audio book concept
Audiobooks have proven to be a fantastic growth for authors, producers, and storytellers. Readers prefer to listen to the author narrating his book. Here are some points that an author should keep in mind when recording their audiobook.
(1) Make sure you record the highest quality audio
There are several technical requirements that need to be followed when recording the best quality audiobook. The best quality audio can be recorded in a location that is 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 deteriorates the quality of your audio, and this noise can cause you a waste of time as you would have to re-record your audio to get rid of the noise. .
Your audio recorder is crucial to producing high-quality audio. There are tons of microphones out there, and you can surely find one that is within your budget. To record audiobooks, I recommend using USB microphones. If you don’t want to do much reading, you can buy the 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 into 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 the recording:
Schedule sessions a few days apart If you’re an introvert and new to recording, make sure your voice doesn’t shake as you speak and that the words and the emotion behind them should be clear. You must express yourself with a lot of energy so that the reader feels connected to you. Each recording session lasts a minimum of 2 hours, so 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. In order to have perfect audio, your throat must be clear, and in case you are sick or unable to speak well, you had better recover and then continue with your work. It is recommended because the recording software requires your voice to be of the same intensity and quality.
If you’re shooting at lunchtime, be sure to bring a snack with you. Try not to schedule your recording sessions around your meals. But just in case it does happen, have some snacks with you because a grumbling stomach can distract your mind and can even lower your energy while talking.
The modulation of your breathing is essential during the recording. Holding your breath for a longer period, while reading longer chapters, can even lower your stamina. Then you can have some recording classes from the professionals to have an effective recording.
While recording, please do not read from the pages, read 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, switch your phone or other devices to airplane mode and turn off any Wi-Fi connections, as this can also add noise that might not be noticeable during recording.
Once you start recording, there may be some situations where you need to modify your writing and record it again. Therefore, it is recommended to record those books or files that can remain static for a longer period. For example, if you are recording something technical, you will have to update it annually, and if you have to update a smaller section, the quality of your voice must 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 by starting a new chapter with a new file it can be revitalized. The opening and closing credits are required, and the text is provided in the ACX notes.
(3) Learn some editing skills to keep the cost down
Once the recording is complete, you are left with the editing. Bad editing further embellishes your recording. If you pay any producer to edit your recording, this 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 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 the errors later on. If there are many errors, for smoother reading, go back to the beginning and read it again. Continuous reading for more 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 auto-fade feature with the Smart Fade feature. Try to use ergonomic keyboards and mice, as regular work can cause wrist pain and other problems.
ACX has its technical requirements, one of which is to add 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 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 get into your computer’s memory faster. So, to send your files to the 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.
