Audiobook concept

Audiobooks have proven to be a fantastic growth for authors, producers, and storytellers. Readers prefer to hear the author narrating his book. Here are some points that an author should consider when recording their audiobook.

(1) Make sure to record the highest quality audio

There are several technical requirements that must be followed when recording the best quality audiobook. The best audio quality can be recorded in a place free from unwanted noise that can ruin the audio quality. Your recording can be done at home, but make sure there is no noise that will deteriorate the quality of your audio, and this noise can cause a waste of time, as you would have to re-record your audio to remove the noise. .

Your audio recorder is essential for producing high-quality audio. There are tons of microphones out there, and you can surely find one that will fit your budget. To record audiobooks, I recommend using USB microphones. If you don’t want to read a lot, you can buy Blue Snowball, which records high-quality audio and is very affordable.

(2) Prepare to record

Recording audio is not an easy task. You have to put all your expressions and emotions in your words. The way you convey your words allows your reader to connect with you. So you must be full of energy to express your thoughts.

Here are some of the points to keep in mind as you prepare for recording:

Schedule sessions a few days apart. If you are an introvert and new to this world of recording, make sure your voice does not shake as you speak and that the words and emotion behind it must be clear. You must express yourself with a lot of energy so that the reader feels connected to you. Each recording session takes a minimum of 2 hours, so you should schedule your recording times when you have enough power.

Try to avoid dairy before recording, try not to have the things that can clog your throat and obstruct your speech. To have a perfect audio, your throat must be clear, and in case you are sick or cannot speak properly, it is better to recover and then continue with your work. It is recommended because the recording software requires that your voice be of the same intensity and quality.

If you record meal times, be sure to bring a snack. Try not to schedule your recording sessions around meal times. But in case it does, take some snacks with you because stomach complaints can distract your mind and even lower your energy while talking.

Modulation of your breathing is a must during recording. Holding your breath for a longer period, while reading longer chapters, can even reduce your resistance. Then you can have some recording classes from the professionals to have an effective recording.

While recording, do not read the pages instead of reading from a tablet or any electronic device because while reading the pages, the noise of turning the pages can add an unwanted effect on your recording. Also, put your phone or other devices in airplane mode and turn off any Wi-Fi connection, as this can also generate noise that might not be noticeable during recording.

Once you start recording, situations may arise where you need to modify your writing and re-record it. Therefore, it is recommended to record those books or files that can remain static for a longer period. For example, if you are recording some technical material, you will have to update it annually, and if you have to update a smaller section, the quality of your voice should match the quality of the previous sections; otherwise, you will have to record again. So updating is not an easy task.

Each ACX file should be a single chapter of the book, as this can reduce load times and also when starting a new chapter with a new file, it can recharge your batteries. The opening and closing credits are required, and the text is provided in the ACX notes.

(3) Learn some editing skills to keep costs down

Once the recording is complete, then you are left with the edit. A ghastly edit graces your recording to a greater extent. Paying any producer to edit your recording can increase the quality of your work at the cost of decreased profits. You don’t need to download paid software to edit, you can use Audacity, a free software to edit your files. So if you want to edit your recording on your own, here are some tips for you to follow:

If you make a mistake while recording, clap your hands. This creates spikes in the audio files and could be used to find errors later. If there are many errors, for a smoother reading, go back to the beginning and read it again. Continuous reading for longer hours can make you feel tired and this can increase the number of mistakes, so take a break from reading for a while.

Free editing software such as Audacity or others that are compatible with your computer can be used. The Cross Fade function is used to cut the files. Amadeus Pro, an editing software on Mac, has an automatic dimming function with smart dimming function. Try to use ergonomic keyboards and mice, as regular work can cause wrist aches and other problems.

The ACX has its technical requirements, one of which is adding a few seconds of Room Tone to indicate the beginning and end of the file. To make the process quick and easy, you can record these room tones separately and simply add them using the pre-cut tool to cover and finish each file.

High-quality audio files are very large. Therefore, to send these files over and over again, emails cannot be helpful. Therefore, to send your edited files, you can use DropBox. This is done because larger files reach your computer’s memory faster. So, to send your files to Virtual Assistant (VA) and then to the producer, you can use DropBox.

conclusion

These were some of the tips that might come in handy the next time you want to record an audiobook or if you want to record your first audiobook.