Recording Your Voice for an Audiobook at Home: A Comprehensive Guide

audiobooks Jul 25, 2023

Audiobook recording mastering and editing

In recent years, the popularity of audiobooks has skyrocketed, and many aspiring authors are now considering recording their own audiobooks from the comfort of their homes. With advancements in technology and accessibility, creating high-quality audiobook recordings at home is easier than ever. In this article, I'll take you through a step-by-step process of recording your voice for an audiobook at home, from setting up the recording space to mastering and uploading your files.

1. Finding a Quiet Space: To ensure professional-sounding audio, start by finding a quiet room that minimizes external noise. Aim for a dead-ish room with minimal echo or reverberation. Adding some sound diffusion materials like bookshelves, curtains, and rugs can help reduce unwanted reflections. Consider adding plants and soft furnishings to create a cozy and inviting vibe, which can positively impact your performance.

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2. Choosing Your Recording Equipment: Selecting the right recording equipment is crucial for achieving high-quality audio. All of the following recording equipment can be found on Amazon. You have three main options:

Option 1: USB Microphone (Shure MV7): For beginners or those looking for a simpler setup, a USB microphone like the Shure MV7 is an excellent choice. It offers great sound quality and eliminates the need for a separate audio interface, making it plug-and-play compatible with your computer.

Option 2: Microphone and Audio Interface: For more advanced users seeking better control over their audio, consider a dynamic microphone like the Shure SM7B or SM58 paired with an audio interface like the Scarlett series. This setup may require additional setup time, but it provides higher fidelity and flexibility.

Option 3: Phone: You can use your iPhone or any smart phone to record your audiobook using a voice recorder app like iPhone's Voice Memos app, Voice Recorder & Voice Memos for Android, or any other recording apps for your phone. You will need a great noise removal plugin like Waves Clarity VX if you use your phone.

Remember to use a pop filter to minimize plosives and unwanted breath noises in your recordings.

3. Choosing Your Audio Software: Selecting the right audio software is essential for recording and editing your audiobook. Here are 4 options that cater to different needs and budgets:

GarageBand (Mac): Ideal for Mac users, GarageBand is a beginner-friendly and free option with basic recording and editing features. Logic X is like a pro version of GarageBand and offers a 90-day free trial.
Audacity: A free and open-source software available on multiple platforms, Audacity offers a wide range of editing tools.
Ableton Live (Intro version): A more advanced option, Ableton Live's Intro version provides basic features for audiobook recording and editing. Ableton Live also offers a 90-day free trial.
Pro Tools Intro: A professional-grade software used widely in the audio industry. It offers powerful editing capabilities but has a steeper learning curve and requires an iLok for licensing.

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4. Understanding the Upload Requirements (ACX Requirements): If you plan to distribute your audiobook on platforms like Audible, you need to adhere to their specific requirements outlined by the Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX). Understand the specifications for file formats, bitrates, and other technical details before recording.

Additionally, be aware of any extra audio that may be required, such as an "About the Author" section, an introduction, and credits.

5. Recording the Audio: Prepare a script for your audiobook and rehearse before recording. During recording, use a dog clicker or any other distinctive sound to mark mistakes. This helps identify edit points during the editing process. If you make an error, click the clicker, pause, and repeat the last five seconds to provide sufficient audio for smooth editing.

6. Editing the Audio: Editing is a critical step in the audiobook creation process. During editing, you'll:

Address Mistakes: Remove errors marked by the dog clicker, ensuring a seamless listening experience.
Crossfades: Smoothly blend together different parts of the recording to eliminate abrupt transitions.
Noise Removal Plugins: Use noise removal tools to reduce background hiss, clicks, pops, and other unwanted sounds. My current favorites are: Waves Clarity VX or iZotope RX Elements. Waves X-Noise and X-Click are also great.
Leaving Room Tone: Keep a small base amount of room tone to maintain a natural ambiance. This is also a requirement for ACX.

7. Mastering and Exporting: Mastering involves fine-tuning the audio to achieve a consistent volume level and overall quality. Ensure your audiobook complies with the ACX requirements for loudness normalization and peak levels. Export the final audio files in the specified formats.

8. Naming and Uploading the Audio Files: Before uploading, name your audio files logically and consistently. Follow the platform's guidelines for file naming conventions. Then, proceed with the upload process as per the platform's instructions.

9. Remastering and Re-Uploading: If any of your audio files fail the ACX submission test or require revisions, address the issues and remaster the files accordingly. Always double-check the final version before re-uploading.

10. Consider Hiring Professional Help: While recording an audiobook at home is entirely doable, not everyone may have the time or inclination to handle the process themselves. In such cases, hiring a professional audio engineer, like Futch from LEVELS, can offer you a professional final product without the technical hassle. All you will need to do is 1. Record it at home following the steps above or 2. Get it recorded professionally at a local recording studio. Then you can send the audio files to Futch for the editing and mastering.

Conclusion: Recording your voice for an audiobook at home is an exciting and rewarding experience. By setting up a suitable recording space, choosing the right equipment and software, and following the ACX guidelines, you can produce an audiobook that captivates listeners. Whether you decide to embark on this journey yourself or seek professional assistance, the world of audiobooks is waiting to showcase your literary talent to an eager audience. Happy recording!

Also read: DIY Audiobook: Recording, Editing, and Mastering Tips

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