuring clear sound capture, proper volume levels, and effective noise reduction. This preemptive step minimizes the risk of encountering problems during the recording process, such as distortion, uneven volume levels, or capturing unwanted background noise, all of which can hinder the accuracy and clarity of resulting transcripts. Through optimal performance, the recording is not only more reliable but also more conducive to achieving high-quality transcripts, benefiting both the transcriber and the end-users of the recordings.