5 Tips to Record Your Audiobook at Home

Adding an audio format to your book product page is a smart move as an author. Audiobook sales continue to increase and readers (or, rather listeners) everywhere want to hear your audiobook not read your book. The expense or potential of using a studio isn't always something that works for authors though, and that is ok. In this video, Julie Broad of Book Launchers shares her experience of recording her audiobook at home. She discusses the equipment she needed to record the audiobook as well as what rooms in the house work best for audiobook recording. If you want to record your audiobook in your home, then make sure you watch this video.
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:58 Audible Specifications for Audiobooks
01:43 Where to record your audiobook in your home
03:18 The equipment you need to record an audiobook
04:36 What are Pick-ups?
05:48 Why renting studio space might be better
08:28 Mic Boom Arms and other specific equipment

[@timtrottproductions]

Good directional microphones (eg: R0DE USB) make complete soundproofing less critical. Indoor/outdoor carpet on a desk works well. Curtains work well. Audacity has plugins for setting consistent sound levels, equalizing noise reduction. Good microphone technique solves the popping problem (speak "across" the mic, not "at" it.) Sit on the front edge of the chair, have good posture and smile. Believe it or not, that makes a BIG difference in the result. Computer fans can be replaced with fans that are more quiet.

[@BookLaunchers]

Great tips! Thank you!!

[@MoniqueJoinerSiedlak_Author]

Those who record their own audiobooks, I give props. I couldn't do it. Another reason I don't balk at my narrators' prices.

[@AlannahRyane]

Just sub'd

[@BookLaunchers]

Welcome!

[@paulmcconnell-sg2xs]

Very informative and watchable. Feb 26 2023. Nothing worth having comes easy. I will not quit my daydream. Let's do this. Thank you!

[@BookLaunchers]

You got this! And thank you for connecting!! If you’re just getting started with writing, I highly recommend our 7 steps to write a non-fiction book. You can get that at www.booklaunchers.com/7steps and if you’re ready to market a book our Gameplan for selling 1000 books with less than $100 is a great way to start planning your book marketing. You can download that for free at www.booklaunchers.com/gameplan Even better than all the above is my latest book => Self-Publish and Succeed books2read.com/ap/RDOjGr/Julie-Broad - that’s a really great starting point for any non-fiction author to start thinking through what you need to do to write a book that will sell. Hope to see you again soon!

[@OliverSeligman]

Thank you Julie for your brilliant, clear and simple instructions. You make it all so clear. Much appreciated 🙂

[@AuthorThePoetBGKL]

I love this video... I learned allot here. You made it so easy to innerstand the knowledge given. thank you

[@williammosley9370]

Thank you so much I’m making a home studio setup and you taught me some things I didn’t even know. I will definitely incorporate your tips in my work.

[@janaevaswanigan9889]

this is really good and helpful thanks so much!

[@frankgambino7576]

This video was one of the most helpful ones I've been able to find. Thank you.

[@SwamiKripananda]

Very informative. Thank you. 🙏

[@candaceberry6651]

This was very helpful! I just got my first job as a narrator today, and this answered many of my questions. Thank you!

[@ELECTECHNUT]

Thank you Julie for another fantastic video, full of important information!

[@BookLaunchers]

You are so welcome! You're welcome. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag and you’re invited to join our live stream to find out if you won, and win other prizes too. Normally there would be a live on November 22nd but we have to skip that one so we’ll be posting the winners on the Community Tab instead. We’ll be back live on December 6th. 
 In the meantime you can plan to join our monthly Deep Dive training on (TODAY!) Saturday, November 19th. This one is in honor of NaNoWriMo and will be a writing session with writing sprints, Q&A, and focused writing time. Come and see how much you can accomplish with a little forced focus mixed with fun and prizes. Register here: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@ArtistAllanWest]

This is good to know. It is amazing how much one can catch just by reading it out loud. I can't wait for the time I'll be ready to record an audio book😃❗️

[@BookLaunchers]

Coming soon ... :)

[@anguswardlaw7832]

really helpful. thank so much

[@tourhead]

Thank you! Reading chapters is so fun!

[@BookLaunchers]

It really is!

[@TheOppositeIsTrueBook]

Definitely needed this one. I’ll have to watch it a few more times too. Thank you 🙏

[@BookLaunchers]

Are you going to record at home?

[@TheOppositeIsTrueBook]

@@BookLaunchers Not home, but was planning to explore library “soundproof” room options in Orange County and following up with professional sound engineers before and after, or utilizing BL services. Money drying up, so have to be strategic. Hopefully recording early next year or spring.

[@michaellightenpublisher]

Loved your video. A lot of information so I made notes. I was once in broadcasting a long time ago and will attempt it on my own for my smaller works, but gain a professional for the larger volumes. Again thanks for the excellent video.

[@BookLaunchers]

Good luck with it! I'm sure you can do it. :)

[@holdthewinds]

Thank you, Julie! This is very timely as I'm working through all those specs right now - as I prepare to record here at home. I've got the content, the equipment, the experience in reading... now just got to get those specs perfected! I appreciate this video!

[@BookLaunchers]

You got this!

[@Odessarose6]

I am in the process of recording my audiobook at home. My husband helped me turn our closet into a sound booth. It is so cool reading my book. Good luck.

[@juliak3580]

Me too!’

[@AlannahRyane]

Awesome overall summary Julie thanks!

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad it was helpful! You're welcome. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag and you’re invited to join our live stream to find out if you won, and win other prizes too. Normally there would be a live on November 22nd but we have to skip that one so we’ll be posting the winners on the Community Tab instead. We’ll be back live on December 6th. 
 In the meantime you can plan to join our monthly Deep Dive training on (TODAY!) Saturday, November 19th. This one is in honor of NaNoWriMo and will be a writing session with writing sprints, Q&A, and focused writing time. Come and see how much you can accomplish with a little forced focus mixed with fun and prizes. Register here: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@oneiceb5974]

Thank you

[@DreamBigBook]

Thanks for the clear explanation.

[@BookLaunchers]

You're welcome!!

[@TheShaunHayes]

Wow. Perfect timing I am literally signing up with Book Launchers this week for my audiobook. Thank you for ALL THESE TIPS. I am for sure going to rent a studio. Thanks again. Happy Friday

[@BookLaunchers]

A studio is definitely the best for most of us! Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag and you’re invited to join our live stream to find out if you won, and win other prizes too. Normally there would be a live on November 22nd but we have to skip that one so we’ll be posting the winners on the Community Tab instead. We’ll be back live on December 6th. 
 In the meantime you can plan to join our monthly Deep Dive training on (TODAY!) Saturday, November 19th. This one is in honor of NaNoWriMo and will be a writing session with writing sprints, Q&A, and focused writing time. Come and see how much you can accomplish with a little forced focus mixed with fun and prizes. Register here: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@jessicajenns8318]

what kind of studio do you look for? what do I google? @@BookLaunchers

[@laurenfriday8096]

Thanks so much! I'm just getting into recording audiobooks for authors and this was very informative.

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@beelinebill]

Well done tutorial, Julie! I hired someone to record my audiobook and would likely do it again. Although I have the equipment, it was just a better scenario to outsource.

[@BookLaunchers]

Someday robots will be reading our books.

[@mikecook_author]

Good to know info about recording your own audiobooks.

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@edkatterson4855]

Julie, thank you very much. Your advice, recommendations, etc are very helpful. I'll let you know the outcome of my efforts. BTW, I found at 50 that I am (and have always been) an audio learner. Since then, I've "listened" my way through the 19th-century authors and am deep into the 20th. What fun. Thanks again.

[@BookLaunchers]

Audiobooks for the win!

[@poetryfromtheheart1287]

Thank you, this was definitely a topic that I have wanted to learn more about just in case we can ever find a place to move where I can enjoy a quiet corner. Although even we find the right house it will be awhile before I can enjoy that quiet corner. because since my very vocal little schnauzer went blind from diabetes he has clung to me like his life depends upon it and sometimes I cannot even get a bowl of cereal without him panicking. As someone who has been dealing with episodes of severe and debilitating chronic nausea that often keeps me from sleeping and sometimes causes me to go several days without eating, I am very sorry to hear about your night and day morning sickness. I am sorry that I have not been able to leave comments lately. It is just that for the second time this year my iron stores and saturation dropped so low that I could barely lift my head off of my pillow. Now that it has been a few days since getting m 5th and 6th infusion of the year, I finally have a little bit of energy to type thank you and I definitely smashed that like button for a very helpful video.

[@devonanddustinfox-foxhomes1453]

Thanks Julie. Very helpful tips. On another completely random note…you’re adorable. Your personality shines through.

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you! :)

[@flair4crafts894]

Can you suggest a microphone pop filter, mic boom arm, audio comverter brand that you are comfortable with. Nice video. Thank you

[@alisonlangley6671]

I bought a Shure MV7 USB Podcaster mic for a fraction of all that equipment and it sounds fantastic.

[@BookLaunchers]

Equipment has improved a lot since this was recorded. I recorded my latest audiobook on a high end Shure mic as well.

[@emilyromero6209]

Thank you for another awesome video! Just out of curiosity, if a book has multiple authors, and they’re based in different places, what’s the best way to make sure that the audio is consistent if they are both recording part of the book from their two separate locations?

[@BookLaunchers]

Great question. We have only had a couple of books narrated by multiple people and they went into a studio to do it. I would suggest hiring an editor and speak with them and doing voice tests before you record much.

[@Odessarose6]

Great video. Thank you.

[@BookLaunchers]

Glad you liked it!

[@rorykeane7527]

so far iv only watched the first 2 and a half minutes of this and its already helped me out alot. Thankyou. I will watch the rest now haha

[@rorykeane7527]

6 minutes in, incredible advice. thanks again

[@rorykeane7527]

Great! after battling for many months trying to get my sound and environment right and always failing slightly and getting stressed youve totally helped me realise i should it might just be easier to rent a studio. thankyou again . Over and out :)

[@samosmond2375]

what a great video!

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you!

[@ArielPaz08]

Wow. I listened to a sales webinar today about recording audiobooks and then I listened to this. He made it sound sooooo simple. This makes it sound sooooo complicated. Not sure I want to go to all the trouble of buying all the different equipment, making some room sound proof, ya da ya da. Who wants to sit in a closet or a bathroom for hours recording? Hmmmmm. Thanks for this video tho. It was informative.

[@mariaappelbe2683]

You are amazing, thank you for taking the time to help us, authors. A wealth of information. I plan on speaking most of my audible, I have a Yoga room. Since I am an instructor. No dogs/ no babies. Seeing if I can use our Media Room at ASU, I am an Enrollment Specialist. Ok sorry, not my question, one of my Book Club members has one of those graceful voices, and my daughter is in an advanced theater class with amazing students (they would do it for the fun, experience, and reference). Would you recommend using other voices, since it is an autobiography? Thank you off to watch another recording!

[@BookLaunchers]

As in other voices for the dialogue? We have an author that had other voices www.amazon.com/Leave-Your-Light-Musical-Illuminating/dp/B08DRW168W/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=leave+your+light+on+shelley+buck&qid=1669163823&sprefix=leave+your+light+on%2Caps%2C151&sr=8-1 You should check out how they did it.

[@scotter]

Thank you! This is super helpful! I'm looking for confirmation or correction of what I interpreted so far: In a past video you talked about making a "intro" or "short description" of the book recording. I'm assuming that would be a separate file. Duh, right? But then... When you say "opening credits," does that include the forward? Then chapter 1 as another file, chapter 2, and so on, yes? Then by "closing credits," could that mean my dedications? BTW, thanks again because in another video you mentioned it being better to put the dedications at the end and I thought, "Duh!" and immediately moved mine.

[@BookLaunchers]

Hi! You can see what I did for my latest book here: kzbin.info/aero/PLh6B5bRioc1xBijZsvgKUJYyuR8RKjylA&si=tuwTeD890C4Zdqd0 That's my recording of the narration of the book.

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

This was really helpful…but seems so stressful! 😀 I would never consider recording my book because I can’t stand the way my voice sounds on a recording! I think most of us are like this. Something funny, you sound exactly like one of my friends. I played one of your videos for her and she laughed so hard! She was like, that’s my voice!

[@BookLaunchers]

A voice doppleganger ... that is new!! I'm sure she's a wonderful person. ;) I enjoyed recording my audiobook but so much more in a studio than at home. I wanted to give all the options for people though.

[@thekarmafarmer608]

Thank you for this instructive video. I have recently realised that my large PCs fan will preclude it being used in my recording booth. I have a good mic, audio interface and a new SSD drive. Unfortunately, Audacity doesn`t work on either Android or IOS (I`m told). Can I use any other recording software to send the audio to the SSD and then, when finished transfer from the SSD to my PC for editing? If so, do you have any recommendations for hardware/software? Thank you for any advice you can offer. Pete. UK

[@BookLaunchers]

Oh boy - that is definitely a bit more technical than I can help with. I am sorry. My suggestion is to go on Reedsy.com and find an audiobook engineer and ask if you can hire them for an hour to sort out the technical specs with you.

[@thekarmafarmer608]

@@BookLaunchers Thank you for taking the time to reply. That`s good advice. Appreciate your help. Have a wonderful Easter.

[@0609klr]

Where can I get the specs Audible has established for an acceptable recording?

[@AtSeaLifestyles]

thanks for the great tips, you seem like someone i would have a beer with :)

[@jessicajenns8318]

Thanks for the video. How does a self published author who wants to narrate their own book on Audible start? I want to narrate but not at home. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[@BookLaunchers]

Is it non-fiction? We can help you if it is. Typically our engineer will run some tests with you to make sure your home set up is good and then he walks you through some tips to prepare your manuscript for reading. Then you record a sample and go from there. booklaunchers.com/audio-books/ This says it's just for clients but we are opening it up to help non-clients with it now too.

[@jessicajenns8318]

Thank you. It is non-fiction and I am self published on KDP. Is there some kind of studio to go in read in or do authors always outfit their own space for the sound recording? I live in a loud neighborhood so am wondering what it looks like to narrate my own book and what services do you provide?@@BookLaunchers

[@BookLaunchers]

@@jessicajenns8318 Yes you can rent a studio. Some libraries have great studios too. I usually look for a sound recording studio in my area. I have recorded in well set up podcast recording studios as well as a studio with an engineer on site. You can google a studio. Our team also helps you find a studio as well if you want us to help with your whole process. You can email us at [e-mail]

[@Jekwu]

Thank you ma'am, please can I record a book that's not mine without permission as an audiobook or even get paid for it whilst I upload it on platforms? I await your pleasant reply, cheers

[@ScullyPopASMR]

I turned my walk-in closet into a studio. My tower is in the room next door. A very good noise floor.

[@ScullyPopASMR]

I use Audacity, by the way.

[@ScullyPopASMR]

You covered ACX Guidelines well.

[@BookLaunchers]

Thank you!! They are quite complex but when you understand what the intent of each of them is I find it's easier to work with them!! Appreciate your comments! And closets are a great studio option.

[@user-nl7cl1ox2e]

hey :) If I record myself reading a book that is not mine and upload that to youtube, does that count as copyright infringement ?

[@BookLaunchers]

It sure is! Imagine if it wasn't - there would be thousands of versions of the bestselling books and the author wouldn't make any money from them.

[@metalkingtohorses]

I only had 1 kid too. I just published a book and may want the challenge go this.

[@BookLaunchers]

Do it! It's super fun. :) Congrats on your book.

[@chiefratmanchannel5798]

At (4:36/ "pick-ups" ), you mentioned something about replacing mispronounced words with correctly pronounced words. How exactly do you do that part? Because I can record five pages of my own book without any mistakes, but I eventually mispronounce a word. How exactly do I replace my mispronounced words with correctly pronounced words?

[@BookLaunchers]

Well our engineers do it but on Garage Band you have to record (or use Eleven Labs to clone your voice and create the recording) of the word to be replaced and then sub it over top of the word that needs to be replaced. 5 pages without a mistake is impressive!! Also, FYI - THIS SATURDAY - our next Deep Dive is our Author Showcase where you’re going to meet four Book Launchers authors. You can hear what worked and didn’t work, and ask them questions to help you in your author journey. It’s happening on April 20th at 10am PST. The link is at: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive

[@sandhusingh9207]

Is there any copy right issue in recording book written by other writers and how to solve this issue?

[@BookLaunchers]

Yes there is a copyright issue. The only thing you can do is contact them for rights and permissions.

[@suzieprater8083]

Hi! Does your company hire narrators for the non fiction books you publish? I'm a professional narrator/VO and I do a lot of non-fiction audiobook narrations. I would love the opportunity !

[@BookLaunchers]

Our authors will hire them from time to time. Many of our authors narrate their own books. If you want to submit your info to [e-mail] we can have it on hand. Thanks.

[@seanwebb605]

isn't specific specifications redundant?

[@luckypumareja947]

can you make my book into audiobook

[@metalkingtohorses]

of not go

[@blewis41]

Invest in a kaotica eyeball. It will save you a lot of money on foam.

[@BookLaunchers]

OMG those look so cool. I'd never seen those before - thanks!!

[@HoodieSource]

Do you need narrators?

[@BookLaunchers]

Hello - we don't need any now but you are welcome to email [e-mail] and let them know your experience and interest. Thanks!

[@antoniobugarin]

Show, don't tell.

[@independentjames1]

Stop telling people you can record a pro audiobook at home. It’s a blatant lie. I am a double certified Employed .Post Audio Engineer for over 25 years. Thousands of hrs recording ADR and narration , #1,you don’t have the knowledge and education to record at pro level .#2 you don’t have the pro equipment,, unless you plan on spending a quarter of million just to start. Maybe I should take the audio from this video and analyze it. No,,, I already know the outcome. So , stop spreading misinformation and lies

[@BookLaunchers]

It's not a lie at all - I've personally done it and many many of our clients have done it under pro supervision. It's entirely possible to do it at a really high quality. I'm not sure why you're attacking me over this - I'm sorry if you're having a bad day!

[@catsmad48]

I've been doing it for years successfully. If anyone had to invest that much, there would be no narrators.

[@bignose3639]

Thank you

[@BookLaunchers]

You're welcome. Thanks for being a part of the #noboringbooks community and commenting the day a video is released. You’ve been entered to win our bi-weekly draw for some sweet swag and you’re invited to join our live stream to find out if you won, and win other prizes too. Normally there would be a live on November 22nd but we have to skip that one so we’ll be posting the winners on the Community Tab instead. We’ll be back live on December 6th. 
 In the meantime you can plan to join our monthly Deep Dive training on (TODAY!) Saturday, November 19th. This one is in honor of NaNoWriMo and will be a writing session with writing sprints, Q&A, and focused writing time. Come and see how much you can accomplish with a little forced focus mixed with fun and prizes. Register here: www.booklaunchers.com/deepdive